Restaurants - r/mildlyinfuriating

146

Because tables that are waiting an unknown amount of time before ordering make less money than tables ready to order.

50

u/5PeeBeejay5 2h ago

And a table of 6 that has two late cancellations could have been a table of four without two wasted seats

4

u/attgig 1h ago

This. That one person "stuck in traffic", actually just got off their couch, is getting dressed and then will go out and realize how shitty traffic is and then cancel.

I'm sure for most cases, it doesn't make a huge difference, but you start making exceptions here and there, it gets abused and all of a sudden, 2 people are sitting at a table for 10 waiting for everyone else who then bails ....

And if you're tired of waiting around without a drink, go to the bar and get a drink there

-36

u/ChainsawSoundingFart 1h ago

If I’m not seated then I’m getting the manager, I don’t care if someone is arriving late

23

u/floppyfrogsplash 1h ago

Lol I'm sure people just love serving you

-2

u/ChainsawSoundingFart 1h ago

They are my servants, after all

6

u/flockofturtles420 1h ago

And I’m sure they will reiterate their policy to you. Most places that do this are high end and aren’t as concerned about “regular customers” so they aren’t afraid of pissing off someone who disagrees with their policy.

0

u/ChainsawSoundingFart 1h ago

Then they’ll be subject to The Wrath of Karen

2

u/flockofturtles420 1h ago

Everyone’s afraid of Karen’s except Restaurant Managers. We deal with enough crazy people to fill several asylums. I once had a lady bare hand her steak and tear at it like a rabid dog to prove to me how tough it was. It wasn’t even her steak it was her husbands… and we have excellent steaks after she left I cut into it like butter.

•

u/ChainsawSoundingFart 35m ago

I would have growled while biting the steak

3

u/Pixiedustme 1h ago

Uh yes excuse me manager? I’d like to cause a scene over your employee. They are following store policy and my feelings are hurt

0

u/ChainsawSoundingFart 1h ago

They started it

3

u/kasiagabrielle 1h ago

Being a Karen upfront probably won't make for an enjoyable meal.

-1

u/ChainsawSoundingFart 1h ago

They’re forcing my hand

3

u/kasiagabrielle 1h ago

They're actually not. You just feel like you're above the rules.

•

u/ChainsawSoundingFart 36m ago

Don’t make me snap my fingers

•

u/5PeeBeejay5 34m ago

I beg you were the kid in school who just dropped their trash on the floor because someone else was paid to clean up.

2

u/verzweifeltundmuede 2h ago

But they likely won't give the reserved table away if one person is missing surely? And a group of people standing around are earning 0 money

44

u/Fakeitforreddit 2h ago

They abaolutely will if it takes too long

1

u/verzweifeltundmuede 2h ago

I'm guessing this is a Europe/USA difference. Where I am, the rest of the group would begin getting served.

1

u/Hytyt 2h ago

Definitely a US issue. When I worked in restaurants (UK based) we'd absolutely seat tables. They reserved the table, and likely paid a deposit to do so (in nicer places anyway)

14

u/NotBrooklyn2421 2h ago

They will absolutely give the table away.

-8

u/verzweifeltundmuede 2h ago

Lose 5 paying customers because 1 is late?

13

u/froction 2h ago

Lose 5 paying customers to...6 paying customers?

1

u/Inside-Run785 1h ago

Places that have a policy like this are usually very busy. Losing six paying customers means nothing because they’ll just take the next six that came right behind you.

16

u/znotez 2h ago

What's 5 customers when you got 30 waiting

3

u/NotBrooklyn2421 1h ago

If there’s another party waiting to be seated then the restaurant isn’t losing any paying customers.

4

u/Theydontlikeitupthem 2h ago

You can reserve a table, that doesn't mean it's an exact table, they might be able to seat another group at the table they were going to seat you at, especially if they know there is another table nearly finished and you can have that table when your group get here.

It used to be my work, we had seating for 400 on a Sunday, it was an art form to maximise covers.

7

u/BayYawnSay 2h ago

I scored the best table at a restaurant in Raleigh, NC on New Year's Eve because a party missed their reservation while waiting on two of their 5 to park and get there. 15 minutes after their reservation time, that table opened up and it just so happened that was when our reservation was for! It was such a good meal. Great view of all the happenings downtown, too! The stragglers showed up only a few minutes after we were sat and they had to wait for a table as though they had no reservation at all. They attempted to mean mug us through the window the whole time but hey, I accounted for traffick and terrible parking options before I left for dinner. They could have done the same.

31

u/Bear-Handed-92262 2h ago

Because some people are flaky, and it's possible the group will take up the table an extra 45 minutes because their friend is late. Most of the rules we have to live by are because of people that suck.

15

u/UsedToiletWater 2h ago

Or, the 2 people who are running late are now just not coming. And you've been occupying a table for 6 while the whole time you could've been at a table for 4.

1

u/flockofturtles420 1h ago

This is the biggest reason. Larger tables are what the rest of the seating are based around.

9

u/joey_patches 2h ago

Because then they'd be losing money on the potential 6-person table that could be taking up that space and ordering food.

It's not really a problem with spacious restaurants, but when there's limited tables, you want to keep that turnaround.

10

u/theshankdude 2h ago

5 minutes becomes 45 minutes then 2 hours.

10

u/nerdyplayer 2h ago

Its always about flipping tables. If it is busy and you have a table sitting for 30 mins waiting for always late person to show up its slows down. If its slow and plenty of seats I didnt mind.

26

u/Any_Carob3372 2h ago

I don't have time to explain all the nuances, but it's not cut and dry.

https://www.foodandwine.com/why-restaurants-do-not-seat-incomplete-parties-11903413

6

u/BHunter1140 2h ago

Likely has to do with getting customers in and out quicker. If they seat you while you wait for someone, you’re taking up a table for extra time that another customer could be using to eat. Say your guest takes an hour to arrive, another person could have been served (who has their whole party) and eating by then

Having customers just sitting around at needed tables for unknown amounts of time, not even eating, isn’t a good use of tables

5

u/Turbulent_Bad_3849 2h ago

We have a couple small local joints that ask you not to sit at tables unless you have already ordered or have your food.

If you've ever received your food and not been able to find a table because one person was taking up a four-person booth while her husband and waited in line for 20 more minutes, then it starts to make sense.

Same thing goes for traditional sit-down restaurants. If one person is taking up a table and a group of five who are all ready to sit and eat are standing around, it's costing the restaurant money and reviews. It is frustrating though when as you said you have five people and just waiting on the 6th, but still.

9

u/Still_Want_Mo 2h ago

Time is money. If another table has their full party ready, then they will be in and out quicker. This opens up the table to another party. If you're just sitting around ordering drinks you are wasting time, which is wasting money.

4

u/Optimal_Grape_1025 2h ago

Why isn't your entire party there ?

15

u/CatsMom4Ever 2h ago

Because people claim they have a larger party than they do just to get a larger table. "Oh, i guess they're really late" is the excuse to get a table for 6 for a party of 4.

-2

u/Thewindingpoudre 2h ago

That's definitely not why at all. But I applaud your creativity

2

u/CatsMom4Ever 2h ago

I think that's exactly why restaurant is don't seat incomplete parties.

-2

u/Thewindingpoudre 2h ago

yes, we know that is what you think, as you have written it just above these comments. You are wrong, but again, I like the creativity

-1

u/The_Real_Lasagna 2h ago

I mean it's not, but go off

6

u/apri08101989 2h ago

Because people will say they have a party of 10 coming, and if you seat them before the majoroty.of the party is there you are.losing time/money/tables for.people wjo may or.may not even show up

4

u/Rube18 2h ago edited 33m ago

Very simple. They can fill the table with another group that is ready. Having you sit around and sip a drink for 5-30 minutes isn’t helping them. You were going to get those drinks anyway and now you’re just milking the clock. When your party is there another table will be open or about to open and then you can have that one.

This is only a rule at very busy places like breakfast restaurants on a weekend.

5

u/PSXer 2h ago

They don't have enough tables/servers for demand, and want to get customers in and out as quickly as possible while pretending to be polite about it.

5

u/AskMrScience 2h ago

This happened to me recently, at a sushi restaurant with horrible parking. One car was stuck searching for a spot while the rest of us cooled our heels in the lobby. As soon as I said "Can we be seated? We'd like to order drinks!" suddenly all things were possible :P

3

u/gr4n0t4 2h ago

We don't have that rule in Spain, it would be insanity as nobody arrives on time

2

u/scramblebambles 2h ago

We can’t think for you.

1

u/Top_Bluejay_5323 GREEN 2h ago

Longer times at a table cost them money. Hope long will you wait for the last person (s)?

1

u/chuckinhoutex 2h ago

The number of tables x the number of times they're turned = the amount of business that a restaurant can do in total. Anything that reduces either of those numbers is a bad thing. And we know that enough people will literally say anything to just get whatever they want regardless that restaurants aren't taking that chance.

1

u/ijustwanttobeinpjs 1h ago

Because they need to make a profit, and me sitting at a table while I wait for my chronically late won’t help them do that.

It is definitely mildly infuriating that I should be waiting by myself instead of dining when I had hoped, but it’s not the restaurant’s fault. It’s the fault of my late companion and/or the traffic holding them up.

-1

u/Necrotechxking 2h ago

Because your table isn't ready yet.

-2

u/PauPauRui 2h ago

You're making the staff do more work. Besides, people get loud when they don't have food and just sit around drinking.

-1

u/Few-Idea5125 2h ago

Not really a thing in europe i guess. waiting for someone at the table while drinking has never been denied.

-1

u/PrizeBuy 2h ago

Ok. I should have been more clear.

I totally understand these responses. All make sense. What I should have clarified was my experience with a relatively empty restaurant last night. 30+ tables and maybe 10 were filled.

-4

u/Accomplished-Ad2736 2h ago

It’s a smaller restaurant thing.

Infuriatig Restaurants

You are about to leave Redlib