Another restaurant question

[kingsrings]

The other thread about restaurants reminded me of something I've always wondered about and been bothered by. Please let me know if I am right, or if I am out of line. I hate it when wait staff rushes you to settle the bill now because they are about to take their break, or presents you the bill without asking if you'd like anything else first. With the break thing, I know that all employees must take them of course, but why does that mean my bill has to be settled first when I am not even done yet or might want to add something to my order? That is just bad customer service IMHO and comes across to me like they are rushing me out of the restaurant instead of letting me take my time. If the employee truly can't take their break without the bill being settled first, then shouldn't they have their manager or a co-worker step in to handle it while they are on their break? And I also don't like it when the wait staff presents you the bill without asking if you'd like anything else (like dessert or coffee) first. Again, it makes me feel like I am being rushed out of the restaurant and they don't want me there. Is there something I am missing, or isn't it good customer service to make sure the customer is completely taken care of first before you give them the bill? 

[Clara Bow]

If I was about to get off, or go on break and I had a table that was having some conversation after their meal, or having coffee or whatever, I would ask my fellow waitress to take care of them. I'd give them their ticket so they didn't have to wait for it, tell them it had been a pleasure and that I hoped to see them soon and if they needed anything further to let us know. Then I'd take my break.
It's kind of a moot point though, we did our best to go on breaks when we were really slow so that we didn't have to make customers feel awkward. It didn't always work out that way, but we did our best.

[Rei-chan]

I see where you are coming from, and in my experience, there are a few reasons that this happens, at least at the last restaurant I worked in:

-  If it is lunch service, some establishments instruct the servers during training to drop the check when the main course arrives, but to also say:  "If you decide to have dessert or need anything else, please let me know."  This is done for two reasons:  1)  So that people in a hurry to get back to work don't have to flag someone down to get the check and 2)  In an effort to "turn tables", so that others waiting in the lobby can be sat as quickly as possible.

-  Breaks are a very strange thing in high paced restaurants.  For one, you never get an off the clock break unless you are working a double.  You might, if you are lucky, get a 5 minute "smoke break" (non smokers get this too) but again, management wants the check to be dropped in case the table wants to leave while you are gone.  Generally, another server is watching the section for you, but if the tickets are computer generated, that server doesn't have access to your tickets unless you print them out first.

-  If it is near the end of the lunch shift and that server is on a double, or the restaurant is near to closing time, then usually the check is dropped quickly in an effort to be able to complete "sidework" such as cleaning and silverware rolling that must be done before they get their "lunch break" which is rarely even enough time to eat, let alone leave the establishment, or to go home for the night.  In this case, you usually ARE being hurried along.  This IS rude.  However, if the server works in an environment (this happened at my last server job) where if the table sits till the next shift starts, then you don't get a break.  Also, if it is closing time, the server can't go home until you do.  They have to stay and clean the table and floor under it, and put up the last dishes, coffee, tea, etc.

Basically, what I am trying to say by this is that in some places, it is more the way the restaurant trains and treats their workers rather than a rude server that causes this problem.  If a table is considered to be "camping out" it can be the bane of a server's existence, as it cuts into their money, and their well deserved break (even if it is just a 10 minute break), or even just getting to go home at the end of the night.  I hope that this puts their POV out there for you.   

[Rose2Bear]

I agree about the giving you your bill with out asking about dessert thing.

While I don't normally order dessert, I at least like to be asked! You never know, I might change my mind! One time I actually did want dessert and they had already printed the receipt and I told the guy and he paused and went "oh....ok!" and had to change it. He wasn't rude, you could tell he was just sort of surprised and perhaps realized he should have asked first.

I wonder, is it policy that they don't ask for dessert at some resteraunts? I would think if anything, the policy would be ASK before printing the receipts. Probably they would get more sales, but people are afraid to speak up when they are already presented with their receipts - they might think they are being inconveneint or looking like piggies.

 Maybe resteraunts tell waiters to ask if people want dessert, but they've found most don't so its easier and quicker for them to not bother.

[weber06]

There's a restaurant my friend and I go to and we usually stay way longer than we intend to.  However, the restaurant is never crowded and as long as there are empty tables in the section we know we aren't keeping her from other customers.  We have had a check presented to us by the server with a "Stay as long as you like, but I"m heading home for the night and need to close up my tables."  We usually pay and stay a little longer depending how long we've been there.  It's only rude if we've just finished dinner and she's checking out.  If we've finished and been chatting for a while we realize she has the right to go home.  However, lately their cooks have failed to season any of their food and I don't think we'll be going back.

[Verruca]

I actually rather like getting my bill early - or even with the food as it comes out.  The servers usually continue to come by, even after presenting the bill, just to check on refills or dessert or what have you, so I never felt awkward about asking for anything else.  It made it very convenient to be able to pay and leave.  I dislike feeling "trapped" in a restaurant by the lack of a check more than I dislike feeling rushed to leave.

[Pixie]

The worst example of this that I have personally experienced, was 2 years ago when Hubby and I were traveling.   We  stopped at one of those 24-hour Grand Slam breakfast places.  The waitress took our orders, then brought out our drinks and the check and asked if we would be paying with cash or a credit card.  We hadn't even gotten our food yet.    I was shocked.  Hubby was flabbergasted.

[dawbs]

I wonder, is it policy that they don't ask for dessert at some resteraunts? 

Most wise waistaffpeople ALWAYS attempts the upsell.  (it's why you're asked if you want to see the drink menu or want coke/pepsi/whatever products instead of "what would you like to drink?"
Since their tip is a percentage of what they sell you (more or less) so getting a table to spend $10 on desserts is an extra $2 in their pockets.

(most restaurants don't have [or if they ahve them don't enforce them] these policies because it ends up being a "decide on the fly" thing...the waiter needs the freedom to NOT offer dessert to the weight-watcher's group, etc)

[MadMadge43]

I don't think it's necassarily rude. I've had plenty of waitresses leave at the end of their shift, and and the end of my meal, ask if I would like to pay at that point. As long as they point out the server who will assist you if you need anything else, I don't see much wrong with it.

If they asked me mid bite to surrender my credit card I might be a little peeved.

[aloe]

I like it when the check is presented early because I don't have to wait for it when I'm ready to leave.

[FoxPaws]

I like it when the check is presented early because I don't have to wait for it when I'm ready to leave.

Ditto.

The type of restaurant has something to do with this as well. In diners the check comes with the entree, chain restaurants shortly after or when they come to clear the plates, expensive eateries after the plates have been cleared and they've asked 19 times whether you want anything else (Yes! I want to go home - please bring my check).

[SkylerY]

I actually rather like getting my bill early - or even with the food as it comes out.  The servers usually continue to come by, even after presenting the bill, just to check on refills or dessert or what have you, so I never felt awkward about asking for anything else.  It made it very convenient to be able to pay and leave.  I dislike feeling "trapped" in a restaurant by the lack of a check more than I dislike feeling rushed to leave.

If we are in a hurry or at lunch during work, my DH almost always asks for the check as soon as our main dishes arrive (or shortly thereafter.)  We're not dessert people, so we don't mind not being asked.  But I can see how this can irritate some people.

Our own personal peeve about being rushed is when we order cocktails, appetizers, salads, etc. and they all come at once with the main meal or within a few short minutes of each other.  Something ends up getting cold or left uneaten.  So we have learned to order only our cocktails first, then the appetizer, then order our main meal after we are done with the appetizer.  Luckily, no one has dared to present us with a check until after we have ordered our main meals! 

We used to order it all up front and request the waiter to spread it out, but realized that didn't always work.  I guess it's because they don't have control of how fast the food is prepared in the kitchen and we can't really expect them to remember to hold back portions of our single order.  So we take care of that part for them.  DH does warn them ahead of time that we will be "ordering as we go along", so maybe you can try that as a heads up to your waiter to be not so fast with the check.

[pryncsskittyn]

I've worked 10 years in various dining establishments.  My experience is that if your server is rushing you in any way, than they don't need the money. 

I did work for a certain 24 hour establishment recently and their policy was to bring out the main course, check back with the table after the first bite to ensure everything was ok, then drop the check, adding, "I'll gladly take your dessert order when you decide."... The dessert menu's were part of the table set up, so no menu had to be brought. 
The theory in this is that our chain is known for it's affordability, people may not have enough money to buy dessert!  Giving them their check in advance allows them to check the tab regarding financial situation.  I know this is seedy and poor buisness ettiquete, but, when your target customers are seniors who are living on a budget, it's a nice gesture.



Regarding breaks, if a server is required to take a break, and has management pressure, than typically you check the table one more time, explain you'll be on break for "x" amount of time, should the customer wish to leave or need anything, server "so-andso" will be available and happy to assit.  Then the check is handed over to the other server.  As far as the tipping goes in this situation, it's circumstantial, sometimes they split it, sometimes they don't, severs don't tend to steal from one another though, it's a close knit bond and in that buisness if you screw with one you have the whole army to contend with.

If a server is rushing you, give them the evil eye, facial expressions are taken very seriously by the good server and problem should right itself, if not, well, your the one who's paying the tip, and don't be afraid to tip appropriatly.

[MineralDiva]

The worst example of this that I have personally experienced, was 2 years ago when Hubby and I were traveling.   We  stopped at one of those 24-hour Grand Slam breakfast places.  The waitress took our orders, then brought out our drinks and the check and asked if we would be paying with cash or a credit card.  We hadn't even gotten our food yet.    I was shocked.  Hubby was flabbergasted.

Yeesh!  It was almost like they were holding your food "hostage" until you paid! 

[lilaenne]

We had an experience like this just the other day. DH and I were actually at a restaurant with a fancy ice cream fountain, where dessert is frankly half the point, and many people come in for dessert only. We got the check halfway into our meal, and DH felt peeved and rushed. This wasn't the only thing a bit "off" about the service, so I pulled out one of the comment cards in a stack on the table for us to fill out. The comment included several yes/no questions, where the "yes" answer was clearly always the positive trait. ("Did you sever identify him/herself by name?" etc) Among them was "Did your server bring the check before you were done with the meal?" which makes me think that it's store policy to drop the check off that early. Strikes me as a bit ridiculous in such a dessert-oriented place, but it's their choice. Now that we know we'll always get the check mid-meal (and need to flag someone down for dessert, a doggie bag, or another glass of water) we just won't be going back.