Comments on: SPOT OF BOTHER #1: Rough Seas Ahead in the Dining Room

by: Brooke A. Brown

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:57:56 +0000

Hey gang… thanks for all the feedback! You’ve given me more ideas for future Spots of Bother (and I already have a pretty extensive list).

Thanks for reading. More to come…

by: Asha

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:15:09 +0000

Maybe these guys want to help curb our appetites and therefore help us poor folk lose weight? Cause I sure have trouble eatin’ if the table is a-drippin’!

by: Lynn

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 04:55:15 +0000

Would it be unrealistic to use disposable, disinfecting wipes? They are clean and they also dry fast. They may not be cost-efficient or environmentally friendly though.

I get kind of grossed out when I see a person using a rag over and over. It makes me wonder what they are spreading from table to table. Yuck-o!

by: Bryan A. Boyd

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 23:59:28 +0000

Thank you Brooke Brown for waving the wet rag of discontent over this problem. Here’s how I see it. I don’t expect water on your plate when you’re seated, nor do I look forward to a moist napkin and wet silverware. I don’t expect to find the (wine) glass half full–or half empty–with rinse water. So I therefore don’t expect my table to look like the waitstaff just brought it inside after giving it a thorough hosing off!

Food folk, wipe those tables dry, please! And Brooke, keep your rag flying high. Maybe with your help, will we have the slate, and table, wiped clean of this issue!!!

by: Al Peery

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:02:02 +0000

and…when you’ve finished your meal, having a cup of coffee and conversation, the vacuum cleaner comes out. That sucks…literally.

Lipstick on the wine glass…eeeeuuu. When the over-used greasy wet rag with other people’s left-overs on it is used to wipe food particles from the table down onto your seating surface…double eeeuuu.

Name names Brooke! Hold them accountable!

by: Candace Wilson

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:39:17 +0000

GREAT POINT!!!! And what’s worse than a place that serves pancakes and uses that stinky nasty rag over and over again. Then there’s still that nice smear of maple syrup all over the table! GROSS!!!

by: PBR queen

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:24:29 +0000

and…please don’t let rag A be a grey, stinky, greasey mess, either!

by: Drew from NJ

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:56:20 +0000

and don’t forget that I do enjoy water with my meal, and is it possible to get a water refill these days ? It would also be nice if I didn’t have to clean the utensils.

keep up the good work Brooke ! us customers need a voice.

by: Jennifer G

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:40:50 +0000

You’ve opened the flood gates Brooke! None of this is particularly unique to Charleston- just dining out in general.

Where oh where to begin…. the overly anxious order taker who expects me to know what I want before I even place an order for a beverage.

Please let me know the specials– don’t make me ask.
No silverware at the table when my food arrives… I hate having to ask for utensils!
The overly speedy check-bringer who drops my check on the table before I have even gotten a drink refill or thought about dessert…the tip-meter goes way down for that one!
Little spots of bother that just bring down the adventure of eating out a few notches.

by: The Lovely Miss S

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:25:59 +0000

Thank you for raising this point. I couldn’t agree with you more. I find it especially bothersome when the waitstaff set the menu down into that puddle of slop, and seconds later the slop has been transferred from the menu to my previously clean, meal-ready hands. Yuck!

Restaurant managers would do well to take your advice and equip the staff with a beloved towel “B.”