few from me

when i order hot tea and they dont ask about or bring milk/creamers

almost empty place and they bring in a noisey family with kids and seat them next to folk enjoying a quiet meal

and i went to this place once and the server blurted out how about 2 glasses of xyz and some xxx to start with ...erm how about no

Indeed, but I think restaurants do that to consolidate the area that needs to be looked after. Of course, it's a double-edged sword, as if the variable is too loud/meddlesome other customers may complain/not eat there in the first place, whoops!

yeah i understand they need use one section , but surley when its slow leave a gap between customers , shouldnt be hard to know a couple might not want to sit next to a family with 4 rowdy kids

At lunch today friend was telling me about a bad experience he had Friday night. Took a group of 8 out and they were given a booth meant or 6. When they complained, the response was the booth fits 8 - "see that group fits." Of course they do, there's 6 kids in that group.

"Can we sit at the table across the aisle that's meant for 8." No, that section's closed, so no waiter.

So they ask for the manager. Manager repeats, that section's closed. Why can't the waiter just serve this table? Because I'm about to seat another group at that table. But I thought you just told me that section's closed.

So they got to sit at the table.

When they were getting ready to leave, they saw the hostess bring a group of 10 to that original table for 6, and flee before that group could protest.


Restaurant was the same one I mentioned above.

Exactly. I have asked to be moved in such circumstances, and on the rare occasion when I am offered resistance by the server, maitre 'd or manager, I have said, "Fine, then we'll be leaving." I should note, too, that we only go to restaurants where such nuisances are neither expected nor should be tolerated. In a so-called "family restaurant," this would be the luck of the draw. However, we avoid such establishments like plague.

When bartenders grab their smartphone every 30 seconds to text their bf/gf (or anyone for that matter).

Why oh why must waiters drop lemon slices directly into water glasses unless you've specifically asked for lemon?

Can't stand lemon in most drinks and once again had to ask for a new glass of water after the waiter dropped the slice directly in the water.

If you are going to offer up a substitute wine because the you no longer hate the one I ordered, tell me how much the other bottle is.
If you do suggest a substitute, don't offer up a bottle that cost significantly more than the one I ordered.

Yes -- I have no problem telling them (politely, of course) where I'm going to sit instead of just taking whatever they want to give me.

Or worse - cucumber!

Basically anything. Ask before dropping it directly into the drink.

Bartender style? Better tips?

What else can you do to a drink as a bartender for extra bucks?

Searched and couldn't find a thread. Self-explanatory, I think. A few minor irritants:

1. Restaurants that don't honor their posted prices. Happened to me yesterday after I ordered. Cashier: "Sorry, prices have gone up (20%) this week and we haven't replaced the board yet." Me: "Wonderful. Have a good day."

2. Rushed to turn over a table after ordering the full tasting menu with wine pairings (Zuma Dubai).

3. Parents that don't control their children in restaurants (flame away).

4. Being overcharged for drinks

Servers who hold your water glass by the rim while filling it -- "thanks -- can I have a straw please?"

Suggested tips based on the total price of the meal including tax.

When a restaurant is not very crowded I don't want a table right next to another group of people, and it's tiresome to be offered the less-desireable tables first.

No kidding. I felt like I was on intimate terms with the couple next to me at Simpsons after dining. So close that there was no way to tune any of the conversation out, and they weren't even talking loudly.