Should a server sit at your table?
 

I had lunch at Logans Roadhouse today. It was my server's first day on the job and it wasn't going well. When she came to the table to take an order, she sat in one of the two empty seats. It felt odd, like her previous job had been in a strip club. Anyone else experience this?

That's unprofessional and I wouldn't like it, but then again I guess it could depend on the restaurant. Even my friends that have been servers never sat down to take our orders-it just looks bad IMO.

Was she hot? If so, who cares!;)

Did she recognize you? Did you recognize her? :D

I kind of like it if she takes the time to sit and chat, especially if it's not about my order.

I'll invite 'em to have a seat when they're rattling off a long list of specials! Really surprises them! Some do, some don't; but all get a really big smile on their face.....and the service throughout the rest of the meal is outstanding! ;)

I won't be complaining if she was a looker :D

I recall some of the waitresses at Hooters does that all the time... it seems so.... personable :cool: I'd like to help them take a break from all that walkin' in those tight outfits :p

Yeah, it happened to me once at an Applebee's or something like that ... it was initially a little confusing, but there were empty chairs so it didn't really matter in the end. At least she got to take a load off for a minute. :)

An old co-worker who used to work at Outback said that it was required at that time. Doesn't bother me if it's a table but a booth is a little awkward.

It's a bit 1981. Came from the same era that introduced "Hi, my name is *** and I'll be your server."

This is something I notice when travelling to the US in particular. Is there a point of pride about memorising the specials? I can never keep track of them, and would much rather have them written down or chalked up somewhere...

To the OP, I would find it odd, but not particularly objectionable.

Logan's is a casual steak chain. The server was young and attractive. I did not object. It simply felt strange, almost a come-on. She sat next to my co-worker. I'll have to ask his opinion.

I don't think it's a huge faux-pas, but I think it's something that should be avoided.

However, there is one situation where I am fully behind the waiter/waitress sitting down at the table - when there's a group of people who all want seperate checks and he or she has to work out by hand how much everybody owes.

Haven't been to Outback in a while, but I do recall this happening there several times. Since they tended to hire young attractive ladies at the Outback I used to frequent, I kind of enjoyed the booth crashers as well.