Etiquette Tuesday: The Regulars

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The “regulars” are the best in most businesses.  “Regulars” are the folks that frequent an establishment on a steady, consistent basis.  They often are the reason some businesses stick around for many years.  The owners, managers and waitresses are familiar with them because they become as much a part of the restaurant as the people hired to work in the establishment.  This week’s etiquette tip talks to restaurant establishments about these regulars:  do not take them for granted.  If you have ever been a regular at a restaurant you have had the opportunity to observe how the staff reacts when someone new comes in for a drink/dinner service.  Do they still provide you with the same service? Do they shun you while there’s “company” in the building??  These are legitimate questions to ask yourself if you’re evaluating whether you need to become a “regular” at another spot.

This tip came to me because I have noticed there are times where I have “regular” envy:  the service is so good for the people the staff seem to know (“regulars”) that I want to come here for that same treatment.  There are other times, however, I notice how the staff takes on the Stepford wives routine towards me while treating the regulars like they are 2^nd class citizens.  Both instances are not acceptable:  good service should be across the board.  Simply because someone walks into your restaurant who is what society considers a “VIP” should not deter your service to your regulars.  On the flip side, just because I do not visit your restaurant regularly does not mean my visits will not increase after a positive experience.

Moral of the story:  Treat all of your patrons good, some of those irregulars could become regulars but those regulars could also become irregulars.  Just a thought…

Tags: dining etiquette, Etiquette Tuesday

Category: Etiquette Tuesday