So I am on holidays at the moment. As such, I have zero motivation to cook. So we’ve been indulging in the restaurant culture perhaps more so than we usually would. As such, we are getting to see many facets of this service industry.
When I say restaurant culture, the playground and surrounding tables at McDonalds get a Guernsey here right? Totally kidding. Mostly.
No, really, we have been out particularly to places nearby, read: within walking distance that Mum and Dad can still have a bevvie and take the kids home via foot. But lately two places have stood out. And not for the same reasons.
First example:
Stats: Lunchtime
People: 4 Adults, 3 Children.
Place: Restaurant Juliana’s. Paradise Point, QLD. Mostly services Sovereign Island, one of the most expensive real estate sections in Queensland.
Ok, so it wasn’t the food, which was adequate, nor the service, which was semi-fast, it was the attitude we received. I queried the bill. She had in fact overcharged us $50. I knew it. No apology, in fact she told me it was because it was written down wrong on the bill – like it was my fault. I don’t think I am adequately telling you what was wrong here. Out and out, the owner and the one who ended up processing our bill, was just incredibly rude. She was spewing because I was using EFTPOS. She was spewing that we were asking for Take away coffees to be included in the bill we were paying. And this was not my first shite experience. She once told me, when having breakfast and reading the Sunday paper by myself, with not one other customer in the joint, that I would have to move because I was taking up a table for 4. Why did we eat there again? Fuck only knows.
Second example:
Stats: Dinnertime
People: 2 Adults, 3 children
Place: Restaurant Clink, Southport, QLD, Restaurant in a Hotel with a Comedy Club
Last night, we went out for dinner. Even though it was way past the 3 year olds bed time and
even though this usually equates to hell, we gave it a go. Surprisingly it was awesome.
We were greeted with enthusiasm. We were sat at a table that suited us. In short, this restaurant, which is essentially a pub restaurant, gave 5 star service and 6 star food. We asked once, we got it. The food was consumed by every single child and Mum and Dad went home and just passed out (sure fire sign of a fantastic and filling meal). Plus I just happened to indulge in a baileys/vanilla bean panna cotta at the end which kind of sealed the deal.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that, in these economic times, and even these times of just being a bit skint cause it’s after Christmas and we’ve all had a few days off, it’s not often we get to go out and actually indulge. So if we do, we expect to enjoy it.
And look, we are pretty easy going diners. I don’t even send back glasses with obvious lipstick marks on the wine glass.
When I say restaurant culture, the playground and surrounding tables at McDonalds get a Guernsey here right? Totally kidding. Mostly.
No, really, we have been out particularly to places nearby, read: within walking distance that Mum and Dad can still have a bevvie and take the kids home via foot. But lately two places have stood out. And not for the same reasons.
First example:
Stats: Lunchtime
People: 4 Adults, 3 Children.
Place: Restaurant Juliana’s. Paradise Point, QLD. Mostly services Sovereign Island, one of the most expensive real estate sections in Queensland.
Ok, so it wasn’t the food, which was adequate, nor the service, which was semi-fast, it was the attitude we received. I queried the bill. She had in fact overcharged us $50. I knew it. No apology, in fact she told me it was because it was written down wrong on the bill – like it was my fault. I don’t think I am adequately telling you what was wrong here. Out and out, the owner and the one who ended up processing our bill, was just incredibly rude. She was spewing because I was using EFTPOS. She was spewing that we were asking for Take away coffees to be included in the bill we were paying. And this was not my first shite experience. She once told me, when having breakfast and reading the Sunday paper by myself, with not one other customer in the joint, that I would have to move because I was taking up a table for 4. Why did we eat there again? Fuck only knows.
Second example:
Stats: Dinnertime
People: 2 Adults, 3 children
Place: Restaurant Clink, Southport, QLD, Restaurant in a Hotel with a Comedy Club
Last night, we went out for dinner. Even though it was way past the 3 year olds bed time and
even though this usually equates to hell, we gave it a go. Surprisingly it was awesome.
We were greeted with enthusiasm. We were sat at a table that suited us. In short, this restaurant, which is essentially a pub restaurant, gave 5 star service and 6 star food. We asked once, we got it. The food was consumed by every single child and Mum and Dad went home and just passed out (sure fire sign of a fantastic and filling meal). Plus I just happened to indulge in a baileys/vanilla bean panna cotta at the end which kind of sealed the deal.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that, in these economic times, and even these times of just being a bit skint cause it’s after Christmas and we’ve all had a few days off, it’s not often we get to go out and actually indulge. So if we do, we expect to enjoy it.
And look, we are pretty easy going diners. I don’t even send back glasses with obvious lipstick marks on the wine glass.
But rude people shit me.
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12 comments:
I find a lot of the bad attitude type service is by Gen Ys.
I work in hospitality and can sometimes see where the servers are coming from, but that is pretty shit service right there. It's really not that hard to say "woops sorry! we fucked up because [insert explanation here]". And it's really not that hard to whip out a calculator and add extra stuff onto the receipt. Plus, the till being out because of mistakes or whatever is not the end of the world (though I suppose I have worked for bosses who would disagree).
Some customers can be pretty bratty and I reckon by all means some service staff have a right to stand up for themselves in an, um, not so nice manner :P. Then again, some staff are just bitter, hate everybody and need to grow up! Or change jobs.
Customer "service" is a misnomer these days. It's lovely to hear about your positive experience though - it partly restores my faith in humankind (well, pub meals as a symbol of humankind anyway).
When the woman told you to move from the table for 4 I would of just left. Too many times I've gone to a restaurant (ok food court.. you got me) and I've seen rude people by themselves take up a table for 4 but she had no reason to even ask if there was no-one else there.
My Mum once asked for a clean fork and got given attitude.. haha you just never know what service you get let alone the quality of the food.
My pet peeve is going somewhere where the person obviously hates their job. That woman in scenario 1? I'm pretty sure she hates her job. It's just a bad vibe overall.
I don't care how good the food, atmosphere, napkins... but if the service is bad that's just a killer. How dare she? I'm very forgiving, having worked in hospitality - but I also have expectations - and a sorry and a decent attitude is what I'd expect.
Your first outing was a bit bleh but your second one was much better! Isn't great when you are not sure how the kids are going to go.. being pushed out of comfort zone to go and have a nice dinner. And then they surprise you by being great! Sounds fab... panacotta YUM. xx
Service is everything. You can have the best food in the world but it will taste like sawdust if you feel like bitch-slapping the waiter.
Restaurant Clink, thumbs up eh ? Duly noted, thanks for the heads up Bern :)
I once worked in the customer service industry for many years - I loved it! I was promoted to manager very quickly and loved ensuring that customers were receiving the best possible service (after all, when it came down to it, it was the customers who paid our wages)...
Today, I wouldn't work in the industry for a million bucks! Good customer service is so damn hard to come by these days!
You know what I hate? We bought the entertainment book where you get discount vouchers to local restaurants, and presumably these establishments agree to be in it because it drums up business for them, but if you try and actually USE the discount voucher, they get shitty. What is that about? We went to one place and I told them straight up before ordering that I had the voucher. All was cool. Ordered, got 25% off. (it was a pay and order at the till type cafe). Food was fine except for the banana bread, my son literally spat it out and my husband tasted it, and agreed it was awful. I took it back to let them know and the guy argued with me that it was fresh and had just been sitting in the cabinet etc etc, no apology, offer to refund or replace, just attitude. I wondered if it was because we had the voucher, but we weren't being cheap and I told him the rest of the food was fine. Note to people running restaurants: lose the 'tood!
Oh! don't get me started on bad customer service, esp. in hospitality industry. I worked bar and also retail back after school and I WILL NOT accept bad service, I'm like a dog with a bone if there is an actual mistake, I won't leave until they admit fault and apologise!! Having said that, we have had some major cock ups happen and not batted an eyelid, because the staff were transparent, apologetic and pro-active in coming up with a solution.
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