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#Post#: 33924--------------------------------------------------
Restaurant seating
By: Contrarian Date: July 4, 2019, 3:26 pm
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I’m sure everyone who has ate at or worked as a server in a
restaurant understands that most have a system of sections,
Each server has his or her own section of tables and guests are
seated in a way that tries to establish a fair amount of tables
for each server, so they can make a fairly equal amount of
money.
Sometimes, guests have seating requests, if we can leave out all
requests having to do with any kind of medical (including
psychological) conditions and one would just rather sit near the
window, or prefers tables that aren’t high tops or away from the
kitchen, etc. And the restaurant had a layout where a server
could easily take a table in another section, do you think they
should do their best to accommodate seating preferences,
allowing the servers to still create an even number of tables?
I realize this is more a question of business practice rather
than manners, but I think it fits in hospitality.
Has anyone ever been upset when their preferences are denied
despite the fact the restaurant isn’t busy and it seems doable?
This isn’t why I’m asking the question but I remember one time
when I was a server at a restaurant I took a family to the table
I was directed to by the host. One member of the party was
immediately irritated, angry and passive aggressive because she
didn’t want to sit there. At certain times we did respect
preferences but would default to the system if not asked, and
this was one of those times accommodations could be made, I just
wish she had asked politely.
I did seat them where they wanted but for some reason her
attitude stays with me. But I think that restaurant with the
right layout should accommodate seating requests to make the
guests experience as pleasurable as possible.
Any thoughts? First world problem, I know!
#Post#: 33936--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: space guy Date: July 4, 2019, 9:09 pm
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I definitely think that table requests should be accommodated
whenever possible.
For the most part restaurants have been good about honoring my
requests. The only exceptions are when the restaurant has been
too crowded be able to do so. A polite request for a different
table has almost always been honored without any apparent
difficulty.
#Post#: 33969--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: DaDancingPsych Date: July 5, 2019, 4:45 pm
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Yes, they should do their best to honor requests. It makes
business sense. If the experience is negative in any way, I am
less likely to return to that restaurant. If you have specific
requests, you should try to make them known to the host/hostess
so that they can attempt to make it work for the servers and
there is never a reason to cock an attitude when making the
requests, but otherwise, I think the establishment should try.
On a recent vacation, I selected an Italian restaurant near the
beach. Other than reading a few reviews and looking at its
location on the map, we really didn't know what we were getting
into. To our pleasant surprise, it had the most spectacular
views of the ocean! Being seated at the window table made the
whole experience. The food was good enough (I have had better
pasta), but I want to return for the views. If I returned and
the staff refused to seat me at a window table (I would be
willing to wait for a free one), I know that the experience
would not be the same.
#Post#: 33970--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: QueenFaninCA Date: July 5, 2019, 5:13 pm
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Unless there is a very good reason (and no, distributing
customers evenly over waiters isn't a good one) those wishes
should be honored. If I ask for a window table and am seated
elsewhere while several window tables are empty throughout my
whole meal, I'll likely not come back to this restaurant.
#Post#: 33972--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: Rose Red Date: July 5, 2019, 6:28 pm
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I like booths and am very uncomfortable sitting at a table in
the middle of the room. I've had my request turned before. I
didn't want to make a scene and I was with others so just sucked
it up. I don't go back in the future though.
#Post#: 33976--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: SioCat Date: July 5, 2019, 8:00 pm
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I also think requests should be honored when possible.
I prefer outdoor seating. I will go out of my way to pick
restaurants that have outdoor seating and then I’ll wait for a
table to be available. A few times now, it feels like my server
has an attitude about coming outside to serve us.
#Post#: 33994--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: jpcher Date: July 6, 2019, 10:28 am
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I agree that dining establishments should seat people to their
preference. When possible.
But when someone is not so polite about their request? That
would rub me the wrong way as well and I'd not be so inclined to
please them.
Normally when I visit a 'diner' type place I'm asked if I would
prefer a booth or a table. I respond with "A booth, please"
because that's my preference. If a booth is not available then
they won't ask ;) and guide me to the next available table, I
have no complaints with this.
There was one time when I was guided to a table, saw a booth in
the final stages of being cleaned/set and politely asked "Is it
possible for us to have that booth instead?" "Oh, sure, no
problem they're almost done. Please wait for just a second."
With higher-end (pricier) establishments where reservations are
required I expect to be seated at the best possible table
(including first come, first served as in the first reservation
gets the best table).
There was one high-end restaurant that I heard great things
about (including wonderful window seats that overlooked the
beautiful area. So I made reservations for four. My LDH, myself
and our two young daughters (4 & 6). I did not request a certain
table (window seat).
We were guided to our table which was all the way in the back of
the restaurant. I saw a couple of window tables that were empty
and thought about asking for one of them but then thought they
were probably reserved. Once we were seated I took a closer look
around and saw that the restaurant was less than 1/2 full and we
were the only ones seated in the far back, well away from the
other diners. AND! It was right next to the kitchen doors.
Possibly the worst table in the house.
It dawned on me. Oh, it's because we have children with us,
isn't it. ::)
The food was really good. The ambience not so much, with the
doors opening often, hearing the noise from the kitchen,
waitstaff passing our table, etc. It felt like we were put in
the corner because we were 'bad'. We didn't stay for dessert and
never went back again.
Now I do understand the fear of unruly children in a restaurant
but putting us in the corner when 1/2 the restaurant was empty?
Putting us at a table maybe a few away from the rest of the
diners would have been acceptable.
P.S. We dined out often with the girls since they were infants,
so they grew up knowing restaurant etiquette. Our server
commented on how well behaved they were and actually looked at
both of them and said "It was my pleasure to serve you."
#Post#: 34001--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: Hmmm Date: July 6, 2019, 12:56 pm
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I agree restaurants should accommodate requests. I'm usually not
fussy about where we sit but occasionally will want a table
versus booth, want to be away from the bar area, or find us
brought to a table right under a vent and know I'll be tool
cold. The only time I can remember being denied a request was
when we arrived toward end of dinner service and ask to be sat
in a section and they told us they were closing that section
down. That was fine and we understood.
I did once had a hostess take us to a table that was really not
workable for us and I asked to move to another empty table and
she rolled her eyes as she started picking back up the menus. I
did the "Is there a problem with my request?" and got an
immediate no ma'am. I think she must have alerted the waitress
that I caught her as the waitress was overly accommodating and
brought out a complimentary appetizer.
#Post#: 34021--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: hovlane Date: July 6, 2019, 7:04 pm
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jpcher, while your then toddler and 6 y.o. may have been well
behaved at restaurants since they were babies, but did the
restaurant know that? I would surmise that as soon as they saw
little kids the staff's first thought was move them as far away
as possible.
I would have known immediately why I was sat so far from the
other diners. You were in a high end restaurant--I don't know
what you expected the staff to think. If you were in the middle
of your meal when it dawned on you, I could see why you didn't
want to move, but why not mention something to the manager on
duty that you weren't pleased. They can't read minds. I really
don't know why you took offense at this. If I were at an
expensive restaurant and I saw a couple with 2 little kids walk
in you bet I wouldn't want them near me, because a lot of the
time the kids are not well behaved.
#Post#: 34038--------------------------------------------------
Re: Restaurant seating
By: Aleko Date: July 7, 2019, 4:34 am
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Hovlane, I agree. The fact that the staff complimented the
parents and children on their good manners makes very clear what
disruptive behaviour they routinely experience from child
diners: if your server reacts with pleased surprise and
admiration when your little darlings don't scream, run around,
and throw food on the floor, that should be a clue to why they
instinctively seated your party well out of sight.
It's a pity jpcher and family never went back again; the staff
might well have recognised them with pleasure as 'Oh look, it's
the couple with the lovely civilised children!' and given them a
big hello and a nice table.
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