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"Waiter
Host"
I do my job in a business like manner with a
"Good evening and welcome!" The next question is, "May I ask for your name..."
WAITER - HOST
Some of my colleagues are truly fortunate. They have a
full-time host person who does all the seating and greeting. Where I work, these days, we
do not. It is I who seats customers whenever there is no hostess scheduled to work.
Nevertheless, a lot is to be said for the first contact, the first impressions.
Take the moment the entrance door opens. Happy,
friendly, hungry and thirsty people step inside. I get to greet them. I do my job in a
business like manner with a "Good evening and welcome!" The next question
"May I ask for your name or the name used for your reservation?" is formal too.
It is just another stiff phrase. I give the customers a seating option, either on the
heated patio with a fantastic view at Monterey's night sky or indoors. All these are
regular standards of procedure.
Contrary to what I am doing, my thoughts are much
more casual. With many of my guests I feel like family, giving them a hug, taking them by
the hand, leading them to the best table available in the house would be more appropriate.
Sometimes I think my customers feel that I am sincere. I, however keep my feelings under
control while I offer to bring them anything their heart desires. But truly I would like
to change the greeting at the door to: "Come on in folks. I'm so happy, you are here.
You all have a seat and let me show you how much we appreciate you all!"
I do not present myself this way. I am not shy. My
behavior is learned, copied from conservative stiff and formal role-models. No I don't hug
and kiss my guests, except sometimes when some ladies say good bye with such actions. I am
trained to treat each customer like a celebrity entering the restaurant where I work. And
it does not stop there. I feel like a tour guide going with our customers over the menu.
When I say "If there is anything I can help you with, don't hesitate let me
know!" I mean what I say!
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MultipleSeatings
04/01/11 |
