[If you want impeccable manners by the staff and a quiet atmosphere.....I would suggest a more upperclass establishment that promotes fine dining. Applebee’s ain’t there yet. :) I just wanted to be treated like something more than a subhuman species.]
There’s nothing wrong with that. I am just amazed by how many people think being “outgoing” and “gregarious” make somebody a good candidate for food service. I’m not looking to make friends with everybody I come in contact with, so if they are hovering and ask me if I need anything every time they pass by, I’m actually pretty pissed off by the time I leave.
And I think it has more to do with the individual server than the restaurant as a whole. I frequent Olive Garden, and the range of behaviour of the staff is amazing. Some you never see or hear until they magically appear just when you need them, and others are overly solicitous or never around when you need something. I consider this to be the difference between people that are making a career out of it and people that just couldn’t find a “better” job. I tip accordingly, in the hopes of keeping the professionals and discouraging the louts.
I had to laugh when I read that. I remember being on a date at a very nice restaurant a few years ago. My date suggested this place because of the nice quiet atmosphere, great food and piano bar. Unfortunately, we couldn't get two sentences out between us without the server butting in to ask "is everything okay"? *chuckle*
I think the server was really new and didn't know any better. My date finally told him... "Son, if people need something.... they'll try to get your attention by making eye contact, nodding or lifting a finger in your general direction". The guy was really embarrassed but made himself scarce. My date was so frustrated he could barely talk afterward. I got tickled which made him even more furious. (I have a warped sense of humor)
Anyway.... if someone isn't being intentionally obnoxious... which is what I found in NYC... I'm pretty easy going about stuff.