I am a hostess at a small but very busy restaurant. Because of these two factors, we dont take reservations (we cant afford to have people be late to their reservation, or have incomplete parties showing up... it makes us lose money.) Anyway, many a time I have had a large (between 7 and 11 people) party arrive around 7 PM on a summer friday or saturdat (the BUSIEST time) thinking its their God-given right to be seated immediately at a table (this restaurant also only seats 60 people, adding to the problem). When I give them their expected wait time, I generally tell them to check back with me after half of it has gone by (if an hour wait, come back in 30 minutes) because sometimes we just get a lot of tables opening up all at once. Well, more than once, I have had parties come and check back with me EVERY FIVE MINUTES... sometimes for an entire hour and a half! I understand that their kids are hungry, their feet hurt, etc, and I do whatever I can to help them out (I'll offer to get a plate of appetizers for their kids, suggest a good walking route, offer them whatever seating options I might have available) but it has come down to the point where these people are yelling in my face and I am trying, as hard as I can, to keep my smile big and my voice sweet.
Other nights I bus tables... this wouldn't be so bad except it makes you smell AWFUL and drunk old men come on to you like you wouldnt believe.
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