Restaurant Servers Leaving Too Quickly To Get Requests (gallon, cost, dollars)
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Why are you expecting sides of condiments and free drinks to go? When you eat in a restaurant, you are paying for the food you are eating there. If you have leftovers, you are welcome to take them home. That doesn't mean you get a start on your grocery shopping asking for extras of items to take home with you.
So many people actually do that though. When I worked in restaurants that offered free bread before the meal, people would even ask for fresh bread to go. Or I worked at a Mexican restaurant, and people would ask for a new basket of the free chips and salsa to go.
Why are you expecting sides of condiments and free drinks to go? When you eat in a restaurant, you are paying for the food you are eating there. If you have leftovers, you are welcome to take them home. That doesn't mean you get a start on your grocery shopping asking for extras of items to take home with you.
It can depend on the area...in most of North Carolina 'to go' drinks (soda, water, iced tea) after a meal are expected and often just offered/brought by the server. It was very strange when I first moved down there as thst wasnt what I was used to. When we moved back up north I wouldn't dream of expecting that. It's just not done the same way.
He gets a pass on asking for a to go drink if that is common in his area.
Now...the extra side condiments....that's much more iffy and with the overall attitude they should be charge him double.
I never did until I moved to NC either...it really was the oddest thing when tbe server would just bring a to go cup filled with what ever we had been drinking. It was sort of nice to take back to the office after lunch though.
Interesting - that explains my server when I went out to a chain restaurant this weekend. She offered a to go cup and I said yes, thanks and gave her an extra big tip. Had no idea it was the norm anywhere, but definitely a nice gesture! However, I would still wait for it to be offered and not assume it is included. I've eaten there before and no one has ever offered it.
So many people actually do that though. When I worked in restaurants that offered free bread before the meal, people would even ask for fresh bread to go. Or I worked at a Mexican restaurant, and people would ask for a new basket of the free chips and salsa to go.
That is rude, lol! I once saw a lady ask for a to go bag at a buffet, she was angry when they said no...no common sense.
Hey OP, are there ever any people that go with you to restaurants, say other than perhaps a family member or two who is immune to your behavior by now? Co-workers, friends, etc?
So I gather that this is a theme with you, but I'll play along for a second, with a suggestion:
When your server comes by to check on you, say "Yes, actually I have a few things I'll be needing, and sometimes you busy servers tend to leave before I've finished with my list. So to make it easier on you I'm going to tell you everything I need now, and please just hear me out. You might want to write this down!" - followed with a pleasant smile.
You can probably find a much abbreviated way of saying all this, but you get the gist. In a friendly way, let them know that you will have a few needs you'll be listing. They'll appreciate not being "run", and you'll be happier as a customer. I know you feel that you shouldn't have to communicate this, but in a busy restaurant situation, sometimes just a little more clarity goes a long way. So just give them a heads up that you're about to give them 4-5 requests so that they can do it all in one trip.
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