Restaurant Service in a Nutshell

What is considered good service in a restaurant? I tell my students that they need to offer good service if they work in a restaurant but I’m not sure I defined what that means. Maybe good service to me might not mean the same for everyone else. I can tell you though that the better the service, the better the tip that I leave is much higher.
My husband and I go out to eat a lot. Probably more than the average person so I think I have seen all types of service. Sometimes there are many things that affect how much I enjoy my visit to a certain restaurant and I think all of these things affect my tip (even though it probably should not).
If you are a host/hostess:
1. I should be acknowledged when I walk in. If they can’t seat me right away, at least let me know that you see me and will seat me shortly.
2. Ask my preference as to a table or a booth.
3. Don’t seat me at a place if there is trash under or around that table.
4. If there are plenty of tables, don’t seat me right next to another occupied table. This may be convenient for the server but not enjoyable for the guest.
5.
If you are a server:
1. Acknowledge that you see me even if you can’t get to me right away.
2. Introduce yourself and act welcoming like you are glad I am there. I don’t like when you make me feel unwelcome or that you are doing me a favor by waiting on me. Without me, you don’t have a job so essentially I’m doing you a favor by being there.
3. Don’t take too long to get my drink order so I can look at the menu while you get my drink. Usually I come in and I’m thirsty.
4. Always make sure that my drink is not empty. Don’t ask me if I need a refill. Just bring me one! If my glass is empty, I need a refill.
5. When you bring my food, check and make sure that everything looks right. Ask me if I need anything else. Don’t just ask these questions and then turn before I can answer. Wait for me to answer.
6. Keep your eye on me every once in awhile to see if I need anything. Don’t ask me every 2 minutes if I need anything because then you are interrupting our conversation which is annoying.
7. Ask me if I’m done before you take away my plates. I do not want you to touch my plates if I am still eating or using the plate.
8. Some people eat faster than others. Don’t bring the check until all of the people are done eating unless someone asks for it. Bringing the check before people are done makes them feel rushed. Rushed people do not leave good tips.
9. Let me know if you take the payment or if I have to go somewhere to pay. I hate having to guess what to do. If I have a question about my bill, offer to check it even if you think I’m wrong. Then go check it because I may be right.
10. Thank me for being there. Invite me to return again (remember, I’m job security! The more customers, the more the business needs to keep you.)
These are my suggestions for good service. Do you have any others to suggest? Please share.
Image: 'untitled'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22729253@N06/5264089141

Looks Aren’t Everything

(Here is my post in its entirety that was on Scheiss Weekly for April Fools Day last week).

Again I am reminded of this saying when I finished knitting the reindeer hat. On paper, the design looked wonderful. During the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, the hat looked great on the US athletes. After seeing this hat, I just had to knit the hat. I mean, really, how hard could it be? Well, I can tell you, that after finishing it, looks aren’t everything. The pattern was nice and fun to do but the finished product was awful. I have told everyone that it is a hideous hat!

How many times in my classroom has this happened? Many.

I have had a student who looked clean cut and angelic but was a terror on wheels. I have also had a student who was constantly dirty, smelled of kerosene (the only way they heated their house), and stunk to high heaven but he was the most thoughtful, caring, and well behaved student in the room. Too many teachers attach stereotypes on their students. Many of my own teachers felt that because I was Asian, I should have been smarter than anyone in the class (which was actually the opposite in reality). Many teachers expect boys to misbehave more than girls and that may be true on the outside, but I believe girls are much sneakier than the boys and misbehave almost as much.

I have seen a lesson that looked great in a book or on the internet that was so interesting. I just knew my students would not only learn something from it but would have fun too. Yet, when I taught the lesson, it was a flop. I’m not sure if it was the mixture of students, their interest in the topic, or whether I was more into the lesson than they were. Maybe it was just the mood everyone was in. Or maybe the lesson just stunk.

How many times has a project seemed really perfect for my class? It had lots of hands on time plus lots of fun activities. Then when it is introduced to the class, they whine about how stupid or complicated it is. They complain that they don’t understand it and I think that it is so easy; I can’t understand why they don’t understand it. I then find it takes even longer than the allotted time given in the plans and we don’t get to see the final results in time before the bell rings. Then there is mass confusion, clean up, and just plain frustration.

I have also taught a lesson that I worried would be boring and too cut-and-dried to motivate the students but felt compelled to teach it anyway. I’m always surprised when this initiates great discussions and interests from the students. Suddenly they are motivated and want to know more. Yet, when I first saw this, it looked boring to me and I just couldn’t see how my students would enjoy this.

I have to be very careful in class on how I present something to my students. If I tell them it is hard and complicated, they will give up immediately without trying. But if I act unsure about how it will be perceived, sometimes they look forward to giving input. Sometimes if I act too excited and thrilled, they want to prove me wrong and sabotage the lesson.

Sometimes looks are not everything in order for a lesson to be successful. It is how it is presented, the interest level of the students and sometimes the moods of both the students and the teacher. I have also seen lessons be great for one class and a flop in another.

So if your lesson flops, don’t be too hard on yourself. There are so many unpredictable variables that there are no guarantees in any lesson. I only hope that the lesson ends on the positive side most of the time, especially if I am being observed by an administrator!

Original image: Reindeer Hat by Pat Hensley

Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).

Judging a Book by Its Cover

I’m sure we all have heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But I find myself doing it anyway. We recently went on a trip to Franconia Notch, NH where finding a place to stay was quite difficult. Most of the hotels were full because it was the weekend so it was slim pickings. I finally found The Hillwinds Lodge that was reasonably priced and we headed to it (20 min. drive) after calling and finding they had 2 rooms left. It looked pretty rustic and isolated when we saw it so we drove past it in order to discuss our options. Finally we decided we didn’t have many options other than to stop or drive for hours further and we still might not find any place. So, we decided to give this place a try. When we drove up, I noticed well kept flower beds with beautiful assortments of flowers everywhere. The owner of the motel checked us in and he was a delight to talk to. Our room was huge and clean. I really like the smaller “mom and pop” type motels rather than the big chains. They seem more personal and homey. Usually the owners make you feel more appreciated and welcome. I’m so glad that we chose to stay there because we had a wonderful visit with the owner after we checked in and decided this really wasn’t as rustic and isolated as we first thought.

This whole experience made me wonder if I do the same thing with my students. When they arrive in my classroom, do I look at what they are wearing or how clean they look? Am I looking at their body piercing and their mannerisms? Am I judging them from what another teacher has told me? Isn’t this the same as judging a book by reading someone else’s review? Sure, it might be helpful but sometimes I have to read the book in order to find out whether I agree with the review or not.

I have found that sometimes the best dressed student with seemingly great manners and looks can be the biggest hellion on earth. Sometimes this student can be sneaky and hope that his manners and looks will distract you from his true self. Sometimes this student comes from an affluent family who tends to defend their child no matter what he has done and no matter if he is wrong. When I get a student like this, I sometimes find he can be a spoiled child who always has to have his way. And then sometimes, this student is nothing like the above and can be the best student in the classroom. He might come from a family who cares about how he is dressed and acts in order to make the best impression on others. His family may expect him to act appropriately and do the right things. I sometimes find parents of this type of student can be extremely supportive and encouraging to the student and to me, as the teacher. They understand the value of education and want me to teach their child the best that I can.

I have also taught the student that other teachers do not seem to appreciate. This is the student in torn and possibly dirty clothing. He might be in desperate need of a haircut and has grease under his fingernails. He is what my fellow teachers might call a “redneck.” His manners may be a little on the rough side and speaking to him might cause you to wince a little because he doesn’t speak “proper English.” Now I’ve taught students like this who could make you want to run out of the room screaming. This student and his parents do not seem to understand the value of an education and he is only there because the law requires him to be there. I’ve called home about behavior only to be told that they can’t control him either. On the other hand I have had students like this who symbolize hard work and honesty. The clothes and the dirt show that this student works hard along with his family to survive life. I’ve had parents of this student who do not tolerate disrespect, dishonesty, or laziness. This student may have been hardest working student I’ve ever had and I find I can depend on him more than any other student. When he accomplishes something, we all feel exhilarated at his success.

Both of these examples show that if I judged the student from the outside, I could have wasted a valuable opportunity. I needed to find out more about the student beyond looks and manners in order to find the real student. If I don’t take the time to understand the student better, I will be wasting my time and possibly spinning my wheels. Once I find out what the student is really like, I may be able to make a positive change in their life and then it is a win-win situation. It is so important to look beyond the student in order to help him be successful in the real world.

Original image: 'My name is Bubba' http://www.flickr.com/photos/39994681@N00/269610992 by: ann blair