Is everything all right?

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Call me an old curmudgeon, but I am becoming less and less tolerant of this redundant question from waiters in restaurants. Last night, we were out for dinner, halfway through and in the middle of a conversation, the waiter actually interrupted us with this. I gave him what I thought was a withering look, but my girl was polite enough to say yes. Conversation nicely derailed, thanks a lot, chum.

What are they thinking? Do they really imagine that people just chow down food they don't really like without saying anything? If we want anything, we'll wave at them!

Grrrrrr!

Seriously? You’re upset because the server actually asked how your meal was?

More often than not, I find myself bothered because the server didn’t even make the effort to stop by to inquire how our meal was, let alone ask if we needed any thing.

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by gettocard

I am absolutely with you for the following reasons :

1) they honestly don’t give a damn if everything is really ok or not,they are out there to hustle tips,period.

2) many of them,or actually MOST of them say that while your mouth is full just for the fun of seeing you gulping on your food while trying to answer or while you’re busy in a romantic conversation. They can spot that ! They are just out there to bust your balls..

3) they only say that to sell you another beer/soda so that all adds up to the final bill,which means more tip for them.

Ask yourself this : why they never have this pushy behavior in fancy restaurants?


When visiting USA at first I felt it was a fantastic gesture,something long lost here in Europe,now it just bothers me a lot,that’s why I have all my meals at Wholefoods when traveling. Fresh food and no obnoxious fake waiters to deal with
I sometimes stumble upon the 40 something lady working at CPK or chili’s for dinner shift,obviously she has bills to pay and she’s busting her ass instead of being at home with her family,usually she is genuinely nice and professional and not pushy. That’s the kind of waiter that gets a big tip from me.

Gets my vote for the most cynical post ever.

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by gettocard

I am absolutely with you for the following reasons :

1) they honestly don’t give a damn if everything is really ok or not,they are out there to hustle tips,period.

2) many of them,or actually MOST of them say that while your mouth is full just for the fun of seeing you gulping on your food while trying to answer or while you’re busy in a romantic conversation. They can spot that ! They are just out there to bust your balls..

3) they only say that to sell you another beer/soda so that all adds up to the final bill,which means more tip for them.

Ask yourself this : why they never have this pushy behavior in fancy restaurants?


When visiting USA at first I felt it was a fantastic gesture,something long lost here in Europe,now it just bothers me a lot,that’s why I have all my meals at Wholefoods when traveling. Fresh food and no obnoxious fake waiters to deal with
I sometimes stumble upon the 40 something lady working at CPK or chili’s for dinner shift,obviously she has bills to pay and she’s busting her ass instead of being at home with her family,usually she is genuinely nice and professional and not pushy. That’s the kind of waiter that gets a big tip from me.

While in highschool/college one of my jobs was waiter/bartender your points 1-3 are absolutely incorrect.

Also, in the "fancy" establishments I frequent in my local area the waiters/waitresses absolutely come over and check in on the meal, they confirm everything has been prepared to order, and if there is any issue they immediately take the food and correct the issue.

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Seriously? You’re upset because the server actually asked how your meal was?

More often than not, I find myself bothered because the server didn’t even make the effort to stop by to inquire how our meal was, let alone ask if we needed any thing.

Good service should be unobtrusive.

[Rock]

I seriously doubt that most 'waitpersons' have time to play games with the customers.
I think they probably grab the opportunity to ask when they get a small 'gap' in service.
If my mouth is full I'm just going to smile and nod/wink/thumbs-up.
I wouldn't want to discourage them from asking as sometimes you are ready for more drinks, water, order dessert, etc.

[LAFLARE]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Good service should be unobtrusive.

How inconsiderate and rude of him. He should have lowered his voice with his head down when addressing absolute royalty.

[Andad]

I.....I.......I.........I........got nuthin'

Insert 'shakes head' icon.

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by LAFLARE

How inconsiderate and rude of him. He should have lowered his voice with his head down when addressing absolute royalty.

I think he should treat everyone the same, "absolute royalty", or not.

Have a nice day.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

I think he should treat everyone the same, "absolute royalty", or not.

Have a nice day.

Are you all right?

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

I think he should treat everyone the same, "absolute royalty", or not.

Have a nice day.

I really don’t see the problem, as with the majority regarding your conundrum.

I may suggest however, that given your location is ‘Up a Hill’, can you please walk back down, as it seems the air must be way to thin up there, for you to function correctly?!

[GSDLover]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Good service should be unobtrusive.

I completely agree with this and the OP.
Interrupting a conversation is bad form, whether its your 6-year old or an adult that should know better. Better trained staff are taught more subtle ways to engage customers.

[tbonesteak]

I have no issue with the waiter asking this. 1/3 of the time I need something, whether another drink, one of my kids dropped some silverware, I've decided to add something else into the order, etc..

I'm much more upset when I can't find service in any of the aforementioned situations then someone proactively checking in.

Also, how does a 4 second interruption derail a conversation?

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

I think he should treat everyone the same, "absolute royalty", or not.

Have a nice day.

Apparently, he did. Which begs the question, why did it so upset you?

[pilotjim]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

“Delicious, thanks!”
Shouldn’t derail a conversation...

Sometimes they get me when I have a mouthful and I just go with the thumbsup...

Same here

[pilotjim]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

You’re going to the wrong restaurants. Find a place where the staff leaves you alone and stick with it.

McDonalds comes to mind.

[pilotjim]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

X2. I’d love to add it to my slow guy in the hammer lane repertoire.

You mean the one who speeds up when you pass him on the right?

[pilotjim]

Originally Posted by GSDLover

I completely agree with this and the OP.
Interrupting a conversation is bad form, whether its your 6-year old or an adult that should know better. Better trained staff are taught more subtle ways to engage customers.

Nonsense. The point of going to a restaurant is to have a meal, not to engage in "uninterruptible" conversation. If you need that much privacy, stay home.

[GSDLover]

Originally Posted by pilotjim

Nonsense. The point of going to a restaurant is to have a meal, not to engage in "uninterruptible" conversation. If you need that much privacy, stay home.

Nonsense. Its not to have a meal. Its to enjoy the company of friends. The food is a special touch. The service should be too.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by GSDLover

Nonsense. Its not to have a meal. Its to enjoy the company of friends. The food is a special touch. The service should be too.

You enjoy the company of friends at a club or a bar. A restaurant is for eating a meal. Idle chit chat is secondary.

[GSDLover]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

You enjoy the company of friends at a club or a bar. A restaurant is for eating a meal. Idle chit chat is secondary.

Therein lies the difference. I can cook a healthier, tastier meal at home than I can get at most restaurants. Going out to a restaurant is more of a social event with friends.
If your expectations are for a meal, then inquiries about it are more welcome, I guess.

[imperio]

Just had an epiphany.

From now on I'll be letting my server know not to check in on me during the meal and I'll get his attention if I need service; save him the hassle and me the unwanted interruption. Win-win. Everything's all right now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by sleddog

I really don’t see the problem, as with the majority regarding your conundrum.

I may suggest however, that given your location is ‘Up a Hill’, can you please walk back down, as it seems the air must be way to thin up there, for you to function correctly?!

How amusing, just brilliant!

[pilotjim]

If a two second inquiry from a waitress is too much for you to handle, you're just a bit too full of yourself.

[Watch This]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Call me an old curmudgeon, but I am becoming less and less tolerant of this redundant question from waiters in restaurants. Last night, we were out for dinner, halfway through and in the middle of a conversation, the waiter actually interrupted us with this. I gave him what I thought was a withering look, but my girl was polite enough to say yes. Conversation nicely derailed, thanks a lot, chum.

What are they thinking? Do they really imagine that people just chow down food they don't really like without saying anything? If we want anything, we'll wave at them!

Grrrrrr!

It seems to me the waiter should have asked you if ANYTHING was alright.

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by GSDLover

I completely agree with this and the OP.
Interrupting a conversation is bad form, whether its your 6-year old or an adult that should know better. Better trained staff are taught more subtle ways to engage customers.

Thank you. A meal is indeed a social event, primarily. Most people talk through dinner.

But if you like having your conversation interrupted by a stranger asking a superfluous and insincere programmed question, then I hope it happens to you very often.

[GSDLover]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Thank you. A meal is indeed a social event, primarily. Most people talk through dinner.

But if you like having your conversation interrupted by a stranger asking a superfluous and insincere programmed question, then I hope it happens to you very often.

Exactly. Well put.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Thank you. A meal is indeed a social event, primarily. Most people talk through dinner.

But if you like having your conversation interrupted by a stranger asking a superfluous and insincere programmed question, then I hope it happens to you very often.

Restaurants are usually fairly quiet places where people can enjoy a good meal. If you're looking for a conversation, go to Starbucks. Nobody will ask you if everything is OK there.

[cda555]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Call me an old curmudgeon, but I am becoming less and less tolerant of this redundant question from waiters in restaurants. Last night, we were out for dinner, halfway through and in the middle of a conversation, the waiter actually interrupted us with this. I gave him what I thought was a withering look, but my girl was polite enough to say yes. Conversation nicely derailed, thanks a lot, chum.

What are they thinking? Do they really imagine that people just chow down food they don't really like without saying anything? If we want anything, we'll wave at them!

Grrrrrr!

Originally Posted by gettocard

I am absolutely with you for the following reasons :

1) they honestly don’t give a damn if everything is really ok or not,they are out there to hustle tips,period.

2) many of them,or actually MOST of them say that while your mouth is full just for the fun of seeing you gulping on your food while trying to answer or while you’re busy in a romantic conversation. They can spot that ! They are just out there to bust your balls..

3) they only say that to sell you another beer/soda so that all adds up to the final bill,which means more tip for them.

Ask yourself this : why they never have this pushy behavior in fancy restaurants?


When visiting USA at first I felt it was a fantastic gesture,something long lost here in Europe,now it just bothers me a lot,that’s why I have all my meals at Wholefoods when traveling. Fresh food and no obnoxious fake waiters to deal with
I sometimes stumble upon the 40 something lady working at CPK or chili’s for dinner shift,obviously she has bills to pay and she’s busting her ass instead of being at home with her family,usually she is genuinely nice and professional and not pushy. That’s the kind of waiter that gets a big tip from me.

Since this is a "you" issue, maybe just let the waiter know that you don't want to be bothered unless you waive at them?

The only caveat would be that you can't complain when it takes longer for you to be addressed. The wait staff can't look at you nonstop for the duration of the meal.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Call me an old curmudgeon, but I am becoming less and less tolerant of this redundant question from waiters in restaurants. Last night, we were out for dinner, halfway through and in the middle of a conversation, the waiter actually interrupted us with this. I gave him what I thought was a withering look, but my girl was polite enough to say yes. Conversation nicely derailed, thanks a lot, chum.

What are they thinking? Do they really imagine that people just chow down food they don't really like without saying anything? If we want anything, we'll wave at them!

Grrrrrr!

they have to ask.