as the topic says. I've been thinking about making a sign that says to pay up front as it's been a real hassle trying to read when a customer is ready to go. At first I just let customers signal me or come up, but that didn't work out. So I tried bringing the tab to them and that's still not as convinent. So I'd like it if you guys can voice your opinion about this.
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GAF restaurant goers! Need your opinion about tabs. Up front or at your table?
- Thread starter kiryogi
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kiryogi said:as the topic says. I've been thinking about making a sign that says to pay up front as it's been a real hassle trying to read when a customers ready. At first I just let customers signal me or come up, but that didn't work out. So I tried bringing the tab to them and that's still not as convinent. So I'd like if you guys can voice your opinion about this.
Huh? I usually give the bardender my credit card when starting a tab.
Foreign Jackass
Member
I love to just get up and go pay. I hate waiting for the dumbass waiter to look my way.
Tommie Hu$tle
Member
Basically tell them to enjoy lunch/dinner/happy hour and that you will be out and about serving other patrons but don't hesitate to let you know when they are ready for the tab.
For me it doesn't matter to me if the server gives me the tab with the meal. I'm leaving when I get ready and heck for me most times I'd perfer the tab with the meal so I can pay and leave. But, I'd wait for them to beckon me as if you are looking for a sign. I'm sure you know the average time for someone to sit at a table so use that as your baseline.
For me it doesn't matter to me if the server gives me the tab with the meal. I'm leaving when I get ready and heck for me most times I'd perfer the tab with the meal so I can pay and leave. But, I'd wait for them to beckon me as if you are looking for a sign. I'm sure you know the average time for someone to sit at a table so use that as your baseline.
My girlfriend, who moved here from Germany several years ago, told me that in some German restaurants, there was a system with two small flags on the end of the table: one flag to be put up when you were ready to order, and the other when you were ready to pay. This eliminates having to wait for the waiter to notice you (well, he/she still does, but it's an easily-noticable sign) while keeping the convenience of the tab at the table. It's a really good idea, IMO, and I'd like to see some restaurants in America try it out.
xsarien said:I think we should get Folder's opinion on the matter.
:lol
Foreign Jackass
Member
Went to Germany, ate in about 20 different restaurants. Never saw that. But still, a good idea.human5892 said:My girlfriend, who moved here from Germany several years ago, told me that in some German restaurants, there was a system with two small flags on the end of the table: one flag to be put up when you were ready to order, and the other when you were ready to pay. This eliminates having to wait for the waiter to notice you (well, he/she still does, but it's an easily-noticable sign) while keeping the convenience of the tab at the table. It's a really good idea, IMO, and I'd like to see some restaurants in America try it out.
captmcblack
Member
xsarien said:I think we should get Folder's opinion on the matter.
:lol :lol :lol
Well, she hasn't lived there in about 15 years, so maybe it's an older thing. I'm not sure what region she hails from.Foreign Jackass said:Went to Germany, ate in about 20 different restaurants. Never saw that. But still, a good idea.
kiryogi: I think she said the flags were two different colors. I can ask her if there's any other details about it when I see her later.
human5892 said:Well, she hasn't lived there in about 15 years, so maybe it's an older thing. I'm not sure what region she hails from.
kiryogi: I think she said the flags were two different colors. I can ask her if there's any other details about it when I see her later.
About the part about leaving the tab, were they expected to take it up front? Or did the waiter just wait on the money?
WasabiKing
Member
It really just depends on where I go. There's one fancy joint that prefers for you to bring up the bill, since they don't want to interrupt you. But most of the time, I flag the server down.
I think she said it was taken up front -- that way there was no need for a third flag to indicate that the waiter needed to come back and actually take your money.kiryogi said:About the part about leaving the tab, were they expected to take it up front? Or did the waiter just wait on the money?
robertsan21
Member
i eat out alot and i have found that this is the best way to not annoy customers:
i usually tell the waiter to give me the tab, the waiter leaves me with it and then i pay it and i put it on the table and i usually leave a tip for him and then i leave the resturant.
thats what i like when i go to resturants!
i hate it when i have to pay at the counter
i usually tell the waiter to give me the tab, the waiter leaves me with it and then i pay it and i put it on the table and i usually leave a tip for him and then i leave the resturant.
thats what i like when i go to resturants!
i hate it when i have to pay at the counter
Well, the only trouble with this method is if you are using a credit/debit card or need change -- then you have to wait for the waiter to bring the tab, after which he usually quickly runs away before you have the chance to just pay it right then and there, and then wait again for him to come back and take your card/cash, and then wait some more for him to return from running the statement or getting your change. Sometimes just taking it to the counter can save a whole lot of time.robertsan21 said:i eat out alot and i have found that this is the best way to not annoy customers:
i usually tell the waiter to give me the tab, the waiter leaves me with it and then i pay it and i put it on the table and i usually leave a tip for him and then i leave the resturant.
thats what i like when i go to resturants!
i hate it when i have to pay at the counter
robertsan21
Member
human5892 said:Well, the only trouble with this method is if you are using a credit/debit card or need change -- then you have to wait for the waiter to bring the tab, after which he usually quickly runs away before you have the chance to just pay it right then and there, and then wait again for him to come back and take your card/cash, and then wait some more for him to return from running the statement or getting your change. Sometimes just taking it to the counter can save a whole lot of time.
yes if you use a CC then i usually just go up to the cashier
but if i pay with cash i just leave the money on the table while the waiter is doing someting else cause they always leave after they bring your the tab, so i leave the money on the table and leave before he can check if i paid or not, at a high quality resturant thats how they do it, they trust the clients wich i appreciate alot.
I like the Japanese style the bill is always on the table in a little holder. If you want something else they just keep adding to it. When your ready to roll you just pick it and pay. After a year there you realise how shit our service industry is in North America. Places in Europe have good service but you can be waiting for days to get the bill.
That's a good idea.darscot said:I like the Japanese style the bill is always on the table in a little holder. If you want something else they just keep adding to it. When your ready to roll you just pick it and pay.
And robertsan, I agree -- if you have cash and you don't need change just leaving it on the table is always the way to go.
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