On your phone inside a bar & lack of manners
Scenario:Older lady, by herself, sit down at a table alone that sits SIX people, during game 5 for the royals ALCS game. My bar is seat yourself, but we try to ensure room for everyone, especially during big events.
Myself (manager): Approach her after she gets off her cell phone and politely ask if she has more people joining her?Lady: Yes, 3 to 5 more
Myself: Great, I will get you additional menus and your serv... *cut off*
Lady: Looking at the draft handles *after interrupting* I'll have a corona light and a menu
Myself: *baffled by ones rudeness* continue to finish my sentence: YOUR SERVER will be 'jane doe', I will grab you extra menu for your party and get that corona light started for you and 'jane doe' will be right over to help you.
*Server delivers beer and menus*
Lady: *Uses her finger to wave me over* !?
Myself: Is there something that I can do for you?
Lady: Yes, what is this? Did you pour this beer, I didn't see you...
Myself: *baffled again* (thinking: YOU WERE ON YOUR PHONE!!) Yes ma'am, it is Corona Light, and I did pour it for you, right out of the draft system at the bar, is something wrong with it
Lady: Oh ok, no, I just didn't see you pour it.
What did we learn?
1. Do not be on your phone (phone calls) while inside a bar. People are waiting on you, and it's just rude in general.
2. Do not interrupt your server, or anyone ever for that manner.
3. Do not wave someone down, ever, let alone your server, who was just at your table
4. Do not question someone's intelligence to meet your request
5. If you have to see every drink made for you, 1. don't sit at a table, or 2. just don't go out.
Laura-I completely agree with this behavior. People are SO consumed with their phones these days that they forget about the world around them. I also hate when people are on their phones while checking out at a register, move it along! I have never heard or seen someone that wanted to see the bartender personally pour their drink. As far as I'm concerned just give me my drink. Good tips on how to treat servers.
ReplyDeleteI think rudeness is at an all time high, for some reason. It's so annoying. I think these tips work in any setting where you have to interact with the public. The golden rule still holds true: treat people the way you want to be treated. I mean, where did she think the beer came from if not from the draft? She wasn't handed a bottle. But I do have one question...did the rest of her party end up showing up? lol
ReplyDeleteYes, but they were just as un pleasant .... >:(
DeleteWell...I have to say that I don't think that I would have the patience that you had with this lady. I just think that I'm cut out for this kind of business. That being said there are many time when I work in different business situations where people just don't understand how an adult interaction occurs. There are stupid people in the world and they are just stupid sometimes.
ReplyDeleteBeing the manager on duty was pretty much the only thing keeping my patience under control.
DeleteThis would be hard for me not to return the behavior. One thing I have noticed over the years is that when serving others, it takes a special kind of person that is very aware. This is a very good skill that I lack and am trying to learn. When we have people over to our home, my husband, a former server, is very aware of others needs, i.e. when their drink is low, when they appear to be looking for something, etc. I so often am oblivious and caught up in conversation that I have no idea. Great life skill training!
ReplyDeletePeople on their cell phones are the worst! It is so challenging to try to wait on someone who is engaged in another conversation. Cuddos to you for handling her so professionally. I know how that feels, sometimes it can be rather challenging to keep your composure.
ReplyDeleteDealing with the public can be difficult at times because you will always encounter someone who is rude. When you work with the public, there is no getting around it.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I must say your blog is very well done.
Thanks for the key takeaways - I will try and remember them next time I am out.
ReplyDeleteI must say when I go out to a bar or restaurant, I try to be polite as I can unless I have a rude sever/Bar tender. I try not to get on the bad side of my sever because they are the ones that has to bring the food. When someone is rude I always think to myself that this person is very stressed and they don't mean to take it out on us and that keeps me from becoming rude with that rude person.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura for the update.
ReplyDelete