Why is service in a restaurant worse when it’s quiet?

[mahiki]

Every time I’ve been in a quiet restaurant service has been a bit rubbish. They just leave you there for ages before even coming to take your order, never check up, don’t always deliver everything to the table etc etc. It’s not a recent thing so nothing to do with current economic situation. I just don’t get why?

My guess is because when the restaurant is hopping it's all go go go for the wait staff and cooks.
When it finally quietens down a bit, that's when phones are checked, quick trips to the loo and mini breaks are happening.
I find this happens all the time and not just in restaurants but in coffee shops too.
I went into a busy coffee shop and for once it wasn't busy and I stood at the counter and was totally ignored by the three workers behind it, so I walked out.

Because that's when deep cleans happen, when it's quiet. That's the time to pull out equipment and scrub behind and whatnot. There is the saying "if you've got time to lean you've got time to clean" that isn't far from the truth.
Deep cleaning happens during shifts not as paid extras unfortunately

If it’s a restaurant you are unfamiliar with, it could be quiet a lot because the service is bad

I had this recently. Sunday lunchtime, 1pm or so, so I doubt deep cleaning was happening. Large space but only a handful of tables taken. Food took ages and did spoil the experience somewhat.

I think it can be because they're not actively moving around the restaurant floor to see what needs doing. When you're constantly moving you can see what tables need as you're passing them regularly. This isn't the case when you've only got three tables in. Also, as others have said, staff take their breaks, polish wine glasses and cutlery etc.

Sometimes they put the less experienced/able staff on when it's quiet, as they need the good staff for when it's busy.

They usually have a pretty good idea of the patterns of when it's busy and not and arrange staffing accordingly. A very quiet period will have much less staff and sometimes not enough. Also less staff in the kitchen, in busy periods they have more ingredients pre-prepped in less busy times they won't want to avoid waste. Also when it's very quiet not all the cooking areas will be hot.
Plus as others have said staff take the opportunity to clean. And IME when it's quiet for ages you can get a bit sleepy and less proactive whereas when it's busy you are more focused.

Because when it's quiet they want anybody looking in to think it's busy, so service will be slow. I would walk away from a restaurant with loads of empty tables.

i was in ‘spoons the other day (lunchtime) and there were four people waiting to be served. three staff came out and served them. and then went off to do other things. i was still standing there. nobody serving. wtaf. i mentioned this to the member off staff who finished off moving bottles in the fridge. i was not impressed. i guess they all just presumed another one eould serve me and nobody did.