We had a wedding at the restaurant last Saturday. The ceremony took place in the room that is next to the lounge, and the reception was in a larger room, downstairs. So, I got to see everyone who was there, since they had to walk by the bar to get to the ceremony room. One guy was carrying in an electric keyboard…..after he got that set up, he came to the bar for a drink. I asked him if he was then keyboard player, he said, “No, I’m the father of the keyboard player.” “Oh, then I guess that makes you the roadie.” He laughed and agreed. The actual keyboard player looked to be about 13, and was the granddaughter of the bride. There were quite a few kids in that age group.
The ceremony went smoothly, and then they were off to the reception.
They had a four hour bar time for this reception, 5:30 to 9:30. As 9:30 was approaching, the servers were becoming a little disgruntled. It seems this group took it upon themselves to being in their own bottle, AND plastic cups. You can’t do that here, it’s illegal. So I told the servers to confiscate the bottle and throw it out. Obviously they planned this in advance, as they thought to bring the plastic cups.
Usually the bar time gets stretched out a little bit…..but once I heard about the bottle, and the fact that they were so bold as to leave it out in the open, kind of like “Ha ha, we pulled one over on you,” we decided bar time was over. (Oh, and way to set a good example for the kids)
Speaking of the kids, one of them (who was old enough to know better) picked up a lit candle, that was in the restroom and thought it would be funny to drop it in the waste basket, which if you had any common sense, you would know it would start a fire, since it was filled with paper towel. And it did. The servers quickly put it out.
A few of them tried coming up to the bar to get more drinks, “Nope, we’re closed.”
Just goes to show you, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. They looked like such a nice family. Who knew they were going to blatantly break the law and start a fire.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
For those dining out on Thanksgiving......
Ahhh…Thanksgiving….the feast, family, friends…..a day of relaxation…..football for some…..a nap after dinner for others……travel for a lot of folks….they say it’s the busiest travel time of the year.
For all of you dining out tomorrow, let’s remember a few things.
Obviously, no one has to cook and spend hours in the kitchen. No one has to clean their house for company. No one has to do the endless dishes or figure out what to do with the leftovers.
You go to a restaurant, and all you have to lift is a fork, a knife and a glass. But you must remember you are not at your own dining room table or sitting casually in your living room. Others wish to eat out also, there will be reservations after yours….so when you’re done, get up and leave! Someone else’s family is waiting for the table!
If upon your arrival, you find there may be a slight wait, don’t get mad at us, blame it on the thoughtless folks who refuse to get up off their butts and make room for the next group! Restaurant etiquette dictates that we not tell anyone they are overstaying their welcome….but c’mon people! Are you blind! Do you not see the people standing in line waiting to be seated?!? This holiday is for everyone, not just your group!
And speaking of everyone, I mean EVERYONE! Your servers are not a bunch of people flown in from some other country that doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. We’re someone’s family too. We’re moms and dads and sisters and brothers…and we’re working so you don’t have to lift a finger. So if you’re tempted to complain about anything, stop and think for a minute, if we weren’t here, one of you would be slaving away in the kitchen all day. Be thankful that there is somewhere you can go, and not have to mess up your own house.
For those who can’t see anything outside the perimeter of their own narrow lives, for those who want to complain that maybe it took too long to get a drink, or feel their food is taking too long…..WAKE UP! The world does not revolve around you, it never has. Show a little compassion for those who are working. Sorry you feel your food took five minutes too long to get to your table….stop and think about those who are missing out on a family dinner, completely. So you can have yours without doing anything other than making a phone call.
And tip big! It’s a holiday! You don’t know if your server is missing out on seeing out of town family and friends, or if they have small children at home or an ailing parent. In other words, be thankful we are there. What would you be doing if we weren’t?
For all of you dining out tomorrow, let’s remember a few things.
Obviously, no one has to cook and spend hours in the kitchen. No one has to clean their house for company. No one has to do the endless dishes or figure out what to do with the leftovers.
You go to a restaurant, and all you have to lift is a fork, a knife and a glass. But you must remember you are not at your own dining room table or sitting casually in your living room. Others wish to eat out also, there will be reservations after yours….so when you’re done, get up and leave! Someone else’s family is waiting for the table!
If upon your arrival, you find there may be a slight wait, don’t get mad at us, blame it on the thoughtless folks who refuse to get up off their butts and make room for the next group! Restaurant etiquette dictates that we not tell anyone they are overstaying their welcome….but c’mon people! Are you blind! Do you not see the people standing in line waiting to be seated?!? This holiday is for everyone, not just your group!
And speaking of everyone, I mean EVERYONE! Your servers are not a bunch of people flown in from some other country that doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. We’re someone’s family too. We’re moms and dads and sisters and brothers…and we’re working so you don’t have to lift a finger. So if you’re tempted to complain about anything, stop and think for a minute, if we weren’t here, one of you would be slaving away in the kitchen all day. Be thankful that there is somewhere you can go, and not have to mess up your own house.
For those who can’t see anything outside the perimeter of their own narrow lives, for those who want to complain that maybe it took too long to get a drink, or feel their food is taking too long…..WAKE UP! The world does not revolve around you, it never has. Show a little compassion for those who are working. Sorry you feel your food took five minutes too long to get to your table….stop and think about those who are missing out on a family dinner, completely. So you can have yours without doing anything other than making a phone call.
And tip big! It’s a holiday! You don’t know if your server is missing out on seeing out of town family and friends, or if they have small children at home or an ailing parent. In other words, be thankful we are there. What would you be doing if we weren’t?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
And on a positive note......
Our December 7th Double Take Impersonators Holiday Show has sold out! Yay!
It just goes to show you, that even in this horrible economy, people still want to have fun. And if fun can be had for a reasonable price, then it’s a win-win situation, in that we have fun putting on the show, and the audience gets a really good meal, and a really good show.
So let’s expand on this a little……see, a guy from the other side of town was in the restaurant the other night, he heard the singer, came into the lounge, told us he had a Big Band, and would like her to be a guest vocalist! AND….he wants us to bring our show to his side of town! Double cool! Ya just never know who you are going to run into at any given moment.
We’ve been busting our butts promoting this show. We’ve run all over town putting up flyers in any shop that would let us….we’ve posted them on community bulletin boards (remember, we’re working on a very limited budget) we’ve sent out emails, made phone calls, talked to everyone we can. But as they say, word of mouth is the best advertising. Take one woman, for example (my sister, to e specific) she came to the last show, and is bringing a group of 14 to this next show! We’ve got other folks coming back, who are also bringing more people they want to share this with.
We know there’s a lot of talent out there, so starting next year, we will be hosting an “Amateur night.” Sort of based on “America’s Got Talent.” The winner will be chosen by audience vote, and yes, there will be a prize. People think nothing of dropping $5.00 on a cup of coffee from Starbuck’s, or wherever…..so why not drop $5.00 to come and see the talent show and cast your vote.
On another note (and yes, a musical pun is intended) we will also be forming our own Big Band. For all you musicians out there in my area, looking for something to be a part of….contact me, let’s see what you’ve got. At the very least, you’ll have a really good time, doing what you love to do. Another win-win situation.
It just goes to show you, that even in this horrible economy, people still want to have fun. And if fun can be had for a reasonable price, then it’s a win-win situation, in that we have fun putting on the show, and the audience gets a really good meal, and a really good show.
So let’s expand on this a little……see, a guy from the other side of town was in the restaurant the other night, he heard the singer, came into the lounge, told us he had a Big Band, and would like her to be a guest vocalist! AND….he wants us to bring our show to his side of town! Double cool! Ya just never know who you are going to run into at any given moment.
We’ve been busting our butts promoting this show. We’ve run all over town putting up flyers in any shop that would let us….we’ve posted them on community bulletin boards (remember, we’re working on a very limited budget) we’ve sent out emails, made phone calls, talked to everyone we can. But as they say, word of mouth is the best advertising. Take one woman, for example (my sister, to e specific) she came to the last show, and is bringing a group of 14 to this next show! We’ve got other folks coming back, who are also bringing more people they want to share this with.
We know there’s a lot of talent out there, so starting next year, we will be hosting an “Amateur night.” Sort of based on “America’s Got Talent.” The winner will be chosen by audience vote, and yes, there will be a prize. People think nothing of dropping $5.00 on a cup of coffee from Starbuck’s, or wherever…..so why not drop $5.00 to come and see the talent show and cast your vote.
On another note (and yes, a musical pun is intended) we will also be forming our own Big Band. For all you musicians out there in my area, looking for something to be a part of….contact me, let’s see what you’ve got. At the very least, you’ll have a really good time, doing what you love to do. Another win-win situation.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Glad I don't have to do that....
I remember when you really didn’t see any Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving. It seems like Thanksgiving is the forgotten holiday. “Oh yeah, it’s that day we get off (unless you work in a restaurant that’s open) to eat like pigs, and then begin our shopping trek.”
I’m hearing Christmas music in the stores….seeing outdoor lights on houses, and the . trees started going up in the restaurant. Yes, that’s right, “Trees,” plural. They started putting up the tree that goes in the lobby, a couple of days ago. It’s HUGE! It touches the ceiling, it’s gotta be at least 12 feet tall.
I was watching one of the cooks, standing on a ladder, fluffing out all the upper branches. He had to stand near the top of the ladder to do this. Then out came large boxes of ornaments. The hostess was standing on the floor, doing the bottom half of the tree, while a busboy was commandeered from his duties to climb the ladder to hang the ones that went on the top half. And they were told where to hang each one. Glad all I had to do was walk out in the lobby and say, ”Oh, that looks nice,” and walk away.
Seven more tress to go. At least these are of a more manageable size. Annnnnd, the wonderful woman who works in the kitchen takes charge of all of these. (Whew)
It might have been fun decorating the big tree in lobby, everyone could’ve helped out a little….but when all this decorating becomes a chore, and you have a deadline, it just takes all the fun out of it.
And then everyone talks about all the decorating they have to do at home, and all the shopping they have to do, all things everyone “has to have,” how much money they have to spend, how exhausted they are, they can’t wait until it’s over…. it makes me wonder, what’s the point in all this “busyness?”
I’m hearing Christmas music in the stores….seeing outdoor lights on houses, and the . trees started going up in the restaurant. Yes, that’s right, “Trees,” plural. They started putting up the tree that goes in the lobby, a couple of days ago. It’s HUGE! It touches the ceiling, it’s gotta be at least 12 feet tall.
I was watching one of the cooks, standing on a ladder, fluffing out all the upper branches. He had to stand near the top of the ladder to do this. Then out came large boxes of ornaments. The hostess was standing on the floor, doing the bottom half of the tree, while a busboy was commandeered from his duties to climb the ladder to hang the ones that went on the top half. And they were told where to hang each one. Glad all I had to do was walk out in the lobby and say, ”Oh, that looks nice,” and walk away.
Seven more tress to go. At least these are of a more manageable size. Annnnnd, the wonderful woman who works in the kitchen takes charge of all of these. (Whew)
It might have been fun decorating the big tree in lobby, everyone could’ve helped out a little….but when all this decorating becomes a chore, and you have a deadline, it just takes all the fun out of it.
And then everyone talks about all the decorating they have to do at home, and all the shopping they have to do, all things everyone “has to have,” how much money they have to spend, how exhausted they are, they can’t wait until it’s over…. it makes me wonder, what’s the point in all this “busyness?”
Thursday, November 17, 2011
You Don't Work Here
When you’re having a banquet, really, sit back and relax….after all, isn’t that why you’re having your event at a restaurant instead of at your home?
First of all, when I’m serving the punch you ordered (One non-alcoholic and one with champagne) don’t walk up to me and tell that last time your were here, there were littlenapkins on the punch table. If people were helping themselves, then I would have put them there, but they’re not, I’m serving the punch as everyone is seated. There is a tablecloth on the table, little napkins aren’t necessary.
Next, don’t tell me that last time you were here, there were little signs saying “Non-Alcoholic” and “Alcoholic” in front of the punch bowls. Last time you had 50 people milling about helping themselves…..there are only 17 of you, I’ve got it handled.
Ah, the cake…..I was informed that last time they were here, they had a lot of cake left over, so be sure and cut large pieces. Here’s a thought, buy a smaller cake.
THENNNNNNNN…..you stop me in the middle of taking the orders to tell me that you think some bread should be served. I quietly tell you that the bread will be served when the salads are served. What I really wanted to say was, “For crying out loud lady! Take a chill pill! Quit bothering me! I’ve got it under control!”
Don’t even start to get in a conversation with me about how long after the salads are served, that I should turn the order in to the kitchen. It’s my job to time it out with the kitchen, not yours. Besides that, you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Every event has it’s head honcho who planned it. You can order your helpers around when it comes to decorating the tables, but don’t try that with us. We’re the professionals, we know how to run this, we do it every week.
First of all, when I’m serving the punch you ordered (One non-alcoholic and one with champagne) don’t walk up to me and tell that last time your were here, there were littlenapkins on the punch table. If people were helping themselves, then I would have put them there, but they’re not, I’m serving the punch as everyone is seated. There is a tablecloth on the table, little napkins aren’t necessary.
Next, don’t tell me that last time you were here, there were little signs saying “Non-Alcoholic” and “Alcoholic” in front of the punch bowls. Last time you had 50 people milling about helping themselves…..there are only 17 of you, I’ve got it handled.
Ah, the cake…..I was informed that last time they were here, they had a lot of cake left over, so be sure and cut large pieces. Here’s a thought, buy a smaller cake.
THENNNNNNNN…..you stop me in the middle of taking the orders to tell me that you think some bread should be served. I quietly tell you that the bread will be served when the salads are served. What I really wanted to say was, “For crying out loud lady! Take a chill pill! Quit bothering me! I’ve got it under control!”
Don’t even start to get in a conversation with me about how long after the salads are served, that I should turn the order in to the kitchen. It’s my job to time it out with the kitchen, not yours. Besides that, you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Every event has it’s head honcho who planned it. You can order your helpers around when it comes to decorating the tables, but don’t try that with us. We’re the professionals, we know how to run this, we do it every week.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
When people listen as well as cats.......
We had a group of about 15 come in for Happy Hour last Friday. They’ve been there before, but it’s usually been on a week night. During the week the lounge is slow, so it doesn’t matter where they sit or stand. There’s usually some that sit at the bar, many of them stand (totally blocking the aisle) and some work their way to whichever table they want. That’s fine during the week, but it’s a different story on Friday.
They started arriving about 4:00 p.m. I asked how many they thought there would be, they weren’t sure. So I told them if they needed any tables, to let me know, and I would clear off a couple of tables for them, since it was Friday, we would be getting busy and would need the rest of the tables.
I may as well have been talking to my cat. They heard me, but gave it no mind. Next thing I know, they are putting their coats and jackets wherever they felt like it. (Now they have staked claim to three tables (there are only 10)…..they ordered some appetizers, we set them out one ONE table ….as the hostess is leading folks to tables behind them, they all have to squeeze in between other tables just to get by.
The singer arrives….had to go through a long series of “Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me,” just to get back to where her equipment is.
Okay, we’re getting busy…..I explained the table situation a couple of times, since this herd of cats chose not to listen, I didn’t feel any more conversation was necessary….so I walked out to the tables which were being used as coat depots, and started moving them all to one table. (Your coats aren't spending any money)
Finally the herd started shrinking and more folks needed tables for dinner, so I once again walked over to the last table, which had two coats left on the chairs, and hung them on the bar stools they were sitting on.
Oh, and then there’s the bar stools they were just standing next to, (with no intention of actually using them,) the other bartender and I started telling others to go ahead and sit there. The ones standing next to them started giving us sneery cat looks.
Sorry! Perhaps you should develop a little social awareness, after all, you’re not the only ones here.
They started arriving about 4:00 p.m. I asked how many they thought there would be, they weren’t sure. So I told them if they needed any tables, to let me know, and I would clear off a couple of tables for them, since it was Friday, we would be getting busy and would need the rest of the tables.
I may as well have been talking to my cat. They heard me, but gave it no mind. Next thing I know, they are putting their coats and jackets wherever they felt like it. (Now they have staked claim to three tables (there are only 10)…..they ordered some appetizers, we set them out one ONE table ….as the hostess is leading folks to tables behind them, they all have to squeeze in between other tables just to get by.
The singer arrives….had to go through a long series of “Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me,” just to get back to where her equipment is.
Okay, we’re getting busy…..I explained the table situation a couple of times, since this herd of cats chose not to listen, I didn’t feel any more conversation was necessary….so I walked out to the tables which were being used as coat depots, and started moving them all to one table. (Your coats aren't spending any money)
Finally the herd started shrinking and more folks needed tables for dinner, so I once again walked over to the last table, which had two coats left on the chairs, and hung them on the bar stools they were sitting on.
Oh, and then there’s the bar stools they were just standing next to, (with no intention of actually using them,) the other bartender and I started telling others to go ahead and sit there. The ones standing next to them started giving us sneery cat looks.
Sorry! Perhaps you should develop a little social awareness, after all, you’re not the only ones here.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
We’re going to revisit this whole tipping thing again. (Only because we have to)
Yes, there are a ridiculous amount of coupons out there right now, and everyone can save some money. Some coupons even state that 20% gratuity will be added to the ORIGINAL amount of the tab. There are coupons that will save you up to $80.00! DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go cheap on your server. Just because you have a coupon, doesn’t mean you are getting less service.
Let’s say your table runs up a $230.00 tab, you get $80.00 off, now your tab is $150.00. The general rule of thumb is that you should leave a $46.00 tip, since that’s 20% of your original tab. To leave a $15.00 tip (as one table did last night) is totally unacceptable! You just saved $80.00! Somewhere down the road….karma is gonna bite you in the ass. So when you’re in a situation where you feel you’ve been ripped off, don’t stand there like a deer in the headlights, you had it coming.
Let’s look at this from a different perspective……say you’re working in retail, the store you’re at has a huge sale….then the boss tells you, because everything was on sale, and the store didn’t pull in as much money, you now have to work for less. That wouldn’t sit too well with you, would it? After all, why should you suffer just because the store decides to have a sale.
Sure, there are some who will never understand this concept, but then, there’s a whole lotta stuff these people will never understand. Tell ya what…if you really want to save money, just go to the drive through of your local fast food restaurant.
Yes, there are a ridiculous amount of coupons out there right now, and everyone can save some money. Some coupons even state that 20% gratuity will be added to the ORIGINAL amount of the tab. There are coupons that will save you up to $80.00! DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go cheap on your server. Just because you have a coupon, doesn’t mean you are getting less service.
Let’s say your table runs up a $230.00 tab, you get $80.00 off, now your tab is $150.00. The general rule of thumb is that you should leave a $46.00 tip, since that’s 20% of your original tab. To leave a $15.00 tip (as one table did last night) is totally unacceptable! You just saved $80.00! Somewhere down the road….karma is gonna bite you in the ass. So when you’re in a situation where you feel you’ve been ripped off, don’t stand there like a deer in the headlights, you had it coming.
Let’s look at this from a different perspective……say you’re working in retail, the store you’re at has a huge sale….then the boss tells you, because everything was on sale, and the store didn’t pull in as much money, you now have to work for less. That wouldn’t sit too well with you, would it? After all, why should you suffer just because the store decides to have a sale.
Sure, there are some who will never understand this concept, but then, there’s a whole lotta stuff these people will never understand. Tell ya what…if you really want to save money, just go to the drive through of your local fast food restaurant.
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