5 things restaurant guests do that drive the waitstaff absolutely crazy
Tourists wonder whether Dutch service in the hospitality industry is normal, but come on: conversely, hospitality staff wonder whether some guests are normal. There are quite a few things that drive the waitstaff absolutely crazy. From no-shows to unmanageable children: these are five major annoyances.
Eating out is not just one of my favorite pastimes professionally. In my private life, I also think eating out is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend my free time. And I often notice quite a few things. For example, based on my own experience in the hospitality industry, I had hoped that guests snapping their fingers would by now be a dying breed. But nothing could be further from the truth. They are still very much alive and kicking. Much to the frustration of pretty much everyone who works in the front of house. But there are more hospitality-related annoyances.
1. Guests who snap their fingers to get attention
Getting the waitstaff’s attention: it’s not always easy. But a request from the waitstaff: a little more patience, and above all, don’t wave, shout loudly or, worst of all, scream and snap your fingers. It’s not only impolite, but also disrespectful.
2. Modifying the dish
“Can I have the salad without tomatoes, but with extra avocado and a different dressing? Oh, and can you grill the chicken instead of frying it, and don’t add any salt? And can I have fries instead of potato slices? You can add salt to those.” Argh! Some guests feel the need to modify every dish on the menu. Infuriating!
3. Staying too long
Staying at the table for hours after eating, even after the bill has been paid. The waitstaff aren’t happy about that either. Especially not when guests have had too much to drink and don’t pick up on a single hint. Your company is much appreciated, but the staff can’t go home until all the guests have left. There is still plenty to do, and lingering guests slow down this process.
4. Making a reservation and not showing up
Making a reservation and not calling to cancel if you’re not coming: unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think. Incomprehensible, because so-called ‘no-shows‘ are devastating for a restaurant. Research shows that this costs restaurants an average of €1,800 per month. And for business owners, that can mean the difference between profit and loss. This is why more and more restaurants are asking for a deposit.
5. Unmanageable children
Not only are they very annoying for the staff, other guests often don’t appreciate it when the restaurant turns into a zoo either. Especially when you’ve arranged a babysitter yourself, you don’t want to sit in the noise caused by other people’s children. Loud, screaming or otherwise unmanageable children in a restaurant can seriously ruin your evening. Because of this, one restaurant simply decided to refuse young children after 5:30 p.m. The restaurant received criticism on social media, but above all, plenty of support.
Also read:
- English increasingly becoming the language spoken on Dutch outdoor terraces: problematic
- Why working in the hospitality industry is the best job in the world
- Annoying: when your Tikkie is ignored
