RESPONDING TO:
restaurants could develop a
signal mechanism -- "if you need anything, put up this flag or secure
a napkin to the edge of the table." :-)

That is truly rediculous! Actually all of this post was. Servers are
trained to "anticipate" the needs of their guests'. If the server came
to the table I am sure he/she sensed that there was something possibly
needed at the table at the time (since the pace at the table started
to "slow down"). Wondering if the previous poster that was
"interrupted" considered that there may have been one of their dining
companions that did need something and just wasn't in the habit of
interrupting the person that was speaking to say he/she needed the
server.
I can guarantee that if the poster had needed something and the server
was not there at that exact moment she would still be complaining! If
you do not want a server to interrupt your conversations at the
table... dine at home! They are just doing their job... trying to
Serve You.

~A Manager that TRAINS her waitstaff!



Frogleg > wrote in message >. ..
> On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 06:31:27 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
> >Julia Altshuler > wrote in
> >news:KvOfb.688791$uu5.112026@sccrnsc04:
> >
> >> It happened again tonight. We ate the first part of our meal in
> >> relative silence since we don't like to talk much as we eat. As we
> >> were slowing down, we started talking more. Only when we're in the
> >> middle of spirited conversation does the waiter or waitress come over
> >> to interupt to ask if everything is alright. I have to take my
> >> attention away from my dining companions to pay attention to her to
> >> reassure her that everything is fine. (Or it was fine until I was
> >> interrupted.)
>
> >You won't change their habits, but you might change their immediate
> >behavior by telling the waitperson (as you are being served) that you'd
> >rather not be disturbed while eating, and that you'll let them know if
> >you need anything during the meal.
>
> Waay too reasonable for rfc. :-) I don't remember any waitress
> "training" when I served, but I'm sure some establishments
> suggest/require that waiters regularly visit tables with those chirpy
> inquiries. There's also the difficulty of judging which patrons prefer
> upscale service (no queries; no "my name is Pat and I'll be..."; just
> noticing when something is required and supplying it, and which are
> used to the chirpy, chain-restaurant "friendly" style which makes some
> feel they're being neglected if no one stops by to inquire.
>
> Maybe, in the absence of well-trained waitstaff alert for the
> slightest glance in their direction, restaurants could develop a
> signal mechanism -- "if you need anything, put up this flag or secure
> a napkin to the edge of the table." :-)