Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your waiter wrote a Yelp review about you? Well, let’s imagine for a moment that they did.
Picture this: you walk into a restaurant on a Friday night, ready for a fun night out with friends or maybe a romantic dinner with your partner. You’re greeted by a friendly hostess who leads you to your table, and soon enough, your waiter arrives to take your order.
As you peruse the menu, your waiter starts to get a sense of who you are. Maybe you’re the type of person who asks a lot of questions about the dishes, or maybe you’re decisive and know exactly what you want. Maybe you’re friendly and chatty, or maybe you prefer to keep to yourself.
Whatever your personality, your waiter is paying attention. They’re taking note of your table manners, your tone of voice, and your overall behavior. And when the night is over, they go home and write a Yelp review about you.
So, what would that review say? Let’s find out.
“Last night, I had the pleasure of waiting on a table with four guests: two men and two women, all in their mid-twenties. They were a fun group, full of energy and laughter. Right off the bat, I could tell they were going to be a great table to serve.
The first thing that struck me about this group was how adventurous they were with their food. They asked me lots of questions about the menu, and when I suggested some of our more unique dishes, they were all for it. I love it when my guests are willing to try new things, and these guys were game for anything.
As the night went on, I noticed that they were all great conversationalists. They talked about everything from their jobs to their hobbies to their favorite movies. I felt like I was part of their group, even though I was just their waiter. They were so friendly and easy to talk to.
And they were all incredibly polite, too. They said “please” and “thank you” every time I brought something to the table, and they never made a mess or caused a fuss. It’s always a pleasure to serve guests who are considerate and respectful.
Overall, I would highly recommend these guests to any restaurant. They were adventurous, friendly, and polite. I hope to see them back here soon!”
That doesn’t sound too bad, right? In fact, it sounds like a great review. But what if your waiter had a different experience with you?
“I had the unfortunate experience of serving a table of two last night who were less than pleasant. From the moment they sat down, they seemed agitated and impatient. They barely looked at the menu before snapping at me to take their order.
When I brought their food out, they complained about everything. The portions were too small, the food was too spicy, the drinks were too weak. They sent their entrees back to the kitchen twice, and each time they were more rude and condescending than the last.
To make matters worse, they didn’t even bother to acknowledge my presence. They spoke to me like I was invisible, and when I asked if they needed anything else, they just waved me away without making eye contact.
It’s a shame when guests behave like this, because it makes the dining experience miserable for everyone involved. I would not recommend this table to any restaurant, and I sincerely hope I never have to serve them again.”
Yikes. That’s not the kind of review you want to see on Yelp. But it’s important to remember that your behavior as a guest can have a big impact on how your waiter perceives you. If you’re friendly, considerate, and respectful, your waiter will likely be friendly with you!
At Breadth, we understand the importance of hospitality, we can help to manage your restaurant’s reputation with proven strategies. Interested in learning more about our reputation management services, Let’s Chat!