Lingering After You Finish Dining
#16
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This is no different than the silly threads about how much to tip. "Tipping isn't expected where I live, so I shouldn't tip elsewhere".
"Lingering" is about the location and the type of restaurant. 15 extra minutes at a diner in Manhattan at lunch is an eternity. Not so at a Michelin 3-4 star on the Continent.
"Lingering" is about the location and the type of restaurant. 15 extra minutes at a diner in Manhattan at lunch is an eternity. Not so at a Michelin 3-4 star on the Continent.
#17
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I usually leave within 10 or 15 minutes of paying. In America though it's a different culture, where you are rushed through your meal and then presented with the bill while you are still eating. I find it incredibly rude and it makes for a very unsatisfactory evening. It's hardly lingering but it's enjoying a good dinner out.
#18
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I usually leave within 10 or 15 minutes of paying. In America though it's a different culture, where you are rushed through your meal and then presented with the bill while you are still eating. I find it incredibly rude and it makes for a very unsatisfactory evening. It's hardly lingering but it's enjoying a good dinner out.
Different customs, for goodness sake.

In terms of the OP's question, if there are people waiting for tables, you should leave within a reasonable amount of time. If the place is nearly empty and you leave a nice tip, take your time.
#19




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#21
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#22
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Appreciate all the responses so far, I think I like starting threads in this forum more than any other on FT ^
#23




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This is no different than the silly threads about how much to tip. "Tipping isn't expected where I live, so I shouldn't tip elsewhere".
"Lingering" is about the location and the type of restaurant. 15 extra minutes at a diner in Manhattan at lunch is an eternity. Not so at a Michelin 3-4 star on the Continent.
"Lingering" is about the location and the type of restaurant. 15 extra minutes at a diner in Manhattan at lunch is an eternity. Not so at a Michelin 3-4 star on the Continent.
What's a Michelin 4 star, and where can I get a reservation?
#25
Join Date: Oct 2006
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The one I'm seeing with increasing frequency today is the officeless micro-entrepreneur who takes a table, may or may not buy a beverage, spread out papers and gear, meet with others, make lengthy phone calls, sponge free electric power and WiFi and generally parasitize a business hours on end.
#27
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There's more than one thing in that list that is a bit stupid but on the issue here it depends on the restaurant and the situation. If the place isn't busy and there aren't people waiting I might linger a bit.
There's a fine line however. I don't like being rushed or hurried because the manager wants to shove through another seating.
There's a fine line however. I don't like being rushed or hurried because the manager wants to shove through another seating.
#29




Join Date: Sep 2008
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There's a small restaurant in Toronto which encourages the customer to linger. They'll continue to refill your coffee until you explicitly ask for the bill.
#30
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz



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I ran into a college friend this week who I hadn't seen in years. We decided to have breakfast at a local popular breakfast place in the Gold Coast.
Before we knew it, almost 2.5 hours passed. We were definitely lingering, unless you consider numerous coffee refills not lingering. The waitress at no time seemed to rush us or be bothered that we were taking up a table (a 4-top for the two of us).
I left here a 50 percent tip. I think that was fair.
Before we knew it, almost 2.5 hours passed. We were definitely lingering, unless you consider numerous coffee refills not lingering. The waitress at no time seemed to rush us or be bothered that we were taking up a table (a 4-top for the two of us).
I left here a 50 percent tip. I think that was fair.

