restaurant seating? what do you do?
Oct 30th, 2001 | 08:35 AM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
I feel that I must make something clear to all those who have posted. I worked as a hostess in 2 of the best restaurants in the Jersey Shore area. And honestly, if you are cranky, demanding and rude when you come in and speak with me you will get a crappy table. Mostly because it is the only way to pay you back without getting fired.
So many times i have had people come in an demand that they get a certain table on a Sat. night. Unless you are a friend of the owners you arent going to demand anything. Especially on a Sat. night. I understand that people want the best table in the house especially on a special occasion and the best way to do this is to be a sweet and nice as you can. Offer to wait as long as needed for a special table. Above all be accomodating and sympathetic. If you makes us smile and are friendly I will usually go out of my way to be nice back.
And dont assume that because you see a table open its available.Many times we can have tables waiting for reservations for larger parties and people think your lieing to them when you say they are taken.
The way the tables are assigned varies from place to place but the servers usually roatate stations by shift and as the hostess its your job to make sure they have had an even head count. If one person has 4 tables and they get sat with only parties of 4 then they are going to make alot more money then people who get sat with 2's. Since there tips are there primary income please keep that in mind. The hostess is not out to get you, she just wants and has to keep things fair.
I agree that many times you can just ask to be moved but please do it in a nice way. Its hard to make 200 people happy when there is only 8 tables by the window.
So many times i have had people come in an demand that they get a certain table on a Sat. night. Unless you are a friend of the owners you arent going to demand anything. Especially on a Sat. night. I understand that people want the best table in the house especially on a special occasion and the best way to do this is to be a sweet and nice as you can. Offer to wait as long as needed for a special table. Above all be accomodating and sympathetic. If you makes us smile and are friendly I will usually go out of my way to be nice back.
And dont assume that because you see a table open its available.Many times we can have tables waiting for reservations for larger parties and people think your lieing to them when you say they are taken.
The way the tables are assigned varies from place to place but the servers usually roatate stations by shift and as the hostess its your job to make sure they have had an even head count. If one person has 4 tables and they get sat with only parties of 4 then they are going to make alot more money then people who get sat with 2's. Since there tips are there primary income please keep that in mind. The hostess is not out to get you, she just wants and has to keep things fair.
I agree that many times you can just ask to be moved but please do it in a nice way. Its hard to make 200 people happy when there is only 8 tables by the window.
Oct 30th, 2001 | 08:58 AM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
I also think it is overtipping to tip 15% when the restaurant is a sandwich place and you stand in line to place an order, then go back in line to pick up your food. This type of establishment will often have a tip jar at the cash register and expect you to tip the sandwich maker, who is also the owner. Or, the restaurant has a buffet, and all your waitress does is refill your beverage. I think 15% is too much then unless you make special requests.
