Facebook is good for many things: it’s an excellent way to keep in touch with friends you don’t give a shit about, it’s a perfect platform to post images and statuses that give the impression of a perfect life and it’s wonderful place for me to teach a fucking lesson.
Case in point is Angie who went to Buffalo Wild Wings and thought it would be alright to get there at 5:45 and hold down a table for 10 people even though most of them wouldn’t be there until 7:00 or 8:30. Ummm, no, Angie. That’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works. It seems that Angie wanted to watch a UFC fight, whatever the hell that is. Ultra Feminine Coochie Fight? Unattractive Flaccid Cock Fighting? I dunno. Angie somehow convinced BWW’s to give them a table, probably by saying that the rest of the party was “on the way” or would be there “any minute.” As they waited for their friends, the manager was apparently very rude and told them that they needed the tables for people who were, you know, actually there at the restaurant. This was very disappointing to Angie who wants BWW’s to know they have lost several customers. Not that it matters, because if there were customers who wanted to use the tables that Angie was holding, it means they have plenty of customers who know how restaurants work: you get a table when you get there.
You can’t hold tables all night just to watch a TV show about Unique Funny Chicken Fighting, especially when the majority of your friends aren’t even there. The restaurant needs those tables to make money and if two people are going to sit at a table for 10 people for two hours, the restaurant is not going to make any money and neither is the server. If you want to sit with a group of friends and watch television all night as people come and go as they please, there is a place for that and it’s called a living room. Look into it.
As disappointed as Angie was with Buffalo Wild Wings, I am even more disappointed in Angie. After all, Angie was a waitress in Philly and had her own TV show on ABC in 1979 and 1980.
I would think Angie would know better than to hog up a bunch of tables at a restaurant and keep a server from making tips. I guess Angie has forgotten where she came from. Well, consider this your reminder Angie: tables at restaurants are for people who are at the restaurant, Uber Flatulent Clown Fights or not.
Riane
I hate when that happens! We have a weekly deal on Tuesdays that is buy on get one free….it brings out the worst kinds of people. We usually run around 400-500 people in a 3 1/2 hour lunch shift. It’s crazy busy and once our tables are all full we just have to wait. Never fails that some guest thinks it’s just ridiculous that they have to wait. Ummm….where exactly do you think you’re going to go? Unless you don’t mind sitting on someone’s lap…. And of course the opposite side of that is the guests that clearly see we are packed and like to sit at a table for 30-40 minutes just talking and taking up some much needed table space so I can quit getting yelled at from hangry patrons.
G. B. Miller
I often attend large get-togethers like that (usually a family member’s b-day) and while I usually get there first to have our name put on the list, I have no problem in waiting while the rest of the family shows up. Once they do, it’s a no brainer to wait another five to ten minutes while the waitstaff to get an area set up for us. Waiting at a popular restaurant is just a fact of life. Don’t want to wait? Then don’t go to a sit-down on the weekend or a pseudo-holiday.
Brandy M.
My husband swears this was his situation. He’s a manager at BWW’s and had a very similar situation happen that same night. Four emails…the offended party sent four emails for them to deal with. Ridiculous.
People are clueless.
Marie
Well she doesn’t allow comments on her FB page, but her post has been shared 22 times since this blog post hit lol!
Felipe Christiansen
Some people are so selfish and stupid did not realize how a business runs I’m happy you put her in her place! They should keep her away from Buffalo Wild Wings. The only time it’s ever acceptable in a restaurant is if you sit down and order a couple bottles of Cristal or a Chatteau Haunt Brionn.
Joie
Would love your readers’ thoughts on this. I waited (and waited and waited) for a table at a NYC restaurant. After at least a 1/2 hour like 4 tables opened at exact same time.
While my sole dining guest was stuck on the subway, I agreed to place (and pay for) both orders because she really was going to be “any minute”. No dice. 4 parties taken in front of me because “full party wasn’t present. What say you all?
Amy
Nope. Full party wasn’t there. Your friend could’ve been “any minute ” or an hour.
Ginger Smallin
Even though you ordered, and paid for both meals, that still doesn’t fix the problem for the waitstaff. They have no way to know when your friend will actually be there, which could mean a longer wait for them to turn the table over and move on to the next paying customer(s). You may finish your meal and not want anything else, but you’re still camping at the table waiting on your friend…and they’re no longer making money off you.
Jen
While I see your point I have worked the other end, where we do sit and the person there first orders for the second person saying they will be there any minute. Second person does not get there for quite some time and is now angry that their food is cold. We now have to remake food for person number 2 adding to our food waste/costs. But now both people are sitting there for longer taking up valuable real estate. Even if you and your friend are not this way it happens way too commonly and the staff has no way of knowing its not going to go like that.
Joie
The 1/2 hour was important because we did have a reservation, and the 4 parties taken in front of us walked right in and were seated. Of course my friend (and I had text to prove it) was seconds from restaurant. When she got there Right after the 4 parties were seated we waited a good 30 minutes more for a table and rushed through our meal as we had a tight ending time. She doesn’t control NYC subways and my “real estate ” at that table would have not been altered, nor would have the restaurants final $$ for night. But yes, they did not know that.
Emily
You had a reservation? But the person you were dining with was more than a half hour late for that reservation? That sounds like the frustrating part of this story to me – your friend was very late, that’s not the restaurants fault. I know you don’t control the subway, but you can plan better than that. You were there on time for the reservation, right? Or am I reading it wrong?
Brenda
Your “text to prove it” doesn’t actually prove anything.
The restaurant doesn’t control NYC subways either. It’s not the restaurant’s fault your friend was late. Have you ever considered that if the restaurant were to make an exception on the “no incomplete parties” rule for you, it would be unfair for all the other guests?
Mindi
I’d love to give you some sympathy, however, you waited and waited, for like half an hour? That is not waiting. My restaurant seats 80(ish), we only take a certain number of reservations each night, even IF you have a rez you don’t get seated until your ENTIRE party is on premise. We have people, a very loyal clientele base that know how we operate. We have people wait for 1.5 hours as walk-in seating. We provide them w cocktails, they can order apps if they’re feeling it but mostly they chat and enjoy their time with the others waiting. We try to enforce an atmosphere that is meet your neighbor. Good restaurants are going to be busy, it’s why they are busy, people know they are good. So I’d say, plan accordingly or get on a bar stool and chillax w a beverage when your party arrives, you’ll be seated in line. Maybe this well help you w your next dining excursion. 🙂 Peace.
Rich
No, just for the point of policy.
You’re really only thinking about yourself. What about the other party of 8 that had 3 people there and watches you getting sat? What about the hostess that has to deal with the douchebag guy from that group bitching that if you got a table why can’t he?
You can always think about a reason you shouldn’t have to follow rules or policies, but it’s not all about you.
Elissa
Explain to me how half an hour is waiting and waiting? Unless you had legitimate reservations (read: not a call ahead) I’m gonna need you to get your priorities in order. Jfc.
Jessica
I work at a BWW and Saturday night, the night of the fight, we had several neon green signs hanging up saying “Due to the UFC fight tonight, we can’t seat you unless your entire party is present.” People still tried to get tables for incomplete parties. We were standing room only. I was doing cocktail service for the people standing. Angie, get a clue. The servers and the restaurants don’t make money while 2 people are holding a table for 10 for several hours while we have real actual customers who are really actually there. Standing. Because they understand the concept of restaurants.
Stacy
People are so selfish and so self centered they can’t see the big picture. Servers make money from tips, that means tiring your tables. Not having a few people there holding table for 10 for hours..Angie you are ridiculous!
Nicole
Let’s not forget the server who could have made actually money off that table from people actually there who probably came to quickly eat and leave as opposed to your party taking up the tables for lets says 6-7hrs with more than likely a low tab. Sometimes I want to show up at people’s jobs sit there ask for water and bug the shit out of them for hours take their paycheck for that day and leave…it’s literally the same I just won’t give a shit about you as you don’t give a shit about me.
Luanna
You crack me up!!! You get to freely say what all of us servers would love to say…but sadly can’t on social media? Thank you for this wonderful blog!
Victoria
Yuuuup I’ve worked UFC fights, and they usually bring in a full house. Best bet is to show up as a group about an hour before the fights and get your spot. He’ll no there aren’t reservations for fights. We got to take your word that all your people are going to show, and turn down people that are actually there? It doesn’t work like that.
XaurreauX
Clue Phone ringing!! Angie, pick up on Line 1!
Kimber
I fucking Love you to death! You fucking Bitch! I tried to comment to Angie but site wouldn’t let me.
Felipe Christiansen
I did the same thing! Want to write Angie a lovely comment but wouldn’t let me either. Some people are so ridiculous!
David Cowling
What most people don’t realize is that the restaurant business is really the real estate business. The goal is to maximize every square foot. Setting 3 tables for a 4 or 5 top doesn’t work. If we ran restaurants the way customers wanted, there would be no restaurants.