Can We Have A Booth??

Question

Why is it that when people come into a restaurant, they insist on telling the host or manager where it is that they want to sit. Maybe the booth is more comfortable, but the host has been trained to place customers where they will get the best service based on the server's ability to perform their job. Why does the customer feel as though they have a right to tell the host how to do his/her job? Let me know, folks.

Answer 1

The customer isn't telling the host how to do his job, the customer is requesting specific seating - just as if they would ask for smoking or non-smoking.

Yes, the floor manager has a plan to make sure seating is appropriate for the servers, but it's also important to accomodate the customer. The happier the customer, the better the tip.

Having waited tables in the past, I know when I go out to restaurants, I want to be seated in a booth because it's more private, and you typically don't have servers and patrons bustling all around you. I hate being stuck in a high traffic area, and a booth will inevitably cut down on that traffic.

Answer 2

As a server in a restaurant with both booths and tables, I think if a customer wants a particular seat they should get it if its available. That being said, patrons need to be understanding that just because a seat is empty that doesn't mean its available. However the hostess should try to find a similar seating arrangement for the customer. My only problem is customers that want to place highchairs at the end of boothes in high traffic areas. They seem to put their own comfort over the safety of their children. I have twice seen small children hurt as a result. If you come into a restuarant with highchair aged kids, and insist on a booth when I am helping host I try to put the customer in out of the way boothes, not being rude but safety minded. So occasionaly there is a reason for what the hostess is doing.

Answer 3

I don't think that someone telling you where they would like to sit is telling you how to do your job. I was a hostess and never based where I placed someone on the skill or knowledge of a server and was never trained to do that. (I did learn however how to differentiate most smokers from non-smokers) As an added note to that...if the server's ability is lousy...they shouldn't have anyone in their area or even be at a restaurant. You try to evenly distribute customers to different server 'areas' but you respect the customers wishes if they prefer a table or a booth...they aren't trying to own the restaurant...they want to be able to eat and be relaxed..and maybe spend more money by being comfortable. Some people might also ask for tables instead of booths. I have known people that had to sit at the tables because the booths were not adjustable to their size. I think it's a personal preference..some choose, some don't.

Answer 4

There are all kinds of reasons a person may prefer a certain place to sit. For example, it may have to do with a part of the restaurant being hotter or colder than another part. I personally don't like sitting right under an air conditioning vent because it's usually really chilly there. This reason is also often true for older people or people that have a baby with them. People with small kids might want to be seated in proximity to the restroom. A couple might want a more out of the way seating arrangement so they can talk more privately. Business people may need a larger table due to a working lunch or dinner. When I was recovering from surgery for a broken leg and was wearing a cast, and then a brace, a booth was much more comfortable because I could turn sideways and prop my leg up while I ate. What it comes down to is that when a person comes into a restaurant, they are coming to be waited on. Customer service is easy to talk about, not always what you get. The reason someone prefers a booth or a table doesn't matter. Making a simple accomodation to allow someone their seating preference can make for appreciative customers, and isn't that what you want?

Answer 5

I always ask for a booth. I can't count how many times I have taken a table and wound up in a high traffic area with patrons and servers bumping into me or passing over my head with trays of food. I prefer a quiet, relaxed setting to enjoy dinner with someone close. If I'm not comfortable, the atmosphere seems negative. I don't demand a booth, but if a host tries to seat me at a table, I politely say," Hey, would you have any booths available? If not, I can wait until one is."
I don't mind waiting, and seating patrons isn't rocket science. It's my hard earned money, and if the host acts like it's a huge problem, no big deal, I just take my money somewhere else where I am appreciated.
This is how I feel as a customer.
Instead of eating in, I'm paying my hard earned money to go out, enjoy the social atmosphere, and good meal from a friendly server, and maybe have a few drinks. I don't think asking for a booth is unreasonable. I'm willing to wait for what I want, without complaining. In any job you will have to learn to listen and grant requests that irk you. I don't always want to listen to a customer tell me what they like or want, but if it makes them happy, and gets my job done faster and easier, a little change is great to move on to the next project.
Just change your perspective a bit, they aren't telling YOU how to do your job, they are telling you what makes them feel comfortable, and you have the power to give them what they are asking for and make someones day.

Answer 6

I didn't realize that the host judges the people who come into the restaurant to see which seating is the best. Since this may be my first time as a customer at your location, you're telling me that you can determine what kind of service I'm going to want based on my looks? Do I get a lousy server if you don't like how I look??

Personally, I'm a woman of size so I prefer a table to being squished into a booth. Rather than have the host arrive at a booth and then telling him that I would prefer a table, I tell them upfront. If you have a problem with customers letting you know their preference, then you are in the wrong industry... although I can think of few industries where the customer preferences aren't wanted.

Answer 7

You have a right to request a booth...but sometimes there are times in the day ( especially the middle of the afternoon when they may be only one of two servers working), where it is not possible ( or nice) to request a seat anywhere in the restaurant. How would you like to work in a large restaurant by yourself and have your tables spread out over the entire place? Some customers just don't understand, and insist to sit somewhere that they will not get great service. I actually will tell people if I am working that I am alone, and if they wouldn't mind sitting somewhere where I can give them the best service I can. ( doesn't always work, but I give it a try)

Answer 8

I have worked in restaurants for many years. Out of all those years, one thing is certain and that is that someone will ask for a booth. Now not only does the host or hostess know what they are doing, and know where they are supposed to sit someone. But by being sat somewhere that at that time your not supposed means trouble for the server. You get double sat, now your busy all of a sudden and its just a pain. Why a booth anyway, is it cause its more comfortable, ok maybe. But do you sit in a booth at your house. If all a restaruant had was tables would you still go. I think its because too many people sit in front of their tvs on their couches being lazy and eating dinner instead of sitting at a dining room table like they are supposed too. So next time when you think your getting what you want because you want to sit in a booth just remember your making it harder on someone else trying to make sure you have the best experience possible. Also if your going to be a pain and want a booth when your supposed to sit at a table tip accordingly. Remember they did you a favor not the other way around.

Answer 9

A customer feels the right to tell the host how to do his/her job because a customer has chosen this specific restaurant to spend their money that day. They are not telling the host how to do their job, they are making clear what will satisfy them to the best degree. If someone wants the privacy of the booth, then they have the right to ask for it since they are giving their hard-earned money to the restaurant in return for their comfort.

If they are asking to sit on the side of a restaurant that is closed and no server is serving at that particular time, then it's okay for a host to set limits on the dining area. If it's important enough for a customer, they will avoid that restaurant at that time, or accept the alternative seating.

If a customer tells a host how he or she should greet people, or starts asking for things that aren't within the host's capacity to give, that would fall under the heading of telling a host how to do their job, which I don't think is acceptable for a guest to do. Asking for a specific seat is acceptable, and fully within the rights of all restaurant patrons.

Answer 10

When people go out to eat sometimes they want the privacy of a booth. I do understand having been a waitress and hostess in my 20's that you seat the stations equally for all the servers. I would really try to make the customers happy as they are paying probably about four times as much as it costs to cook at home and want an enjoyable night out. Some people like a short friend of mine prefer tables and not being so closed in. It is called customer service. People return to restaurants when they are treated with respect and kindness. You could tell them it would be a longer wait for a booth which leaves it up to them do decide. Just my opinion.