Leslie Brenner, Restaurant Critic for the Dallas Morning News asked for diners’ pet peeves. The #1 peeve was Servers with boundary.
In my opinion …
It’s hard to know what’s too much and/or too little service.
- I feel manipulated by the waiter when that bottle of recommended wine was the most expensive on the list and your guests are looking to you to make the decision.
- It is an extraordinary talent for servers to anticipate your wants and needs, rather than simply inserting their own choices and personal favorites.
- Professional waiters have a knack for ‘being there’ at just the right time without hovering and without interrupting a great story being told.
- I appreciate the waiter who makes you feel like a special guest. The very formal Mansion (Dallas) employs a waiter named Ray. Ray responds to your greeting of, “How are you, Ray?”with, “I have the greatest job in the world. I’m in the people business and just happen to be serving food. This is my house, you are in my dining room and my desire is that as a guest you feel welcomed and leave having a great experience.” WOW!! Need I say more?
I wish the article had expressed how customers should act. More times than not, the wait staff is amazingly tolerant!
What are your pet peeves while dining out? Are YOU a well mannered customer???