Another chapter on my list of service peeves:
From CNN Etocracy, here is a list of five things you never want to hear in a restaurant:
1. “It depends on what you like.”
“When you ask the waiter for a recommendation, it shouldn’t be a matter for the UN Security Council. As our columnist Michelle Wildgen says, ‘I don’t expect them to know my taste but I do expect them to know what the kitchen does well.’” (Versus what ingredients are getting old, that the restaurant asks servers to push.)3. “We’ll bring the dishes out of the kitchen as they’re ready.”
“Barbara Fairchild, our ‘Appetite for Life’ columnist, submits this as a sign that you are in the wrong place, my friend. While it is expected at certain Italian trattorie, where the kitchen is smaller than your table, that food might arrive as finished, most American restaurants have mastered the art of bringing you food in the order you want it. Rocket science it isn’t.” (This just happened to me at Bluehour, and was a major hiccup in the order in which dishes were served, leaving my companions without their dishes while I had received mine.)5. “What are we talking about here?”
“The heyday of the overly familiar waiter (‘Hi, I’m Mitch and I’ll be your server’) is past, thank god, but over-sharing, TMI-prone service still pops up and is a sign of bad management. I once had a waitress try and look at pictures of my kids that I was showing to a dinner companion – ‘I love photos!’ she squealed. Go get your attention on the stage already. Don’t break the fourth wall here in the restaurant.”
You can read the entire list here, but I’d like to know what you think. Agree, disagree, have more to add?
whathef says
Dude – I had to count to 10 before posting this, but I have to say it’s a sad day that you feel the need to repost this “article”.
Whatever claim to fame the lister of this blog piece that says we need to be aware of these inane five things (or nine things, or three things) to somehow improve our lives, I didn’t think it would be something you would re-feed
Not only do I NOT GIVE A DAMN what CNN Etocracy (what the f*#!~ does that mean anyway?) thinks about these all important five things, but somehow we are mistaking occasional shitty service for a FIVE DECLARATIONS piece. It’s manufactured and doesn’t need any more air.
I probably should have counted to 20….
glainie says
At the very least! Whoa!
Shannon says
FYI, it is a typo. It is Eatocracy not Etocracy. May not change your opinion but makes more sense. :)
Homer's Son says
I liked the post and would add:
“oops … my bad, the dry cleaners can get that out no prob.”
Jason says
“It depends on what you like.”
When someone asks such an unbelievably general question such as “what’s good” or when ordering at he bar and just saying “make me something good” to a server/bartender who has no idea what their likes/dislikes are, should the they just recommend something in the hope they’ll like it? “Here’s a Sazerac.” “What’s in that?” “Well, rye whiskey..” “Oh, I hate whiskey!”
From my experience, anyone who asks such a question has a narrow frame of what they’ll accept or like, and if they receive something they don’t care for, they’ll bitch about it.
That said, just asking “it depends on what you like” is not a good question. Better, what kind of ________ do you like? and moving on from there a better tactic.
Even worse, at the bar when someone orders “just give me what you like to drink.” Hmmmm, OK, how about a beer and a shot of bourbon or scotch? That’s what I like to drink. Never has anyone taken me up on that. But, really, I guess, that’s part of the job working behind the bar—figuring out what people really want and giving it to them.
Wes says
I saw a bartender do just that once. Someone ordered a dealers choice, said dealer was in the weeds, he popped a beer and poured a shot of whiskey. The look on the customers face was priceless, and they really couldn’t(and didn’t) say shit.
Andrea says
The “it depends on what you like” comment is probably my biggest pet peeve in a restaurant where I’m looking for help making a decision from the waiter. I will often say something like – “I’m having trouble deciding between the oxtail and the halibut cheeks” and hope for a little input to push me in one direction or the other. The waiter who comes back with the answer of “well, what are you more in the mood for?” makes me crazy. I really don’t care if you lie to me – just tell me (convincingly) that the cheeks are “to die for” and you can be on your way.
The Wizard Tim says
So if you don’t even care that the waiter is going to lie to you, and it doesn’t even seem to make a difference to you, why are you even asking in the first place?
I always have customers ask, “What’s Good!”. So i tell them some things i am currently enjoying. Without fail they will always ask about an item that i did not choose.
“Not the steak!”
As though they just wanted me to just say the steak is the best thing all along.
j says
This is hilarious, I often say “It depends on what you like!”
We have a limited, but straight-forward menu with pork, fish, veggie and vegan options, and they are all my creations, so I don’t think any of them are gross. I honestly get offended! Wouldn’t you if someone came into your office and asked if your work was good?
I do need to come up with a better answer, because we get those questions all the time.
I usually go on to say I eat the most expensive item with extras added on, because it’s true. I like fish with extra veggies ($9 instead of the cheapest $6.50, if you’re wondering). Or I tell them to go with whatever seasonal veggies are on because it won’t be on the menu forever.
And some of our employees are vegetarian, so they’re not going to tell you which pork dish they like better. You kind of just have to know what you like!
Sometimes I say it doesn’t matter. It’s all delicious, and we hope you’ll be back tomorrow to try the rest.
Man-o-steele says
“You have to know what you like.” So many people don’t know what they like and want to be told what to like. Look at all of the money made on telling people what to like and what to eat or drink. Our food culture is so shallow that new fads will always replace food wisdom.
Jim Prouty says
And some people want to explore food they’ve never had relying on a knowledgeable guide.
howard howard says
I had dinner once at Tasty and Sons. The server said they would bring the dishes out as they were ready since they would be served family style. (That makes a difference?)
Since when is a hamburger a family style plate? How do 5 people share that? And what if I want pasta before the steak frites?
It’s not that hard for a kitchen that cares about its customers to bring dishes in a requested order.
PDX2CDG says
Was just there today and always get aggravated by this stance they have firmly taken (even when not busy). Many of my peeps refuse to eat there for that reason. Then again you don’t have to ask whats good on the menu………
Geo T says
When a waiterperson says “I am so & so, I’ll be your waiter”.
I reply “I am your customer Geo T”, what I want is ——-.
I do not ask what’s good, what’s on special, I usually know what I want to eat, do not need help making up my mind.
Food Dude says
True story – one time at Clyde Common (years ago), I ordered an entree that was just lousy; I could hardly eat any of it. When the waitress took the plate away she said, “You didn’t like it? I didn’t think you would… no one likes that dish!”
Moving on, there are times when I will ask what is fresh, or what dish a restaurant is known for (when I’m traveling). When I’m working on a review, I will sometimes ask a server what their favorite xxx or beer is, not because I care all that much, but because I want to get a feel of how they interact. As a bonus, I have found some good beers that way. When asking a server for advice, you also have to realize that, in many restaurants, the staff is told to push high-profit selections or ingredients that are getting past their prime.