Any waiters/resses out there? (with apologies to Sambucus Nigra)

Sambucus_Nigra

And another thing...why have I stood in a queue of 15 at a garage to pay for fuel; with one till server and 2 people filling shelves?

Yes Leicester Forest East; Southbound - that's you on several occasions. Luckily there's an Asda just round the corner which I now use as it's quicker to come off the M1, drive to Asda, fill up, queue up and drive back, than it is to use your garage.

willeynotwiley

I worked as a waitress for several years, both in very swish hotels and little thatched country pubs, and have to agree that the current standard of service offered in most establishments is shocking. In the places I worked I would be responsible for a set area of tables (In the pub that would be the entire pub - all four rooms!) and yet non of my customers had to leave their seats for a drink, something that we often have to do as we can't find a waiter/ess or come and find me for the bill.
Don't get me wrong I'm not saying I was perfect - there was an occasion where a customer wore his soup but I believe that the service you get is as important as the food you are served...if the food is great but the service poor you are not going to return are you?
I wonder if, given the limited training waiter/ess receive, they are struggling with the balance between given customers space to enjoy their meals and not wanting to make customers feel unwanted once their meal is finished?
That said we were very neglected earlier this week by two waiting staff in a virtually empty restaurant...very keen to take our order and check that the meal was okay within two seconds of it arriving to the table (how we would know when we haven't even had a chance to pick up our cutlery?!?) but then nothing despite us stacking the dishes for them and one of our party leaving (coat and all) to wait in the car!!!

lostinrates

willeynotwiley wrote: »

[COLOR=...very keen to take our order and check that the meal was okay within two seconds of it arriving to the table (how we would know when we haven't even had a chance to pick up our cutlery?!?) but then nothing despite us stacking the dishes for them and one of our party leaving (coat and all) to wait in the car!!! [/COLOR]

This sort of over attentiveness in lieu of real good service is more of a bug bear for me than the bill thing. We have found a stretchy for the bill thing, but nothing to counteract the 'everything ok for you' as soon as one has tasted the meal and has a first mouth ful. Rendered unable to speak, and not in a position to judge from one first in chewed taste. Good service is skilled and a delicate balance between charm and humour and discretion.

rachhh

I work in the restaurant of a hotel which is part of a chain. In our training manual we are told that we shouldn't deliver the bill until the customer asks, and unbelievably, we've had several complaints from customers who said we were 'bothering them' about the bill when they just wanted to sit for a while after the meal.
It's very hard to gage from customer to customer when they are ready for the bill if they don't ask, or when we should ask if they don't. It's sometimes a fine line between a customer seeing you as overbearing or totally ignorant.
This is the case where I work but obviously it may be different in other places. In my hotel also, all bills are handwritten and added up using a rubbishy little calculator so it can sometimes take a little while to get them prepared if we're busy!

Bronnie

You know, I've never noticed much of a problem with this.

If I'm in a hurry during the day I will ask when they clear the table, "Could I have the bill, when you're ready , please". Else at the end of the meal, go to the loo and nab them with the same comment on the way.

However in restaurants, I tend to eat dinner later in the evening and like to relax and linger anyway, so they're probably glad to bring the bill and get rid of me!

heretolearn_2

We've noticed this more and more too. while I don't want to be rushed out, when I'm ready to go I want to be able to! I find the main problem is that it's impossible to catch their eye in the first place to ask for the bill, they just concentrate so much on the new customer in front of them and taking the orders, they just blank out the rest of the place.

We went out recently and it took us ages to get the bill. It was late at night, we were tired, we wanted to go, so did the restaurant staff as they were cleaning up/packing up the restaurant ready to close - but did one of them come over in our direction or glance at us to see if we'd finished? No. We had to go and hunt one down, even then the bill wasn't brought to us till we hunted a second one down and asked for it again.

Still, you want to try Crete. I was there with my son and it used to make us laugh really, they do everything they can to stop you leaving (in a nice way, but it did go on a bit) even after you've asked for the bill. Sit down at your table to chat with you, bring you over free drinks, on and on. They just expect you to be there all evening, even if you have a kid with you. It always used to take about an hour to get out.

gunsandbanjos

You may have noticed from the other thread that I'm currently a waitress while I finish my degree.

I always ask if they want anything else and if not will present the bill, if they then decide they do want anything I can revise the bill no problem at all.

I don't understand why people would be reluctant to give the bill?

Turn and burn:D

djhops

Just a thought, if the restaurant is less than 3/4 full and prospective customers are looking deciding whether to eat more people usually equals more atmosphere/ a statement that says this place is popular you shoudl try it... perhaps that's why some places like to keep you hanging around?!?

Totally agree though I find it most annoying, simplest thing as someone else has suggested is to get up and walk to the till (just putting you coats on normally prompts them)!!!

ukjoel

I have approximated whats owed and left it on the table before an walked out.

To be fair this is only after asking for the billwhen deserts were ordered, again when they arrived, and again after they were being eaten.

We then put our coats on stood around (very obviously) for a couple of minutes and at that point we left. I have told them I have a film/show/appointment to be at when I arrive and if they cant turn a meal round in that time then I will go down the road.

If they cant deliver then I pay accordingly.

Its only happened 4 or 5 times (in hundreds of meals out) and I have never been chased out the door, even when I am sure I have paid less than the bill price.

Callie22

I've noticed this more and I wonder if it's anything to do with who is allowed to handle cash and cards. I've noticed in a lot of places (mainly chain type restaurants) that only the managers appear to be allowed to use the hand-held card machines - the delay is not so much in getting the bill but in actually paying it. I wonder if some of the delay is due to staff not wanting to have to tell customers that they can't handle the cash/cards.

I used to work as a waitress and I'd always give the bill and get the money as soon as possible - not least because we'd get in terrible trouble if people left without paying!