Comments | theevilnub: Service With a Snark

theevilnub

Service With a Snark

May 17, 2009 09:00

Saturday I went out to dinner with a guy I've recently met. Like many big-bellied brethren, booths aren't always my buddy. So I asked the hostess for a table (of which there were several empty two-tops within eyesight ) & the hostess cheerfully & hastily leads us to a booth. Though I've never been a waiter, I've always felt for people who wait ( Read more... )

Comments 19

arshermetica May 17 2009, 16:05:00 UTC

A good waitress should have discretely and with grace led you to a table without needing to be asked for one.

It's something i'm always sure to go over with new wait staff, part of making sure the guest is pleased nd comfortable start to finish.

theevilnub May 17 2009, 16:39:13 UTC

I thought at first she might be having a momentary brain fart, but I don't think I was prepared for her look of confusion when I renewed my request for a table. She appeared to be in a bit of a mental fog & I felt I had to shock her out of it.

huzzahs4me May 17 2009, 16:11:40 UTC

Remember that usually hostesses are young and are in their first job. I've encountered in the restaurants where I've worked that they usually put the dumb blondes in the hostess stand for whatever reason.

theevilnub May 17 2009, 16:40:43 UTC

Perhaps the positioning of the dumb blondes (or in my case, the dumb brunette) up front is akin to window dressing. They are part of the front facade of the restaurant.

arshermetica May 17 2009, 17:15:46 UTC

PRetty much, it's a part of the dining psychology. You put the "attractive people" up front and centre, and some restaurants (None that i've run thank god) basically have an "attactriveness cascade" where the farther back you go the "uglier" the servers get.

And yeah I wish I was making that up.

theevilnub May 17 2009, 19:20:57 UTC

That doesn't surprise me. The owner of the company I worked for earlier this year seemed to have the same philosophy when it came to the receptionist.

beingchris May 17 2009, 19:29:58 UTC

Wow, sure looks like you didn't get a very bright waitress. Usually when this happens to me though, I pat my belly, and tell them we're big boys, and we're not gonna fit. I guess my directness helps avoid confusion... which is good, cause it seems from your experience, not all food service people can intuitively figure out bellies and booths don't always work.

theevilnub May 18 2009, 04:46:56 UTC

If she thought I was thinner than I looked, then I guess I could be flattered. :) But I don't think that was the case here.

I do miss being able to fit into most booths, though. Someday...

sabin May 17 2009, 19:33:32 UTC

probably woulda just been easiest if you pointed at a regular table, and said "Could we sit there if possible?"

But your response is more fun. :)

theevilnub May 18 2009, 04:49:14 UTC

:)

Yeah when I'm caught by surprise like that I sometimes lose the ability to think before I speak & the first response, though often more efficient, isn't always the most tactful.

Then again, sometimes, tact is overrated.

shirtlifterbear May 17 2009, 19:57:50 UTC

HEE!

Your response sure narrowed it down!

Even "dog head-tilt" girl could understand it!

theevilnub May 18 2009, 04:49:50 UTC

I was totally prepared for her to lead us to the bar, though.