Do you perfer to pay at the table or pay a cashier when you dine out at a restaurant?

Question

I am doing research to find out if guests in a restaurant perfer to pay at the table or to get up and pay a cashier? Please give a detailed reason why you support one over the other.

Answer 1

Pay at the table!

I dont like standing around while my husband waits to pay the cashier.

Usually we get our check before we are done eating so we pay and finish up our meal at the same time.

Its just more convienent!

If you pay attention most people sit around when they are done eating anyways, so why not let them sit around and chat while they pay!

It also looks tacky having a bunch of people standing around waiting to pay a cashier!

Answer 2

I think it depends on the expectation of the class/type of restaurant.  For example, I would expect to pay at the table in a fine dining establishment and I would not be expecting to be in a rush. Paying at the table also gives time to check the bill, just like any financial transaction.

Conversely, I would expect to pay at the cash when the restaurant is more geared toward efficiency - the diner is seated quickly, eats quickly, and (hopefully for the restaurant) leaves quickly. More and more, I find that franchises are following this model, despite marketing a "friendly" or "fun" atmosphere as it allows them to 1) turn over more customers daily and 2) pay waitstaff less because they do not handle cash.

My preference is to pay at the table, but that's also because I'm looking for places toward the higher end of the scale.  We eat out about 1x/month and when we do, we enjoy the whole experience:  the food, ambiance and service.

Answer 3

cashier.  when im done, im done.  i dont feel like waiting around for 1)waitress to bring me my check 2)waitress to come back and get the money 3)come back AGAIN and give change/card back.  ridiculous.  lets get this over with, please.

Answer 4

i like to pay at the table. i dont mind waiting for the check.

my husband likes to pay a cashier, he can be impatient and doesnt like to wait.

Answer 5

There are benefits and downfalls to paying either way.

Paying at the table - if your server is busy or forgetful, you can sometimes wait quite a while for him/her to come back, collect your bill and money, and return with change.  Also, i have caught quite a few servers in the past trying to rip me off - not giving me the correct change and such (I'm talking, I was owed $10 back and they tried giving me only $1 or $5).  I mean with people ripping THEM off with tips being cheap, you almost can't blame them for wanting to make sure they get a tip but still...come on.  

Paying a cashier can be better, because rather than waiting for the server, you just go and pay.  The downside could be if there is a long line to stand in waiting to pay.  Although typically, I'd say i guess I prefer paying this way.  Also - rather than just leaving money on the table for someone to steal, you know the money is handled correctly and goes where it belongs.  For this same reason (I've witnessed other servers and even customers stealing tips off tables left by people for the server) I give my tip directly to the server who waited on me.

I hope this helps you with your research ;-)

Answer 6

Although I think both have good and bad sides, I actually prefer to pay at the table.  In an ideal world (when the server is paying attention, you don't have to leave money on the table, and your full card number isn't printed on the receipt) it's classier to pay at the table.  I go out to eat for the food and for the experience, I might as well go to the grocery store if I'm going to stand in line to pay.

Answer 7

if we pay at the table it's generally cash because I don't like letting our cards out of site with the current problems of waitstaff stealing card numbers with little swiper gadgets.

If we need to use a card to pay, one of us will go to the cashier and the other will leave a cash tip.  If you use a card and a tip on the card, it gets entered in later and there is more chance to get ripped off.  Take no chances.

Answer 8

I would pay at the table.

Answer 9

I prefer at the table, because that way you are still dealing with the server and not a 2nd party!