Stuff that bugs me in restaurants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When some random guy comes by and asks how everything is but gives zero indication he works there. Happened tonight and he asked while my mouth was full too. That's two pet peeves.

Yes! Like who the hell are you? My husband tends to ask for whatever is on his mind, so maybe he has just sent the owner off to get lime wedges for our daughter!

[Anonymous]

I agree with so many of these!

The pepper - especially if I haven't tasted my food yet. How do I know if it needs it? I'd rather it be on the table for me to add myself. Along the same lines, parmesan cheese. If it belongs on the dish, the chef should have added it. In a more casual restaurant, leave it on the table so I can decide.

Anything nicer than a diner and I expect clean utensils for each course.

Refill my water, but not after only one sip. If my drink is empty ask if I want another - I'll likely have more drinks which will increase your tip. But in casual places, don't automatically refill my drink like an iced tea - those glasses are too big to begin with and it's wasteful. In a diner, don't top off my coffee without asking - I finally got it to the right temperature with the right about of milk..

It's ok to now know everything about a dish, but you should know the basics - If I say "what vegetables are in the mixed vegetables", please know that. That's like naming a menu item "meat".

[Anonymous]

Improper wine service. Not having my water glass refilled. Servers who disappear at any point during the meal, but especially when it's time for the check. Taking a plate away when I or my child is not finished--I had a server do this to my daughter twice in a meal. Meltdowns ensued.

[Anonymous]

OMG some of you folks need to remove the gigantic stick up your butts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Improper wine service. Not having my water glass refilled. Servers who disappear at any point during the meal, but especially when it's time for the check. Taking a plate away when I or my child is not finished--I had a server do this to my daughter twice in a meal. Meltdowns ensued.

I don't understand. Why don't you just say "we're not done with that"? How can they actually take a plate away unless you aren't paying attention at all?

[Anonymous]

Getting a table instead of a booth or vice versa. Ask me first.

[ChuckMurphy]

soft butter, much prefer hard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Improper wine service. Not having my water glass refilled. Servers who disappear at any point during the meal, but especially when it's time for the check. Taking a plate away when I or my child is not finished--I had a server do this to my daughter twice in a meal. Meltdowns ensued.

I don't understand. Why don't you just say "we're not done with that"? How can they actually take a plate away unless you aren't paying attention at all?

I had turned to tend to my other child, and he took the plate and walked away. I tried to get his attention but he didn't hear. Do you spend your entire meal staring at your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:dirty, sticky menus

this.

[Anonymous]

Filling and filling my wine glass, even if it's not even half empty. What if I don't like having a full wine glass? Stop trying to make us order a second bottle of wine! We won't!

[Anonymous]

ChuckMurphy wrote:soft butter, much prefer hard

If the butter is hard, you can't spread it on your bread/potato/whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG some of you folks need to remove the gigantic stick up your butts.

+1000000000000000000000000000000000

[Anonymous]

Slow service and not being able to find the waiter when you are ready to get the check. It seems like this has been happening to us frequently these days - the waiter doesn't come back after delivering the food to the table and when you are dining with kids who are reaching their limit, waiting those extra 10-15 minutes for the check can be stressful.

[Anonymous]

Don't take the plates until everyone at the table is done. Makes everyone else feel awkward and rushed.

Agree with the random person asking how things are. At least introduce yourself.

Not refilling drinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who doesn't like fresh pepper?

I don't need pepper. I don't like pepper.

Hmm, if only there was a polite way to decline the offer.....