Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

Yikes.

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

WOW

What nits!

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
You should dine with my husband who counts these among his pet peeves.

"So, how is everything?"

"Well, peace in the middle east would be good."

"Can I get you anything else?"

"No."

When they bring the check, "No. I said we didn't want anything else!"

The day to day minefield of living with a literalist.

[/ QUOTE ]

did you know he was like this before you married him?

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

I'm not annoyed or bothered because I can be so easily amused by such things. But I can't help but wonder if this is really a good strategy for them.

A good manager will have it synchronized so you only get asked once and it will seem sincere.

Overkill kicks in after two times out the door.

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
I really think too much friendliness like that can put off your customers and I think somebody should tell them that at least one customer thinks it would be wise for them to chill. Getting the door and welcome you to the place is one thing. having to give your undying approval to every single thing they are doing every 5 seconds is another.

[/ QUOTE ]
I learned this the hard way when I waited tables. There's a fine line between "perfect service" and "too much service" and when I was new to the gig, I didn't recognize where the line was. Being two feet up customers' asses didn't get me good tips.

You've got to have a customer profile when you wait tables. Couple on a date, businessman on his cell the whole time — leave them alone. Old ladies, families with 3-4 kids — be there all the time.

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You should dine with my husband who counts these among his pet peeves.

"So, how is everything?"

"Well, peace in the middle east would be good."

"Can I get you anything else?"

"No."

When they bring the check, "No. I said we didn't want anything else!"

The day to day minefield of living with a literalist.

[/ QUOTE ]

did you know he was like this before you married him?

[/ QUOTE ]

He'll only do this occasionally in a joking manner. It's not as bad as it sounds.

The literalist part is dead on though and it's generational, Sr., Jr., III, and my son the IV. Heaven forbid you should "jump" in the shower or "run" to the store around this crowd.

As far as personality traits I can think of much worse. I'm sure I have plenty myself that are no picnic to live with.

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
I thought this was just a brand-new franchise with an overzealous new owner/manager, but it looks like it's a corporate thing. Wow

[/ QUOTE ]

The O'Charley's in question in the OP is about 2 months old, and they don't get very good business. So the training is still fresh in their minds, they probably still have some sort of head regional manager on the lookout there to make sure it's running smoothly, and they get so few customers that they cherish each one. Give it a few months, and it'll be like every other O'Charley's: they won't give a sh!t if you like their food, service, dead roaches on the floor, etc.

O'Charley's is far and away my favorite restaurant and has been since I was ~12 (10 years ago), and this is definitely abnormal behavior. If you want your usual crappy dining experience, try any of the other ones around and about Memphis. But for me, all the extra questions and caring = nice, not annoying, in a typical American chain restaurant. I made a strange request for a Chicken Tender Salad there a few weeks ago, and when it came out wrong the Manager looked like he was going to cry. He really took it to heart.

Maybe it's because I dress like a 22-year-old frat boy who stiffs waiters (I don't), but I never get asked at any restaurant if I enjoyed my meal. Screw you old-timers, Patrick and Bob.

Brian

P.S. Bob, I live like 5 minutes from that O'Charleys, holla next time you're out here.

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
You should dine with my husband who counts these among his pet peeves.

"So, how is everything?"

"Well, peace in the middle east would be good."

"Can I get you anything else?"

"No."

When they bring the check, "No. I said we didn't want anything else!"

The day to day minefield of living with a literalist.

[/ QUOTE ]

ugh

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
This is an example of the idea that in the US we "eat" but if you go to Europe you "dine". Europeans just don't get the idea of waitresses coming over every 3 minutes and asking if all is well and can they fill your drink. Quite frankly I agree with them.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is a valid point and was necessary to contribute to this thread.

Re: \"How was everything tonight??\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
This is similar to walking into retail stores (I've found Best Buys to be the worst) and be asked by EVERY [censored] EMPLOYEE if I need any help finding something.

No, god damnit, I don't. I'm not retarded. I wish your corporate overloads would realize I want to shop in peace.

[/ QUOTE ]

The only thing worse than this is when the same employee asks you several times. If anyone at OOT works in Best Buy once I say I don't need help the first time, I don't need help unless I decide to ask someone. It isn't that [censored] complicated.