It's a normal question that informs how servers go over things. You sound very insecure, and are overreacting -- significantly.

The question on seems necessary if it’s a restaurant that may do things differently. For example, Bartaco has you order from an app and if you haven’t done that before you’d have questions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're just trying to be nice!!!

Just say yes if it bothers you so much

This. I never had someone explain the menu to me, but found it very helpful the first time I went to Korean bbq or hotpot type places. If it’s just a regular system, no lunch or dinner offers, just a regular à la carte menu, then just say you’ve been here once.

+1

There are plenty of restaurants where things like portions, preparation, or concept justify some explaining. Just keep it short and to the point.

Anonymous wrote:“In the spiritual sense, I believe so, but this is my first visit with this physical form.”

That's guaranteed way to get a deliberate 5-second-rule meal.

Anonymous wrote:“In the spiritual sense, I believe so, but this is my first visit with this physical form.”

I’m answering with this next time!

Anonymous wrote:They're just trying to be nice!!!

Just say yes if it bothers you so much

This. I never had someone explain the menu to me, but found it very helpful the first time I went to Korean bbq or hotpot type places. If it’s just a regular system, no lunch or dinner offers, just a regular à la carte menu, then just say you’ve been here once.

And if you say yes they say “Well Welcome Back” and then nothing, but maybe they should remember you or look at the Open Table history first and give you a gift from the kitchen for regulars

I don’t know why anyone would ask that unless it was a super unique restaurant. Agree it is a weird question.

Oh my god, I’m with you, OP. I absolutely hate this question! This is not rocket science. I know how to read a menu.

It is a very stupid question, which I never asked in my many years as a server and bartender.

Anonymous wrote:"Have you been here before?"

And then heaven forbid you answer in the negative, they explain the menu, as if you're illiterate. You are forced to sit there and smile and nod while they show you how there are appetizers on the top left, meat, seafood, sides, etc. COME ON! At least half the people dining look up the menu online before they get there anyway. From now on I will instruct everyone in my group to lie and say we've all been there before in hopes that will stop them.

Concur. I only find this acceptable if it's a restaurant with like a weird ordering style ("all our dishes are made to share, so it's enough for two people" or "if you want the salad bar, you need to order through me first") but if it's a regular restaurant where you just order off the menu, come on. You did not invent the concept of a restaurant or a menu. We'l

“In the spiritual sense, I believe so, but this is my first visit with this physical form.”

They're just trying to be nice!!!

Just say yes if it bothers you so much

"Have you been here before?"

And then heaven forbid you answer in the negative, they explain the menu, as if you're illiterate. You are forced to sit there and smile and nod while they show you how there are appetizers on the top left, meat, seafood, sides, etc. COME ON! At least half the people dining look up the menu online before they get there anyway. From now on I will instruct everyone in my group to lie and say we've all been there before in hopes that will stop them.