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#Post#: 57734--------------------------------------------------
“We just got here.”
By: Violet Bandit Date: September 21, 2020, 10:19 pm
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My husband and I went out for a late lunch yesterday afternoon.
It was after three pm when we arrived at the restaurant and
there were very few customers in the place. Not ten minutes
after our food was served our server came by, dropped off our
check and asked us if she could bring us any boxes. We had
barely started to eat.
I felt that we were being rushed and for no reason. I responded,
matter-of-factley, not snidely, not in an angry way, “we just
got here.” The server seemed offended by my response.
Would the server’s actions have bothered you? Would you have
said anything?
#Post#: 57738--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: Nikko-chan Date: September 21, 2020, 10:48 pm
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If she was still snide after you explained you just got here, I
would put down my fork, ask for a manager, and when the manager
arrived I would explain that we would NOT be paying for our
meals, because apparently we weren't supposed to even eat in the
restaurant, and we hadn't even eaten yet, and that I would be
taking my business elsewhere, where it was actually wanted. Then
I would get up and leave, and go somewhere else.
#Post#: 57748--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: Lkdrymom Date: September 22, 2020, 6:09 am
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yes she was wrong. My guess is that it was the end of her shift
and she wanted to clear your table (and get her tip) before she
left.
#Post#: 57751--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: oogyda Date: September 22, 2020, 7:04 am
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It would annoy me. But, I would continue to eat my lunch at my
normal pace.
If, as sometimes happens, a manager comes through inquiring as
to our satisfaction, I would most definitely let them know my
displeasure.
If the wait person returns expecting to pick up my payment, I
would ask for a manager.
If the wait person waits an appropriate length of time to
collect payment, I would conclude the transaction but not leave
a tip.
If this is the kind of place where I have to pay at the counter
on my way out, I would let them know my displeasure. And not
leave a tip.
And I would probably not return to the restaurant.
#Post#: 57754--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: BeagleMommy Date: September 22, 2020, 7:59 am
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She could have brought the check, set it down, and said "I'll
take this when you are ready". This way she presented the check
without indicating you needed to hurry up and eat. By asking if
you wanted boxes only 10 minutes into your meal she gave the
impression (intended or not) that she wanted you to hurry up and
finish.
I would have mentioned it to the manager.
#Post#: 57755--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: Gellchom Date: September 22, 2020, 8:08 am
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[quote author=Lkdrymom link=topic=1862.msg57748#msg57748
date=1600772978]
yes she was wrong. My guess is that it was the end of her shift
and she wanted to clear your table (and get her tip) before she
left.
[/quote]
I bet this is correct, especially given the time of day.
Yes, she’s wrong, and I would have felt the same way.
However, she did not make you leave, she just made you feel a
bit rushed, and it was after ten minutes, not right when you got
your food. She didn’t say anything wrong, she just said it a
few minutes too early. Too bad she didn’t say, “whenever you’re
ready” or “take your time.” But it’s not like she said, “Eat it
and beat it!”
I wouldn’t have liked it, either. But a major reaction could
cost her her job, and it really wasn’t that heinous. I might
feel a little less generous, but I wouldn’t deny her her tip
over it. As others have said, if a manager had come by and asked
if everything was fine, I might mention it, but I wouldn’t seek
one out over this.
#Post#: 57756--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: DaDancingPsych Date: September 22, 2020, 8:08 am
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Yes, it would have bothered me. Servers can get distracted and
she may not have realized how much time had passed (or not), but
you can tell if someone is still eating relatively easily.
Etiquette wise, my understanding is that servers should not
provide the check until the diners are finished. I have mixed
feelings about this. It can feel like the server is rushing you
out the door. I have also been in the situation where we might
have order desert if it was offered, but the restaurant missed
out. I have also been in the situation where you are sitting and
waiting on the check and that can make you late if you have
other plans.
I don't know that I would have said anything other than
something like "We just started eating, so I don't know yet. Can
I answer when we are finished?" If this was the only issue, I
would let it go.
#Post#: 57764--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: lowspark Date: September 22, 2020, 8:29 am
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Some restaurants close between lunch service and dinner service.
Are you sure that the restaurant was still open past the time
you were there?
Not that that excuses your server's behavior. If they were open
long enough to cook and serve your food, then they need to
remain open long enough for you to eat your meal without being
rushed.
#Post#: 57765--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: Hmmm Date: September 22, 2020, 8:31 am
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Yes, this might have bothered me depending on circumstances. But
not to the point that I would have brought it up to management,
left in a huff, or left without tipping.
I think instead I would have answered with a smile and "Not
right now but we'll let you know if we do want them later."
Depending on the style of restaurant, that could be a bit of a
normal practice. My sister and I ate at a very casual style
diner a few weeks back in a small town. I noticed that even
though dinner service was just really getting started, the
waitress brought out the check a few minutes after our meals
were delivered and left it on the table. She also asked if we
would need any to go boxes. I noticed that a lot of the other
patrons were getting to go boxes brought to their tables. The
portion sizes were very large and most tables left with at least
1 to go container.
Sometimes it is just poor training. Sometimes if at lunch rush,
guests are trying to get in and out quickly and do want checks
brought early and to go containers handy so they can quickly
leave.
#Post#: 57771--------------------------------------------------
Re: “We just got here.”
By: Rose Red Date: September 22, 2020, 9:44 am
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To me, it depends on her tone. I would have said "no not yet,
we're not done yet," and then gauge her tone and attitude.
Sorry, but "we just got here" would put me on the defensive no
matter the tone.
I'm a fast eater and sometimes I *wish* they'll drop off the
check after 10 minutes. And the portions in the US can be
ridiculous. Many times I've left with food that didn't look like
I've taken one bite. So the waitress might not have a good sense
of time and if a customer is finished.
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