100 things restaurant staffers should never do

[KeenReader]

I'll admit that the list is too long and there are some things that don't make sense, like steaming the label off a wine bottle to show to an impressed patron.

But probably 85% at least is spot-on.

Why doesn't that make sense?

It doesn't make sense as a rule-only as a gesture.  Plus, if I ordered the wine from the menu, I would already know who the vintner is, what brand the wine is, and probably the year as well.

I think that at the type of restaurant the author was writing about (a top-end NYC restaurant), this is a great rule! Of course I know the vintner/year etc when I order the wine, but 5 mins after leaving the restaurant, I do not - and if we've gone through more than one type/bottle of wine, I do not necessarily remember which one I'd liked.  At a top-end restaurant, I would expect the service to be above and beyond, and would greatly appreciate the label.  It would add to my impression of the place as an exceptional dining experience.  At my neighborhood Italian, it might be a nice gesture, but at a place I'm likely to drop $100+ per person, I think it should be a rule.

This is going too far above and beyond what is called for, to me.

Also, it does take time to remove labels from wine bottles.  As an optional gesture, it's fine, providing it's not against any health and safety regulations.  But as a rule, no.  The label should stay on the bottle.

[Scuba_Dog]

"32. Never touch a customer. No excuses. Do not do it. Do not brush them, move them, wipe them or dust them."

This, and to add to it;  Please do not sit down at our table or booth to take our order.  I can't stand that (thankfully, I'm noticing it less and less.)  

[Nurvingiel]

I'll admit that the list is too long and there are some things that don't make sense, like steaming the label off a wine bottle to show to an impressed patron.

But probably 85% at least is spot-on.

Why doesn't that make sense?

It doesn't make sense as a rule-only as a gesture.  Plus, if I ordered the wine from the menu, I would already know who the vintner is, what brand the wine is, and probably the year as well.

I think that at the type of restaurant the author was writing about (a top-end NYC restaurant), this is a great rule! Of course I know the vintner/year etc when I order the wine, but 5 mins after leaving the restaurant, I do not - and if we've gone through more than one type/bottle of wine, I do not necessarily remember which one I'd liked.  At a top-end restaurant, I would expect the service to be above and beyond, and would greatly appreciate the label.  It would add to my impression of the place as an exceptional dining experience.  At my neighborhood Italian, it might be a nice gesture, but at a place I'm likely to drop $100+ per person, I think it should be a rule.

This is going too far above and beyond what is called for, to me.

Also, it does take time to remove labels from wine bottles.  As an optional gesture, it's fine, providing it's not against any health and safety regulations.  But as a rule, no.  The label should stay on the bottle.

It would take a lot less time to write the year, vinter, etc. on a piece of paper (whatever they have on hand) and offer it to the patron. That would be a nice, non-timewasting gesture. (If the customer asks for this, then definitely do it.)

But I don't think it should be a rule even at a high-end NYC restaurant.

[anechka]

I'll admit that the list is too long and there are some things that don't make sense, like steaming the label off a wine bottle to show to an impressed patron.

But probably 85% at least is spot-on.

Why doesn't that make sense?

It doesn't make sense as a rule-only as a gesture.  Plus, if I ordered the wine from the menu, I would already know who the vintner is, what brand the wine is, and probably the year as well.

I think that at the type of restaurant the author was writing about (a top-end NYC restaurant), this is a great rule! Of course I know the vintner/year etc when I order the wine, but 5 mins after leaving the restaurant, I do not - and if we've gone through more than one type/bottle of wine, I do not necessarily remember which one I'd liked.  At a top-end restaurant, I would expect the service to be above and beyond, and would greatly appreciate the label.  It would add to my impression of the place as an exceptional dining experience.  At my neighborhood Italian, it might be a nice gesture, but at a place I'm likely to drop $100+ per person, I think it should be a rule.

This is going too far above and beyond what is called for, to me.

Also, it does take time to remove labels from wine bottles.  As an optional gesture, it's fine, providing it's not against any health and safety regulations.  But as a rule, no.  The label should stay on the bottle.

It would take a lot less time to write the year, vinter, etc. on a piece of paper (whatever they have on hand) and offer it to the patron. That would be a nice, non-timewasting gesture. (If the customer asks for this, then definitely do it.)

But I don't think it should be a rule even at a high-end NYC restaurant.

Luckily, there's at least one restaurateur that agrees with me on this one (and in practice more than one, as I've received steamed-off labels before).  I've had waiters try to write down the wine, but make spelling mistakes, leave off the year or the name of the Chateau... making it hard to find the wine.  I prefer the label, and I'd frankly tip much more if I got one (not that I would decrease the tip if I didn't).  You don't have to take yours when the waiter gives it to you, but if a restaurateur wants to make it a rule in his restaurant, and there's clearly people like me that would appreciate it, then I don't think it's fair to say that it doesn't make sense or it should not be a rule.  Also, I don't see any health and safety regulations issues with taking a label off an empty bottle of wine - and I see no reason why labels "should" stay on bottles. It's a label on an empty bottle and has very little value to anyone other than the customer who specifically pointed out that they enjoyed the wine. 

[Twik]

How hard is it to steam off a label? Assuming there's boiling water in the kitchen, it may not be that time-consuming.

[Scout Finch]

How hard is it to steam off a label? Assuming there's boiling water in the kitchen, it may not be that time-consuming.

With the use of something like http://www.amazon.com/Oenophilia-Label-Lift-Wine-Remover/dp/B000N40Y5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1257287552&sr=8-1 it's very, very easy.

[BettyDraper]

My worst experience in dining out? This: DH and I met two other couples for our annual holiday dinner. Toward the end of the meal, while my fork was going toward my face, the server looked straight at me and asked me if I was "all done now." I set my fork down and replied, "I guess I am now!"

We have never gone back and she's lucky that DH was taking care of the bill, because I promise you, she wouldn't have gotten a tip from me.

Why not just say "No, I'll let you know when I'm finished."  ?   Why let a clueless waitress ruin your dinner?  Why give her that much control? 

[BettyDraper]

I'm not sure why the waiter can't announce his name though. I think it's nice to for the waiter to introduce himself.

If you have ever gone to a super-fancy restaurants, the waiters are everywhere yet are invisible.  You but have to look up for them to know what you want.  We went to such a place in New York City...a kind of place where they move the tables out of the way for you to sit down because space is at a premium.  After a bit I needed to use the restroom, and I started thinking "how will I get out of here" and magically, the waiter was there moving the table out of the way.

I love places like that. 

[BettyDraper]

I'll admit that the list is too long and there are some things that don't make sense, like steaming the label off a wine bottle to show to an impressed patron.

But probably 85% at least is spot-on.

Why doesn't that make sense?

It doesn't make sense as a rule-only as a gesture.  Plus, if I ordered the wine from the menu, I would already know who the vintner is, what brand the wine is, and probably the year as well.

I think that at the type of restaurant the author was writing about (a top-end NYC restaurant), this is a great rule! Of course I know the vintner/year etc when I order the wine, but 5 mins after leaving the restaurant, I do not - and if we've gone through more than one type/bottle of wine, I do not necessarily remember which one I'd liked.  At a top-end restaurant, I would expect the service to be above and beyond, and would greatly appreciate the label.  It would add to my impression of the place as an exceptional dining experience.  At my neighborhood Italian, it might be a nice gesture, but at a place I'm likely to drop $100+ per person, I think it should be a rule.

This is going too far above and beyond what is called for, to me.

Also, it does take time to remove labels from wine bottles.  As an optional gesture, it's fine, providing it's not against any health and safety regulations.  But as a rule, no.  The label should stay on the bottle.

I imagine this tip refers to bottles that are ordered to be consumed in their entirety by the parties at one table, not communal bottles behind the bar from which by-the-glass orders are filled.

[Nurvingiel]

I'm not sure why the waiter can't announce his name though. I think it's nice to for the waiter to introduce himself.

If you have ever gone to a super-fancy restaurants, the waiters are everywhere yet are invisible.  You but have to look up for them to know what you want.  We went to such a place in New York City...a kind of place where they move the tables out of the way for you to sit down because space is at a premium.  After a bit I needed to use the restroom, and I started thinking "how will I get out of here" and magically, the waiter was there moving the table out of the way.

I love places like that. 

At a restaurant like that, this rule makes tonnes of sense.

[kareng57]

"32. Never touch a customer. No excuses. Do not do it. Do not brush them, move them, wipe them or dust them."

This, and to add to it;  Please do not sit down at our table or booth to take our order.  I can't stand that (thankfully, I'm noticing it less and less.)  

Good to hear.  I've heard about one steakhouse chain that does (or has done this).  Dh has sometimes suggested this restaurant when we've been travelling in the US, but I've nixed it for this reason.  It would really bother me.

That being said, I don't see anything wrong with a waitperson introducing him/herself i.e. "Good evening, I'm Dave and I will be your waiter for this evening".  But I wouldn't be too impressed with "Hi, guys!  My name's Dave, what's yours?"

[Scuba_Dog]

"32. Never touch a customer. No excuses. Do not do it. Do not brush them, move them, wipe them or dust them."

This, and to add to it;  Please do not sit down at our table or booth to take our order.  I can't stand that (thankfully, I'm noticing it less and less.)  

Good to hear.  I've heard about one steakhouse chain that does (or has done this).  Dh has sometimes suggested this restaurant when we've been travelling in the US, but I've nixed it for this reason.  It would really bother me.

That being said, I don't see anything wrong with a waitperson introducing him/herself i.e. "Good evening, I'm Dave and I will be your waiter for this evening".  But I wouldn't be too impressed with "Hi, guys!  My name's Dave, what's yours?"

It is bothersome and I wish I could say the practice was limited to one place, but it wasn't.  It's better though, I can't remember a time in the last year that a server SAT down with us.

I'm with you on the waitstaff introducing themselves, it doesn't bother me. 

One thing that still grates at me though is when we have a waitress who flirts (obviously) with my husband.  I mean really, I'm sitting right there, I know he's handsome but seriously, stop fawning over him. 

[Canadianprincess]

I understand that it's not good to call a guy dude, but why is it bad to call a woman lady?

[Nurvingiel]

I understand that it's not good to call a guy dude, but why is it bad to call a woman lady?

"Hey lady" or even "Excuse me lady" is actually quite casual and not terribly polite. Treating someone as a lady is polite, but calling someone "lady" is not.

[SquishyMooMoo]

"32. Never touch a customer. No excuses. Do not do it. Do not brush them, move them, wipe them or dust them."

This, and to add to it;  Please do not sit down at our table or booth to take our order.  I can't stand that (thankfully, I'm noticing it less and less.)  

Good to hear.  I've heard about one steakhouse chain that does (or has done this).  Dh has sometimes suggested this restaurant when we've been travelling in the US, but I've nixed it for this reason.  It would really bother me.

That being said, I don't see anything wrong with a waitperson introducing him/herself i.e. "Good evening, I'm Dave and I will be your waiter for this evening".  But I wouldn't be too impressed with "Hi, guys!  My name's Dave, what's yours?"

It is bothersome and I wish I could say the practice was limited to one place, but it wasn't.  It's better though, I can't remember a time in the last year that a server SAT down with us.

I'm with you on the waitstaff introducing themselves, it doesn't bother me. 

One thing that still grates at me though is when we have a waitress who flirts (obviously) with my husband.  I mean really, I'm sitting right there, I know he's handsome but seriously, stop fawning over him. 

In recent memory, I've only really had the "waiter sitting down" thing happen when I'm alone. Which in some ways is creepier.