Originally Posted by wendyquat (Post 1074119)

I've waited several hours to "cool off" about our experience at EP last night but feel it is an experience to share! Last year we purchased a "Buffalo Discount Card" from The Villagers cheerleaders. We weren't sure we'd use it much but thought it was a good cause to support. It offers discounts from participating restaurants and merchants for anything from free appetizer or dessert to a percentage off your bill. We have saved many times over the $10 charge for the card and it has always been enthusiastically accepted! Last night we mad e our second trip to Evans Prairie for dinner. We were sat promptly and our waiter, John, came to the table quickly with two waters. No greeting, just abruptly said, what can I get you to drink. I ordered Pinot noir and my hubby said he'd stick with the water. When he brought the wine, he said, again very abrupt, do you know what you want to eat? We ordered right away requesting our menu choices with no substitutions. He returned to our table once to ask, is your food ok and then to refill our water. We had the Buffalo card lying on the table but I tapped it and he acknowledged with a nod of his head that he saw it. When he brought the check I noticed that it did not show the 10% discount stated on the card. When I asked him about it he turned very antagonistic and muttered that the discount would be taken at the end! WHAT END? We normally pay cash, add a 20% tip and leave. When I asked him about it he snatched the check out of my hand and said he'd have to find the manager. He walked over to the manager and said something. They both shook their heads and marched back by our table to what was apparently the place where checks are created. John actually came back, slammed the adjusted check on our table without a word and the manager went off in another direction. We were stunned to say the least, paid the check and left. I wish now that I had put the manager on notice but I could tell he was disgusted with the whole thing. We eat out many times a week and, having had restaurant and serving experience, we are the first to know that everyone can have a bad day but I have NEVER had such an unprovoked altercation at a restaurant, certainly not in The Villages. If this discount that they agreed to via the Buffalo card is going to break them, perhaps they should explain it to customer rather than handling it in the way that they did! Thankfully there are many alternatives for us here!

Originally Posted by justjim (Post 1074498)

After reading many restaurant threads the past three years, I am absolutely convinced that there are several restaurant managers and servers that could use additional training on how to deal with the public. I am also aware that "we Village seniors" can be a "tough crowd" to deal with!

In come cases perhaps our expectations are too high given the price we want to pay and the service we expect.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1074508)

Attitude is everything - I mean the attitude of the customers. I have seen some people be very tough on the waitstaff in The Villages for no apparent reason other than they felt entitled to do so. I have seen people ask for free stuff and then throw a hissy fit when the waitperson couldn't meet their demands. This sort of behavior will "wear down" the waitstaff and management, they are only human. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If you have an issue by all means talk to the management about it but pay attention to your language and attitude. I am not trying to lecture anyone here, just some friendly, well meaning advice. There are two groups of people I go out of my way to be nice to: flight attendants and waitstaff. They have very tough jobs and are in the trenches all day long.

Originally Posted by gerryann (Post 1074551)

In my opinion....this is very true. IF I had to pick one thing that I don't like about living in a "over 55" community, it is seeing the way seniors treat wait staff. They treat wait staff as if they are below them......which they aren't!!
Pay attention!!! Say thank you when you are seated, say thank you when your beverage and food are delivered. Speak to them using their name. Treat then the same as you expect to be treated.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1074508)

Attitude is everything - I mean the attitude of the customers. I have seen some people be very tough on the waitstaff in The Villages for no apparent reason other than they felt entitled to do so. I have seen people ask for free stuff and then throw a hissy fit when the waitperson couldn't meet their demands. This sort of behavior will "wear down" the waitstaff and management, they are only human. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If you have an issue by all means talk to the management about it but pay attention to your language and attitude. I am not trying to lecture anyone here, just some friendly, well meaning advice. There are two groups of people I go out of my way to be nice to: flight attendants and waitstaff. They have very tough jobs and are in the trenches all day long.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1074508)

attitude is everything - i mean the attitude of the customers. i have seen some people be very tough on the waitstaff in the villages for no apparent reason other than they felt entitled to do so. I have seen people ask for free stuff and then throw a hissy fit when the waitperson couldn't meet their demands. This sort of behavior will "wear down" the waitstaff and management, they are only human. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If you have an issue by all means talk to the management about it but pay attention to your language and attitude. I am not trying to lecture anyone here, just some friendly, well meaning advice. There are two groups of people i go out of my way to be nice to: Flight attendants and waitstaff. They have very tough jobs and are in the trenches all day long.

Originally Posted by biker1 (Post 1074508)

Attitude is everything - I mean the attitude of the customers. I have seen some people be very tough on the waitstaff in The Villages for no apparent reason other than they felt entitled to do so. I have seen people ask for free stuff and then throw a hissy fit when the waitperson couldn't meet their demands. This sort of behavior will "wear down" the waitstaff and management, they are only human. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If you have an issue by all means talk to the management about it but pay attention to your language and attitude. I am not trying to lecture anyone here, just some friendly, well meaning advice. There are two groups of people I go out of my way to be nice to: flight attendants and waitstaff. They have very tough jobs and are in the trenches all day long.

Originally Posted by gerryann (Post 1074551)

In my opinion....this is very true. IF I had to pick one thing that I don't like about living in a "over 55" community, it is seeing the way seniors treat wait staff. They treat wait staff as if they are below them......which they aren't!!
Pay attention!!! Say thank you when you are seated, say thank you when your beverage and food are delivered. Speak to them using their name. Treat then the same as you expect to be treated.

Originally Posted by wendyquat (Post 1074740)

WOW, how many lashes? You guys really get defensive when someone finds fault with your favorite restaurant! Maybe this should be moved to the political forum! Bahaha!��

Originally Posted by wendyquat (Post 1074119)

I've waited several hours to "cool off" about our experience at EP last night but feel it is an experience to share! Last year we purchased a "Buffalo Discount Card" from The Villagers cheerleaders. We weren't sure we'd use it much but thought it was a good cause to support. It offers discounts from participating restaurants and merchants for anything from free appetizer or dessert to a percentage off your bill. We have saved many times over the $10 charge for the card and it has always been enthusiastically accepted! Last night we mad e our second trip to Evans Prairie for dinner. We were sat promptly and our waiter, John, came to the table quickly with two waters. No greeting, just abruptly said, what can I get you to drink. I ordered Pinot noir and my hubby said he'd stick with the water. When he brought the wine, he said, again very abrupt, do you know what you want to eat? We ordered right away requesting our menu choices with no substitutions. He returned to our table once to ask, is your food ok and then to refill our water. We had the Buffalo card lying on the table but I tapped it and he acknowledged with a nod of his head that he saw it. When he brought the check I noticed that it did not show the 10% discount stated on the card. When I asked him about it he turned very antagonistic and muttered that the discount would be taken at the end! WHAT END? We normally pay cash, add a 20% tip and leave. When I asked him about it he snatched the check out of my hand and said he'd have to find the manager. He walked over to the manager and said something. They both shook their heads and marched back by our table to what was apparently the place where checks are created. John actually came back, slammed the adjusted check on our table without a word and the manager went off in another direction. We were stunned to say the least, paid the check and left. I wish now that I had put the manager on notice but I could tell he was disgusted with the whole thing. We eat out many times a week and, having had restaurant and serving experience, we are the first to know that everyone can have a bad day but I have NEVER had such an unprovoked altercation at a restaurant, certainly not in The Villages. If this discount that they agreed to via the Buffalo card is going to break them, perhaps they should explain it to customer rather than handling it in the way that they did! Thankfully there are many alternatives for us here!