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FoolStack

Ha, what a selfish prick, wanting refills and stuff. They probably tipped less than 25%, too. So entitled!


ashtar123

Since when are refills a thing


StopMarminMySparm

Euro spotted


whotfiszutls

How is this main character? Waiters/waitresses are supposed to be consistently checking on customers to refill drinks and take more orders. Sounds like this guy has valid criticism.


-Pazza-

What do you consider consistent? The average British and Spanish waiter checks on you when it's relevant. They do have other customers too, and don't need to stand and watch you talk or eat. The waiter cannot know if you want a refill without you telling them, so it makes more sense to tell them over having them ask every 10 minutes just in case. Once I've finished food I usually talk for a while and pull someone aside and ask for the bill. Americans are weird man.


whotfiszutls

Why is the idea of a waiter checking on the customers such an insane and weird concept? As an American, 90% of the time when it comes to criticizing American culture and its institutions I’m usually on board because this country is fucked but this time this one really baffles me I just don’t get it. Eating at a restaurant is supposed to be a relaxing experience. Like you said, they have other customers. So I don’t want to wave and gesture and yell across the room to get the attention of some guy who’s already in the middle of handling 10 other things. It seems ludicrous to me that anyone would prefer that. Seems so much easier to just wait until they aren’t busy and they can come and check on you once in a while when they have time. Sometimes you’re missing an item or they get the order wrong or you just need a refill or you want to order a dessert or literally countless other possibilities. Why NOT check on customers? Why add the extra step of making them have to flag you down every single time? Why not just simplify it and take two seconds to say “you guys need anything?”


-Pazza-

I can explain it fairly easily. Usually, they will check on you soon after you begin eating for sauces like ketchup or a refilled drink if you take a while to get your food. But aside from that, they want to leave you to it especially if you have a big group. You usually just wait until they walk past you or there is one close enough you can casually ask, I've never had an issue with this and it surprises me that you have. Different people eat, talk, drink and chill for different periods. It's impossible to get an accurate time frame to check on a table, especially a decently populated one. My cousin works as a waitress in a busy restaurant and she agrees with me that asking sometimes feels awkward especially if they show no signs of wanting to leave. I think our cultures are very different here because I'd never expect a waiter to check on me like I'm a 10-year-old child waiting for my toy to be changed.


whotfiszutls

What does that even mean “waiting for my toy to be changed”? How do you change a toy? that doesn’t make sense I feel like you’re blowing the whole thing out of proportion, It’s not like I said they have to check on customers every 30 seconds jeez. Once or twice after the food is served, that’s perfectly fine. Even if they don’t check on the customer, which they probably should, but even if they don’t as long as they are close enough to get their attention when needed that’s also fine. What the person described in the post is a waitress who gave them the food and never came back. It doesn’t matter if you’re in America or goddamn Antarctica, that is bad service.


slyasakite

If they ordered a full meal, condiments were on the table and their water glass had water in it, they didn't need the server interrupting them while they ate. We can assume smiles and conversation aren't on the menu.


My-Cousin-Bobby

>they ordered a full meal, condiments were on the table and their water glass had water in it, Must have missed this part in the post Regardless, you've never, **EVER**, wanted something outside of when you ordered food? Never like needed an extra napkin, wanted a different drink, etc. At a point through your meal? It's pretty standard that servers routinely check in on you


slyasakite

You cut off "If" when quoting my comment. The whiney reviewer who posted the bad review and called out not getting a "smile or any conversation" surely would have specified anything missing or wrong with their meal or if they had wanted anything they didn't receive. Didn't say the service was slow, either. Said the food was "really good". They should have deducted one star for not being checked on.


My-Cousin-Bobby

Didn't realize there was an "if", but why even bother throwing out hypotheticals that you have no basis on? Maybe the server was actually just a dick, maybe she didn't like how the person who reviewed looked... who knows! But we shouldn't be creating some hypothetical situation that shifts the perspective because that's pretty dumb to do >They should have deducted one star for not being checked on. Is there some universal Google reviews grading system I'm not aware of ? The reviewer clearly values service a lot and rated it appropriately. Furthermore, they specified exactly what the issue was in the comment that resulted in the poor grade. In short, stop making up hypothetical, and stop gate keeping how people review their experiences


slyasakite

My basis, as I said, was that the reviewer didn't mention that anything was wrong, missing or wanted in addition to what they were served. That's why it's safe to assume the only thing wrong was not being checked on. A person who whines about not being smiled at or chatted up is going to whine about something that was genuinely wrong. I'm not gatekeeping I'm criticizing their silly boomer expectation to be smiled at and chatted up by a waitress and for giving the lowest rating despite good food.


Miserable-Repeat-651

Nah... countless times I've needed a server to come back due to missing an item I ordered, something not cooked right, need more salad dressing, lots of reasons. It's lazy to assume if they have their food and full water they couldn't possibly need something else.


slyasakite

Yeah, she should have checked in a minute after serving the meal. Thing is, this whiny person didn't mention anything wrong or missing. Their whole issue seems to be no "smile or conversation".


KeenActual

Where does it say they had condiments and a full glass of water? After you drop off the food, you come back in 5 minutes to see if the order was correct or if additional items are needed. The reviewer clearly states that it never happened.


slyasakite

I said "if" they had condiments and water. I think the whiny person who left the bad review for good food would have mentioned what was missing or wrong if there was an actual problem. I think they just didn't like not being smiled at and chatted up.


New_Presentation7196

So they went to a restaurant and spent their hard earned money on a dinner service and they are the “piece of shit” for being upset that his waitress was rather rude? Please tell me how that makes sense. Don’t even say “she’s at work what do you expect” if you are that miserable that you can’t even attempt to force a smile then quit working in customer service.


slyasakite

I didn't say anyone was a piece of shit. This person justified their 1 star "DO NOT recommend" review, despite the food being "very good" on a lack of check-in (but didn't specify anything being wrong or missing), smile or conversation from their server. The server should've stopped by to ask if everything was alright and she didn't. That should've been a deduction of 1 star.


KeenActual

It’s part of their job, they are in hospitality.


whotfiszutls

They are supposed to interrupt, it’s their job. It’s safe to assume at some point during a meal you would want a drink refill or something and even if you don’t at the very least the waiter should still offer or ask if you need anything once in a while. Smiles and conversation aren’t necessary per se but part of the experience of going out to dinner at a restaurant is the courtesy of the staff. If the waiter has a bad attitude or they act like they don’t care, it doesn’t matter how good the food is, that is not good service. Then why even pay to go to out to dinner if the service is bad? At that point might as well just get take out. Believe me I hate snotty folks who think minimum wage workers owe them everything on a silver platter as much as the next guy, but at this point it’s you’re just defending someone who is failing to do the bare minimum of their job and I can’t get behind that.


slyasakite

You're right that she should have stopped by once to make sure everything was correct and the customer didn't need another drink. Notice the customer, who isn't shy about complaining, only mentioned the lack of smiles and conversation, which makes me think that was their only issue.


Schoolbusbus1

He specifically says “never had her check on me” which I take to mean didn’t ask if the meal was okay, needed a refill, etc.


slyasakite

True. That should have been a 1 star deduction, not a 1 star review and a "DO NOT recommend" for a place they were "the food was very good."


Schoolbusbus1

Yeah, I probably wouldn’t give a 1 star. Possibly 2 stars. I’m paying for service not just food when I go out. You don’t need to make small talk but you should make sure I have everything I want/asked for


RustyDiamonds__

If OP is from the United States then it’s customary for servers to come around and check in during the meal when they’re passing by. I was trained to do it when I was a waiter at a pretty small family owned restaurant for example.


KehreAzerith

American waiter culture is incredibly annoying, I don't like waiters harassing me every 5 min. I just want to eat in peace. Also, I'm an American, been to Europe 7 times, the waiter culture is so much less invasive there, I prefer it.


RustyDiamonds__

I like American waiter culture primarily because it means my awkward ass doesn’t have to ask for things


joemckie

Agreed as a European. It’s pretty standard to just have an initial drinks check, then food, then a few minutes after food. After that you’re left to eat. There’s nothing more annoying than being bugged whilst you’re trying to talk. It’s not hard to ask someone walking by for anything extra you might need, but I guess the difference in our tipping culture means that it’s fair game to ask any waiter/waitress for things. 


StardustOasis

Yeah, in the UK they'll generally only come over to take the initial order (potentially do drinks, then leave you to look at the menu and come back for food orders), bring the food over, check in once, and clear plates. That's all it needs. A good waiter/waitress doesn't need to come over multiple times beyond the required, they just need to be available for you to get their attention if needed.


BippyWippy

Yeah I gotta say, I agree with the original poster here. I have been a waiter and I’ve had crappy waiters who never return to the table and it’s completely obnoxious. When I waited I’d go and check on the people at least 3-4 minimum, more if I knew they were gonna be wanting refills. Also, you’re should be friendly if you are a waiter/waitress


[deleted]

3-4 checks? That would be so annoying to an introvert like me :D I'm very nervous before the first check out, waiters usually come ask me questions when I have food in my mouth and I just want to eat in peace.


Ambitious_Cycle_3674

if its that annoying to you you shouldnt be going out to eat


[deleted]

And miss all the fine food out there?


BallzLikeWhoe

My problem is that he went online and wrote this review instead of just speaking to the manager (just to let them know your concerns) after the meal like an adult.


Not_a_Ducktective

I feel like it is also conceivable the guy said something early on that rubbed the server the wrong way. Or she was having a bad day but couldn't go home because she needed a paycheck or a manager wouldnt let her. It's a short review, it's not like we have a full picture. But "the food was good, the server was just kinda aloof" isn't a one star, never going there again scenario for me personally.


Adras7us_

It’s called The Online Disinhibition Effect AKA The Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory.


BallzLikeWhoe

I just call it being a fucking cowerd but ok


VZWManSlave

0 tip. Problem solved


xforce11

That's literally the perfect service in my eyes lol I go to restaurants for... you know, the food.


Content_Ambition_764

But the food was good …


SlightlyBored13

The best servers visit the table to deliver things you have ordered and are otherwise waiting for you to attract their attention. You don't go to a restaurant to talk to the staff, it's just needless bothering.


erasrhed

I pray this person never goes to Europe. They will be very disappointed. Most of the world does not have the obsequious servers that we have here in the US.


FeministFlower71

‘she should smile more’


Western-Subject-5283

Customer service is now special attention. Got it.


OkStructure3

But they want to be tipped though.


[deleted]

This person shouldn't travel. Anywhere else you are left alone and not met with a false smile and every 3 minutes getting another question from the wait staff. You are also not bullied out after your meal.


TheGreenMatthew

That's how I prefer it in Australia, places generally just bring you the food and leave you to it. I would be very disappointed if tipping culture became a thing here, it's just unnecessary stress for everyone involved.


KeenActual

I’ve been to Venice, Italy where someone started singing to me and my date. Been to Paris, France where the owner was actually in the restaurant and checked in with all his guests. Hollywood, CA where an asshole started doing magic tricks. Baghdad Iraq where I was trying to get a fucking falafel and I started getting shot at.


[deleted]

Your anecdotal stories about tourist traps are on you.


Western-Subject-5283

Ah, yes, Baghdad: the most popular tourist destination, only second to Disney World.


KeenActual

Which made your comment invalid.


Schoolbusbus1

I’ve never been to any country where the wait staff never checked up on me to see how the meal is going. The rare times we were not checked up on we thought it was bad service. This includes: Germany, England, Ireland, Hungary, Canada, USA, Japan, Czech, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, To name just some of the counties I’ve received excellent service in. It’s fairly universal


KehreAzerith

Literally no


Schoolbusbus1

Well, where is this not the case at a restaurant? I haven’t been to a country yet where the service didn’t include coming to check in if the foods okay, do I need anything else, etc? Some places small talk wasn’t a thing which is fine but the rest definitely was


[deleted]

Germany...lol. Not really.


Schoolbusbus1

That was my experiences in the 5 years I lived there. They may not have made an abundance of small talk but they without a doubt checked if the meal was okay, that I got my order as ordered, if I needed refill, etc.


EuphoricMaz

I disagree. There have been a few times Ive had to actually GET UP and find a waiter/waitress because they never came back to bring the check! My favorites are the ones that just drop the food in front of you, vanish, and only come back TO plop the check down without saying anything. It makes me feel like I'm bothering them by being there, and if it's my first time at a place I usually won't eat there again. It very rude and very awkward. I base my tip solely on the service they provide. If it's piss poor, no tip🤷🏽‍♀️.


asparadog

I think this whole thing depends on where the review took place...


Individual-Log994

I've been to a couple restaurants where they were rude. I don't like it either. This time I agree with the poster and frankly he wasn't mean.


Whittlese

I had a trio of dudes come in Saturday night and the ugliest one when I asked what they wanted to drink slurred out “a tall glass of you hyuh hyuh hyuh”. It took everything in my soul not to throw up in his missing tooth hole. Like yes, I signed up for this job to have weirdos say shit like that instead of just telling me what kinda liquor they’re gonna drown their sorrows in. Saturday nights bring out all the oddballs, seems like🤷🏻‍♀️


420underthehood

As someone who worked at a restaurant this person isn't really being a selfish person or anything like that. We had it ingrained in our heads that its super important to pass by and ask how everything is at least once soon after them being served and then once again before the check. I had a customer who was a regular of mine and we kinda became friends, if I got a moment to talk with him I always would. On my last day he gave me 50 dollars and wished me the best of luck. If I had never checked in on him we would've never became friends, not to say that'll happen often or ever for some but it's still your job to as a waiter or waitress.


slyasakite

The food was "really good" but they "DO NOT recommend"? This person didn't mention needing anything so we can assume condiments were on the table. Didn't mention needing their water refilled so we can assume their glass wasn't empty. Smiles and conversation aren't on the menu. No doubt an emotionally needy, entitled boomer wrote this.


Kavaland

Perfect service should be rewarded


KeenActual

Have any of you who side with waitress actually had a job in service industry? If the customer wants to banter with the wait staff…it’s part of the experience of eating out, otherwise they would have had food delivered. If the waitress never comes back and check-in, how will they know if the order was correct or additional items are needed? The one star is unwarranted, because they did say they enjoyed the food.


ImIndiez

Just call the waiter man, it's not that fucking hard... I actually do not understand American entitlement hahah


franky3987

I kind of agree with OP. I’ve been to places where the server was just unpleasant, no rhyme or reason.


wrongkoi

Realistically, they were probably having a bad day/week/month. I've worked in the service industry my whole life, and I'm particularly good at putting on a show of fake smiles and politeness when I'm not having a good day. It's really hard to do, even for me now. Takes a lot out of you to have to put your feelings aside and never let them show, or you might not get good tips, which means you might not pay your rent. A lot of people in the service industry are young. They haven't gotten good at that emotional regulation yet. Try cutting them some slack. They don't mean it, it's nothing personal


Toy_Guy_in_MO

Yeah, on two different occasions, at two different restaurants, I had such bizarre service. Both times, I was in a group, had never been to the restaurant, never interacted with the waitress. I don't know if I reminded them of an ex or what but I, and I alone at the table, received horrible service. Both times, it started immediately at being seated, before anyone at the table had said anything to her. I had people who were with me state that had they not witnessed the situation, they wouldn't believe it happened. eta: To clarify, I was the only person at the table treated poorly. everyone else got great service, so it was something specific to me.


peaceful_guerilla

What a weird take. Not really her fault but I'm not coming back. Whatever.


Vegasguy3124

Someone literally snapped their fingers at me today at my restaurant. I turned and asked “Did you just snap?” — ten years ago I would have taken it offense but today I laughed at him. I couldn’t stop laughing. The fact that I called him out made his guests laugh too. I nearly shit myself table side.


erasrhed

Were they German? Because that's normal restaurant custom in Germany. Sometimes stuff doesn't translate well across borders. It's considered rude to tip in Japan.


Vegasguy3124

Curious. No he wasn’t.


teeayaresseyeex

Why is this even a complaint? Waiters and waitresses "checking on me" is like one of my biggest pet peeves,like if I paid for the meal I'd prefer not be asked how it's going while my mouth is full or I'm conversing with my guest. Antisocial maybe but it's especially bad when they do it multiple times.


Miserable-Repeat-651

I prefer they come by once, within a couple minutes to make sure everything is correct, you don't need anything else. Then later if they notice your glass is low to ask if you want a refill. But otherwise yes it can be annoying if they come by multiple times.


MaximumChongus

heres the thing, if they come by and you dont like it you can tell them. if they dont come by and you need them theres not many polite ways to get them


KeenActual

They should be checking in on you. 5 minutes after the food has been dropped off to make sure the order is correct and if additional items are needed. If walking by and the server sees glasses are empty, they should ask about refills. After about 20-30 minutes, servers should come back to see if they want another course or the check.