Bistro Newsletter

Has the art of a proper and warm “hello” become a thing of the past? Recently I’ve noticed when I walk into a restaurant, I greet the host before they greet me. Or I am greeted, but without a feeling of warmth or gratitude for my business, often it’s a shrug and a slumpy mumble “follow me”. Last night I went to dinner, everything was great, food fantastic, bartender hysterical and on top of our service… but I could not shake what happened at the door when we first walked in. As I approached the two hosts at the podium, I said “Hello, how are you?” The two girls stared at me. I repeated myself, “Hello how are you?” Dead eyes locked into mine again. I smiled even larger and stared back. There was a five second pause and I said “Hi, I’m looking for a table for 3”. The lights went on or flickered somewhere deep in her eyes and she said, sorry we’re booked for the next hour and a half. I put my name in, and we were sat in less than five minutes?!?! The third host walked us into the dining room and said we have you set up in the middle, pointed in a general direction and left us standing there. There were two open tables in front of me, I didn’t know where to go, no menus were placed anywhere. I tried to catch the host and ask which table, but she had swiftly left the scene… so we sat in the table I would have chosen for myself wondering why she didn’t leave us the menus she had in her hand. She came back in about 3 minutes and said “no, your seats are at the bar”. I had told the first host we would take first available, but no one ever mentioned exactly where we were going, so I had no idea where I was supposed to sit. Bizarre moment to say the least. And no, I will not tell you where this happened. The hosts were young; the restaurant was busy and as I said everything else was perfect. I’m taking it as a fluke, and it’s not like we’ve never errored at our host stand. Alida and Jacob may beg to differ.

Last night reminded me how pleasantries are becoming passé. And it’s not just young people. When working the host stand, I often greet a more “mature” guest with a smile and a “Hello, how are you?” Two! They shout back with their hands waving dismissively in the air. In my head I’m thinking you don’t look like you’re two years old but then again… if the shoe fits.

Another one of my greetings “Hello, how can I help today?” said with a smile. I sometimes get a nasty stare back with the snide remark “Uh, duh, I need a table!” with a roll of their eyes. I want to say, sorry sir, I’m not a mind reader. For all I know, you may have a reservation I need to check off, be picking up a carry out, purchasing a gift card, soliciting me for business or a pack of ten friends may be joining you?!? 
Years ago, a few of us took a hospitality course with Zingerman’s. One of the many lessons I remember was the 10-4 Rule. When the guest is ten feet in front of you, the employee should make eye contact and smile, at four feet the employee should verbally greet the guest. Great way to avoid the blank stare down.

However, we all do it, no matter if you’re on the service side or the receiving side, wouldn’t it be nice if we could all just say hello first and go from there? Taking a moment to acknowledge the other person. Remembering each person we encounter is a human. Another opportunity to be kind.

On a last note, if you ever get pulled over, it doesn’t hurt to say “Hello Officer, how is your day going?” Might just get you out of a ticket. But obviously, I wouldn’t know anything about that.​

Cheers,
Sharon