If you don't drink alcohol, do you find you get lackluster service in restaurants?

[Anonymous]

No, we just had great service at a restaurant last weekend and we drank tap water. Even the busboy was very attentive.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to get flamed for this, I'm sure, but I'll tell you the truth OP: I almost always order a glass of wine that I don't want for this reason. Then I take a few sips, and put it down and just drink the water which is all I wanted. I feel like even that isn't enough in the really upscale places; there they definitely get annoyed if you aren't ordering a bottle.

The literal bottom line for servers is that even if you are tipping 30% on your bill, the amount of your tip will be less, maybe a lot less, than a table that tips 15% but orders cocktails and a bottle of wine.

At casual places, I just order my water unapologetically. But no one is ordering bottle service there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Especially higher end restaurants?

My spouse and I have noticed this recently. As soon as we only order water, and usually a water that you must pay for, not simple tap water, it's like the waiter writes us off and doesn't give as good service. We're polite people and not demanding at all. We don't have any allergies or dietary restrictions. We don't make modifications when ordering. We always tip at least 20% even if the service is so-so and usually tip 30% because we were both servers in college. We simply aren't alcohol drinkers or even soda drinkers.

It's like as soon as the waiter realizes the bill isn't going to include the extra $$ from alcohol sales, they don't try as hard and focus on other tables. Our waiter yesterday evening only checked on us once, near the end of our meal and didn't even ask if we wanted any dessert or coffee. That would have been an easy up sale from me because I did in fact want dessert and coffee, but I was a bit annoyed at their dismissive attitude, so we paid the bill and went to another favorite nearby for dessert and coffee. Our dinner for two without any alcohol included was still $160. I left a $35 tip and was going to leave a $50 tip because it's the holidays.

I doubt it.

Are you friendly? Do you smile? Do you say please? Or are you cold and transactional?

[Anonymous]

100% op!!!

[Anonymous]

Yes I have noticed this also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, we just had great service at a restaurant last weekend and we drank tap water. Even the busboy was very attentive.

Tap? I’m embarrassed for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, we just had great service at a restaurant last weekend and we drank tap water. Even the busboy was very attentive.

Tap? I’m embarrassed for you.

DP. I'm embarrassed for YOU that you are such a snob. Work on that as your resolution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a pOC? Because that stigma is still very much alive and well in the restaurant industry.

Stigma that POC don’t order alcohol?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a pOC? Because that stigma is still very much alive and well in the restaurant industry.

Stigma that POC don’t order alcohol?

Stigma that they don't tip well.