Quite Rightly, Waiting Impolitely Is Unsightly
(The restaurant is very busy, so food wait time is longer than usual.)
Table #1: “When is our food coming out? This is ridiculous; we’ve been waiting twenty minutes!”
Me: “I’m sorry, ma’am. We are very busy right now, but I’ll be bringing out your food very shortly.”
Table #1: “Well, I hope so! You’re the worst server we’ve ever had!”
Me: “I’m sorry you feel that way. Like I said, it’ll be out shortly.”
(I move to another table.)
Me: “I’m really sorry about the wait, I’ve checked on your food and it will be out shortly. I’m so sorry. I realize you’ve been waiting 40 minutes.”
Table #2: “That’s not a problem at all… Don’t worry about it.”
Me: “I’d like to offer you your meals on the house, and thank you again for your patience.”
Table #1: *overhearing* “How come WE don’t get our meals on the house?”
Table #2: *to [Table #1]* “Because WE’VE been waiting POLITELY!”
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