The convoluted ordering process....

The ordering process should be simple. You read the menu, then tell me what you want, I write it down and ask any necessary questions such as, “Would you like soup or salad tonight?”

Generally, at some point in time before the ordering process begins, we tell you what the soup of the day is, and if we have any specials. Generally, most people aren’t paying any attention. When you’ve had 20 to 30 to 40 minutes to look over the menu, there are a lot questions I feel are unnecessary.

Let’s use a table of 9 that I had, for an example:

Person 1 orders…it was smooth sailing…for a moment…the only question asked by person 1 is, “What is the soup of the day.” So for the third time I told them. Person 2 starts their order by looking at person 1 and asking, “What did you order?” Okay, totally unnecessary question. It doesn’t matter. Annnnnd…. You’ve been discussing this for 30 minutes. It’s not like they’re sitting across the room from each other, they are right next to each other. Of course person 2 then asks what the soup is.

The next few people seem to possess better decision making capabilities then those before them, and the process goes as planned. Person 6 orders lasagna, (for some reason they all pick up on this one and decide to discuss it.) Persons 7 and 8 each ask the soup question. Person 9 arrives after everyone has ordered. I tell person 9 I will give them a few minutes to look over the menu…..and I’ll be right back to get their order. I go back a few minutes later, person 9 is talking to person 8 and hasn’t even looked at the menu. Sooooo…. I go do something else for a few more minutes….return to the table, person 9 orders.

Finally the food is all served, person 9 calls me over, gestures for me to lean in closer, although I don’t know why, she was speaking at full volume….informs me that she doesn’t want what she ordered, after seeing person 8’s meal, decides she wants that instead. (She never even took a bite.) “Sure.”