Simple dining courtesy question

[IFlossU]

I've read in a couple of places that out of common courtesy you should show up on time for dinner so tablemates are not kept waiting. Seems obvious enough. What confuses me, (I am blonde BTW), is what if you decide not to go to rotational dining one night and eat somewhere else instead? Which I understand people do all the time. Are the people at your table kept waiting? Is it OK to just NOT show up?

 

[SueEllen]

It is certainly okay to not show up--but if you know in advance it is nice to let your servers know.

I don't think the other diners are kept waiting...it has been my experience that they will go ahead and get your orders going after you are seated.

Sue Ellen

 

[trishy]

We'll forgive your "blondeness"

( )but I think that's an excellent question and feel it was very courteous of you to ask. The servers will not wait too long for all of the table-mates to be present before they begin taking orders. Like SueEllen said, it would be nice if you know ahead of time to alert the table-mates and/or the servers, but also understand that last minute decisions definitely happen (especially after a long excursion).

 

[AnnMorin]

And after the second night our waitstaff just took our orders and acted like we were a party of three, they would usually show up when we were starting our entree, get their app. when we completed dessert.

 

[eye R.N.]

We give advance warning to servers and tablemates.


The wait staff is very good about juggling things around to fit everyones needs. My teens tended to get dessert (to go) so as not to miss an activity. Our waiter also managed to package the rest of our anniversary cake to go to common grounds so it was not wasted.

 

[IFlossU]

My Internet service was out all day!! Just about went crazy without my Dis fix! Could have missed some crucial information being the perpetual lurker that I am.

Anyway.. Thanks for your replies. In my opinion it's never a good idea to upset people when they are trying to eat.

 

[natdencro]

Just mention to your server that you will be eating elsewhere, as I know from daughter's experience that many servers suffer from "late arrivals" at dinner. Bear in mind that the servers work up to 90 hours a week, and late guests add an extra 90 mins to an already very long day. If they are aware that you will not be joining the rotation one evening, then they wont wait on terderhooks, worried that their shift may last an extra hour or so. Anyway, we preferred dining rotation to the other options. Palos is lovely for brunch and afternoon tea, but you dont have a view at dinner time, as it gets dark before you eat!Enjoy yourselves.