My husband and I had lunch at a
busy restaurant. Sitting next to us at a table for four was one girl and her
laptop. With laptop, papers strewn about, a cup of coffee and feet up on the
opposite chair the table became her private office in a public place. Even though
she had a right to be there – was it inconsiderate of her to monopolize a table
for four with others waiting? Should the manager have said something to her?
She was there when we arrived and there when we left.
I think this is why restaurants
that offer free Wi-Fi should bring back the counter, that restaurants such as
Howard Johnson’s and Woolworth’s use to have. The counter section can be for
Wi-Fi customers. Just hop up on a stool, set up laptop, papers, family photo,
order your coffee and get to work. You won’t take up unnecessary space and the
restaurant won’t lose business due to customers who can’t wait.
This leads me to a question. When
a restaurant is busy – how long is too long to wait for a customer to pay their
bill? Once they get the bill, how long should a couple be allowed to sit and
talk, making hungry patrons wait? When is it ok for the manager to say
something? Is it ever ok? Should there be a time limit?
I’ve been at restaurants, next in
line to replace the couple sitting at table 6 with the check. I get excited
when the man gets up. Then I get upset when the man removes his wallet from his
pants and sits back down. I know never to get excited and expect a quick exit
from the two ladies lunching because when the check comes they’ll get out paper
and pen. Each one pays for their lunch and not a penny more. Mary will be made
to pay even for the soggy fry (which she didn’t like) that Peggy offered her.
If they were at Café Ziferblat
the only thing they’d have to calculate is their time. That should motivate
them to move along.
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