Doesnt it seem rude for a waiter/waitress to ask you how the meal is while you are eating?

Question

I know they are relying on tips for a living so doing good job is very important, but there is a fine line between doing a good job and being a pest. I HATE it when you have just taken a bite, they see you chewing and come over and ask "How is everthing?". Or, when you are with someone and engaged in conversation....

Answer 1

no, I'd consider it rude if they didn't ask

Answer 2

No, I don't think its rude when they ask if everything is okay or do you need anything.  I do think it is rude if they do NOT ask though.  That is their job... if you don't like being asked dine at only fast food restaurants.

Answer 3

No!!!

Answer 4

yes,its rude

Answer 5

This is part of the job. A polite and respectful server waits for conversation to stop, while waiting quietly by the table, and does not interupt. This is how a server receives feed back from customers.  Do you need anything? Is everything cooked properly? Is the food to your liking? WOuld you like anything else at this time?

I would be upset if the server did not return. However, some servers can be  at the table too much. Being available is much better than being too much at table.

Answer 6

not, not at all, i used to wait on tables, thats our way of asking if you need anything...if your waiter/waitress didnt come over would that bother you too??

Answer 7

It's weird that you think that. Actually, I like it when they do. Sometimes there is something missing or something extra I want. I get a bit shy to ask. When they ask me if everything is fine, I tell them what I want.

Answer 8

Not rude at all, shows they are on the job, that they are aware that you got your food and want to know if it's ok, or are you unhappy and should they replace something right away while your partner is just starting to eat.  Would you want to get a meal that is awful and something that you couldn't eat and not be able to find your waitperson and just have to sit there while your partner was busily eating away. Think about it that way and think if the waitperson is really annoying you.

Answer 9

making sure that your food is what you ordered/how you ordered it/cooked to your liking/whatever is part of a server's job. it is not rude, it is absolutely imperative. what if the wrong meal is delivered to your table or you find a hair, and your server never returns? if you don't want service, eat at HOME.

Answer 10

they probably do it on purpose just to for laughs

Answer 11

They are really giving you an opportunity to ask for things.  For instance, you might need a piece of silverware, or a glass of water.  Or there might be something wrong with the food.

Answer 12

Having been a waitress for a long time. They ask to make sure nothing is wrong or cooked the way you want it. How many times have you been dropped off your dinner only to have the person serving you leave and not come back for awhile and you know your steak is winkiny at you or that there is something wrong on your plate. thats all

Answer 13

Most are required by their bosses to do just that. If it bothers you call the manager and complain - the waitress or waiter can't change the rules.

Answer 14

No. Obviously you've never waited tables. You should probably start tipping more...

Answer 15

Not rude at all. Their job is to ensure that your dining experience is going well.

Seriously, I don't think servers wait for you to have your mouth full before they ask you. It's just that it's their job, and when you're eating, you're likely to have food in your mouth a lot of the time.

I have experienced servers being TOO attentive, and that's annoying...

Answer 16

No.

Answer 17

It's good customer service.  That's what people want....good customer service, right?

Answer 18

Um it's their job to make sure that everything tastes good and that you have everything you need. If you don't want anyone talking to you while you are eating - stay home and make it yourself.

Answer 19

No, I think it is fine.  If they did not ask then I would feel as if they didn't care.

Answer 20

I don't like it when they don't ask me....its a minus on the tip for us.

Answer 21

No. It is inconsiderate to not ask.

Answer 22

i felt they just want to make sure the food and service is up to your expectation and i think they might want to know if you are happy with the food if you are not they can always have it change for you.

hmm...i think they just want to go the extra mile for the customer with the customer first mind set.

don't take it too hard, with your feedback then they are able to improve to serve you/customer better.

take it easy!

Answer 23

Absolutely not!!!!!

In fact, it's thier job.

They don't need to stop by excessively but, they do need to know what's going on at your table. ie: does your drink need a refill? and they don't need to ask you that, they can get a visual.

Same with removing a plate, they can see that too, no need to interrupt.

Basically this is how service should go;

Greet you and get drink and appetizer order.

Bring drinks.

Get meal order.

Bring appetizer.

Bring salad & remove appetizer plates.

Bring entree and remove salad order, refill drinks.

Check back w/customer after 5 minutes to make sure entree is to your liking, refill drinks.

Remove dinner plates.

Ask if dessert is in order, if yes, ask if they want coffee and serve desserts.

Present guest check. (DO NOT rush the customer)

Handle payment in a timely manner.

Thank guests.

Answer 24

I dont think that its rude if they do it at the right moment. As a waitress/waiter your job is to be observant and wait on your customers. I think that the best time to ask about the food is when they refill your glasses or check to see if you need anything else to drink at least. At least this way they are not coming over and bothering you every two minutes. And it also truly depends on the customer. There are some costumers who want the waitress/waiter to check on them often. But if the waitress/waiter is going out of there way to interrupt your conversation then yes it is extremly rude.

Answer 25

No, I think its rude when they don't come back. If I need something like a piece of silverware or more napkins I can ask the waiter/waitress for it when they come back to check on me.

Answer 26

It isn't rude at all and we have no intention of being rude either.  It's our job to make sure everything is going well.

I especially make sure that the food is cooked right when it comes to steaks, chicken, seafood and pork.  I want your meal to be done right because that can affect my tip, future business, and in the case of the latter three foods (since steak can be an option, so are burgers)-your health.

If all is well with the meal and you're happy then we're happy.  If something is wrong, let us know so we can correct the problem.   Also we have to check back for other things like re-fills and dessert.

Answer 27

It seems rude, but in truth. . . I used to wait tables, and when I was really busy, it was real hard to pick and choose how to approach my customers and see how things were going :)  Now if the place is empty, or just a few customers, I would wait until a person was finished, or seemed like a break in conversation until I went over to the table to ask how everything was (except to fill drinks of course. . . :)

Answer 28

Its understandable that when you are engaged in a conversation that you dont want a stranger coming up to you asking you how your food is, yet they are doing this to best accommodate your dinning experience. A minimal check and time provided to request something or comment on your food is sufficient and some servers do go beyond this minimal check-in. I was a waitress for 6 years and hoped that I was never bugging my customers, although I find myself annoyed when I dont ever see my server in between the time that they drop off my food to the time when they drop off the check. At the restaurant I worked we were advised to check within 2 bites. I think its best when servers "read" their guests to monitor whether or not they need something without interupting.