"Sorry, but you're too large to fit in a booth"?

Question

Sometimes heavy-set and/or pregnant guests come to the restaurant where I work and request a booth. I have been a hostess there for a year and can determine whether or not they will fit in our booths. How can I go about expressing this in a non-offensive manner? I feel it is a humiliating experience and waste of time to attempt to seat them- especially during high volume and peak hours.

Answer 1

in order not to offend, just sit them at a booth but already have a table picked out in your head. speaking from experience (i used to weigh 450lbs) most of the time, even if i had to squeeze into a booth, it was more comfortable than sitting in a chair where my butt was hanging off either side of the chair... and i didnt have to worry about the weight limit on a bench... its higher than the weight limit of that one chair... that might sound rude, but again, i am speaking from my own experience. the best thing to say to the people really depends on what you look like, im sorry to say... most overwieght people are very sensative about comments about weight... we would say, "i am paying to eat here, not to get insulted"... we get enough insults for free from random people... if you are skinny... just put them in the booth and if they dont say anything, just leave them be... if you are on the 'fluffy' side, you can get by with offering, 'personally i find the booths a little small, the tables are more comfortable to me'.. seriously though, a person who is very overweight, they have already tried to figure out where is going to be more comfortable and which will get them less rude attention... i had a friend who was over 600 lbs.. we would always ask for a booth... if he sat at a table in the middle of the room, he would be imposing on personal space of the table behind him, which would just illicit more rude comments ...if after you seat them, they appear uncomfortable, you could offer, "would you like to try a table? it might be more comfortable..."

Answer 2

Listen, you need to be very careful--if you say the wrong thing to a person you could get SUED. Your company would blame and fire you. Remember that the airlines are being sued for discrimination of overweight people right now.

Yes, it would be easy to say "look, you're too fat"...The legal thing to do is: Tell The Owner (your Boss) this problem and ask them what you should so. Write down exactly what they say, and keep it for your records. That way, if some big person decides to sue, you will not be held responsible. DO NOT take this matter into your own hands and start telling the customers cute explanantions--they could still get angry and call a lawyer.

But if I were you, I would keep seating them there, and wait until THEY requested to be moved. I wouldnt even get involved in that drama. Its not worth the hassle.

Answer 3

i know a couple of heavy set people who are too large for booths-and they know it, and always go some-where that has chairs or request a table with chairs......
if you are worried about customers having a humiliating experience, then i certainly wouldn't point out to them that they are too large.....instead if they came in requesting a booth i would say "i know you requested a booth, but i have an even better table for you over here..." and then direct them to a table with chairs

Answer 4

You don't tell someone they won't fit in a booth wither they would or not. For one thing they are the paying customer. It's not your place. Take them to seat them and if they don't fit comfortable in the booth let them be the ones to say may we have another table? I think if you were as smart as you think your are you would know that. It should not have to be a question at your age.

Answer 5

My take is that as long as the fat person won't cause any damage to your tables and booths by trying to squeeze in, let them determine it on their own. Better this way than for you to have to be put in the uncomfortable position of telling them what they should already know. Also, you shouldn't be embarrassed by seating them no matter the situation.

Answer 6

Since 60% of the country is considered overweight I would call the constuction contractor & start refitting the boothes for larger customers or you might be out of a job some day because of lack of customers.

Answer 7

Well, if it's a pregnant woman, you might be able to politely mention that a table might be more comfortable and roomy. Something along the lines of "We do have a booth available, however if I may suggest..." Just don't push it. Other than that, really there's nothing much you can do.

Answer 8

You may want to say "I think that you may be more comfortable seated over here", then direct them to a table and chairs. If, they insist that they must have a booth, then ,seat them and let them figure it out (if, they have to wait longer, oh well!). You should have a chair ready for the end table. Many larger people often know their limits and will voluntarily go for a table with chairs. But, you need to follow the leads of your customer to insure that you aren't discriminating or profiling. Better to be safe than sorry!

Answer 9

Why don't you just let them sit wherever they want, and if they don't fit, they can either be uncomfortable or ask for a table instead.
Under no circumstances should you ever tell anyone that they are too big for a booth.

Answer 10

They know that they are big. I think the best way is to say something like, "I can get you a booth, but I am not sure you will be comfortable there, may I seat you at a table?" It might work.