Is it ever ok for a restaurant to drop the check before you're ready?

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  Posted by Msuzyq Thu Oct 8, 2009 10:23pm PDT

  Having worked as a server, we are told to drop checks about midway through the meal. We still ask about dessert, coffee, etc. and I've never been told to "encourage" the table to leave. It's a matter of convenience. At a 5 star, fine dining restaurant, that may be a different story but at your average restaurants? What's the big deal? One "country home cooking" restaurant pushes for tables to turn in less than 30 minutes!

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  Posted by becca Thu Oct 8, 2009 11:12pm PDT

  Well if you're just sitting there talking and someone needs your table, I don't see why they shouldn't rush you out.

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  Posted by Wifey Fri Oct 9, 2009 5:45am PDT

  The longer u sit at that waiters table the less money he makes...While ur sitting there chatting for another 30 minutes after ur meal, the waiter could have already been half way thru with another group...

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  Posted by katie Fri Oct 9, 2009 5:46am PDT

  I agree with becca. Unles you're eating, it's rude to wait. The conversation could be contiuned at a coffee shop, bar, or even on a stroll if the weather permits.

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  Posted by Rebekah Fri Oct 9, 2009 6:54am PDT

  I've had servers drop checks off before asked, but I've never felt like they were rushing me out the door. That being said, being rushed through a meal or out the door would seriously make me consider not only never returning to a restaurant, but warning all my friends and family that the waitstaff at a restaurant is extremely rude. And forget a tip. Going out to eat is about more than just the food; its a time to gather with friends and family and socialize--otherwise I'd just get the food to go, or cook at home, and save a good bit of money.

  Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. When I was a waitress, I had to suffer through people who showed up five minutes before closing and wanted to take forever to eat. That's just rude. And groups that take hours and hours to eat aren't being very polite either.

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  Posted by haley Fri Oct 9, 2009 7:12am PDT

  I'm curious as ot how thye were asked, did the manager approach them politely and just let htem know, "hey, we've got a long wait, is it all right if you continue your conversation elsewhere?" or was he rude and say "People are waiting, you need to leave"

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  Posted by Raynie8 Fri Oct 9, 2009 7:22am PDT

  Seriously?!? I don't give a rat's butt about how much the waiter could get from the next group. Never gave it a thought. He'd get zero tip from me if I was told to leave before I wanted too. That makes it worse for him. On the flip side, I have sat and waited and waited and waited for my bill many times. Maybe I need to be back at work making my money. Does the waiter care about that? NOooooo!

  Dropping the check early doesn't bother me one bit if they don't tell me to leave. It will then be there when i'm ready to pay.

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  Posted by Linz Fri Oct 9, 2009 8:59am PDT

  I completely disagree with Andrew Knolton's statement, "it is never okay for a waiter to drop the check without your asking for it."

  There are times in a dining experience where the guest's perception is altered, meaning that time seems to drag on for much longer than it really is.

  1) When waiting to be greeted by their server.

  2) When waiting for their first food or beverage to be served.

  3) When something is wrong with a dish and a server is needed to correct it.

  4) WHEN A GUEST IS READY FOR THEIR CHECK.

  You should always have the check ready, and the guest should NEVER have to ask for it. Just because a check is dropped doesn't mean the server is pushing a table out. Oftentimes the server is being careful to make sure their tables are wrapped up before their attention is completely taken by another table, who might have a long order to take, or need careful item by item menu explanations.

  However, as a former restaurant manager, I do know that sometimes it becomes imperative that a table be turned, in order to seat another reservation. My approach was to politely approach the table, engage in light conversation about their dining experience, then ask kindly if they would join us in the lounge or bar for an after dinner drink, so that we might reset the table and the original group might continue enjoying their evening in a different setting. Worked every time.

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  Posted by Linda W Fri Oct 9, 2009 10:47am PDT

  this recently happened to me at olive garden, the place was packed and they rushed us so that the next table could come. I understand that they are very busy. they didn't give us time to eat. it's not fast food...no tip for that waiter...sorry.

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  Posted by allee Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:14am PDT

  It the bar/cafe I work at right now, we do not even give people their checks. LOL. We only serve food during lunch hours. And when the person is done eating they come up to pay. But of course we are in Italy too. SO even at lunch, people take their time. And if the person is in a hurry, they get their food to go.

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