AMLinington Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 Higher end restaurants tend to be managed better. I don't believe it's down to the inefficacy of "young people", service attitudes are the responsibility of the management. If they are failing, then the inexperienced staff stand no chance. A good Maître d' will marshall even inexperienced staff to provide good, attentive but not overbearing service. Would you expect to find one in Pizza Express - probably not. People want good food, cheap. The easiest way to achieve that is to cut costs on front of house - not just the waits are inexperienced but the management too. Are youth really lacking basic values or are you just getting what you pay for? That's a good point although you do see good service from some young people, and in certain restaurants, where tips are paid on a per-person basis (rather than all put in a pot and divided up), there is incentive for a waitperson to encourage generosity by giving good service. Although I have to question now whether or not many young people even know HOW to give good service. You are right in saying that good service is the responsibility of the management, and you are right that you get what you pay for, but staff turnover in chain restaurants is so high that tbh quality and customer service is probably not high on the agenda when recruitment is taking place. It's all about the money now.
CAM Posted January 7, 2013 Posted January 7, 2013 If you like! It's bad etiquette to deliver a bill without a customer asking for it. It's like saying "leave us, now!". Front of House also can't guess who (of a group (>1)) should be presented with the bill. Giving it to the wrong person can lead to trouble (Mr doesn't want Miss to see it etc). I don't think I've ever just been presented with a bill without asking for it, nor would I expect to. It's probably one of the first phrases I learn in a new language - "Can I have bill please". Ask indirectly. "Is everything OK? Anyone like some coffee?" "Oh no, we are fine, can I have the bill though please?"
jamesfed Posted January 16, 2013 Author Posted January 16, 2013 Well the story evolves - I did email Pizza Express in the end and a day or so after...... the Reading General Manager calls me up to say sorry, mentions he has noticed the same and will be speaking to staff and would like to offer me a meal on the house The only thing is...will things change
Edu-IT Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) Well at least its not just me I may have to send them an email (and link to this article if that's ok by everyone) - not that I expect a response but hey! You will get one. I complained about a Pizza Express in London, one of the busier ones too, and was suprised to have an email from an area manager, a call from the actual store manager and then a further email offering me a free meal to try and make up for the mistakes they made. I've complained about a few places recently, and they've all given me a free meal. I have never done it for that though really although given that I often pay a lot in these places I do expect good service. But if you don't speak out, they don't know, and I genuinely think they've listened to what I have said. I tend to hit them where it hurts. Twitter. Edit: Ah, we were writing at same time. Glad to see you got it sorted. Edited January 16, 2013 by Edu-IT
witch Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 The problem with the British is that we won't complain. I have been with people who have moaned and moaned about the quality of the food/service and when the waiter comes over to ask if everything is OK, they blithly say "Yes, lovely thanks" If you don't complain, they won't know and it won't improve. As long as you are complaining quietly and politely about a genuine issue, no decent restaurant will ever be unhappy.
pcstru Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 The problem with the British is that we won't complain. ... which (or witch) the British complain endlessly about!
hardtailstar Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 I went to a restruant recently and the whole service and food was terrible, food was either not cooked or cold. We complained and they just said 'oh sorry for that would you like some pudding?' my friend just errupted at them! some people even left as they came in. another trend I cant stand is getting your own free refills for soft drinks when you have table service.
Gibbo Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 The problem with the British is that we won't complain. I have been with people who have moaned and moaned about the quality of the food/service and when the waiter comes over to ask if everything is OK, they blithly say "Yes, lovely thanks" But they'll scuttle off home and then moan about it on Trip Advisor or an internet forum!
LiamH Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Service around by me in normally good, but we do lean towards Indian restaurants where they usually have a higher amount of staff. When it comes to big group meals, we try go to a buffet, removed the complications from taking orders and splitting bills. waiters/waitress's don't get moaned at? I'm in the wrong job!
twin--turbo Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Well doing 2for1 at Pizza Express on Orange tonight... See how it goes. Rob
Edu-IT Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 But they'll scuttle off home and then moan about it on Trip Advisor or an internet forum! Oh I love a good moan! At the end of the day these restaurants aren't usually cheap. If I'm paying £12 for a pizza, it needs to be a good experience.
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