I know many people have not worked in the hospitality industry before, so I can understand why some might think they are being funny, when really, they just look like an idiot.
Server: “Hi there. Can I get you something to drink to start you off tonight?”
Customer: “No thanks. I’ll just have a coffee.”
Does anyone else see where I’m going with this?
Server: “A coffee?”
Customer: “Yes, please.”
Server’s brow furrows: “What are you going to do with it?”
Customer frowns at server: “Drink it.”
Server: “Then that would be a drink, right?”
On average I ask that question, or a version of “What can I get you to drink?” at least 20 times a night. Now, I understand people say that in a bar, be it a sports bar or a night club, they ASSUME a ‘drink” means an alcoholic beverage. Really, it doesn’t. A drink is a drink. It’s that simple. Even worse, people reply like this in the restaurant too, so the alcoholic beverage thing doesn’t really apply. What does apply is that people rarely actually listen to their servers. This is just a small example, one that is all too common. Honestly, it happens alot. At least half of the peopel I ask answer with a “No thanks, I’ll just have a coffee, water…draft.” Yes, even a draft. Hello!? Is that not a drink?
People tend to just automatically assume they know the spiel the questions….which even if they do, try to be a courterous human being and listen.
After all, this is the person who will be handling your food and drinks…no matter what they are. :angel:
This is interesting topic. :grin:!
I must say that I do listen what server is saying, be that at the bar or table.
My husband always answers, “Just a Coke,” as if that isn’t a real drink. I don’t know why he does this, but it has nothing to do with lack of attention. He certainly doesn’t mean any disrespect. Assuming that servers prefer customers to order expensive drinks, and tip well, maybe it’s a way to say, sorry, not tonight.
Some people are shy, or they don’t go out socially very often, and they feel awkward in this situation.
You never know.
“Just a coke” is cool. SO is “Just a water”. Price /cost has nothing to do with it. I knwo people seem to think servers want you to order more expensive so we’ll get a bigger tip, but in reality it doesn’t work that way. Most people who tip tip no matter what they order. the most who don’t tip, or tip small, do so no matter how big their bill is anyway. ANd in general, we’ll refill your water glass all night long and still hope you tip us. *grin*
As for people not listening…oh, I have so many more examples. LOL
I’ll share more in the future. I just don’t like to go into them all or even more than one or two at a time otherwise it starts to really sound like a rant instead of humorous little bits. Which makes me think my title is mislead cuz you can’t hear my voice. the “idiots” was meant to be exasperated not irritated.
Well, yeah. Your post gave me the impression that you think half the people you serve are idiots. Like my husband.
No worries, though. : ) I’ve worked plenty of odd jobs, and encountered a lot of odd people, so I can see the humor in the situation.
For instance, I was a receptionist for a vet for several years. You’d be amazed at the number of people who would bring a skittish cat into a room full of barking dogs with no carrier. Or didn’t feel as though their 150-lb Rottweiler needed a leash.
Sometimes, it’s either laugh or go nuts.
I think if you are or have been in this field, your better at this then most. I grew up in a restaraunt/lounge I started off washing pots and pans, made it to the dishwasher, short order cook, then waitress. I always give my servers my undivided attention (even fast food) say please, thank you and that I hope they have a great day. I even do this in the drive thru, what may seem like nothing to some, means the world to others.
The “not listening” thing may come from the fact that management in a lot of restaurants want servers to be sales people. I know when I was a server at a certain place, they required us to try to “sell” drinks and apps by suggesting them three at a time. For instance, “Hi, I’m Toni, I’ll be your server today. Would you like to try our wings, popcorn shrimp, fried cheese?”
At one place, if you didn’t do this, you would get written up. Restaurants force these kind of exchanges so much that I think many customers just block out the opening salvo as they’ve learned to do with other unwanted sales pitches.
I can understand that, Toni, even though I’ve never worked at a place like that. Fast food places are the worst for that so it sounds liek McDonalds maerketing has caught on. LOL
And yet, at the same time I think people should be able to tell the difference between a one sentence question, and a sales pitch. *shrug*