The pitfalls of dining alone

[bcla]

My family is out of town so I decided to go to a restaurant/sports bar to watch the Super Bowl. I usually sit at the bar when solo, but there wasn’t a spot to be found so I got a small table. Just at halftime I headed for the restroom and came back finding my table had been cleared. I left something on my seat to mark that I was coming back, but apparently there was an overeager busboy. My server saw me coming back and apologized. Poured me a full replacement beer and I’m thinking I’m getting a replacement for the food.

I’m wondering if there’s a better way. I’ve been to all you can eat places where there was a card on the table that could be flipped to indicate one was coming back or to clear the table. I was thinking of maybe grabbing a coaster and putting over my beer glass.

 

[White Cat]

Leave your napkin on your chair.

 

[bcla]

Leave your napkin on your chair.

I left my jacket on my chair. Apparently that wasn’t enough of a hint.

 

[kdonnel]

Next time bring your food and drink with you to the bathroom.

 

[Southernmiss]

Tell your server that you'll be right back

 

[disneychrista]

I always have a book with me and leave it on the table. Though that did backfire on me once when a place used old books to put the bill in. Even though the book looked NOTHING like the ones they used.

 

[bcla]

Tell your server that you'll be right back

Wouldn't have worked. The server knew since I told him I was going to be there for the entirety of the Super Bowl game. The busboys don't necessarily communicate with the servers.

And I didn't get a replacement for the food. I sent a message to corporate and I'm just hoping they make this right. This was also the same location that previously added a tip (I left a cash tip) to my check without my authorization. I get that often they're quickly punching in totals to reconcile bills, but it really annoyed me.

I'm thinking of taking something like printer paper with me next time and writing a note and folding it over. Maybe with a bit or sarcasm?

 

[RedAngie]

Eh. It happens. Busboys were probably under pressure to clear tables quickly on Super Bowl Sunday. And management likely wanted at least two people at the table.

Hopefully they’ll send you a voucher for some free food on your next visit.

Many years ago I was dining alone at a fast food place and went to the ladies room and my table was cleared upon my return despite leaving an open paperback book on top. Food was only partially eaten and the manager replaced it.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I was thinking of maybe grabbing a coaster and putting over my beer glass.

That might work, or the note, or I guess ask someone at the next table to watch it for you. But it's really too bad they didn't fix it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

That's terrible but best guess is this was deliberate because a table of one spends a whole lot less than a table of four, nevermind the tips. On a big booze and food day like the Superbowl it's all about the $ so if you wanted to really keep the seat you would need to outspend and out tip other tables. If you had been handing the server a bit of $ here and there it wouldn't have happened, unless the manager was the one pushing to get more people in seats, which is also possible. Maybe if you asked the server to keep an eye out for an empty bar seat asap it would have gone differently. Doubt any sort of note would have worked since coat on chair is the universal sign of occupied. Shame this happened to you.

 

[anniemae]

They must have not seen the coat on the chair. Mistakes happen. I would probably have laid the coat on the table so they would clearly see you were coming back. Or even writing "be right back" on a paper napkin and leave it by your plate. They should have replaced the items they took.

How much food did they take away, were you almost done or was it a significant amount?

 

[mrodgers]

Previously added a tip without authorization and now this, they don't need to fix it for me. I've already fixed it by not going there again.

 

[White Cat]

https://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table_manners_2.html

Surprised more don’t know this stuff.

 

[hrhdhd]

Go before you leave the house?

 

[Mysterian]

Bring a cardboard cutout of yourself to leave when you go to the restroom, OR, since you're dining alone, the cutout could be of anyone you like. Nobody will notice the strange guy talking to a cardboard Pee Wee Herman on Super Bowl Sunday. Today's secret word is TOUCHDOWN.

 

[tcufrog]

I usually bring a book or magazine with me and place it on the table when I leave to go to the bathroom. I've never had my food taken.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I not sure anything would've mattered in that situation. You told the server, hadn't finished your meal AND left your coat. I doubt leaving your eating utensils in the "finished" mode would have worked either it's very unfortunate they didnt replace your meal either. I wouldn't have been happy.

 

[DLgal]

I wouldn't go back a third time, to be honest. They probably did this on purpose to get you to leave.

 

[bcla]

That might work, or the note, or I guess ask someone at the next table to watch it for you. But it's really too bad they didn't fix it.

I’ve seen the coaster over the beer glass at a bar. There are a lot more solo customers at bar counters.

I did get the beer replaced almost immediately. Not sure what they’ll do with my complaint. Maybe comp me an appetizer on a future visit, or just a gift card. I’ve gotten some sort of credit before. I don’t typically file complaints.

 

[bcla]

I wouldn't go back a third time, to be honest. They probably did this on purpose to get you to leave.

I’m not sure. I’m going there semi regularly and some servers even recognize me now and say hi even if someone else is serving me. When my server came back to me, I’m not sure why he only got me the beer, but that might have been something he could have done himself.

Found this.