The quality of experience while your mouth is full
Have you ever been at a restaurant where the waiter asks you the question “How’s everything so far?” at the moment when you have just filled your mouth with food? These waiters spy around the tables, making sure that they ask that question when the customers don’t have the ability to speak. Not only that, you can also notice the waiters interrupting a very good conversation, a conversation in which you are laughing or the “mood” is very relaxed and engaging, just to ask the same question.
Can’t these waiters simply wait or just approach the table and stand quiet for a few seconds just to let the people know they’re there for a reason? I was a waiter once many moons ago, and I was told this golden rule by my manager also, the rule of asking questions while the customer is disabled because of the food in their mouth. I didn’t like the rule, but it brought no complaints and more tips compared to the nights when I always waited for customers to finish eating or during the times when they weren’t talking, as that gave them more time to actually think and voice any issues that they might have regarding the food, and thus affecting the coins jar in my room.
I went to TGI Friday’s two nights ago, and our waiter kept interrupting us every 7 or so minutes and asking the same question; “How’s everything so far?” was the sentence we kept hearing whenever we were laughing and discussing something, or when our mouths were full. These interruptions during conversations and munching aim to make sure that the customer always gets rid of the waiter, unconsciously, as quickly as possible in a good way in order to resume what they were doing before the interruption. Usually, this “dismissal” of the waiter comes in the form of “Everything’s ok so far, thank you”, which is what the waiters in those situations are hoping to hear.
These “acts” are very annoying, and I myself feel weird now thinking about the people who were served by me, and the people who realized what was going on. I also wonder about all the people who still think “Wow, the waiter was very nice, I’ll leave a little bit more tip” and start liking that specific restaurant more. How about we all start caring about the customers not only to get more tips, but to make sure the customer eats well also? Fake smiles that span the entire face from one ear to the other may look good, but it’s just a small act just to get more tips; we’re all above that level. I hope we stop doing that and really start being good “servers” in things including and beyond restaurants, instead of just “acting” like one.
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( September 6th, 2005 at 12:46 am )
I’ve noticed this as well. All the time. You either end up mumbling a "Yes, it’s great thankyou" through a mouthful of food, or doing that crazy arm flapping thing people do when they’re trying to swallow something quickly, while going "Umm Ummmm".
Personally, I just take a big deep breath and spit the food across the room. Then turn back and smile at them and answer their question.
Ok, I don’t, but it would be funny if I did.
( September 6th, 2005 at 7:10 am )
oh wow, you know i’ve NEVER noticed this..but now that you mention it LOL! whatever works i guess. Maybe i should try this when i need to ask my parents for money..or if i want to go out!
No really, i’ve never noticed this..but i have actually had 1 specific waiter that i could think of who was great. Whether it was just for the tip or not, he actually made our night very memorable. Spewnt more time chillin and talking to us then he did working that night!!
Don’t really know if he was expecting a big tip..because we were just a bunch of highschool kids..but w/e.
( September 6th, 2005 at 9:02 am )
I noticed that all the time when I lived in the states, but here (germany) they never do that. Everyone here thinks it’s rude to interrupt someone’s dinner, which is like a social thing, so when it’s time for the check, you, yourself, have to get the waiter’s attention.
( September 7th, 2005 at 5:28 pm )
Will –> Heh, that would be fun to do. I’m sure you can do that with style anytime. Me; I’m I would get arrested on the spot, or beaten up.
StephanieRenee –> Yes, I didn’t notice that either until the manager told me how to actually do it and gave me examples also by showing me customers during the process. Your experience with the waiter sounds cool.
Lara –> That would be so awesome; we should go to restaurant to eat, not to get fake sympathy and weird attention. If we need attention we should ask for it, I agree.