Check it out, guys: The Top 5 restaurant gripes

[tyler811]

Ask restaurant-goers what irritates them most about dining out, and you might expect howls about slow service, improperly cooked food and mixed-up orders. But those big-picture issues weren't the most common complaints of the 100-plus diners who responded when I asked readers recently to share their pet peeves about restaurants. It turns out it's the little things that drive people up the wall.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100513/ENT08/5130431/1371/Top-5-restaurant-gripes-for-diners


The other side:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2075048

 

[lxskllr]

Most of that is stupid, but...

(6) parents who allow children to run loose, shriek, make a mess or act out;

People who don't control their kids should be beaten with a piece of rebar.

 

[IronWing]

Waiting, waiting, waiting for the check after you've already finished, told the server no dessert, and that you'd like the check. The tip drops by the minute.

 

[Jumpem]

Waiting, waiting, waiting for the check after you've already finished, told the server no dessert, and that you'd like the check. The tip drops by the minute.

This. I hate waiting. When I am done eating I am ready to go.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Most of that is stupid, but...

People who don't control their kids should be beaten with a piece of rebar.

Meh, all kids have their moments...

As long as it doesn't go on and on and on with the parents completely ignoring the bad behavior.

 

[Cattlegod]

WTF - the number one is just a regional norm. Number three is awesome, i love having the check so i can leave promptly and who cares about five. This list is horrible.

By far my number one is refills. I usually drink 3 or so refills during a meal and very often I have to wait a few minutes before a refill is brought.

 

[Jeff7]

The solution to the check thing would be some kind of signaling thing - a simple "Check, please" button at each table, which would show up a light somewhere so that the staff knows which table wants the bill.

The situation just seems silly - the server doesn't know what the customer's preference is for the check, and the customer has no "proper" way of getting a server's attention to signal that they want the check, short of waving a hand repeatedly, or else simply walking around to find someone. And if you're going to do that, well, you might as well just go to the register yourself and pay.

"What we have here....is....failure to communicate."


Though I suppose you'd have assholes who'd abuse this simple thing, and just press it repeatedly because of their inherent assholeish tendencies.

 

[Engineer]

Problem solved.

TM - 2010 - Engineer Inc.

(patent pending)



(and just for kicks, throw in an intercom similar to Lowes where after pressing the button, a loud voice announces "customers needs assistance at table #5...customer needs assistance at table #5"....repeat).

 

[sjwaste]

At a more casual neighborhood place, I kind of expect the check to arrive during dessert and I really don't mind. The places I go to regularly aren't running me out - they're still coming by to refill drinks, ask if we want anything, etc. It makes it easier when we're ready to leave, though. I mean, yeah, it does turn the table faster in that it eliminates a wait for the check, but it's not going to rush me and I don't think the intent is to do so. For instance, if I don't get the check by the time I want it, I just put my card at the edge of the table and most servers know what to do. I'm talking places in the $50pp range (DC area, with a beer or mixed drink per head).

At fine dining places, the check should never hit the table until the diner asks for it. It's much more common there to linger after the meal, maybe have an after dinner drink, or just sit around and bullshit. Many places of this type are only planning to turn the table once that night anyway, if at all. It's part of, and priced into, the experience. Therefore, I would feel rushed there if the check arrived before I asked for it.

As for servers acting overly familiar or addressing us informally, I don't really care. We're younger (late 20's), and maybe that's just part of my generation there. This includes fine dining, where I'd expect to see more formal service. I appreciate that the wait staff is very professional there, but I'll usually crack a quiet joke on their first or second visit to the table to let them know that they're free to talk to us, etc. Most will pick up on that read, and usually appreciate it.

Bottom line - some of these norms are going to depend on where you are, both geographically and the type of restaurant. It's also dependent upon some sort of communication with the staff. Believe me, the staff wants to do whatever it is that you want in order to draw the best possible tip. I swear some of the better waiters, esp at higher end places, are borderline mind readers, but they can't all be. If something is wrong, you should politely speak up while you're still there rather than bitch about it afterwards. Let them fix it on the spot - you're spending the money anyway, and you'll leave having had a better time.

Diners do have responsibility in the exchange.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

I don't mind much of what they complained about though crouching or sitting to take my order annoys me greatly. And if you EVER, EVER write on the ticket how much 20 percent tip would be, you will get NONE.

 

[FallenHero]

(7) overly familiar servers who squat down or sit beside customers;

WHAT? I actually enjoy this. The tip goes UP when they do this because even if they are faking interest, it at least shows that they pay attention to their tables and are willing to talk to a stranger.

 

[waggy]

No. 2: Servers might take home bigger tips if they didn't ask, "Do you need change?" when they pick up a guest's check with cash. Diners considered it presumptuous or thought it was an effort to get an extra-large tip -- so they left less in protest. Most servers will tell you they're only trying to avoid an unnecessary trip back to the table.


OH man this one annoyes me. If i want you to keep all the change i will say "keep the change".

Once the wife and I went out for dinner. the bill came to $29 and all i had was a $50 and the dumb bitch asked "do you need change" WTF! look at the bill and the money and think for a second.

my wife says "a $20 tip?" and just looked at her. i started laughing and shook my head.

 

[waggy]

I don't mind much of what they complained about though crouching or sitting to take my order annoys me greatly. And if you EVER, EVER write on the ticket how much 20 percent tip would be, you will get NONE.

I don't mind them the crouching. they are told to do that since it makes some feel like its a nicer place.

I agree them writting on the ticket the amount of a the tip just makes it go lower.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

another example of server stupidity id when you are owed change and they only bring big bills. Sorry honey, if I was doing to tip you $8 and you only bring me back a $10 bill, you may end up with the $4 in ones I've got.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

I don't mind them the crouching. they are told to do that since it makes some feel like its a nicer place.

I agree them writting on the ticket the amount of a the tip just makes it go lower.

It might just be a regional thing...almost to a certainty, those that crouch here are annoying douches who end up being bad servers in other ways.

 

[Platypus]

Their number 6 is my number 1... the worst thing ever are children who are going apeshit and parents who just sit right fucking next to it and pretend it's not even happening. I understand kids act up but it should be dealt with promptly.

A lot of the complaints in that story were so polarizing.. check coming too late or too early for example. You can't really please everyone and from reading that article people complain over some petty shit apparently. It's kind of a sad commentary on the culture of dining out in America.

 

[Ns1]

Problem solved.

TM - 2010 - Engineer Inc.

(patent pending)



(and just for kicks, throw in an intercom similar to Lowes where after pressing the button, a loud voice announces "customers needs assistance at table #5...customer needs assistance at table #5"....repeat).

this is standard at korean restaurants...press button for service.

 

[nageov3t]

No. 3: Checks brought too soon irk many readers; most interpret it as a sign the restaurant wants them to leave quickly.

totally agree with that one... the other night, I went out for dinner with 2 female friends. the restaurant we were in was not quite dead, but it was pretty quiet. it was us and maybe 3-4 other groups. despite that, the waiter dropped the check before we'd even finished eating dinner and started taking plates away as soon as a fork was set down. we stayed for like an extra hour just sitting around gossiping, but had he not dropped the check off so early we'd probably have gotten coffee or tea and split a dessert or two between us.


he got a decent tip, but only because he was ridiculously cute :heart:

 

[l0cke]

None of these things really bother me at all. I have one crazy aunt who freaks out whenever a waiter says "guys"

 

[ahenkel]

I guess if I'm at some place nice I would expect sir on ma'am, but if I'm at dennys at 4am with friends "guys" is just fine.

 

[tyler811]

Most of that is stupid, but...



People who don't control their kids should be beaten with a piece of rebar.

:thumbsup:

 

[brblx]

those are some dumb fucking complaints. was this survey targeted specifically at retarded assholes?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

'Hi, my name is Bobby and this is the last time you'll see me tonight.'

 

[xanis]

None of these things really bother me at all. I have one crazy aunt who freaks out whenever a waiter says "guys"

I saw that on the list and was like... WTF?

 

[Chaotic42]

""I am not a guy!" wrote Bert Schwab of Canton."

Yeah, that's a stupid complaint.

The only one of the top 5 that even registers to me is the loud music, and that's pretty much only ever a problem at Mexican restaurants around here. As for the check being brought too early, I want the thing with my dinner. I'm not at the restaurant to just hang out.

#6 should be #1. Hell, the bottom 5 are all bigger annoyances than the top 5.