How Close to Closing Will You Go to a Restaurant?

[ErikdaRed]

Except that a restaurant is a very different experience from a store. Its not like you go into a store, pick out what you are going to buy, then take an hour to buy it.

Another vote to expect to be there at least an hour after you stop seating people.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about "closing time"

It seems that the most support comes from servers/ex-servers so you guys know what it's like. I guess those that don't understand it haven't walked in our shoes.

I have to share one more thing with you, had a really great customer last night. He came in shortly before 5:00 and I seated him and he said another person would be joining him. She showed up about a half-hour later. They both ordered the buffet and he ordered lemonade. I went back several times to refill his lemonade and take away their dirty plates. He came up to settle the bill and left me a $5.60 tip (the whole bill was just under $20) so I was very, very happy with that. They proceeded to sit at the table chatting, no problem as it wasn't a particularly busy night. We closed at 8:00, but a table of 7 had come in 2-minutes before 8:00 *grumble grumble grumble* so we waited until 8:30 to start cleaning up. When I started the vacuum in the entryway, the couple said "uh oh, we better get out of here, they're closing" and I smiled and said good-bye to them as they walked out. The other waitress came over to me and said the guy had left me $4 more for "taking up the table so long." I thought that was so sweet of him, and I ran out the door and caught him and said thank you. Not many people do that, so it was a nice surprise!

 

[Lorix2]

that was nice of him

I always thank people kindly no matter what they leave for a gratuity...but when I receive 25-30% of the bill, I always thank them again if they are still at the table after I've cashed out the check. I never want them to feel a huge tip was expected and that I really appreciated their generosity.

 

[skuttle]

I won't go in if it's less than an hour to closing. I also worked at a restuarant during college and I know how much stuff starts getting picked up, cleaned, etc before closing.

 

[dcgrumpy]

To me 'closing time' means last seating time. If that's not the case they need to stop seating people. I'm sorry if the servers don't like it, but it's not my problem. Get another job.

 

[Lorix2]

Closing time for our restaurant means the doors are locked and ovens turned off at that designated time. You'd think people would understand what "closing" means

You're the kind of people that keep us there much longer than we are required to stay, dcgrumpy.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Yep, I purposely do it.

If I show up at a restaurant and they seat me. How in the world is that my fault? Blame management. You act as though people are sneaking in a back door to eat.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

with both a store and a restaurant, my assumption is "closing time" is the time when the business shuts its door and does not admit any new customers. in a store, I expect that if I am standing at the cash register at "closing time" I will be able to make my purchase. if I am seated in a restaurant at "clsosing time" I expect to be able to finish my meal. If I walk into a restauant 10 minutes beofre closing, and I ask if they're still serving and I'm told that they are I most certainly expect to be seated, served and taken care of in an appropriate manner. if I go to the restaurant 10 minutes beofre closing time and I ask if they're still serving, and I'm told "no, we close in a few minutes" I don't have any expectations at all.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

and you know what, chaattyholic? my stated work hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., but you seldom see me leave my office until 6:00 because I need to finish what I was working on before I leave for the day. it's part of the job.

 

[caitycaity]

You're the kind of people that keep us there much longer than we are required to stay, dcgrumpy.

if you are not required to stay, then why do you stay late? seems to me like your boss *is* requiring you to stay.

 

[year2late]

When someone pokes their head in and asks if it is too late - if it is, tell them to come back again. Better yet, post a notice saying "last seating ****pm".

Every resturant is different. If your resturant allows seating up till closing time, you have an issue with the boss, not the customer.

It almost seems like there are inferences that the customer is being rude by asking - I think that is unfair.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

ITA<, Y2L and Caity.

if the employer allows seating up until closing time, it's not rude for a cusotmer to expect to be served. the server's issue is with the empliyer, not the customer.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

As far as I'm concerned, if the restaurant is open until 8, I can't take my butt in there at 7:59. If you start turning people away at 7:30 so you can get out of there by 8, you're going to have some mad customers on your hands.

 

[faithinkarma]

When someone pokes their head in and asks if it is too late - if it is, tell them to come back again. Better yet, post a notice saying "last seating ****pm".

Every resturant is different. If your resturant allows seating up till closing time, you have an issue with the boss, not the customer.

It almost seems like there are inferences that the customer is being rude by asking - I think that is unfair.

EXACTLY !


It is extremely unfair to expect the customer to know which restaurants mean "we close at eight" and which ones mean " we stop serving at eight".

I have the greatest respect for servers. They do a very difficult job. I would go out of my way to make their job easier, and I tip very well. But I find the blaming of the customer is a case of having unrealistic expectations.

 

[Lorix2]

I agree a "last seating" should be posted, but most restaurants do not.

I have no problem whatsoever seating a party at 11:25 PM with a closing time of 11:30 PM. I politely let them know that we are closing in 5 minutes and that I need to get their order in. Of course I expect them to finish their meal and enjoy it. I give them the same level of professional service that they should expect no matter what time of night or day it is.

My only complaint is that if after they've finished and do not need my services anymore, why they refuse to pay the check after it's been on the table for a long time, knowing that the restaurant is now closed. The mgrs cannot leave until reports are done and my report cannot be done until the customer pays. WHen all the lights are up, tv's turned off, nobody around them and the cleaning crew has come in for the night, it's time to go home. Period.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

I agree a "last seating" should be posted, but most restaurants do not.

I think if there isn't a different time posted, the last seating is the 'closing' time.

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
I think if there isn't a different time posted, the last seating is the 'closing' time.

Not necessarily. Many resturants do not operate this way. A potential patron who comes in asking what "the rule" is and is told to have a seat is being told that they are open for business. It may change from day to day. I resturant that had a slow day, might welcome the closing time crowd. The same returant that has been bustling all day might be more apt to say "we're closed"

Again, the problem is with the boss for saying yes.

 

[Lorix2]

I work for a chain restaurant and it's not up to the "boss", corporate is who sets the times of opening and closing.

I think the smaller individually owned restaurants can set their own times and policies.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Either way, it's not the customers fault

 

[Lorix2]

agreed, I never stated I blamed a customer.