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Restaurant Etiquette: Quiz Answers
October 28, 2010
A Little Humor, Foodies 10%, 15%, 20%, bread, customer service, etiquette, Foodie, how much to tip, manners, Restaurant, restaurant complaint, Restaurant Customer, restaurant etiquette, Restaurant Guests, Server, Server Blog, tipping, tipping etiquette, Tips, Waiter, Waiting, waitress 9 Comments
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Restaurant Etiquette: Pop Quiz « Tips on improving your Tips
Oct 28, 2010 @ 11:24:48
Oct 28, 2010 @ 12:23:04
Okay, I have to say that the water question can vary – first, I’d like to voice my displeasure with water served to me without ice. I like ice water. And I drink a lot of it (even if I have a glass of wine) when I’m at a restaurant. I would say that 80% of the time I end up drinking my husband’s too because the server or busser rarely comes around to refill. I often have to flag someone down or I ask them to leave the pitcher. I am the same way with iced tea.
Now, I’m not saying I slam a glass of water every thirty seconds, but if, in 10 minutes’ time my water glass has vultures flying over it, I’d really like more, and the 14 servers who’ve passed my table, with or without a water pitcher in hand, are really driving me nuts.
But then, even as a bartender, when I walk through the dining room on my way back to the bar (for whatever reason), I pick up empty plates from servers’ tables and offer guests more beverages if they’re empty. Nothing drives me more crazy than servers with tunnel vision.
Oct 28, 2010 @ 13:52:35
I don’t disagree, but I still contend that asking the server for a water refill when it is 80% full is redundant and insulting. A server should be aware of the water situation at all times. Asking for them to refill a full water is just looking for things for them to do. Unless a server has given you reason to be disappointed, have some faith that they are aware of the situation.
Oct 29, 2010 @ 11:33:52
It is assumed by servers that you want your water refilled. Reminding a server to do such a basic part of the job is like reminding a surgeon to stitch you back up afterwards. It is insulting and obnoxious. Water refills are not something you should have to ask for. Unless you are given reason to doubt a server’s competency, do not point it out.
Yikes. I think your standards for normal server behavior are skewed by where and with whom you work.
Earlier this week I had a server come to my table and ask if everything was okay without even glancing at our water glasses, both of which had been empty for quite some time. After being asked, she got a pitcher and refilled our glasses courteously, but I guess my point is that something that is glaring and obvious to you is not so to everyone.
Keep in mind that we diners don’t always get conscientious servers who are good at their jobs!
Oct 29, 2010 @ 18:17:57
I can see your point. With someone who lets it get empty you should say something. My point it more asking for a refill when it is over half full and has never been empty. I will actually say to tables, “Other than a little more water is there anything I can get for you?” and have them reply, “can I have some more water?” Drives me up the wall that some guests can’t trust that I have their water situation under control.
October Review « Tips on improving your Tips
Oct 31, 2010 @ 13:55:39
The Index « Tips on improving your Tips
Nov 07, 2010 @ 01:40:38
Jan 17, 2011 @ 09:45:10
ok I get all of this…next questions
1) should they leave the water glass on the table or pick up?
2) if glass left on table…is it okay for the water pitcher to tough the rim of the glass?
assume both…the customer has a straw or with a straw
3) should I get upset if the server touches too close to the rim
(shouldn’t they if when they do pick up glass it should be grabbed
down low
4) would it be rude to ask for another glass or ask not to do that?
5) how about the server throws the menu down on your exposed silver ware
why do they do that?
signed puzzled
Jan 17, 2011 @ 14:29:47
1) Always pick up and turn away from the table. Nothing should be poured over the table.
2) Unadvisable because some people will fear for the worst
3) Possibly mildly annoyed. Upset is a pretty relative term and in the big picture this is not a huge one. That being said a server should never touch the top of the glass within half an inch.
4) Yes. Rude, like upset, is a relative term. The implied message is that their hands are not sanitary and therefore the glass s now unsanitary. You have the right to be rude, but that does not make it less rude.
5) Menus should be handed to a guest anywhere with exposed silver.
In all fairness I should point out that the silverware was carried to the table by someone not wearing gloves (or was rolled up by someone not wearing gloves). It was sorted by a dishwasher, stocked by a busser, and placed on the table by a server or busser. Same story for the plates and glasses. People have touched nearly everything you use. It is an unavoidable fact of life.