A note on service

For the most part service goes unnoticed, until its not there. You expect it, you're even supposed to tip well for good service. Yet some how, even when its good, or great, or in those very rare occasions exceptional, we don't notice it quite as much as when its not there.

Brisbane, and for the most part Australia, seems to work on a very British model for service at restaurants and pubs. Not too surprising considering it's very British here compared to Canada. For those who don't know what this means, here is a brief overview: Self-service seating to start, then if you're lucky there will be a menu at the table; otherwise you'll have to find one on your own. Some establishments will list on the menu that you have to order at the bar, but not always. If they don't, you have to wait and figure it out on your own by watching others; or just get tired of waiting. So by now you've ordered. Excellent, now you're set, you have food on the way and drink in hand. Eventually a busboy or your server will return with your order, and this will be the last time you will see this person. No one comes back to see if the food is ok, to see if you need anything, or if its the right food. 

Then there is the scenario when your food doesn't arrive. This is where the staff either forgot about you, or didn't feel the need to tell you all the other staff is off and it's their first day. So your order will be up in, oooooh, an hour. 

 

If this were Calgary, you might not think too much of this, as the current labour shortage has employers hiring anyone who can stand. Or is it breathe? Maybe its neither. I think I saw a cardboard cut-out of a person once. Just so it looked like there was staff. 

 

I have two points here. Both have probably gotten very lost and confused by now. 

Point number one. Take a moment to think about the service you received next time you're anywhere. If it was good, thank them for it. Better yet, thank them and tip them well. This also goes for the opposite. If service was bad, don't tip, and tell them that, but don't short your bill. Just don't give them what they didn't earn. 

Point number two. If you are in the service industry, please, take a moment and think. Most of the time customers would rather know you're short staffed, or something is broken, right away. Its better for you if the customers know what to expect. At least this way if you tell them you are short staffed and everything is an extra 30 min, you can tell them off when they start to complain. :)

Communication is works best when more than one person is involved.