Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > DiningBuzz
Reload this Page >

Should a server sit at your table?

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Should a server sit at your table?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 7:14 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Nights
20 Countries Visited
500k
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 31,404
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?
BamaVol is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 7:33 pm
  #2  
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Del Mar, CA
Programs: Skymiles, AMEX, Bonvoy, IHG Plat, Alaska MVP 100K
Posts: 600
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.
delmargal is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 7:50 pm
  #3  
20 Countries Visited
1M
100 Nights
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: STL, MO-US and A , SWA A-List, Marriott LTTE, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,891
Originally Posted by BamaVol
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?
Was she hot? If so, who cares!
ALARISstl is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 7:51 pm
  #4  
2M
50 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS Titanium, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,587
Originally Posted by BamaVol
It felt odd, like her previous job had been in a strip club. Anyone else experience this?
Did she recognize you? Did you recognize her?
Fredd is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 7:54 pm
  #5  
10 Countries Visited20 Countries Visited30 Countries Visited20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: AC.SE
Posts: 2,584
I kind of like it if she takes the time to sit and chat, especially if it's not about my order.
ylwae is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 9:08 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Lahaina, Hawai'i
Programs: HA Pua. Platinum WP, PR, QF, UA, AA, DL, NW Prince Preferred
Posts: 4,786
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!
kaukau is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 10:13 pm
  #7  
1M
40 Countries Visited
80 Nights
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 4,270
Originally Posted by ALARISstl
Was she hot? If so, who cares!
I won't be complaining if she was a looker

I recall some of the waitresses at Hooters does that all the time... it seems so.... personable I'd like to help them take a break from all that walkin' in those tight outfits
luv2ctheworld is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 10:31 pm
  #8  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
500k
Community Builder
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Back to UA, missing DL; Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,270
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.
silverthief2 is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 10:44 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DEN
Programs: United, Marriott, Choice, Avis, Hertz
Posts: 271
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.
zdave is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2007 | 11:13 pm
  #10  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
40 Countries Visited
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PDX
Programs: On a collision course with Kettledom
Posts: 25,550
It's a bit 1981. Came from the same era that introduced "Hi, my name is *** and I'll be your server."
opus17 is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2007 | 12:53 am
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
If it is a neighborhood pub with sawdust on the floor or where the servers wear red and white plaid, then it is okay, but I kind of think that they should ask first, because it is kind of your space, right? But if it is not a neighborhood kind of a place or if it is more upscale, then I would say definitely not!
USirritated is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2007 | 5:13 am
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
500k
50 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 13,675
Originally Posted by kaukau
I'll invite 'em to have a seat when they're rattling off a long list of specials!
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.
stut is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2007 | 5:40 am
  #13  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Nights
20 Countries Visited
500k
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 31,404
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.
BamaVol is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2007 | 5:47 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CGK
Programs: LH SEN (LH*G), HH Diamond, AB Gold (1W Saph)
Posts: 5,677
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.
alex0683de is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2007 | 6:26 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: No More Loyalty
Posts: 608
Originally Posted by zdave
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.
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.
Sirecca is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.