Restaurant Etiquette

[Toekiller]

So this happened last night and was curious as to what you would have done.

Booked a specific table at a restaurant a week ago. Good table overlooking the floor below where you can hear the band. We get there on time and a couple have been given our table by accident. They are walk ins. We politely ask waiter what's going on and they ask them to move to another table nearby. At this point they have only ordered drinks.

They refuse saying its the restaurants fault for sitting them there and they are not moving, even though they are told we booked that table specially. Any sympathy on my part left the building at that point so escalated to manager. A bit of moaning later, they just walked out.

Now for me I would have been quite happy to move to another table if they had been eating, these things happen and if it had been the other way around, I'd have happily moved if someone had reserved it for a reason, especially if I was a walk in.

Thoughts?

 

[daz]

Manager should have comped some drinks for you and them.

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

Personally I think the couple were a bit rude then if only had drinks at that point. If that was me I would move gladly as you had booked table a week ago.
If however I was eating I would probably decline to move.

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

Same as above tbh if I had just sat down with drinks then fair enough, had I been sitting eating, not a chance.

 

[Paul11]

the other couple sound quite unreasonable

 

[Foxxy]

I agree with everyone else, if I was just with a drink i'd move (but expect a free drink off management), if I was on food then not a chance.

 

[Cosimo]

I would probably move if they apologised for giving me the wrong table and had thrown in another drink. With food on the table we wouldn’t budge.

 

[Glaucus]

I would probably move if they apologised for giving me the wrong table and had thrown in another drink. With food on the table we wouldn’t budge.

This

Surprised by the responses, it wasn't the couples problem, unless they gave me something free, I wouldn't of moved. It's the restaraunts problem to sort out with you, ie give you another table and free stuff. Or give me a decent reason to move.

 

[Jimbeam3678]

This

Surprised by the responses, it wasn't the couples problem, unless they gave me something free, I wouldn't of moved. It's the restaraunts problem to sort out with you, ie give you another table and free stuff. Or give me a decent reason to move.

Agree with this.

 

[Draeger]

The other couple sound like a pair of awkward unreasonable twonks.

 

[Guest2]

This

Surprised by the responses, it wasn't the couples problem, unless they gave me something free, I wouldn't of moved. It's the restaraunts problem to sort out with you, ie give you another table and free stuff. Or give me a decent reason to move.

I agree with this too

 

[malfunkshun]

This

Surprised by the responses, it wasn't the couples problem, unless they gave me something free, I wouldn't of moved. It's the restaraunts problem to sort out with you, ie give you another table and free stuff. Or give me a decent reason to move.

Perhaps you might move so as to not ruin the evening of the people that had booked the table? Restaurants error, why spoil someone elses night?
It would hardly have ruined the evening of the couple that were on the table since as walk ins they weren't guaranteed a table when they went in.
I absolutely hate this attitude of people expecting some recompense for doing the decent thing, it is getting out of hand.

 

[Glaucus]

Oh yeah becuase being kicked. Out of your seats, doesn't make you feel like a loser and wreck the night.
No, being asked to move in a restraunt is terriable service and I wouldn't be impressed at all.

 

[malfunkshun]

I agree, it is terrible service but how does helping someone rectify an error with a very simple act (since they had not got to their meal yet) make you feel like a loser?

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

What happens in Jersey stays in Jersey.

 

[Glaucus]

I agree, it is terrible service but how does helping someone rectify an error with a very simple act (since they had not got to their meal yet) make you feel like a loser?

You do understand why after settling down, being asked to move has no issues?
It's sends out the vide they do not care about you and are willing to do what ever they need to keep the other customer happy.
That's why something free goes someway of repairing that.

 

[malfunkshun]

Well all I can say is that it wouldn't be an issue for me, unless I was eating.

 

[Bear]

You do understand why after settling down, being asked to move has no issues?
It's sends out the vide they do not care about you and are willing to do what ever they need to keep the other customer happy.
That's why something free goes someway of repairing that.

No it sends out the message that the restaurant wants to do the right thing and correct their mistake and honour the booking someone made in advance.

It just shows a complete lack of class on your part. I would happily move if I was a walk in but it would be proper if the restaurant recompensed you for the trouble.

 

[Guest2]

Well all I can say is that it wouldn't be an issue for me, unless I was eating.

What if the other table you were given was crap and you couldn't hear the music or see the band etc?

If I was given a nice big seat on an airplane then some tall guy came along and I was asked to move and sit next to two fat guys then I would definitely refuse

 

[Bear]

What if the other table you were given was crap and you couldn't hear the music or see the band etc?

If I was given a nice big seat on an airplane then some tall guy came along and I was asked to move and sit next to two fat guys then I would definitely refuse

Let me get this straight, if you booked a seat on a plane and someone who managed to get on the plane before you bought a last minute ticket at the desk which was a mistake by the airline, you wouldn't expect the person sitting in your seat to move?

Also, getting a crap table is irrelevant in your example, if you wanted a good table then you should have used a bit of initiative and booked in advance.