OK, so I thought this was unusual . . .

We were at a fairly nice place, crystal wine glasses sort of establishment, candles, just so you get an idea. We arrived at 7:15 for our 7:30 reservation. First it took forever on a weeknight to get beverages, then forever+ for a shared app and then we were seriously wondering where our entrees were. Sit down to exiting, was and hour and 45 minutes. When we arrived, maybe 20% of the tables were filled and by the time we left, maybe half.

Toast came with our shared app and we had more app than toast so we sat waiting and waiting for a refill. Finally got a bread basket but by then the app was pretty cold. Then the wait for the entree began. Finally the server came over and told us that the kitchen had lost our ticket, but that she'd spoken to the chef and our entrees were due out in four minutes. Seriously, don't quote me something that specific when the liklihood of that happening is zero.

Then to top off an already strange evening, the server collected the little book that held the check and payment, saw there was cash in it and stood at the table and counted it. She nodded her head made a sound that I interpreted as pleased and left.

The bill including tax was $50.88 and I left $62.

I'm not naming the restaurant no matter how nicely you ask, but I am wrong to think this was, um, unusual server behavior? And I'd like to hear from servers, because I'm trying to look at this from the server's perspective. I know that whatever was going on in the kitchen was not her fault and I did not short her tip because of it.

And on a different note we were at a different restaurant last week, and were met with "Thank you for choosing to dine with us. We really appreciate it!" as a server greeting.

yeh, counting the money at the table is bad

90% sure the server forgot to ring in your entree...

yeh, counting the money at the table is bad

from my perspective, the only time money should be seen in the dining room is when the money is going from the check holder to the apron/pocket/whatever you hold it in. Counting money at the table is an absolute sin, but flashing/counting/making change in public is also fairly rude.

If I were the server, I would have sent a manager over immediately when I knew there was a problem on the timing of the food. it always looks better to have "a guy in a suit" approach a problem at a table opposed to the server. And as was mentioned earlier, more than like the server forgot to ring in your order. However, the server still should have informed the manager so they could expedite the order faster and still approach the table accordingly.

Counting money at a table is a no-no. I always found it easiest to address a table during payment by picking up the check presenter and telling the guest "I will be right back with this." At this point the guest can say no they don't need change OR they can say thanks...it's yours. Then I would go to the kitchen and open up the book to analyze the form of payment.

Lastly, Leah mentioned something about a greeting which was pretty bizarre, too. However, it made me think of servers giving the guest their name.

ex.: "HI! I am Sally and I will be taking care of you this evening."

I personally don't like knowing the servers name nor do I want to share mine when I am serving; with the only exception being only if I have developed a strong rapport with the guest/server. What is the thought on server name sharing?

I have no problem with the server stating their name - as long as they don't ask you for/call you by yours! It's like a mini-customer guarantee. "If anything goes wrong or I provide bad service, you know who I am so you can tell management about it." They really don't have any other motivation to tell you.

It's like a "How's my Driving?" bumper sticker!

I like to know the server's name if it is offered in a genuine fashion and not a company line.

I remember going to Kingfish some years ago and the wait-staff counted the money and made change right at the table. That had one of those change dispensers on their belts. Not too classy. That is a totally bizarre dining experience to be sure. I agree that management intervention would have been best.

Most of the time I like to know the servers name as well. What I hate is when a server sits down at the table with you when he / she takes your order. That happened to me once or twice here in town but I can think of where it was. Or they kneel down to talk to you. Yuck. I do not advocate counting money at the table ever. I think it is appropriate to say thank you again to the customer after they have paid and are leaving the restaurant, even if the tip was not a knock out.

I have no problem with the server stating their name - as long as they don't ask you for/call you by yours!

Rant ahead:

The bartender at a Hurstbourne Lane chain restaurant introduces herself to the patron and then proceeds to introduce the other folks behind the bar. Then she says "What are your names?" in kind of a sing-songy, little schoolgirl tone. It drives me insane. I believe I was "Gunther" on the last visit. She also writes the bar staff names on a little card and places it in front of you, as if I'm going to look at it and yell down the bar "Hey! Mandy* or Dirk*, how about bringing me another drink". I'll bet she dots her "i"s with little hearts, too. <shudder>

They did this, too, at the bar/restaurant in Westport Village (the one on the corner of the development). I won't go back.

*not their real names

Money at the table isn't cool.

Anything and everything else is mostly fair game for me. Part of the challenge of serving, is reading your table. I'm a personable guy, so I like personable servers.

I have no problem with the server stating their name - as long as they don't ask you for/call you by yours!

Rant ahead:

The bartender at a Hurstbourne Lane chain restaurant introduces herself to the patron and then proceeds to introduce the other folks behind the bar. Then she says "What are your names?" in kind of a sing-songy, little schoolgirl tone.

Yeah, I remember that happening to me at the Bonefish Grille bar once, I just never could remember their names when I needed something. Still, great enthusiastic service.

The ONLY reason I can think of to count money at the table is if the guest is already standing when the check arrives ( it happens) and throws the money in quickly. Not to see if there is a tip but to make sure they saw the amount correctly- this would be done in the back in a perfect world.
Servers names at the beginning of a meal- yuck. I usually ask only if I have a problem or, more usually, I want to give a complement to the management. Of course this doesn't apply to places where I am a regular and I know everyone's names.

Even though it's been nearly 4 years since I vacated my short stay in the serving world, the old Tumbleweed greeting - "Welcome to Tumbleweed, my name is Matt and I'll be your server this evening" - came right back to mind. Now that I give it some more thought, I'm not really convinced giving my name served any purpose. I don't think anyone every addressed me by name and, as far as I could tell, no one ever used my name to pass accolades on to management. I'm sure if they complained they would have said "the long-haired hippie guy."

Interestingly, if I remember correctly, not introducing yourself by name was an automatic failure on the secret shopping scorecard.

Obviously Tumbleweed and the restaurant under discussion are probably in different categories.

I think it was the server's head nod and happy cluck of approval that pushed me over the edge.

it always looks better to have "a guy in a suit" approach a problem at a table opposed to the server.

(coming from a former "gal in a skirt")