Who doesn't love to go out to restaurants? They are convenient. They have wonderful atmospheres. Best of all, you don't have to do the cooking.
Usually I go out with friends so I can have someone to talk to while I'm digesting my dinner. There are just some times when I want to treat myself and everyone else has plans and can't go.
Since I am the type of person who will go to a movie by myself, I will usually just go out to eat by myself.
Unfortunately there is one common thing that usually ruins my dining experience. It seems that waiters don't think you're worth the time if you're there by yourself.
This summer I had an exceptionally hard day at work so I decided to go out to eat at my favorite restaurant. It was a little early for dinner and there were not that many people in the restaurant, so I thought, "cool this won't take long."
I sat down and waited for the waiter to come. Actually I was impressed to start with -- it didn't take him long to come to the table. Unfortunately, he wanted to take my meal order immediately. I told him I needed a couple more minutes.
My "couple more minutes" turned into 20 minutes. Finally he came back. I should have probably said something but I have had a couple friends who were waiters and I didn't want to come across as a bitchy customer. I gave him my order. I wasn't anything fancy, just a hamburger and fries. He went away with my order and the wait began again.
This time it took about 40 minutes before another waitress came by and asked me if I had been waited on. I was so upset that I poured out how long I waited to order and how long it has been taking for my food.
I was starving. She went to the back and promptly came out with my food. She said it had been sitting back there. The food wasn't cold, but it sure wasn't hot either. I ate my meal and paid my check and left.
A tip....I don't think so. I vowed never to eat there by myself again.
I hope that all restaurants don't adopt this practice of ignoring their single customers. Remember, they are paying customers too. As a matter a fact, one of my friends who was a waiter received his largest tip from a customer that was there by himself. It was a $50 tip.
So, for all those waiters out there, don't ignore your single customers. And for all those customers dining solo, refuse to be ignored!
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