FriendOfTheDevil
Forum User
Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 1378
Post subject: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 07 Nov 2009 21:46 pm
Specifically the girl who didn't wait on me today at Country Club Bar and Grill off Clayton?
Or any other waitron that fits this bill?
Is it really that hard to remember the "many beers you have on draft"?
7 or 8 BTW does not constitute "many" in my book. Half of which were AB products.
But no, you would rather me walk inside from the patio in order to see the "many" 7 or 8 draft beers you have.
Waitperson, is it really that hard to have a menu in my hands after sitting down for 20 minutes?
I doubt if you even knew why I left after taking one drink of the beer that I ordered after having to figure out what you had myself...
It was 2 pm and you were really not that busy.
Too bad your terrible service had to ruin a beautiful patio and potentially good grub.
I went around the corner and was eating some very good fish (Walleye) at Yellow stone Cafe befoere you probably even realized I was gone...
FOTD
Jmertz21
Forum User
Joined: 21 Nov 2004
Posts: 40
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 03:11 am
FriendOfTheDevil wrote
Specifically the girl who didn't wait on me today at Country Club Bar and Grill off Clayton?
Or any other waitron that fits this bill?
Is it really that hard to remember the "many beers you have on draft"?
7 or 8 BTW does not constitute "many" in my book. Half of which were AB products.
But no, you would rather me walk inside from the patio in order to see the "many" 7 or 8 draft beers you have.
Waitperson, is it really that hard to have a menu in my hands after sitting down for 20 minutes?
I doubt if you even knew why I left after taking one drink of the beer that I ordered after having to figure out what you had myself...
It was 2 pm and you were really not that busy.
Too bad your terrible service had to ruin a beautiful patio and potentially good grub.
I went around the corner and was eating some very good fish (Walleye) at Yellow stone Cafe befoere you probably even realized I was gone...
FOTD
I'm honestly confused... Did you walk on to a patio and then when you were not served, walk inside, look at the beers, and order from a random waitress... then take a couple drinks, and leave without paying for said beer? Because if that is the case, you didn't bother to enter the building and get greeted by a hostess, who alerts servers there are tables on the patio.
If I misread, correct me. But you never said that you asked her the beers on tap and she didn't know them. It seems as if you were never served because you didn't go through the appropriate steps to be served... and then didn't pay.
FriendOfTheDevil
Forum User
Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 1378
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 05:17 am
Jmertz21 wrote
FriendOfTheDevil wrote
Specifically the girl who didn't wait on me today at Country Club Bar and Grill off Clayton?
Or any other waitron that fits this bill?
Is it really that hard to remember the "many beers you have on draft"?
7 or 8 BTW does not constitute "many" in my book. Half of which were AB products.
But no, you would rather me walk inside from the patio in order to see the "many" 7 or 8 draft beers you have.
Waitperson, is it really that hard to have a menu in my hands after sitting down for 20 minutes?
I doubt if you even knew why I left after taking one drink of the beer that I ordered after having to figure out what you had myself...
It was 2 pm and you were really not that busy.
Too bad your terrible service had to ruin a beautiful patio and potentially good grub.
I went around the corner and was eating some very good fish (Walleye) at Yellow stone Cafe befoere you probably even realized I was gone...
FOTD
I'm honestly confused... Did you walk on to a patio and then when you were not served, walk inside, look at the beers, and order from a random waitress... then take a couple drinks, and leave without paying for said beer? Because if that is the case, you didn't bother to enter the building and get greeted by a hostess, who alerts servers there are tables on the patio.
If I misread, correct me. But you never said that you asked her the beers on tap and she didn't know them. It seems as if you were never served because you didn't go through the appropriate steps to be served... and then didn't pay.
I don't know if you misread or I am being obtuse, but I will clarify.
Yes I sat down.
There was no hostess.
There were two waitresses for the 5 tables going on the patio.
A waitress came and took my drink order ON THE PATIO, AT HER STATION.
There was no issue with her being my waitress and knowing I was there.
She did not know the drafts as I plainly stated(maybe you missed my sarcasm when I said "didn't wait on me").
She waited on me, barely.
SO, I told HER I would go inside to see. She went inside also, and I ordered directly from her.
So your first paragraph while correct I did not go through a hostess , has come to the wrong conclusion because the waitress outside, at my table, came to my table and asked what I would like to drink.
So that was not an issue.
She then BROUGHT my drink to my table.
So my first question, is it that hard to remember the "many" beers you have on tap? (not many in my book at all).
Secondly, I waited and waited for the waitress to come back and or give me a menu. She served a couple of other folks in the station, near me.
After 20 minutes had passed, and one drink of my beer, yes, I left, without paying for the one drink of my beer.
Is that clearer?
FOTD
Last edited by FriendOfTheDevil on 08 Nov 2009 07:38 am; edited 1 time in total
DarthWaiter
Forum User
Joined: 10 Jun 2009
Posts: 176
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 06:59 am
You should have paid for that beer or talked to someone about the problem. Makes you look bad.
Pol Pothead
Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Posts: 47
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 07:58 am
After 20 minutes had passed, and one drink of my beer, yes, I left, without paying for the one drink of my beer.
My question is thus.
One drink of your beer in 20 minutes?
What is wrong with you???
sugaree
Forum User
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 544
Location: at the jubilee
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 08:05 am
Reminds me of a recent experience I had while dining with my husband. He ordered a dry gin martini. Our waitress looked confused. She asked, "Was that a diet gin martini?"
I think there are a lot of people who have taken server jobs because they need a job, but they have no idea what they're doing. They lack basic knowledge about wines, beers and cocktails. They don't have the internal norms experienced servers do about checking on their customers or even the passage of time. Its not that they're busy or overwhelmed, necessarily, they just don't have the skills. Anyone can take an order. It takes a specific and complex skill set to be a competent waiter or waitress.
Pol Pothead
Forum User
Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Posts: 47
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 08:41 am
It takes a specific and complex skill set to be a competent waiter or waitress.
C'mon, give me a break!
It takes two arms, two legs, a brain, a decent people personality, attention to detail--->probably the most important atribute! and the desire to suceed.
Contrary to CK's blatherings this ain't rocket science! Memorize the draft beers on the menu, memorize the daily specials. Remember to bring the dressing on the side if requested, that kind of stuff.
grouse
Forum User
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Posts: 6
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 10:38 am
Training..training...training
Always seems to get in the way when the customers is second thing on their mind...ownership has its responsibilities. This is the one topic the big chains have seemed to perfect...volume of business is the answer, 2pm is closing time for most restaurants because there is no business to meet the labor cost.
server31
Forum User
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Posts: 13
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 11:09 am
So here's my opinion. It was very incorrect the service you did not recieve. She should know the drafts by heart. The other server on the patio probably should have noticed, and asked if you were being helped. You can usually tell just by the look on someone's face if they are displeased. The only factor was maybe if she was brand new, it does take awhile to really cement the entire menu, beers, ect. into your mind when first starting, BUT if she was that green she shouldn't really have been on the floor. If she did not know the selection she should have said "I apologize, I will go find out the selection and be right back", not walked you inside. Also, I don't blame you for not paying, and I'm sure she had to tell a manager to take the beer off the ticket, and had to explain why, so maybe managemant is aware there was an issue. It seems like it is really bothering you, I would call and let a manager know about her lack of service.
server31
Forum User
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Posts: 13
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 11:11 am
Pol Pothead wrote
After 20 minutes had passed, and one drink of my beer, yes, I left, without paying for the one drink of my beer.
My question is thus.
One drink of your beer in 20 minutes?
What is wrong with you???
He most likely wanted to eat WITH his alcohlic beverage. Most people do. JMO
Uncle John
Forum User
Joined: 17 Oct 2006
Posts: 248
Location: St. Louis, MO
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 11:24 am
FriendOfTheDevil wrote
It was 2 pm and you were really not that busy.
FOTD
Not a good time to eat at a restaurant. It was prob the end of her shift, and she was wanting to go home.
I try not to eat at restaurants between 2-4pm. End of shift for wait and kitchen staff.
You're more likely to get poor service and food during these hours.
_________________
ClarkKimble
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Joined: 28 Aug 2003
Posts: 5494
Location: Southern California
Post subject: Re: Waitpersons, is it really that difficult??
Posted: 08 Nov 2009 12:33 pm
sugaree wrote
I think there are a lot of people who have taken server jobs because they need a job, but they have no idea what they're doing. They lack basic knowledge about wines, beers and cocktails. They don't have the internal norms experienced servers do about checking on their customers or even the passage of time. Its not that they're busy or overwhelmed, necessarily, they just don't have the skills. Anyone can take an order. It takes a specific and complex skill set to be a competent waiter or waitress.
Well said. It's also, largely, a management issue. The supposed "training" that goes on at too many restaurants consists of, minutes after clocking in for your first day on the job, being told "Why don't you grab that customer?", or, in a much better place, "Follow Jason around for two days, then do what he does." That's it.
There are also restaurateurs who demand great service from their hires, but place so little respect in the position that when they advertise for help, the ad reads "Waiter/Waitress 666-2323". No clue as to whether it's a Michelin Guide recommendation, or a Waffle House.
But, remember, like Sugaree suggested...no one aspires to a career as a server. There are no respected university programs granting you a Bachelor's in Service. There is NO respect granted the position, so those who take it feel like they've failed, and they wear it on their sleeves. Even when I've provided A-1, top-notch service, I've had well-meaning diners ask me what I do for a living. As if I'm working my @$$ off every night just for grins.
Even if you're the best server in STL, you're still, in the eyes of the public, "just a server". That's why, even though I spent 13 years tableside at eight restaurants (10 years in one), I never, ever had any interest in those Gateway Arch competitions pitting servers in skill contests. When people asked what I did for a living, I told them "I'm a writer." I learned to do that because every time I started dating a new woman, she was fine with me until she told her friends, who exclaimed "You're dating a WAITER?". Don't think that doesn't play with your psyche.
That's why it hurt so bad to try and take the skills I honed as a server into the traditional business world, applying for sales and customer service jobs with more reliable hours and pay. I was always treated like I was a shoeshine boy or adult video parlor booth mopper. You'd think someone who was very customer oriented, who could think on his feet, act promptly, balance several demanding tables' needs and with a smile on his face while his feet and back ached, would be a prime sales/customer service candidate. Nope. I was "just a waiter".
In Europe, serving is an honored profession. Note how immigrants to the USA tend to provide so much better service, and take more pride in providing it. That's because they were raised with that being something to be proud of.
In the USA, it's a sign that you can't get a real job, and until some restaurant chain promotes former servers into positions of management, and some university (NOT University of Phoenix) provides professional respect for learning the skills, it will continue to be regarded as something you do until a REAL job comes along.
Hollywood and Madison Avenue have only worsened it. Look at almost any movie, and the server is either a guy between jobs, or an abused, chain-smoking wife with no education working in a diner so she can get away from her trailer-trash husband. It started with "Of Human Bondage", continued through "White Palace", "Untamed Heart", "As Good As It Gets", "Tootsie", "Waitress", yada yada yada, and never got better. Kiss my grits, Hollywood.
On the skills side, you can take any nice person with people skills and teach them service skills. However, you cannot take a person with service skills and teach them to be a nice person with people skills.
