When a host at a restaurant asks how you are doing why does the guest answer with "2 please"?

Question

Hey morons, the host did not ask how many in your party, but simply asked how you were doing!!!

Answer 1

How are you doing? yeah its a social phrase which can initiate conversation and is an acknowledgment of the other persons presence. You pass people in a hall at school, work or wherever and say the same thing. Do you you really expect a detailed response?

In this case where a host speaks to a customer, there is an expectation of a predefined dialog and exchange of information. It is also expected that the host is operating in a business like manner and not a social one... This means a much more formal business like dialog is in order initially

"How ya do'ing" is not what I would consider a proper initial greeting of a customer unless I'm a regular and familiar customer and even then I would expect a little more formality. I get better greetings at McDonald's....

The terse "2 please" responses you are getting is a customers way of redirecting you to the business at hand..

So greet your customers with a more dignified and business like greeting. As the conversation progresses you may ease it a little reading the customers mood and responses.

Answer 2

Because do you really care how they are doing? Most likely you don't know them and don't want to hear about their health issues or life do you really? So I am guessing you are waiting for the preferred "fine". Also if I think the individual is asking it in genuine interest I reply appropriately. If I am involved in conversation with my accompanying party I really what to sit and down and enjoy the evening not converse with someone who could care less how I really am. It is much different if a polight relationship develops. Then I care how they are when I ask and hope the care when they ask me.

Answer 3

Actually from the hostess/host postition you should never ask how a person is doing because most of the time you really dont want to know, and it leads to a big lengthy conversation you dont have time for, always immediately sit the customer and if you have to ask , you should start with "how was everything tonight" etc.. when they are DONE

Answer 4

I'll tell you why I'd end up doing it. Lately, the host/hostess never actually asks how many, they seem to expect that you'll just tell them. So right off the bat I'm going to tell them so I don't wait there thirty seconds for them to ask me.

Answer 5

Maybe they cant here the host , restaurants always have lots of ppl yelling or babys crying and lots of ppl talking.

Answer 6

You know, Einstein, he may not have heard you correctly, especially if it is a loud restaurant. He might have thought you said, "How many today?" Did ya think of that one? Did ya?

You know, the pieces are fitting into place. With an attitude like yours, consider another career choice. You don't have the tact to be a good waiter, and no one likes a little snot.

Answer 7

Most people are in such a hurry to sit down and order. It is the way of the world now. Most people want everything here and now. This is probably very rude, and the funny thing is I have probably done this. I will try to change that in the future.

Answer 8

Because everyone knows that the host could really give a rat's butt about how the patron is doing.

Answer 9

Because they really dont care how you are doing,there tokd to say that to be polite ,then they seat you.

Answer 10

You're supposed to do this:

"Hi, How many?"

"Right this way, How are you tonight, blah blah blha (as you are walking them to their table) Seat them, "you're server is ------ tonight, enjoy."