Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Service time in restaurants doubled in ten years -customers on their cell phones are to blame
dailymail ^ | 13 July 2014 | By David Mccormack

Posted on 07/13/2014 9:43:52 PM PDT by dennisw

After comparing the videos, they found that cell phones have become a large distraction for customers which are preventing them from ordering as efficiently as they once did.

Nowadays customers are too per-occupied with taking photos upon entering, telling the waiters they are having problems connecting to the WiFi, taking photos of their food once it’s delivered to them and bumping into other customers and waiters as they enter and exit the restaurant as a result of texting while walking. Restaurant customers nowadays are too preoccupied with taking photos and telling waiters they are having problems connecting to the WiFi

Anonymous restaurateur reviewed surveillance videos from 2004 and 2014 to discover why service has got so much slower

A manager at a ‘busy NYC restaurant’ claims that customers constantly using their cell phones are to blame for a dramatic increase in the amount of time it takes to be served in restaurants nowadays.

In an anonymous post on the Craigslist 'rants & raves' board, the restaurateur claims to have reviewed surveillance videos from 2004 and 2014 and found a staggering difference in the averagtime it takes to service a customer.

Following their research, the poster found that the average time that a customer spent in the restaurant from start to finish in 2004 was 1 hour and 5 minutes, while in 2014 the average time was 1 hour and 55 minutes. An anonymous restaurant manager claims to have reviewed surveillance videos from 2004 and 2014 and found a staggering difference in the average time it takes to serve a customer because they spend so long on their cell phones

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Food; Society
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-53 next last

1 posted on 07/13/2014 9:43:52 PM PDT by dennisw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: dennisw
http://www.redhawkproductionsmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Friends-texting-in-restaurant-Credit-Thinkstock-630x420.jpg
2 posted on 07/13/2014 9:47:13 PM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dennisw

I haven’t noticed any dawdling over e-distractions in my local redneck eateries, but New Yorkers may be enjoying make their meals into media events. There ought to be a media charge on the bill if a customer does that, or else a media-less discount.


3 posted on 07/13/2014 9:49:43 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dennisw
The Tower of Bable.


4 posted on 07/13/2014 9:52:01 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: dennisw
Sorry, it is more than just cell phones. How about poorly trained wait staff?

Example: Hostess seats you and your guests, passes out the menus, then departs; “Your waiter will be right with you”.

Why not take a drink order (or at least ask)? Then have the waiter bring the drinks?

5 posted on 07/13/2014 9:52:24 PM PDT by Michael.SF. (I never thought anyone could make Jimmy Carter look good in comparisons)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dennisw

Using a cell phone in a public venue is just rude.


6 posted on 07/13/2014 9:58:32 PM PDT by allendale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dennisw

Using a cell phone in a public venue is just rude.


7 posted on 07/13/2014 9:58:37 PM PDT by allendale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck

“New Yorkers may be enjoying make their meals into media events”

I have been trying to mitigate my sadness at what I feel is an inevitable collapse of our once great country. picturing rude and whiny new Yorkers realizing their party is over sometimes lifts my spirits.


8 posted on 07/13/2014 9:59:49 PM PDT by willywill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: dennisw; GeronL; Slings and Arrows

That’s nothing. Just think what it is doing to cause traffic congestion.


9 posted on 07/13/2014 9:59:53 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (The new witchhunt: "Do you NOW, . . . or have you EVER , . . supported traditional marriage?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck

I haven’t noticed any dawdling over e-distractions in my local redneck eateries, but New Yorkers may be enjoying make their meals into media events. There ought to be a media charge on the bill if a customer does that, or else a media-less discount.


I haven’t noticed that either. I do see lots of people on their phones, showing each other photos or whatever, but I haven’t noticed it holding up ordering and things. Strange.


10 posted on 07/13/2014 10:02:46 PM PDT by leapfrog0202 ("the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery" Sarah Palin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: allendale

All the world’s a phone booth. And of course they consider it rude when asked “Excuse me” when they are yacking away while blocking your path.


11 posted on 07/13/2014 10:03:14 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Michael.SF.
"Why not take a drink order (or at least ask)? Then have the waiter bring the drinks?"

I don't want to order a drink as soon as I sit down. I want to look at the menu and decide what I'm having. Why does everyone insist on ordering a drink right away?

Lately I've just started telling them no, I don't want a drink yet, I just got here. It's amazing how many times that blows a fuse. :-)

12 posted on 07/13/2014 10:06:53 PM PDT by mlo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: dennisw

BTW, I call BS on this article. I eat out a lot. Cell phones are not causing that much distraction.


13 posted on 07/13/2014 10:07:40 PM PDT by mlo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck

All the world’s a phone booth. And of course they consider it rude when asked “Excuse me” when they are yacking away while blocking your path.


Sometimes my “Excuse me” is in a rude tone of voice. Screw them.


14 posted on 07/13/2014 10:10:07 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals don't get it .... their minds are diseased.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: mlo

This particular restaurant sounds like one of those places where tourists go to enjoy the environment. According to the story, the average dining experience in 2004 was just over an hour. That is toward the far end of most people’s experience at a restaurant.

Now it is close to 2 hours.

That is excessive and I can see why people might complain about how long the meal went. But if they are taking pictures of their food, pictures of each other, pictures of the restaurant, I can easily see that being a problem.


15 posted on 07/13/2014 10:10:55 PM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius (www.wilsonharpbooks.com - Eclipse, the sequel to Bright Horizons is out! Get it now!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: dennisw; JimR
So what? Tip accordingly and move on. Another worthles thread. Oh no!!!! Who was that guy that told me to “scram” last time? I am certainly doomed. Jim, please save me!
16 posted on 07/13/2014 10:12:50 PM PDT by Fungi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mlo

You can always ask for water.


17 posted on 07/13/2014 10:16:38 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck

I know. I just don’t understand the urgency to order a drink. Besides, it’s fun watching them blow fuses. :-)


18 posted on 07/13/2014 10:18:40 PM PDT by mlo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: allendale

Agreed. Once went to pick up a pizza I had ordered. There were four other people waiting all four were texting or playing some kind of game. No one looked up when I came in, didn’t look up till their name was called. Felt like a nightmarish sci-fi movie, normal looking people taken over by a small machine. Cell phones should be outlawed.


19 posted on 07/13/2014 10:21:43 PM PDT by Foundahardheadedwoman (God don't have a statute of limitations)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Foundahardheadedwoman

....normal looking people taken over by a small machine.


It’s pretty disgusting.


20 posted on 07/13/2014 10:42:49 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals don't get it .... their minds are diseased.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-53 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson