Where are you dining? Honestly I do not mind paying for drink refills...it's not like water is free, correct? I live in Georgetown to and dine occasionally at those places and have never really noticed "bad service" as you claim to have received. Interesting!!

My mom's pet peeve is ethnic restaurants that don't play the music of the culture. She wants to hear balalaikas at the Greek restaurant, mariachi at the Mexican restaurant. Instead it's Katy perry everywhere.
She also complained at a burger place that was playing 90s alternative. "NO one wants to hear this grunge music. People want to hear classic music like the Monkees." LOL

Anonymous wrote:Charging a service fee, then expecting 20% tips on top. This is also after minimum wage has been increased to like $17/h for servers.

That’s when I don’t tip.

My biggest one is when food isn't timed correctly. E.g., entrees come out right after apps (or at the same time as apps); or guests get their entrees at different times.

Anonymous wrote:Automatic gratuity for a party of 6+.

We have 4 kids so we are always going to be a party of 6.

You are paying for families who allow their children to leave a mess.

I hate when I order a dessert and the waiter brings it to the center of the table with utensils for all. I'm not talking about enormous slabs of cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory. It's awkward because I don't want to share it!

I agree with all of these.

For an order at the counter restaurant. When it's really crowded, I hate when people at the back of the line save tables. Then the people who have already ordered can't find a table!

QR code menus

Tone deaf service: interrupting a conversation to make sure “everything’s alright,” starting to clear the table or ask if you want the check when people are still eating, general sloppiness/lack of attentiveness

(I worked in the restaurant industry for ten years, including at very high-end places, and I try to give people grace - but JFC, service these days is generally in the toilet)

Charging a service fee, then expecting 20% tips on top. This is also after minimum wage has been increased to like $17/h for servers.

Anonymous wrote:Automatic gratuity for a party of 6+.

We have 4 kids so we are always going to be a party of 6.

Agtee!

Automatic gratuity for a party of 6+.

We have 4 kids so we are always going to be a party of 6.

WE JUST DID THIS. Like seriously 3 weeks ago
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1284297.page

Music that's too loud.

Whisking away your wine or cocktail glass when you order another one, even though there's obviously an inch still left in it. I always object and they look surprised.

What are your restaurant pet peeves? Mine:

1.*Having to pay for iced tea refills at the same restaurants where coffee refills are free. Hello! Tea bags are a lot cheaper than coffee.I live in Georgetown Two places charging for iced tea refills but not coffee:
- Osteria Mozza
- Billy Hicks

2.* Those pesky pandemic add- on fees on your bill. Hmmm, the pandemic is offer

3.* Water without ice-- this isn't Europe.

4.* Servers grabbing your plates while you're still eating.

Yours?