I'm getting annoyed at restaurants and would like other people's thoughts on the matter. Lately it seems that a lot of restaurants I've been to are bumrushing and have been quite arrogant. We're not talking a chain restaurant, you're average to upscale eateries where dinner and drinks for two are an easy $100.



I understand it because I waitered in and after college, the restaurants want to turn tables as quick as possible to maximize revenue. But it seems like lately the hostess is watching you eat that last fork full of food and having her waitstaff get you out asap. We were asked the other night that if we were done (1 minute after putting the fork down) if we could give up the table and told that if we wanted to stay we could stand at the bar.



Besides that is the frustrating rule that they will not sit you until you're entire party shows up, even if you are only missing 1 person (who is literally two blocks away and running to get there), so you lose your table and have to wait like cattle for the next table to open up. Seat us now! If anything, we're going to spend more on appetizers and drinks until that person shows up. I understand if you're missing 3 out of 5 or more, but 1 person and we cannot be seated?



The sad part is...chain restaurants provide better and friendlier service and let you sit for a few minutes after the meal to talk. The food may not be so great but I'm starting to wonder if there isn't a trade off somewhere.



What says you, is this rapid table turning and seating rules getting worse or am I just now noticing this?

 

I have quite a few restaurants I frequent that offer great service. Some are chains, but not "Chili's" size chains - more like a couple dozen nationally. The $100 restaurants you refer to treat me well, and I usually have a drink or two after dinner. I find your scenario to be by far the exception to the rule for me.



Perhaps it's the change in the environment in Charleston? How often does this happen?



I wouldn't hesitate to sit there and enjoy my time if I spent $100 for my wife and I to enjoy food and drinks.

 

I'd speak up and say something if I felt like I was being rushed. Especially at an expensive restaurant. That being said, I don't really go out for dinner too often anymore since my son was born. If we do go out it's usually just to McDonald's, people expect to see a crazy kid yelling and running around there.

 

The indian lady at burger king didn't offer me my receipt one time

 

Well first, from what I read it said they asked you IF you could give up your seat.... Couldn't you have said, no, I would like to sit a bit longer?





Second, it sounds like you went to a busy restaurant. You could be the guy done eating and drinking chillong out with friends making everyone wait like cattle even longer, or you could enjoy yourself, eat and get out so the cattle didn't have to wait as long next time. Sounds to me like you want to have your cake and eat it too. You can't get seated immediatly AND stay super long.



But I do kind of get what you are saying, you just put the last bite in your mouth, an extra 1-3 mins wouldn't hurt. But unfortunatly, we live in a world with incosiderate people who do think the world revolves around them and they want a seat right away and they want to 'hang out' for far too long after a meal and it requires the staff to intervene. Much like is inconsiderate people did speak honestly about a friend 15min away saying "please seat us, he is only 2 blocks away" they wouldn't have to have an absolutly no waiting tolerance policy and could trust people.



Really it just sounds to me if you want to avoid this, either go to a more expensive restaurant that less people can afford, or go at later hours or earlier hours to avoid the rush. But you can't really blame the restaurant, blame the rush and the inconsiderate people.

 

LOL...

 

 

Go somewhere else from now on........it's not worth your $100. We would never push someone out that doesn't want to leave (even if it's long overdue and they're "that" douchebag table)....