Dessert Denial: Bitter about Lack of Sweet Finish
Why do servers sometimes bring the check without inquiring about interest in dessert? A desire to turn the table? A misread of customer appetite? A malevolent disdain for arguably the most delightful part of the meal?
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8 Comments:
Answer: any of the above, for a variety of reasons. If it is closing time, then you know why. That doesn't mean that it is right, however. One should always have the option of dessert :)
Littlebluesiren at 11:05PM on 03/12/08
I dine with a group of gals on a regular basis and one of my friends gets in quite a snit if dessert has not been offered. I have seen things turn ugly fast. We generally get one or two desserts "for the table" and the appropriate number of forks or spoons. Even if it is late, how difficult is it to warm a big, fat brownie in the microwave and slap a scoop of ice cream on top? Your server can do that, for God's sake.
frederika at 11:25PM on 03/12/08
poor training... it's amazing to me how poor a service we are willing to accept here in the US. Take for instance the first thing out of most servers mouths "Hello", or, "My name is", proper service dictates the first thing out of a servers mouth should be "what can I get you to drink?" I understand the need for an intro from the part of the server, they want you to remember their name for a tip, a kind word to management or something nice on the comment card. The only time a server should tell you his/her name is when it is asked for. More attention on the part of restaurants should be taken with "GOOD" service, but alas, I fear most don't know what "GOOD" service really is.
Pavlov at 10:17AM on 03/13/08
Maybe some servers have decided ahead of time that the tip isn't going to be great, and they're calculating that it's more profitable to get the table turned than to get your bill higher.
Could just be the type of restaurant where desserts don't sell well.
Or, if you've got lots left on your plate, they might assume that you've had enough.
I think it's worse when they drop the check and say that if you want anything else, you should just ask, then they disappear. Some places have a policy where the check comes almost immediately after the main dish is served, but the servers to come back for coffee refills and anything else you want, so that isn't bad -- and not the server's fault that the restaurant wants them to drop the check so early.
dbcurrie at 5:56PM on 03/13/08
I was originally thinking along the lines of Pavlov with poor training, but I think it boils down to professionalism. You can train servers all you want, but their sense of professionalism can vary. And unfortunately the owners or managers can't know what is happening at every table, unless you tell them.
wookie at 2:46AM on 03/14/08
dbcurrie: Oh there's always room for creme brulee! When the first thing out of a servers mouth is, "Hi, I'm so-and-so, I'll be your server". I always follow with, "Hi, I'm Richard and this is Rick, Kenny and Larry and we'll be your customers". I think it depends on the restaurant. A fine-dining establishment will ask if you'd like to see the dessert menu whereas the server at my local Greek diner might ask, "Is that it"?
RichardCrystal at 9:59AM on 03/14/08
It could be that they're so used to people saying no that they forgot to bother to ask that time. If I wanted dessert, I would have been frustrated too though.
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 11:06AM on 03/14/08
If the restaurant is really busy, the server may be trying to turn the table, especially if you're not ordering drinks.
beth1 at 8:09PM on 03/14/08