Am I the only one?
 

I have a huge pet peeve eating out......it is putting my check on the table before I am finished eating or just finished. What happen to" asking if you would like anything else"? If not, THEN bringing your check to you. This seems to be a Fla thing. I never had this happen in NY/NJ. I find this totally rude. At times, I have asked "I didn't know I was leaving yet" they give me a startled look. It happens in every establishment from chains to upscale restaurants. Their motto: eating quickly, move out, leave a huge tip.

We find it just the opposite; excellent service, refills, asking if anything is needed and then when we are finished, poof. They disappear.

I wouldn't be annoyed if they put the check down before I am finished. But that is just me.

not a fan either i always want an after dinner coffee

A lot of times I have to ask for the the check. Depends on where you go. Seniors are not noted (so Server's tell me) for huge tips!

you got a startled look because we here in florida dont talk to people that are serving us with mean sarcasm!

:agree: This also happens occasionally in the Chicago area. I haven't noticed it a lot when I have eaten out in TV. A good server should ask if you would like anything else before giving you the check. I know they want to turn over tables, but I don't like to be hustled out the door, especially if I am eating out with someone I haven't seen in a while.

I'm with GG. My experience is they disappear near the end of the meal and leave you with nothing to drink and wondering if they will ever come back so you can get your check. It is almost standard service rather than an occasional annoyance anymore.

LB, I don't like that either and have just recently noticed it happening more and more. My BIG pet peeve is when they start clearing the table before everyone is done eating and this seems to be acceptable even at the higher end restaurants. If I'm not finished and believe me, I am not a slow eater, I feel like I either have to shovel my food in quickly or just quit eating.

I agree. In fact, I would RATHER have the check early! That way we are not waiting around for the server to bring the check when we are ready. IF we wanted something they we have found they ask first and if we say no, they leave the check. We than put the payment in the book when done and leave, or if need change, they come and pick it up. Seems less hassle that way to us. I haven't taken it as hurry and get out.

I haven't noticed that problem here in TV restaurants. The servers usually ask if we want something else before giving us the check.

Servers now clean tables where in the past they had busboys. It is all about efficiency and economics. In some of the "high end" restaurants they still have busboys but becoming a thing of the past. The Server's are trained to be more efficient, especially the chains, and for the most part are under paid. In my opinion, if they do a good job they deserve respect and a good tip. I have heard customers in TV treat Servers like second class people and that is a big peeve of mine.

i think we have experienced both ends of the scale here in the villages. I have observed that the better the food, the better the service...maybe that's just pride at work....

MY pet peeve with the servers is, when you hand them money with the bill and they ask if you want change! Just bring the change and I will leave the appropriate tip. If I have it all together when they pick it up from me, I will tell them "its ok,no change needed" But dont ask me if I want change!!!!

a lot of the servers say the more pc "I'll be right back with your change" giving you the option to say ok or no.

We've had this happen everywhere from time to time, even in NY/NJ. No big deal. If we decide we want something else we tell them and they re-do the check. I never thought much about it.

I dis-like when they don't leave the check right away. My pet peeve is finishing my meal and then having to wait around for the server to give me the check. i would rather have the freedom to leave when I'm ready, not when the server decides to leave the check

I don't feel rushed at all if I am given the check before I'm finished..I like that better than waiting for the check or looking for the wait person to bring it to me. I think sometimes we can be overly sensitive...The thing that does bug me is the way a lot of the servers are coming by the table and instead of asking if I need anything they will ask "Is everything still delicious?" or "Is everything still good?"...are they afraid that something will change? That the food was initially good but suddenly became spoiled? It just seems like this has become more and more common.

I agree, and I find that even with the check on the table, I can still get more if I want it, and they will modify and reprint the check.

Tipping has been discussed before -- no matter what location I am in the U.S. I leave 20% (round up to the next dollar) unless the service is not good. My father (who does not live in TV) will leave $2 for a $35 meal for the two of us. When I put $5 more on the table, he asks me what I am doing. I tell him "I can't leave a $2 tip for a $35 meal." He doesn't believe in leaving more than a $2 or $3 dollar tip no matter what the cost of the check is. So to avoid more arguments with him I now just pay the bill with a credit card and put the 20% tip on the credit card that way he does not need to know how much tip I have left.

Does this mean that all of us here in the Villages must adopt "Jersey" rules in order to comply with "Jersey" standards??? Think you are a little too critical especially for your first post.

Id rather have it as soon as they take our order,sometimes it takes forever for them to get back 2 u..:MOJE_whot:

Cuts down on the folks that like to sit and chat for long periods of time after finishing their meals, read books, newspapers etc.... while there are folks waiting to be seated... That is rude to me... If you're done...get up and go outside to conversate!!!!

We've had the "leaving the check early" thing happen to us on occasion as well. I personally don't have a problem with it...................as long as the server continues to check back with us re: drink refills, dessert, etc. If they drop the check off early and then vaporize, then that's an issue.

Some servers will leave the check early and say something like: "I'll leave this now if that's alright. I know some diners are on a schedule and might want the leave soon after they're finished with their meal. I'll continue to check back with you." To me, that works well.

Bill :)

Both ways
 

We have had both experiences when we eat out. Sometimes we have to wait for the check and other times the servers kinda throws the check on the table when passing and we stop them and say wait...we wanted coffee and dessert. So it works in both directions. Most of the time the servers are very pleasant.

I haven't ever had a server who wasn't pleasant here. There is a high place in heaven for those folks who put up with so many grumps and undertippers as I have seen here in Lower Paradise..

Some folks that otherwise are wonderful are demanding and impatient with people who bring their food.

I have MANY other faults, but I try to remember it isn't the easiest job but they are working and often supporting a family. Work is good. I am very big on work.

(That COULD be political);)

As an aside here, when we visited Mexico, our guide advised us that waiters (we never had a waitress) would never bring a check until we asked for it. That was considered rude. We were guests in the restaurant and were welcome to stay as along as we wished. Different culture, but charming.

Putting the check on the table and having the server say, "I will take that when you are ready - but there is no rush." is what I usually hear. If I do want to CONVERSE with my friends at the table (conversate may be a word but...) I will do so for a few minutes. I pay the check, have the last sips of coffee, and we leave.

Why get offended if the server puts the check on the table?

Totally agree, it puts you THE CUSTOMER in control of when you get up and leave.

My Grandson was a waiter in college and said it was ok to "conversate" if you leave a bigger tip. :bigbow: Actually I like that word.:coolsmiley:

:agree: Ditto for me! And if you can't find them to get your check, just get up and walk to the check out register and tell them. They'll find your check in a hurry! :laugh: In the scheme of things, it's not a big deal either way. There are much more important things to get stressed or annoyed about.

If this little thing stress you out, round-a-bouts and cart drivers must give you heart failure. Lighten up, enjoy life, you are retired, right????????????

This Post is over 6 mos. old...
 

This post is from Aug. 2012 and the OP has not been back....
I'm thinking it is because GG didn't say "WELCOME to TOTV"
Any other guesses? :1rotfl:

It is a cultural thing as well.
If you go to Europe, the check is not brought until one asks.
Here in the USA if you go to a French or Cuban or Spanish ( not Mexican since they are too Americanized) restaurant, service is slower because culturally they want you to savor the experience.
I am bi cultural so at timrs i like having the check quickly and other times, i feel we are being rushed; depends on the mood!