i have a two year old son and when we go out to eat, and we sit down order, the waiters if they are girls their always like awwwwwwwww he is soo cute and u know i usually think they would stop after their done giving our orders, but even when we are eating they come over and talk to us while we're in the middle of dinner and i dont want to say nothing either does my husband has anyone had this problem and really can stand it!
2007-01-14 19:48:14 · 16 answers · asked by a tired mommy 1 in Dining Out ➔ Other - Dining Out
beat him with an ugly stick
2007-01-14 19:51:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Here is a very direct approach: I was a server throughout college, and servers at certain restaurants know that if they are over-the-top friendly, their tips will increase, so this will WORK. Once you have ordered everything, and are sure you will need nothing else, ask to be cashed out. Include the tip with that. This "finalizes" everything so that the waiter knows that he/she can do back handsprings and compliment you 1,000 times and it's not going to change the tip. Waiters are like politicians....they oogle over babies and sell their personalities to you so you'll give them more money. Just try it, I bet it works. If you don't want to try it, then try being non-conversational. Don't be rude, but just offer one-word answers. The server will get the message.
2007-01-15 04:30:00 · answer #2 · answered by babyshark2005 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I definitely agree with Deb P. Training employees on how to read customers is very important. Some customers want to talk with you until the cows come home while other won't give you the time of day and a good server should know how to handle these situations.
As to your question, if the server tries to start a conversation in the middle of your dinner quickly but politely ask for something, such as a glass or water, even if you don't need it, just to send them away. A good server should get the hint!
2007-01-16 06:16:35 · answer #3 · answered by tenkit5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I spent too long as a server, but I understand why they do it and how annoying it can be. If you don't want to be flat out rude you can try to mention it early on. Almost like you're gossiping with them. When they start to say how cute your son is, you could say "I know, but the last place we went he attracted so much attention we couldn't enjoy our meal. I find it so hard to enjoy my dinner when someone is ohhhing and ahhhing over him." If they're smart they'll get the point.
If they're not smart, and they probably won't be, there's no better way to chase someone off then to have them do work. Ask for a pack of crackers, a side of ranch, some A-1. Something else everytime they come by. They'll be annoyed, but not spit in your food annoyed, just avoid you because they don't want to work annoyed.
2007-01-15 04:22:27 · answer #4 · answered by govnathan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree mostly with "govnathan." After one or two compliments towards the beginning of the meal, then you may just have to find a way to let the servers know that they are interrupting your family time. I used to be a waitress so I do know the power of conversation, compliments, flattery, and the like...but I also know when enough is enough. If the people who are waiting on you do not seem to know when to stop, then try to find a nice way to ask them to do so. If the problem persists, then you may have to be slightly more direct and confrontational. It may not seem like something you want to do, but you have a right to enjoy your time out with your family and you should take advantage of that.
2007-01-15 11:57:13 · answer #5 · answered by MissDiva1228 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have worked in restaurants since I was 9 years old, in fact, I'm a manager of a restaurant now. (Family, sit-down dining) Our company suggests to our employees to pay special attention to our guest's children. That is because we want to promote a family-friendly atmosphere. I think the problem would be in the training of our employees. There is obviously some guests that want more attention than others. We need to teach our servers how to read our guest's needs more accurately. As a manager, I wouldn't be offended if a guest called me and said that they loved coming to our restaurant, and that they surely appreciated our friendly staff, but that they needed some privacy while they ate, and would generously compensate the server that waited on them. I would bend over backwards to make sure that they had the right server for their needs. Just a thought.
2007-01-15 04:44:58 · answer #6 · answered by debdini 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could thank them for the compliment then ask then nicely to let you have some privacy because you would like to spend some quality time together as a family. You could do it in a way that it doesn,t sound like they are getting under your skin. Usually I will just give a look and they know to stop coming around
2007-01-15 03:54:49 · answer #7 · answered by tajairip 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont be friendly. It may sound mean but they might be mistaking your friendliness for needing to be waited on for the entire meal.
Im sure they only meant well, and they will lend a hand (if a sppon fell or the kid needs a straw)if you need something in a heartbeat.
You can also tell them that its time too pray, close your eyes and make it into a private moment so they will go away.
2007-01-15 03:55:57 · answer #8 · answered by QuiteNewHere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are working for a good tip and some are just friendly. They have to talk with people their whole shift. Be lucky you get the ones in a good mood
2007-01-15 03:54:12 · answer #9 · answered by Chicago Girl 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You're anti social. The girls are going out of their way to be nice.
2007-01-15 04:55:25 · answer #10 · answered by robert m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just explain that you do not any distractions while you and son are eating as it spoils your son's appetite. No tip might help.
2007-01-15 06:11:05 · answer #11 · answered by ANF 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋