Servers in OKC

[Pete]

Perhaps this is due to the thin local labor market due to low unemployment and tons of new restaurants and bars...

But in my first few weeks here I notice lots of servers call me 'chief' or 'boss' or 'ace' or 'brother' or 'man'...

It is somewhat understandable when an older waitress at a diner calls me 'hun' or 'darlin' but I don't really don't like being addressed so unprofessionally by someone who is providing service.

Either call me 'sir' (which is unnecessary but acceptable) or don't call me anything at all.

[Rover]

Amen.

And don't come sit with me and try to act like my best friend. Be pleasant, be professional, but don't try to be chummy.

[Pete]

People are so nice here I think servers often confuse being friendly and chummy with providing good service, and they are completely different things.

[turnpup]

What gets me is the restaurants who train their waitstaff to speak in superlatives. "So is everything AWESOME with your meal???" Well, not really. It's good, but not AWESOME. How are you supposed to answer that question? Charleston's is one of the restaurants that does this.

[Pete]

Or, when they tell you everything on the menu is 'amazing'.

First of all, not true. Secondly, every single server should be fully prepared to answer the question, "What would you recommend?", and very few are.

I usually don't ask for recommendations but it's a very common thing, especially since the trend now is to drop a phonebook of a menu on the table, then come back 2 minutes later and ask you if you are ready to order. Then again 2 minutes later when you are still on page 52.

[catch22]

I, in general, despise company-forced lines.

I know at Outback, the "Everything is awesome" attitude comes straight from corporate requirements. It apparently improves survey and review scores because you are telling them how their food is. (supposedly) if you ask them if their food was "awesome", and repeatedly use the term throughout the dining experience, they are statistically more likely to check the "Awesome" or highest rating when filling out a survey. I think it's cheesy, and hate it. I think the server should take more initiative to provide a personal experience, within the frame of acceptable service standard to the employer, and allow the customer to decide for themselves.

The same goes for Walgreens-- they are required to tell you to "Be Well" when concluding a transaction, even if it is for a pack of gum. It's in the script and is even a question on surveys, did the customer service person tell you to "Be Well" during your visit?

Chik-Fil-A has the "my pleasure" requirement.

United has "Thanks for flying the Friendly Skies" appended awkwardly to the end of several scripted announcements. It doesn't flow well into the script, and doesn't sound very genuine me because of its obvious forced entry into the script.

I don't like it, because I know there's nothing behind it. It's just a script they employees are going off of.

[Pete]

I'd rather have an over-the-top scripted line then someone saying 'no problem' when you thank them for something.

This is another huge pet peeve. 'No problem' is not an acceptable response to someone who is paying money (and thus your salary) at the establishment at which you are employed.

'Thank you very much' should be the minimum reply and it's surprisingly rare.

[catch22]

No problem is an acceptable response for certain small requests. An extra sauce side, an extra set of silverware, directions to the restroom etc.

It's not an acceptable response for the entire service, a special request, a recommendation, or other serious core tasks.

I think you are confusing serving with being a servant, they are not the same. I would never expect a server to respond to my "Thank you." With a "Thank you very much". If I am thanking them, personally, I am acknowledging their hard work and attentiveness. I don't need them to thank me for thanking them. That seems weird to me.

[Ginkasa]

When I worked in a customer service role (not a waiter, though), my response to "Thank you" was "Thank you." It wasn't scripted; that just felt like the appropriate response in that role.

[kevinpate]

It is rare a server takes a seat at my table when I am out, though not rare enough.
If I know the person, either from other avenues or because I visit the place a lot, that's not an issue to me at all.
But if the first meeting matches up when the menu arrived, yeah, um, no thanks. My table is not the break room.

[Thomas Vu]

For whatever reason, the reasoning behind the sitting is to look at the customer at eye level, as opposed to looking down on them

[bradh]

Man you guys let a lot of little things eat at you.

[catch22]

Man you guys let a lot of little things eat at you.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[bradh]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

You too! I don't disagree with what was said for the most part, as in my line of work I have been verbally undressed by a customer for calling him "buddy." Didn't make that mistake again.

[Rover]

No problem is an acceptable response for certain small requests. An extra sauce side, an extra set of silverware, directions to the restroom etc.

It's not an acceptable response for the entire service, a special request, a recommendation, or other serious core tasks.

I think you are confusing serving with being a servant, they are not the same. I would never expect a server to respond to my "Thank you." With a "Thank you very much". If I am thanking them, personally, I am acknowledging their hard work and attentiveness. I don't need them to thank me for thanking them. That seems weird to me.

I'm with Pete..."no problem" is an awful response. "My pleasure" is a much better response imho.

[Rover]

For whatever reason, the reasoning behind the sitting is to look at the customer at eye level, as opposed to looking down on them

I disagree that it has anything to do with anyone looking down at anyone. It is entirely inappropriate for the server to join the dining party unless invited to do so.

[Urbanized]

Squatting to be at eye level: perfectly fine, and statistically proven to improve tipping.

Sitting at the guests' table, uninvited: completely inappropriate.

[ljbab728]

Perhaps this is due to the thin local labor market due to low unemployment and tons of new restaurants and bars...

But in my first few weeks here I notice lots of servers call me 'chief' or 'boss' or 'ace' or 'brother' or 'man'...

It is somewhat understandable when an older waitress at a diner calls me 'hun' or 'darlin' but I don't really don't like being addressed so unprofessionally by someone who is providing service.

Either call me 'sir' (which is unnecessary but acceptable) or don't call me anything at all.

Interesting, I don't think I ever had that experience in any restaurant in OKC.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^
I've had that experience myself. It's irritating.

[ljbab728]

Chik-Fil-A has the "my pleasure" requirement.

I come across that phrase most often when talking to people at hotels and I like it whether it is scripted or not.

[ljbab728]

^^^^^
I've had that experience myself. It's irritating.

I agree that it would be irritating but in my 60 plus years of eating at restaurants in OKC I don't remember hearing that ever. I guess I've just been lucky. LOL

[gopokes88]

Serious first world problems up in this thread

[catch22]

I'm with Pete..."no problem" is an awful response. "My pleasure" is a much better response imho.

Perhaps it's a generational irritant. I've received "no problem" many times and have been bothered by it approximately zero times. Then again, my standards may not be as high -- I don't require someone to thank me for being a customer. I'm a customer because I desire the product, not because I want to be thanked for spending my money.

[ljbab728]

Perhaps it's a generational irritant. I've received "no problem" many times and have been bothered by it approximately zero times. Then again, my standards may not be as high -- I don't require someone to thank me for being a customer. I'm a customer because I desire the product, not because I want to be thanked for spending my money.

Also interesting. When I get a call from potential customers or have them in my office, I tell them thanks whether they purchase anything or not. I just think it builds a better relationship for future business. Most people want to feel appreciated and valued, catch. That is just human nature. There are exceptions to everything though.

[catch22]

Also interesting. When I get a call from a potential customers, I tell them thanks for calling whether they purchase anything or not. I just think it builds a better relationship for future business. Most people want to feel appreciated, catch. That is just human nature. There are exceptions to everything though.

I agree with you. I think the entire transaction should be thanked, but don't think every interaction deserves some special, extra formal acknowledgement like Rover suggested.

Thank you for dining with us tonight, here is your check. I will be your cashier.

I don't find it necessary on every task, and don't see the issue with "no problem" on service requests. "Here is your extra side of ketchup" oh, thank you. "No problem!"