What's your hot button for a restaurant?

I would not feel right if I wasted someone's time on their job that could be better used in attending to the business of other customers.

Ah! And therein lay the rub. Some diners don't give a hoot about things like a server's wasted trip or other diners. For some, the world is centered upon their own experience, their needs and wants without consideration of others. Don't get me wrong, I expect good service when I enter any place of business, but I understand that due to unforeseen circumstances (staff is shorthanded in the front or the back of the house, or whatever) everyone might not be totally focused on me as much as I would like. I try to cut them some slack in those circumstances and not take things so personally.

i don't like having to hunt down a server for my bill. if you ask me if i want dessert and i say no thank you.. that's a good clue i want my bill to settle up.

This one drives crazy, especially during lunch when schedules can get a bit tight. More often than not, great meal, great attentive service right up until it is time to pay. The server suddenly becomes invisible and impossible to get their attention. Seems to be happening to me more and more often of late.
Redwinger

It's all about the attitude of the first person who greets you. And I I say "thank you," and that person says "no problem," there's a problem.

Ok, I'll bite. What is the problem?

It's all about the attitude of the first person who greets you. And I I say "thank you," and that person says "no problem," there's a problem.

Ok, I'll bite. What is the problem?

The problem is that the proper response to "thank you" is "you're welcome".

One word....Bathrooms! One local ,lets say "Asian" eatery I refuse to go anymore, they seemingly refuse to clean the restrooms. This place started in older building with 1950's style restroom. The place was disgusting! Do to a disaster they moved to another location with a more modern restroom, within weeks the restroom was in the same shape. The age of the facilities really is not a factor. Last time I got talked into going here, I had to wash the bottoms of my shoes & my floor mats.

My number one Hot button:

Annoying Customers dinning near my table; complaining about everything and never happy till they storm out the door.

- Some people here are WAY too sensitive.

[Robin Garr]

My number one Hot button:

Annoying Customers dinning near my table; complaining about everything and never happy till they storm out the door.

This post would have been a whole lot better if it had stopped right there.

It's all about the attitude of the first person who greets you. And I I say "thank you," and that person says "no problem," there's a problem.

Ok, I'll bite. What is the problem?

The problem is that the proper response to "thank you" is "you're welcome".

Yes it is, but I have to admit I frequently give the answer "No problem" to the offered "Thanks!" at times myself. Why? Sometimes when people say "thanks" there is an unspoken "I hope I didn't put you out/inconvenienced you/made you go out of your way..." feel with the thanks. In those situations I like to say "No problem!" as a way to reassure the thanker that all is well and it was my pleasure to be of assistance. I never dreamed it would irritate anybody. Sometimes the simple "you're welcome" while very proper, feels more perfunctory than sincere (even when it is sincere).

Annoying Customers dinning near my table.

Loud people, especially those dinning while dining, can be annoying.

Unless I order Gazpacho or some other cold soup, the soup needs to be steaming hot, not luke warm.
My water glass should never be empty.
A few minutes after getting my food, please ask if everything is ok.
Bonus; I really dig it when the manager or owner makes a round or two during the shift to gauge their service and product.

(I won't mention my last one as it started yet another multiple page thread on minimum gratuity policy) ooops, too late!

Mine is the "skilled complainer." The ones that go out with the intent that they are going to complain until they get a free meal. My dad used to work with someone who did this every time he ate out, and most of the time succeeded in getting a free meal. Even if they are not at your table, they monopolize the server's time and energy and service for everyone else suffers while they cater to people who cannot and will not be pleased.

I really liked the way you constructed your inquiry, Carla. Too bad the conversation somehow - imagine that! - became another "pet peeves" thread.

It's all about the attitude of the first person who greets you. And I I say "thank you," and that person says "no problem," there's a problem.

Bingo.

I really liked the way you constructed your inquiry, Carla. Too bad the conversation somehow - imagine that! - became another "pet peeves" thread.

I was kind of hoping it would swing in the other direction. Along the lines of "You know you're going to have a good meal when..." sort of thing. I started thinking this way as I was waiting to meet an appointment at Coco Locos. The very attentive server offered me something to drink while I waited. I got a soft drink it was nice and 'syrupy" (not diluted with soda water). I thought , "Nice! Good job. Gotta come back and stay longer!"

Ah, I misunderstood the question.

My "hot button" for a restaurant, like others, would have to be the way I'm treated walking in the front door. It may be a good steak, but I'm going to remember poor treatment OR lack of any throughout the meal from being seated. It "spoils" the meal. Starting off on the wrong foot is tough.

For me someone answering " no problem " is simply an answer and not an acclamation they went out of their way to help. If they would have replied " Sure. It was no trouble at all " , then I'd have reservation about the entire place. But I guess it depends on the attitude of the server/person answering and their tone or body language or any of several things to take one simple reply into personal offense.