List for Cranky People
Aug 19th, 2003, 04:57 PM
#81
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Ditto all of the other pet peeves... plus I have an issue with most restaurants when I've ordered tea. I drink my tea with milk - not half and half or cream - either is disgusting with tea. I always specify that I want tea with milk (adding "Hot" anywhere south of New Jersey.) At least 80% of the time, regardless of the quality of the restuarant, I have to ask for milk a second time.
I also sometimes would like a second cup. While my coffee drinking husband gets refill after refill, I get lukewarm water with a used bag - if I'm lucky enough to have been served the water in a teapot. If served in a cup then I'm out of luck as I will not let a teabag sit in my cup as I drink. Tea let to soak that long is very acidic.
So if anyone cares here's how to serve tea (IMHO)
1. Serve hot water in a pot that is large enough to hold 2 cups.
2. Bring milk and/or lemon - but not cream or worse half and half.
3. Teacups should come with a saucer. Don't serve tea in a mug that still tastes like coffee.
I've taken to ordering diet coke at breakfast rather than face ordering tea. Now if the waitstaff could just remember to bring the lemon....
I also sometimes would like a second cup. While my coffee drinking husband gets refill after refill, I get lukewarm water with a used bag - if I'm lucky enough to have been served the water in a teapot. If served in a cup then I'm out of luck as I will not let a teabag sit in my cup as I drink. Tea let to soak that long is very acidic.
So if anyone cares here's how to serve tea (IMHO)
1. Serve hot water in a pot that is large enough to hold 2 cups.
2. Bring milk and/or lemon - but not cream or worse half and half.
3. Teacups should come with a saucer. Don't serve tea in a mug that still tastes like coffee.
I've taken to ordering diet coke at breakfast rather than face ordering tea. Now if the waitstaff could just remember to bring the lemon....
Aug 19th, 2003, 05:24 PM
#82
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LOL - what a great thread! All this crankiness has really cheered me up. Bennie, I can totally identify with your coffee-flavored tea incident(s). So true.
I just got back from a bad restaurant experience myself. There is a bar across the street from where I live that just keeps upping the prices. I had the $11 salad (that's withOUT meat, mind you) and my bf had the $12 burger. And the waitress was Miss Mary Sunshine - she couldn't have been in a worse mood. Asked us how our food was as we were about to take the first bite. After we were done, we tried for a good 10 minutes to get her attention. She never even looked at us. We had to go over and tap her on the shoulder to bring us our bill. Jeez, it wasn't like she was really busy! With those prices, there were only 4 tables of people tonight in a 25-table tavern. My bet: they'll go out of business in the next year. It's too bad...the location is great!
I just got back from a bad restaurant experience myself. There is a bar across the street from where I live that just keeps upping the prices. I had the $11 salad (that's withOUT meat, mind you) and my bf had the $12 burger. And the waitress was Miss Mary Sunshine - she couldn't have been in a worse mood. Asked us how our food was as we were about to take the first bite. After we were done, we tried for a good 10 minutes to get her attention. She never even looked at us. We had to go over and tap her on the shoulder to bring us our bill. Jeez, it wasn't like she was really busy! With those prices, there were only 4 tables of people tonight in a 25-table tavern. My bet: they'll go out of business in the next year. It's too bad...the location is great!
Aug 19th, 2003, 05:24 PM
#83
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mother in law likes to lift utensils, small plates home. Don't know about it until we get home and I see it drying on the dish rack. Would be so embarrassing if she was caught. Very scared to dine out with her.
Aug 19th, 2003, 06:09 PM
#84
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What a fun thread - I've laughed my way through all 80+ responses!
My number one peeve is a disinterested waitperson. Forget my wine, dump spagetti in my lap, all is forgiven if the waitstaff is friendly and makes an effort. If it's too much of an effort to smile and at least pretend to care, it's an equal effort for me to reach into my pocket for the green stuff....
And since I'm on the subject, I REALLY HATE when the aforementioned waitperson proceeds to argue with me about some aspect of the dining experience that obviously should be corrected, or act all put out when I very politely complain - like when I order something directly from the menu, and the waitperson INSISTS that it is a fragment of my imagination! - OR part of the meal that is clearly described on the menu is missing - OR there is an overcharge.
Not exactly a peeve, but I sure appreciate it when the waitperson keeps my water glass full.
My number one peeve is a disinterested waitperson. Forget my wine, dump spagetti in my lap, all is forgiven if the waitstaff is friendly and makes an effort. If it's too much of an effort to smile and at least pretend to care, it's an equal effort for me to reach into my pocket for the green stuff....
And since I'm on the subject, I REALLY HATE when the aforementioned waitperson proceeds to argue with me about some aspect of the dining experience that obviously should be corrected, or act all put out when I very politely complain - like when I order something directly from the menu, and the waitperson INSISTS that it is a fragment of my imagination! - OR part of the meal that is clearly described on the menu is missing - OR there is an overcharge.
Not exactly a peeve, but I sure appreciate it when the waitperson keeps my water glass full.
Aug 19th, 2003, 06:20 PM
#85
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It seems some of you dine at weird places. My mother-in-law, rest her poor soul, and I mean poor, about her soul,
always had the disgusting habit of taking the silverware or a milk jug.
One lunch day, when they asked for their check, they could not believe the total and complained. The cashier said, that total included the silverware she had in her purse.
always had the disgusting habit of taking the silverware or a milk jug.
One lunch day, when they asked for their check, they could not believe the total and complained. The cashier said, that total included the silverware she had in her purse.
Aug 19th, 2003, 06:53 PM
#86
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This really happened to us......I forgot all about it until I started reading this thread..
We were dining at Ilo, a very upscale restaurant in NYC. We dine in Manhattan very often as we live on Long Island - I need to preface that so you understand we know what we are doing when it comes to tipping!
The 2 of us had a lovely dinner with drinks, no wine.....
After paying the bill and leaving a very generous tip, our waitress came after us as we were walking thru the restaurant to the door and exclaimed in a loud voice "Sir..you had a $315.00 bill and you only left me an $80.00 tip - did you make a mistake"?
My husband told her to take the 80.00, buy a calculator and figure it out.
Needless to say we never returned to Ilo again.
We were dining at Ilo, a very upscale restaurant in NYC. We dine in Manhattan very often as we live on Long Island - I need to preface that so you understand we know what we are doing when it comes to tipping!
The 2 of us had a lovely dinner with drinks, no wine.....
After paying the bill and leaving a very generous tip, our waitress came after us as we were walking thru the restaurant to the door and exclaimed in a loud voice "Sir..you had a $315.00 bill and you only left me an $80.00 tip - did you make a mistake"?
My husband told her to take the 80.00, buy a calculator and figure it out.
Needless to say we never returned to Ilo again.
Aug 19th, 2003, 07:13 PM
#87
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puddin!
It happens EVERYWHERE I go!!. I live in Massachusetts...Everytime I go to Tgif's, Applebees,many other places too!!I have a lot of friends it happens to also!! so what If I wanna order a 7-up!!they always mention the drink menus and specials AFTER I order a simple soda!!!!!!!!!!or pop as I say. Im not originally from here..Im a NY ker!!
maybe its the bar/restaurant setting.WHo knows!
It happens EVERYWHERE I go!!. I live in Massachusetts...Everytime I go to Tgif's, Applebees,many other places too!!I have a lot of friends it happens to also!! so what If I wanna order a 7-up!!they always mention the drink menus and specials AFTER I order a simple soda!!!!!!!!!!or pop as I say. Im not originally from here..Im a NY ker!!
maybe its the bar/restaurant setting.WHo knows!
Aug 19th, 2003, 07:23 PM
#88
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sunnydelite brought to mind my #2 Pet Peeve, and this is indeed almost universal: The diner is inevitively asked what he/she wants to drink BEFORE being given a chance to peruse the menu beverage choices and specials. I have learned to ask initially only for water, and then decide whether I want an additional beverage.
Aug 19th, 2003, 07:53 PM
#89
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I have an other one... btw, no one explain the lemon and coffee thing...)
It happened in Pittsburgh 2 years ago and I still havn't gone back to the place.
We were a bunch of friend having dinner. It happen that some friends wher going back to europe the next day and it was the b-day of one of us: we were in a good mood, mood for a good dinner.
First, what I ordered wasn't available, well it happens...
A 10 pm sharp our waitress brings us the check, we were just done with our entrees and we didn't asked for it. I said "thank you but we wanted deserts...", she just said "sorry the kitchen closes at 10pm", I mentioned that she could have come earlier then, she wsa just sorry.
I don't care too much I didn't like the place that much anyway
but still, it was a night for desert !
Celine
It happened in Pittsburgh 2 years ago and I still havn't gone back to the place.
We were a bunch of friend having dinner. It happen that some friends wher going back to europe the next day and it was the b-day of one of us: we were in a good mood, mood for a good dinner.
First, what I ordered wasn't available, well it happens...
A 10 pm sharp our waitress brings us the check, we were just done with our entrees and we didn't asked for it. I said "thank you but we wanted deserts...", she just said "sorry the kitchen closes at 10pm", I mentioned that she could have come earlier then, she wsa just sorry.
I don't care too much I didn't like the place that much anyway
but still, it was a night for desert !
Celine
Aug 19th, 2003, 08:59 PM
#90
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wow 88 funny responses and no one mentioned the new trend towards high barstools for seating? I'm always afraid I'll fall off and hurt myself! And who thought "family seating" is cute for upscale restaurants? Finally, the amuse bouche business? So trendy, so funny! My mother and I were served a "bouillon of root vegetables, served chilled" in New Zealand! Honey, that was borscht!!
Aug 19th, 2003, 09:17 PM
#91
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I notice that the vast majority of these peeves have to do with the tendancy businesses have to want to make as much money as possible, as quickly as possible.
I wish they were as interested in taking pride in their business as they are in profiting from it.
Almost all of the things I thought of have to do with trying to herd people in and out as fast as possible.
Leaving the check before dinner is done.
Nagging people to finish by using guiding lines like your "working on that". Come on, aren't you even trying???
Grabbing dishes as the last forkful is still heading mouthward.
Hovering.
Shaking ice out of the side of the pitcher in order to reduce the amount of drink left in the glass.
Turning the A/C up full tilt along with ceiling fans so that the servers are comfy as they scoot around while customers (and their food) get chilled and therefore, get out ASAP.
Got to keep those tables turning over, you know
I wish they were as interested in taking pride in their business as they are in profiting from it.
Almost all of the things I thought of have to do with trying to herd people in and out as fast as possible.
Leaving the check before dinner is done.
Nagging people to finish by using guiding lines like your "working on that". Come on, aren't you even trying???
Grabbing dishes as the last forkful is still heading mouthward.
Hovering.
Shaking ice out of the side of the pitcher in order to reduce the amount of drink left in the glass.
Turning the A/C up full tilt along with ceiling fans so that the servers are comfy as they scoot around while customers (and their food) get chilled and therefore, get out ASAP.
Got to keep those tables turning over, you know
Aug 20th, 2003, 03:43 AM
#92
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I hate it when I have crappy service from some waitstaff person the entire meal -- acting as if I am interrupting them by needing to be waited on but when the bill comes, that's when they actually attempt to smile & say "have a nice day" as if that makes up for being a jerk just prior.
Also, my husband & I eat out a lot and I have found that waitstaff assume that we will not tip well & treat us accordingly. We usually tip anywhere from 15-35%. I have decided lately that since I do leave a very nice tip when I get great service I will start leaving a crappy tip when I get subpar service.
Also, my husband & I eat out a lot and I have found that waitstaff assume that we will not tip well & treat us accordingly. We usually tip anywhere from 15-35%. I have decided lately that since I do leave a very nice tip when I get great service I will start leaving a crappy tip when I get subpar service.
Aug 20th, 2003, 04:02 AM
#93
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Something tells me that 99.9% of posts on this thread are from women. Are there any happy women out there or do they all have something to bitch about?
My god,so the waitperson asks if you are still working on that. "GET OVER IT".
That is my pet peeve.
My god,so the waitperson asks if you are still working on that. "GET OVER IT".
That is my pet peeve.
Aug 20th, 2003, 04:11 AM
#94
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Re embarrassing people I have et out with: Husband's maiden aunt, eating at a Denny's restaurant. She noticed the silverware was engraved with "Denny's" and announced loudly, "Oh, I'll take this home for Denny! (her nephew), and proceeded to fill her handbag with it, from our table and the next one.
Local restaurant used to have a sandwich called Mel's Surprise Burger. It was a hamburger with melted bleu cheese in the center. When you bit into it, you got squirted in the eye with hot cheese. Surprise! (Not what they intended.)
Local restaurant used to have a sandwich called Mel's Surprise Burger. It was a hamburger with melted bleu cheese in the center. When you bit into it, you got squirted in the eye with hot cheese. Surprise! (Not what they intended.)
Aug 20th, 2003, 04:49 AM
#96
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Ok, I'll add mine. I can't stand it when your in a booth and the seat is far away from the table so you have to slouch to eat. You try moving the table but then the other person is struggling even more. I have a restaraunt that I like alot but won't go to anymore for that reason. Not worth the back ache.
Aug 20th, 2003, 05:05 AM
#97
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Two things: The first is loud, blaring music!! Guess at 51 I'm becoming a fuddy duddy (although I swear I still love to blast the hard rock when I'm alone). I have walked in and out of many a restaurant in the last couple of years it if looks like I'm not going to be able to hear myself think or have a civilized conversation with a dinner companion. The restaurants I've complained to say I'm in the minority on this.
Secondly, I'm on crutches. and carpet has been replaced in many places by highly polished tiles with no protection in sight against slipping and sliding on rainy days or for restaurants with greasy floors.
I guess it's just time to stay home and learn to cook (oh no, not that!)
Secondly, I'm on crutches. and carpet has been replaced in many places by highly polished tiles with no protection in sight against slipping and sliding on rainy days or for restaurants with greasy floors.
I guess it's just time to stay home and learn to cook (oh no, not that!)
Aug 20th, 2003, 05:23 AM
#98
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About coffee and tea:
Hate it when they slip you "leaded" coffee and you ordered decaf -- want to call the waiter or manager at 3 in the morning and report that yes, it DOES make a difference.
Also, a related pet peeve is restaurants that don't stock any kind of tea but old Lipton bags, even if they serve 12 kinds of coffee.
Likewise, servers (and managers!) who don't know the difference between herbal and flavored teas (e.g., raspberry or mint herbal tea is not the same as black tea with blackberry or mint flavoring). Not only is there a problem with caffeine or no caffeine, but they taste very different. If they know the difference between cappucino and latte, why not teas?
Hate it when they slip you "leaded" coffee and you ordered decaf -- want to call the waiter or manager at 3 in the morning and report that yes, it DOES make a difference.
Also, a related pet peeve is restaurants that don't stock any kind of tea but old Lipton bags, even if they serve 12 kinds of coffee.
Likewise, servers (and managers!) who don't know the difference between herbal and flavored teas (e.g., raspberry or mint herbal tea is not the same as black tea with blackberry or mint flavoring). Not only is there a problem with caffeine or no caffeine, but they taste very different. If they know the difference between cappucino and latte, why not teas?
