In my opinion, the biggest crime a restaurant can commit is failing to welcome its patrons. I have walked out of more places than I can count because no one bothered to meet me at the door, offer me a beverage, or deliver sed beverage within a couple of minutes. The absolute worst offense is being given the finger as an alternative to being addressed – not THAT finger, but the “Hang on a sec finger” – which frankly might as well be THAT finger. Seat me, get me a drink, and then you are free to ignore me for a while…but please, don’t leave me sitting thirsty at an empty table while you collect your tips elsewhere.
Way back in another lifetime I worked at Jack Astor’s – not an impressive notch in my gourmet belt, BUT I learnt more there about customer service than anywhere else in my career. They had rigid standards for service, including my favorite: every customer had to be immediately seated, welcomed, and their drink order secured in under 5 minutes.
So, a plea to all servers, next time you see me coming…
