Pet Peeve of the Day: 12-08-05

Schmidty · 12-08-2005, 06:55 PM

Waitstaff at restaurants who kneel down to eye level when they take your order. This is usually accompanied by over-exuberance and forced conversation. The whole procedure is insultingly fake and annoying and is an obviously a ploy to get a bigger tip.

All I want is quick, cordial service. I don't want to be your best friend, and I don't want to hear your life-story, nor do I want to tell you mine. Just get my damned food.

Draft Dodger · 12-08-2005, 06:55 PM

even worse: waitstaff who grab a chair and sit down with you to take the order.

Raiders Army · 12-08-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

even worse: waitstaff who grab a chair and sit down with you to take the order.

Happened to me at Cheeburger, Cheeburger. I thought it was weird, and then I saw her do it to another table as well. I was like, "Damn, she must be pretty fucking tired."

Ksyrup · 12-08-2005, 06:59 PM

I assume this doesn't include Hooters?

Schmidty · 12-08-2005, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

even worse: waitstaff who grab a chair and sit down with you to take the order.

I think that would push me over the edge. I pity the server who does that unspeakable act.

Swaggs · 12-08-2005, 07:16 PM

No way you can keep this up for more than a few more days, Schmidty.

MizzouRah · 12-08-2005, 07:28 PM

How about a waiter/waitress who listens to your order, writes nothing down, and then screws up your order? Doh!

vex · 12-08-2005, 07:40 PM

Mine is the waitress who (especially when they are your age) constantly calls you "sweetie" and such.

Schmidty · 12-08-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swaggs

No way you can keep this up for more than a few more days, Schmidty.

I have so much dislike built up, that I think I can do this for years. On the other hand, I'm a lazy bastard, so we'll just see.

CraigSca · 12-08-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Waitstaff at restaurants who kneel down to eye level when they take your order. This is usually accompanied by over-exuberance and forced conversation. The whole procedure is insultingly fake and annoying and is an obviously a ploy to get a bigger tip.

All I want is quick, cordial service. I don't want to be your best friend, and I don't want to hear your life-story, nor do I want to tell you mine. Just get my damned food.

Funny you should mention this. My wife just mentioned to me the other day a study that showed when the waitstaff does this, their tips are statistically higher. It may be annoying, but apparently profitable.

JeeberD · 12-08-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Waitstaff at restaurants who kneel down to eye level when they take your order. This is usually accompanied by over-exuberance and forced conversation. The whole procedure is insultingly fake and annoying and is an obviously a ploy to get a bigger tip.

Thank you! I hate it when my co-workers pull that bullshit...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

How about a waiter/waitress who listens to your order, writes nothing down, and then screws up your order? Doh!

I write down everything. No way in hell that I trust my memory.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vexroid

Mine is the waitress who (especially when they are your age) constantly calls you "sweetie" and such.

Only girls under 12 or so are "sweetie" and boys under 12 are "buddy"...

Farrah Whitworth-Rahn · 12-08-2005, 10:04 PM

Cmon Jeeber. If you'd kneel in your pants with the rip, maybe you'd get more tips.

JeeberD · 12-08-2005, 10:06 PM

I got new pants a couple of months ago. I'm flattered that you still think about them, though...

Grammaticus · 12-08-2005, 11:00 PM

I can deal with the eye level, pull the chair up and "sweetie" thing, though it is all very annoying. I really hate it when they come by your table 5 or 6 times during the meal. Then when it is towards the end, they dissapear and you have to go get someone else to bring the freakin check. Or they ask you if you need anything and you ask for mustard or something. They dissapear and come back bye asking if you need anything. Yeah, the mustard I asked for 10 minutes ago. Is it really that hard to remember? I mean, it happens so frequently.

Barkeep49 · 12-08-2005, 11:18 PM

Schmidty did you know there is peer reviewed research to suggest that doing what you find a pet peeve increases the size of the tip?

Draft Dodger · 12-08-2005, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

I can deal with the eye level, pull the chair up and "sweetie" thing, though it is all very annoying. I really hate it when they come by your table 5 or 6 times during the meal. Then when it is towards the end, they dissapear and you have to go get someone else to bring the freakin check. Or they ask you if you need anything and you ask for mustard or something. They dissapear and come back bye asking if you need anything. Yeah, the mustard I asked for 10 minutes ago. Is it really that hard to remember? I mean, it happens so frequently.

I really don't get the check thing either, and it happens a lot. you'd think they'd be in a hurry to get you to leave, so another tipping customer can be sat at their table.

Schmidty · 12-08-2005, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

Schmidty did you know there is peer reviewed research to suggest that doing what you find a pet peeve increases the size of the tip?

Well, that's why it's "pet" peeve. It's something that annoys me. I have no idea about other people, although this thread (a sample of course) shows that a lot of people agree with me.

Now that I think of it, it doesn't suprise me that the tips are larger. The server is basically guilting you (almost bribing you) into giving a larger tip, even if the dipshit annoys you.

M GO BLUE!!! · 12-09-2005, 01:21 AM

The next time a member of a waitstaff bends over to take your order, simply state very matter-of-factly that by bending over to your eye level and taking the order they will not get a tip any higher than if they simply stand there and concentrate on getting the order right. Then remind them to make sure they get the order straight.

vex · 12-09-2005, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

I can deal with the eye level, pull the chair up and "sweetie" thing, though it is all very annoying. I really hate it when they come by your table 5 or 6 times during the meal. Then when it is towards the end, they dissapear and you have to go get someone else to bring the freakin check. Or they ask you if you need anything and you ask for mustard or something. They dissapear and come back bye asking if you need anything. Yeah, the mustard I asked for 10 minutes ago. Is it really that hard to remember? I mean, it happens so frequently.

Yeah, that drives me crazy.

Grammaticus · 12-09-2005, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

The next time a member of a waitstaff bends over to take your order, simply state very matter-of-factly that by bending over to your eye level and taking the order they will not get a tip any higher than if they simply stand there and concentrate on getting the order right. Then remind them to make sure they get the order straight.

If I have to do all that, just to get the order right, I'm tipping myself.

Ragone · 12-09-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Only girls under 12 or so are "sweetie" and boys under 12 are "buddy"...

easy there R. Kelly

Suburban Rhythm · 12-09-2005, 10:26 AM

Agree with this one...it's typically the chain-y, "hip" places you'll see it--Applebee's, Chili's etc. When the trend first started, I got worried...they were treating me like I knew them, and I'd have to ask my wife if that was someone we should know.

st.cronin · 12-09-2005, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

The next time a member of a waitstaff bends over to take your order, simply state very matter-of-factly that by bending over to your eye level and taking the order they will not get a tip any higher than if they simply stand there and concentrate on getting the order right. Then remind them to make sure they get the order straight.

That sounds like an excellent way to get a free DNA sample from your server included in your meal.

sterlingice · 01-24-2006, 01:24 PM

Sorry, the hair thread reminded me of this because we had someone do this a couple of weeks ago. My wife and I were out in KC and it was getting late but there were lines most everywhere we went so we had to find somewhere that was open past 9 but were hungry and didn't want to wait for food. So we found a local Olive Garden.

We had Waity McBendsalot, as was described in this thread. Not only that but he talked down to us from his low perch which I thought was fairly impressive. Wait, it gets better. He had the obviously fake European accent going and kept trying to hit on my wife while taking our order. She, not one to be amused by these antics, started twirling her wedding ring, and, once he noticed it, he got very cold for the rest of the meal. Then he forgets an item and never refills the drink the rest of the meal. Needless to say, his tip didn't help the "benders get more tips" statistic.

SI

WSUCougar · 01-24-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

How about a waiter/waitress who listens to your order, writes nothing down, and then screws up your order? Doh!

WORD

Desnudo · 01-24-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Waitstaff at restaurants who kneel down to eye level when they take your order. This is usually accompanied by over-exuberance and forced conversation. The whole procedure is insultingly fake and annoying and is an obviously a ploy to get a bigger tip.

All I want is quick, cordial service. I don't want to be your best friend, and I don't want to hear your life-story, nor do I want to tell you mine. Just get my damned food.

Have you considered the roundhouse kick as a solution?

12-08-2005, 06:55 PM	#2
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	even worse: waitstaff who grab a chair and sit down with you to take the order. __________________ Mile High Hockey

12-08-2005, 06:59 PM	#4
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	I assume this doesn't include Hooters? __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

12-08-2005, 07:16 PM	#6
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	No way you can keep this up for more than a few more days, Schmidty. __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

12-08-2005, 10:06 PM	#13
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	I got new pants a couple of months ago. I'm flattered that you still think about them, though... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

01-24-2006, 01:24 PM	#24
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Sorry, the hair thread reminded me of this because we had someone do this a couple of weeks ago. My wife and I were out in KC and it was getting late but there were lines most everywhere we went so we had to find somewhere that was open past 9 but were hungry and didn't want to wait for food. So we found a local Olive Garden. We had Waity McBendsalot, as was described in this thread. Not only that but he talked down to us from his low perch which I thought was fairly impressive. Wait, it gets better. He had the obviously fake European accent going and kept trying to hit on my wife while taking our order. She, not one to be amused by these antics, started twirling her wedding ring, and, once he noticed it, he got very cold for the rest of the meal. Then he forgets an item and never refills the drink the rest of the meal. Needless to say, his tip didn't help the "benders get more tips" statistic. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

12-08-2005, 07:28 PM	#7
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	How about a waiter/waitress who listens to your order, writes nothing down, and then screws up your order? Doh!

12-08-2005, 07:40 PM	#8
vex Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tulsa	Mine is the waitress who (especially when they are your age) constantly calls you "sweetie" and such.

12-08-2005, 10:04 PM	#12
Farrah Whitworth-Rahn Red-Headed Vixen Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ	Cmon Jeeber. If you'd kneel in your pants with the rip, maybe you'd get more tips.

12-08-2005, 11:00 PM	#14
Grammaticus Pro Rookie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tennessee	I can deal with the eye level, pull the chair up and "sweetie" thing, though it is all very annoying. I really hate it when they come by your table 5 or 6 times during the meal. Then when it is towards the end, they dissapear and you have to go get someone else to bring the freakin check. Or they ask you if you need anything and you ask for mustard or something. They dissapear and come back bye asking if you need anything. Yeah, the mustard I asked for 10 minutes ago. Is it really that hard to remember? I mean, it happens so frequently.

12-08-2005, 11:18 PM	#15
Barkeep49 Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Not too far away	Schmidty did you know there is peer reviewed research to suggest that doing what you find a pet peeve increases the size of the tip?

12-09-2005, 01:21 AM	#18
M GO BLUE!!! Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2005	The next time a member of a waitstaff bends over to take your order, simply state very matter-of-factly that by bending over to your eye level and taking the order they will not get a tip any higher than if they simply stand there and concentrate on getting the order right. Then remind them to make sure they get the order straight.

12-09-2005, 10:26 AM	#22
Suburban Rhythm Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pittsburgh	Agree with this one...it's typically the chain-y, "hip" places you'll see it--Applebee's, Chili's etc. When the trend first started, I got worried...they were treating me like I knew them, and I'd have to ask my wife if that was someone we should know.

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