Anonymous wrote:This is why serving isnt just a do x or y job. You have to read people. For every person like the OP there is 1 other person who doesnt want the server around unless they want them to specifically do a task. They want to be left alone. They dont want a pitcher coming over to fill water glasses when they are talking, especially business. They dont want hands reaching in to grab their drink from the back corner seat of the booth. They dont want multiple glasses and god forbid you bring a full Coke when they are 1/4 through and try to clear the near empty glass. Its an immediate "Im not done with that". And then theres the complaint following up about how the server didnt clear plates appropriately and it was cluttered.
See the PP above who pours their own wine. Servers are supposed to pour the wine.
For every person who wants their plate cleared as soon as they are finished, there are another group of people who dont want the plates cleared until everyone at the table is finished. For every group that wants to order immediately, there is a group that wants to talk first and then order.
And its funny because you should be placing your silverware in a specific position to indicate you are finished but NO ONE does that anymore. If it was taught and server could rely on it then thered be no need to ask.
I am not saying there arent bad servers or wait staff. I am not saying that they dont disappear but it used to be that you could walk through a dining room and there would be nonverbal signals. Patrons expect servers to read their minds and no one- even at the same table- follows the same cues.
Look, if you're around and pour it when I want it, that's great. But I'm not going to sit there waiting for you to pour the wine when you're across the room helping others, the bottle is sitting in front of me, and I have two arms that work. That's just silly.