Etiquette Tuesday: Attention Span
Image via Wikipedia Commons
Besides the flu, there’s a bug zipping around the Washington area: restaurant management awareness. Lately, I’ve noticed the vigilance of restaurant managers to the satisfaction of their patrons. Case in point: Recently, my friends and I visited Dirty Martini for drinks and the manager came over three times to see how we were doing (*in addition to the waitress who came over about five times). Now this is typical in the upscale restaurant setting but I have even noticed this happening at the most casual burger joints. Is this just me? Or does this close attention to customer satisfaction seem to be spreading around the District?
This is absolutely acceptable and gratifying, needless to say, which is why I decided this week’s etiquette tip should highlight the new trend. Now some might argue this is not a new trend. Well, in the District it is. Having been here almost as long as the Jefferson memorial, I have to say five years ago, typically you would not have known if a manager was on duty when you visited a restaurant. Having a point person to simply suggest improvements without drawing too much attention to the situation is an absolute plus to a dining experience. On the other hand, being able to pass on positive feedback directly to management is also an added benefit.
Basically, keep up the good work. Asking how the dining experience is going could be the difference between a loyal customer and a one-time visit.
Category: Food.Fun.Stuff.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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I agree. However 3+5=8 visit is a little too many for me. Every time someone visits the table, the conversation gets interrupted. I need a balance and good timing. So, I need someone coming over whenever glasses are getting empty or people are ready to move on to next thing (order/check) but not too often that I feel smothered.
Very true, it always sucks when you’re at the climax of your story and then the waitor comes over to interrupt…