There's always an article about what a server is tired of hearing from customers, but what about from a hostess' perspective? A hostess has to interact and seat every single person that walks through the doors, so there are countless phrases that are constantly repeated by customers. Not only do they have to respect a customer's wishes, but also the servers', which tends to get complicated. From a hostess that works in a busy restaurant, here are things we are tired of hearing.
From the customers:
1. "We wanted to be seated now, our kids are hungry."
Okay, sure. I'll gladly try to make room for a party of 15 on a Friday night without any notice. Call ahead seating is a thing. I can't seat your big party right when you walk in while we're already on a 30 minute wait.
2."We're going to the bar."
As you walk past the bar to a regular table. Last time I checked that's not the bar, now I have to find your server and tell her she got sat twice because you didn't go where you said you were going.
3. "Can we sit at the bar until you call our names to be seated?"
Sure! Just don't be mad when we call your name and you don't hear us. We will skip you and continue down the list.
4. "I see a table open, can we just sit there and add a chair?"
No, we can not sit five people at a table for four. That's a tight squeeze, and I'm not going to deal with complaining from the server and my manager.
5. "We prefer a booth."
I prefer sitting you wherever I have room for you. Beggars can't be choosers.
6. "Can you cash us out, we don't know where our server is."
I am a hostess, I can't cash you out. I have to find what table you sat at to find your server, then tell them to cash you out. By the time I do that, your server would've walked by your table and cashed you out.
7. "Can you change the TV channel to the game?"
Sure, let me find the right remote and the right channel, while there are people lining up at the door. Please ask your server.
From the servers:
8. "At least get their drinks if you're going to double-seat me."
Yes, okay let me get their drinks, but when I come back with them and they're ready to order, you better be ready then.
9. "I'm going out back to smoke really quick, don't seat me."
I can't help if rotation goes really fast, if it gets to your turn, I have to seat you.
10. "You could at least wipe down my table if I take all the dishes back."
If I'm not busy, yes, I'll eventually wipe your table. If you see me busy, don't even say it, just go ahead and wipe your table.