[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

But it was WHY I had to wait is the reason that I posted this........

I understand. But, in my opinion, the reason you had to wait was because the restaurant was not managed properly. It is not about customer etiquette.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Manager should should explain situation to people who have finished, say about 10-15 mins? after check presented, and ask them to vacate table for waiting customers.
Any reasonable, and I stress reasonable person would move.
Never been to restaurant, but do they have a bar area people could adjourn too?

That is a tightrope for the managed to traverse...

How do you ask customers to leave without ****ing them off?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

That is a tightrope for the managed to traverse...

How do you ask customers to leave without ****ing them off?

Caught between rock and hard place

[bsloan1960]

It is management's responsibility to recognize and correct any hindrances to a diner's total satisfaction. They might consider carefully worded sign.
Such as:

"During Busy Times We Ask That You Make Your Table Available To Those Waiting Within 15 Minutes Of Finishing Your Meal"

Perhaps have it printed on the bill as well.

Maybe not that wording- I'm sure someone clever can come up with less confrontational wording.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I understand. But, in my opinion, the reason you had to wait was because the restaurant was not managed properly. It is not about customer etiquette.

I disagree. People should be more considerate and get out.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

They might consider carefully worded sign.
Such as:

"During Busy Times We Ask That You Make Your Table Available To Those Waiting Within 15 Minutes Of Finishing Your Meal"

Perhaps have it printed on the bill as well.

Maybe not that wording- I'm sure someone clever can come up with less confrontational wording.

You consider that language confrontational??

I consider it rather polite.

[Michael 61]

Here’s what I do - I am always cognizant of people waiting, and will vacate the table very soon after paying bill if people are waiting. If no one is waiting , I may linger a bit longer, but never at the expense of keeping employees from ending their shift near closing time. If they continue to fill my water glass, I will make sure to increase the size of my tip.

[tophcfa]

Dam, why would anybody want to hang around when done eating? My biggest issue is the server never seems to bring the bill quick enough and I have to waste valuable time waiting to pay for the meal.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

That is a tightrope for the managed to traverse...

How do you ask customers to leave without ****ing them off?

Nicely!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I disagree. People should be more considerate and get out.

So, if the OP 's accounting is accurate, they had to wait an hour past the Saturday night prime dining time because a third of the tables were available, but people sitting at those tables didn't practice proper "etiquette", and hogged the tables. Some of the tables were occupied for more than 2 hours while other customers, who had a reservation, had to wait? And this is not a management failure by the restaurant?

[fdpaq0580]

Once the last item is on the table, the server should place a timer on the table and hit the start button. The theme from Jeopardy will play while eating. Last one to put their utensils down pays the bill at the cashier desk. No paying at the table. Too much wasted time.
Anyone still at the table when the timer goes off will be shot with tranquilizer darts and dragged to the alley to sleep it off.
Fancy, high dollar, high rent establishments would really profit from this new efficiency plan. Every reservation seated on time.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

To me, this thread is a negative review. The OP had a 6:30 reservation, and had to wait an hour to be seated.

In your haste to be negative, you missed the whole point of the post.
Your loss.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

So, if the OP 's accounting is accurate, they had to wait an hour past the Saturday night prime dining time because a third of the tables were available, but people sitting at those tables didn't practice proper "etiquette", and hogged the tables. Some of the tables were occupied for more than 2 hours while other customers, who had a reservation, had to wait? And this is not a management failure by the restaurant?

Customer’s share that responsibility.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I understand. But, in my opinion, the reason you had to wait was because the restaurant was not managed properly. It is not about customer etiquette.

It is exactly about current etiquette. If a restaurant doesn't have a posted policy of time limits at a table, it is the customer who should be polite and notice that there are people standing and waiting while they linger at a table for no reason.
But I've got a feeling that this won't sink in. Just gonna guess you are one who lingers for no reason while people are waiting to be seated.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

This is a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Personally, have never had this happen before and bet this is does not occur frequently. Guess best response is for restaurants to have a time limit for the table and politely remind customers of the time.

Not sure I agree with that as long as the manager is polite, posted policy and informs the table that they have a reservation for that table waiting, just like they did when they have a reservation. . .

remember, old people get entitled because they can, and if they give a poor review, then they were going to give a negative review for being called on their entitlement anyway.