List for Cranky People
Aug 20th, 2003, 07:50 PM
#141
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Re: What's the difference between flirting and being friendly?
There IS a difference and women's radar's know the difference! So does the waitress. I just sit back and think, "Knock yourself out." ...
There IS a difference and women's radar's know the difference! So does the waitress. I just sit back and think, "Knock yourself out." ...
Aug 20th, 2003, 08:19 PM
#142
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I can't stand eating at fairly nice restaurants with stupid or weird waiters. Just makes you wonder how they passed as acceptable. It's one thing to repeatedly get crappy service at Chilli's and never go back but another when you are paying more than $120 for dinner for two. A friend and I ate at one restaurant where I had a $50 gift certificate and we decided to split the rest of the $120+ meal. The waitress made sure to point out that we not "stiff" her with a small tip since we were splitting the bill and often times customers didn't pay attention to the total price. She proceeded to explain that she just moved to Denver and in Texas 25% is standard and she can't beleive how cheap people are in Denver. Needless to say (although I was disgusted with how tacky she was) we still gave her a somewhat decent tip and no I didn't tell the manager but I am not sure I will ever go back. Stiffing her, people were tipping her accordingly and she was too stupid to realize it.
Aug 20th, 2003, 08:45 PM
#145
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I only have two pet peeves about restaurants.
1) I hate it when I'm trying to get the attention of the wait staff and it seems as if they look everywhere in the place EXCEPT at our table.
2) Can't stand it when I get crappy service and leave a lower tip (10-15%) and my friend makes up the difference and leaves a bigger tip! I try to let them leave their tip first and than I put mine down. If they try to add more, I ask them not to! I feel a tip is a way of telling the staff how well or how bad they were.
As a note: If I had a problem with the FOOD and not the WAIT STAFF, I don't punish the Wait Staff for the kitchen's mistake (unless the Wait Staff cops an attitude.) What's fair is fair.
1) I hate it when I'm trying to get the attention of the wait staff and it seems as if they look everywhere in the place EXCEPT at our table.
2) Can't stand it when I get crappy service and leave a lower tip (10-15%) and my friend makes up the difference and leaves a bigger tip! I try to let them leave their tip first and than I put mine down. If they try to add more, I ask them not to! I feel a tip is a way of telling the staff how well or how bad they were.
As a note: If I had a problem with the FOOD and not the WAIT STAFF, I don't punish the Wait Staff for the kitchen's mistake (unless the Wait Staff cops an attitude.) What's fair is fair.
Aug 21st, 2003, 09:32 AM
#146
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Elisachristina - they didn't offer you free drinks to "make up for their poor behavior" -- but as an incentive for you to change YOURS. The restaurant was grateful for your business, but your purchases didn't entitle your party to own the table for the night. (Would you have rather they ran the vacuum cleaners around your group?)
I've often used free drinks, desserts, or appetizer to "bribe" guests.
I've often used free drinks, desserts, or appetizer to "bribe" guests.
Aug 21st, 2003, 10:40 AM
#148
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wow, seemz like dares lots of cranky people like me. over 140 posts!
me, ize hates dining in fancy digs in LA and NY. dem aspiring actors/actresses (oops i mean waitstaff) always act like dares a better life for dem than simply serving you in a decent manner!
>)
me, ize hates dining in fancy digs in LA and NY. dem aspiring actors/actresses (oops i mean waitstaff) always act like dares a better life for dem than simply serving you in a decent manner!
>)
Aug 22nd, 2003, 05:36 AM
#149
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How about "California" ordering: "Like, instead of the shrimp on the caesar salad with shrimp, may i have chicken? and can you make sure it's grilled chicken? and can you put the dressing on the side? and can you make sure the dressing doesn't have dairy in it, i'm lactose intolerant. oh, and leave the shards of parmesan cheese off the salad, too. and can you take the croutons off the top, i am on the atkins diet? and can you not add anchovies to the salad? and can you make sure that there isn't any endive in the salad mix?"
well then, you don't really have a caesar salad with shrimp, you have a green salad with chicken on top.
well then, you don't really have a caesar salad with shrimp, you have a green salad with chicken on top.
Aug 22nd, 2003, 06:41 AM
#150
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Life is too short for all these pet peeves! I feel bad for the servers...
but ok I'm only human, so what is mine?
When they don't automatically bring you water prior to or with your meal, and keep it refilled.
or when it seems impossible to spot where the restrooms are located. I hate asking.
but ok I'm only human, so what is mine?
When they don't automatically bring you water prior to or with your meal, and keep it refilled.
or when it seems impossible to spot where the restrooms are located. I hate asking.
Aug 22nd, 2003, 06:50 AM
#151
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To fairfax: Loved your description of "California" ordering. Unfortunately, it's spread to the other 49 states. Also, wasn't there a scene in "When Harry Met Sally" when Meg Ryan orders up a meal in a similar fashion and gets labeled "high maintenance?"
Aug 22nd, 2003, 08:13 AM
#153
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Just the other night my husband and I went out to dinner and were asked if we minded sitting outside because some other guests were not comfortable with my service dog. I have just as much of a right to eat in the resturant as the rest of the patrons. My dog sits quietly under the table and unless you see him come in you'd never know he was there. We agreed only because it was late and we were starving. Needless to say, we'll never go there again.
My other pet peeve is people who say, "You can't bring your dog in here" when he is wearing a vest that clearly states "Service Dog". I have enough to deal with than trying to tell a host that I am allowed to bring him where ever I want and that I'm not required to show them any papers. Poor Hans, I don't blame him for growling at them, even though he's not supposed to.
My biggest is when I order coffee and my cup sits empty for more than a minute or two and the waiter isn't busy. If you can't keep my cup full, then I can't give you a good tip!
My other pet peeve is people who say, "You can't bring your dog in here" when he is wearing a vest that clearly states "Service Dog". I have enough to deal with than trying to tell a host that I am allowed to bring him where ever I want and that I'm not required to show them any papers. Poor Hans, I don't blame him for growling at them, even though he's not supposed to.
My biggest is when I order coffee and my cup sits empty for more than a minute or two and the waiter isn't busy. If you can't keep my cup full, then I can't give you a good tip!
Aug 22nd, 2003, 10:59 AM
#154
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My husband has his own version of "LA Ordering". He's more creative than fussy. But we have friends who routinely place their order, then sit back as if at the theater to be entertained by his act. He has introduced the concept of "mocha" ("Can you put some chocolate in the coffee for me?") to many remote parts of the world.
Aug 22nd, 2003, 12:13 PM
#155
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Ladyjess, I hope you know (you probably do) that what that restaurant did was illegal. Perhaps you heard about the Greek restaurant owner in NC who turned away a person with a service dog. A criminal charge was filed and the owner, who claimed not to know the law about service animals although she'd been in the town for many years, was fined and required to perform service hours working with the blind.
Personally, I'm delighted to have a service dog in the area. Wish I could take a well-behaved dog to the movies to keep my feet warm and catch the popcorn that I drop. But I'm aware that foot-warming isn't exactly in the category of "service" for a companion dog.
Personally, I'm delighted to have a service dog in the area. Wish I could take a well-behaved dog to the movies to keep my feet warm and catch the popcorn that I drop. But I'm aware that foot-warming isn't exactly in the category of "service" for a companion dog.
Aug 22nd, 2003, 12:54 PM
#156
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I told the resturant that I didn't have to show them any papers for Hans (the dog) and that I had the right to sit inside if I wanted to. It was a nice evening and since I had been cooped up all day inside I didn't mind sitting on the patio.
Hans loves the movies! We buy popcorn just for him. After he gets done eating it he usuall falls asleep until we're ready to go.
Here in Seattle a woman has just filed a law suit agains Costco for refusing to allow her dog in. I was surprised because Hans has been into Costcos around Seattle and we've never had a problem. The only thing they've ever done is ask if he's a service dog.
Hans loves the movies! We buy popcorn just for him. After he gets done eating it he usuall falls asleep until we're ready to go.
Here in Seattle a woman has just filed a law suit agains Costco for refusing to allow her dog in. I was surprised because Hans has been into Costcos around Seattle and we've never had a problem. The only thing they've ever done is ask if he's a service dog.
Aug 23rd, 2003, 08:06 AM
#157
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I am sorry that I found this thread so late as I have many a peeve about local restaurants.
Boxing Cat, Greenwich Ct. Service was so nagging, 5 waiters asking for our order within 3 minutes of being seated. Main courses brought while still eating appetizer.Bus boy trying to take my friends dinner while she went to the ladies room and his constant hovering. Literally standing behind us , great food but service so annoying we will not go again and this was annoying. The restaurant was not busy and it was not late enough for the staff to want to leave.
Bleu, greenwich ct. Trying to be trendy, has garage door for froont window and keeps it open while 99 degress and 100% humidity outside and no fans. Also strange ladies room where everything is glass and door will fog up when light is turned on. If some one a little tipsy runs in and doesn;t turn on the light ooh la la we get a peep show in the bar.
Restaurants that done't give butter with bread but some strange assortment of things and oil. Yes I like olives but I also liek some herb butter .
The assumption of waiters that no matter how badly they treat you they are entitled to a minimum 20% tip. We now tip accordingly to service, nad when the service is bad so is the tip. To make sure out point is gotten we write on the credit card slip small tip is due to poor service. When service is good we tip accordingly.
When we order dessert and coffe and get coffe 20 minutes before dessert comes. Also on the dessert side I am Tired of upscale restaurants serving Commercially made desserts and trying to pass them off as made on repmises.
Also last week while at a very proceey hotel restaurant in our area where valet parking is the only option I was given the wrong car . Yes I know all Green S Types look alike ours has vanity plates. It seems they mixed up the valet keys. Had we come out second someone ellse may have driven off in my car.
When I pay 12 dollars for a Grey Goose martini and I am given well vodka..I can tell it shouldn't burn on hte way down. Please Mr. Waiter don;t argue with me just get me the right drink.
When we explain that my husband doen;t eat pork for religious reasons and an item we are assured has no pork in it comes out with bacon in it.
Ordering Palligrino with lime and ALWAYS being given Lemon.
On the other hand we have a local lunch place in Rye called Poopys where they are simple and always great. Hamburger always rare, pancakes always yummy and all the local color you can take. Sometimes the 7 dollar complete lunch is miles abov the Tuna tartare with an attitude.
Thank you Scarlett for making my day
Boxing Cat, Greenwich Ct. Service was so nagging, 5 waiters asking for our order within 3 minutes of being seated. Main courses brought while still eating appetizer.Bus boy trying to take my friends dinner while she went to the ladies room and his constant hovering. Literally standing behind us , great food but service so annoying we will not go again and this was annoying. The restaurant was not busy and it was not late enough for the staff to want to leave.
Bleu, greenwich ct. Trying to be trendy, has garage door for froont window and keeps it open while 99 degress and 100% humidity outside and no fans. Also strange ladies room where everything is glass and door will fog up when light is turned on. If some one a little tipsy runs in and doesn;t turn on the light ooh la la we get a peep show in the bar.
Restaurants that done't give butter with bread but some strange assortment of things and oil. Yes I like olives but I also liek some herb butter .
The assumption of waiters that no matter how badly they treat you they are entitled to a minimum 20% tip. We now tip accordingly to service, nad when the service is bad so is the tip. To make sure out point is gotten we write on the credit card slip small tip is due to poor service. When service is good we tip accordingly.
When we order dessert and coffe and get coffe 20 minutes before dessert comes. Also on the dessert side I am Tired of upscale restaurants serving Commercially made desserts and trying to pass them off as made on repmises.
Also last week while at a very proceey hotel restaurant in our area where valet parking is the only option I was given the wrong car . Yes I know all Green S Types look alike ours has vanity plates. It seems they mixed up the valet keys. Had we come out second someone ellse may have driven off in my car.
When I pay 12 dollars for a Grey Goose martini and I am given well vodka..I can tell it shouldn't burn on hte way down. Please Mr. Waiter don;t argue with me just get me the right drink.
When we explain that my husband doen;t eat pork for religious reasons and an item we are assured has no pork in it comes out with bacon in it.
Ordering Palligrino with lime and ALWAYS being given Lemon.
On the other hand we have a local lunch place in Rye called Poopys where they are simple and always great. Hamburger always rare, pancakes always yummy and all the local color you can take. Sometimes the 7 dollar complete lunch is miles abov the Tuna tartare with an attitude.
Thank you Scarlett for making my day
Aug 23rd, 2003, 08:23 AM
#158
My previous dog was a small Yorkshire terrier. They wouldn't let me on the bus one time with him. Another time I smuggled him on the Turbo train to NY. We went to a movie and he slept on a chair next to me. He sat up after awhile, causing his tags to jingle. A lady behind me , I heard say, Öh my God, there's a dog here." I turned around and said, that's ok, he read the book and loved it.
Thanks for the morning laugh.
