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#Post#: 70576--------------------------------------------------
Making reservations
By: jpcher Date: October 3, 2021, 12:05 pm
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Throwing this out there to see what you all think.
Have you or someone you knew ever lied, or pulled a trump card,
or passed the Maitre de a $20 in order to get seated quicker?
DD#1, Fsam, FsamMom (who has about a 40 minute drive to get to
my place), DD#2 and I had plans to go to an early dinner last
night (Saturday) at our favorite restaurant. Plans were to go at
4:30 so I didn't make reservations, knowing the restaurant
doesn't get extremely busy until 6-6:30.
FsamMom called earlier in the day asking if we could move the
dinner to 6:00 because she had to pull an extra shift at work. I
had absolutely no problem with this (stuff happens!) and said
that's fine.
Because of the time change I called to make reservations at 6:00
for 5 people. I was told they only take reservations for parties
of 6 or more. I asked if they had any idea of what the wait time
would be and they said at 6:00? Probably 30-45 minutes or more.
I passed this information on to everybody else.
1. One person suggested that I make the reservation for 6
people. We could always say that the 6th was a no-show. I said
No. That's a lie and just plain rude.
2. Another person said Tell them who you are! That we're
long-time valued customers! (30 years) You have your picture on
the Wall of Friends! Surely they would make an exception to the
6-person rule! . . . Honestly? I thought about pulling this
trump card. But being a valued customer doesn't mean that I get
to pull rank, right?
3. Passing the Maitre de cash in order to get seated earlier . .
. I've only seen this done once in-person, but I've seen it a
lot of times on TV/movies. Do you have any thoughts on this?
As it turned out FsamMom was able to make it in time for us to
show up at the restaurant a bit after 5:30. We had about a 15+
minute wait, but while we were waiting the line behind us grew
tremendously. They all were going to have a good long wait for a
table.
#Post#: 70577--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: holly firestorm Date: October 3, 2021, 1:01 pm
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I think this could be called "a little white lie," especially if
you just said you expected 6 and one didn't show. That rule is
just arbitrary. How did they pick the number 6 anyway? It's more
bending the rules than breaking them to me.
Also, if you are a regular customer, that's not even lying. You
have been showing you loyalty to the restaurant. They should be
willing to show a little loyalty to you. Loyalty goes both ways
or doesn't go anywhere at all.
Bribing the Maitre de is personally where I'd draw the line.
It's very tacky to do and tacky for the Maitre de to accept.
That's just my personal opinion.
#Post#: 70580--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: Isisnin Date: October 3, 2021, 4:15 pm
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I don't recall dealing with reservations for only X or more. I
wonder if many people would think of "mis-stating" the number of
people. I'd feel bad for those who don't mis-state to be kept
waiting but on the other hand I'd would not be happy following
the rules while are others are seated before us.
The restaurant has probably has dealt with it before and
probably has some policy to deal with it like the party with the
no-show has to wait while other full parties are seated. For a
favorite restaurant, I'd advise anyone being careful of using
this ploy as they may be remembered for it.
As for telling the restaurant that you're a regular, since
you're on the wall of friends, that would be a legit thing to
do. However, for me, I'd only play that card for a special
occasion. Restaurants favorite people are those that are
regulars, tip well, and don't ask for much.
Regarding the Maitre de, if you as a regular didn't think of it,
maybe that isn't the type of place where that is done?
Typically, those are very high-end restaurants whose staff
(especially the floor staff) stay there a long time.
Another option though, would be for your party of five to arrive
a few minutes early, maybe as much as 15. That would most
probably put your party at the top of the list for seating asap.
#Post#: 70582--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: Rose Red Date: October 3, 2021, 4:50 pm
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A lot of busy restaurants won't seat you until the entire party
is there so I wouldn't risk lying.
I would never bribe for a table, and I would lose respect for
them for taking bribes.
I might mention being a regular and ask if they can make an
exception.
The only thing I hate is when someone just shows up without a
reservation and they seat them ahead of a waiting crowd. I've
seen it and it's not a good feeling.
#Post#: 70583--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: holly firestorm Date: October 3, 2021, 6:17 pm
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That thing about a table showing up without reservations and
getting preferential treatment has, I think, happened to me,
too. But, it's possible that they got seated ahead because they
did have reservations and I just didn't hear it. But, I think
there was something else going on...like they knew somebody in
that party.
But, another thing I hate is when you're sitting at your table
waiting for the waiter/waitress gazing longingly in their
direction...and another group comes in and is seated (fine) but
then their order is taken before the people (me & my party) who
are sitting there waiting. GRRR!
As for saying one of your party didn't show up. You simply
phrase it as, "Our sixth person called and said she couldn't
make it. We expected six but there will only be five of us today
after all." Since the reservation has already been made and
accounted for, you'll probably get that reserved table anyway.
But, yeah, don't pull that one too often. I'd say you could
probably get away with it maybe once a year. ;)
#Post#: 70590--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: Aleko Date: October 4, 2021, 2:04 am
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If I had been a regular there for 30 years and was on their wall
of friends, I’d call the restaurant, explain the situation and
ask them to make an exception to the rule of six (which as Holly
F says is just an arbitrary cut-off) for me. I’d be surprised
and disappointed if they didn’t. (Though as Isisnin says, I’d be
careful not to make a habit of asking for this. Special
exceptions should stay exceptional.)
I would definitely not try the
booking-for-6-and-saying-one-person-couldn’t-make-it dodge.
Customers certainly do that to them on a regular basis, so they
probably disbelieve it on principle. They would pretty much have
to give me my booked table, but would that be worth squandering
30 years’ worth of goodwill, and becoming known to them as just
another person who lies to them to get what they want?
#Post#: 70592--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: DaDancingPsych Date: October 4, 2021, 5:51 am
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I agree that rather than providing the little white lie (there
are six) that it would be better to pull the "regular" card. But
I also agree that this is something that you should only use on
rare occasions; is this the situation that you would like to use
it? And yes, they still may not be willing to bend the rules.
I always assume that the wait is part of the experience. If we
agree to meet at a restaurant at 6:30 and they typically have a
30 minute wait, then I assume that we will not be eating until
7:00. I make "plans" for the wait time... sit at the bar,
socialize outside or in my car, or (if appropriate) take a
stroll down the street. It's just part of dining at that place.
When catching up with family or friends, usually the wait goes
pretty quick.
As a loyal customer, you do have the ability to express your
opinion and it may carry a little more weight. If the inability
to make a reservation causes an issue, I would express this the
next time that I spoke with the owner or decision-maker. I
assume that they have a reason for the policy and may choose to
not make any changes. However, they may not realize that smaller
parties do want to make reservations and this may cause them to
reconsider.
#Post#: 70599--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: Hmmm Date: October 4, 2021, 10:33 am
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I've only seen the bribe the maitre d' once and that wad decades
ago when a sales rep was taking a few of us out to dinner in
NYC. I noticed what he did and thought it was pretty funny and
seemed like such a "NYC" type thing to do.
I've struggled with the reservations for 6 or 8 only. I have a
sister in a wheelchair and a 30 minute wait for a table can be
pretty brutal as the waiting areas usually are not set up to
make space available for a wheelchair and where others in the
party can stand around. We usually avoid restaurants who don't
take reservations but there is a local one she likes that will
accomodate us and take a reservation for our group of 4 or 5
when I explain the issue.
In your situation I probably would have tried the "frequent"
customer card. Asking nicely and saying you understand if they
can't bend the rules would most likely get you a reservation.
I wouldn't fib about the expected numbers. Tables that
accomodate 6 or more are usually sparse in most restaurants and
inflating your numbers might cause them to turn down another
reservation for an actual group of 6 when your party could fit
at a 5 top. That's the reason if the numbers in my party change
I will immediately call the restaurant and let them know. I had
a manager send over comped appetizers to us once because we did
update the reservation. He said it was almost unheard of for his
customers to do that so appreciated us letting him know we were
going from 8 to 6.
#Post#: 70602--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: lakey Date: October 4, 2021, 11:29 am
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[quote]The only thing I hate is when someone just shows up
without a reservation and they seat them ahead of a waiting
crowd. I've seen it and it's not a good feeling.[/quote]
This is why I think all 3 options are bothersome. You're not
inconveniencing the restaurant employees, you are
inconveniencing other customers for your own self interest. It's
selfish behavior. Frankly, I avoid going to a restaurant on a
Saturday evening, because I know that there will be a big wait.
This is the choice you make. I'm impressed that LW was
thoughtful of other customers and didn't try to "cut in line".
She was rewarded by only having a 15 minute wait, which on a
Saturday night is nothing. Good Karma.
#Post#: 70637--------------------------------------------------
Re: Making reservations
By: lowspark Date: October 5, 2021, 11:41 am
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This has essentially been said already but I'm going to repeat
it.
I think that lying about the number in your party in order to
get a reservation is the same as cutting the line. If you
wouldn't physically cut in line then don't do it this way
either.
There are times when I would really rather go to a place that
takes reservations. When that is the case, I make my choice of
restaurant accordingly. If I choose to go to a place that
doesn't take them, then I need to play by their rules. Full
stop. Devising ways to skirt those rules is rude, both to the
restaurant and to other customers.
Regarding tipping the Maître d', I've never seen it and always
figured it was something that happened only in the movies... or
in the olden days! But then again, what do I know? ;D
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