Restaurant chieftans and other service industry big shots please consider my humble request. Teach your employees a few better responses as they "serve" your patrons. I am tired of hearing " you guys", "youse guys", "no problem", "dudes" and other robotic responses when I dine. These rejoinders are not clever or endearing and should be removed from all employee training lectures and manuals. Slang speech has no place in the business world and this includes restaurants.
My spouse and I are retired folks and senior citizens. Neither of us are from New Jersey, New York, or California and "you guys" or "dudes" doesn't describe any station in life we have ever occupied. We find the terms not appropriate since we are not about to knock over a liquor store or rush out to surf some gnarly wave. When I thank an employee for a service or returning my credit card, "no problem" implies there might have been a problem. As a customer who might leave a tip, how could my "thank you" or the return of my credit card pose a problem ?
Soon robots and electronic gizmos may take over many service industry jobs and I doubt if slang language will be programmed.
As one who was once a restaurant manager, chief executive, and owner I know the hospitality industry is a tough business. Getting employees to work on time, sober, correctly attired, and freshly bathed is a daily challenge. Also, restaurant employees contend with a variety of guests ranging from good folk to jerks, and their job can be stressful and maddening. However, employees should be schooled to speak words like "thank you", "good evening", "hello", "yes sir", or "yes ma'am" to people who are obviously not dudes or guys.
Casual dining does not mean addressing all customers with droll phrases which many may find offensive, impersonal or downright silly. Like, like ... you know !
My spouse and I are retired folks and senior citizens. Neither of us are from New Jersey, New York, or California and "you guys" or "dudes" doesn't describe any station in life we have ever occupied. We find the terms not appropriate since we are not about to knock over a liquor store or rush out to surf some gnarly wave. When I thank an employee for a service or returning my credit card, "no problem" implies there might have been a problem. As a customer who might leave a tip, how could my "thank you" or the return of my credit card pose a problem ?
Soon robots and electronic gizmos may take over many service industry jobs and I doubt if slang language will be programmed.
As one who was once a restaurant manager, chief executive, and owner I know the hospitality industry is a tough business. Getting employees to work on time, sober, correctly attired, and freshly bathed is a daily challenge. Also, restaurant employees contend with a variety of guests ranging from good folk to jerks, and their job can be stressful and maddening. However, employees should be schooled to speak words like "thank you", "good evening", "hello", "yes sir", or "yes ma'am" to people who are obviously not dudes or guys.
Casual dining does not mean addressing all customers with droll phrases which many may find offensive, impersonal or downright silly. Like, like ... you know !
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