Wibu to complain about this waitress?

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

Dh thinks I shouldn't have complained, I think I definitely should have, who's right?

Went to a Toby carvery, meal was fine and service by the waitress fine until we finished the meal (they don't do much as its a buffet thing). We then obviously wanted the bill so I tried to get the waitress' attention. When she came near the table I made eye contact twice to try and get her to come over. She smiled and looked away then left. Next time she came near I made eye contact and raised my hand, nothing. I ended up getting up and walking over to her at another table and standing waiting for her to finish with them then asking.

We waited another 10 minutes for her to bring the bill. Dh had the card in his hand, and she had the card machine in hers, but before we could ask to use it she had gone. She just put the bill on the table and walked straight off. I then started the rediculous process of trying to get her attention again, I even stood up and called out excuse me after three or four failed attempts. She completely ignored us. This had been going on for another ten minutes.

Finally I managed to get her attention and asked for the card machine, waited another five or so minutes and she came back with it. Dh didn't want me to say anything, but I seriously couldn't stop myself. I was tired and wanted to go home, not play this rediculous game of catch the waitress.

I said that I had been trying to get her attention for ages, that we had wanted to pay by card and she had the machine etc and that it had taken a rediculous amount of time to get the bill sorted.

Her reply: "Well I do have a lot of other customers to attend to, I didn't see or hear you." No apology, and then she just walked off once the payment had gone through. IMO the only acceptable response to this sort of complaint is surely an apology?? I feel it's her job to be attentive to her customers needs, and she had seen plenty of times that we had finished our meals and would obviously need to sort the bill.

Dh thinks I shouldn't have complained and that it would have been enough to simply not leave her a tip. Obviously I don't agree. Aibu?

[gallifrey]

One of my pet hates! When you ask for the bill and they don't bring it for ages, then bugger off again leaving you there waiting again for them to come back with the card machine :(

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

Oh no I don't want to formally complain! I mean was IBU for saying anything? Looks like I was!! I am pretty tired and crabby after a long day.

[Sirzy]

If you wanted to pay then get up and go to the counter and pay. Much easier!

[NonnoMum]

She probably had the bastard of a Head Chef yelling at her in the kitchen to get these hot dishes OUT NOW, another customer desperate for a jug of tap water, wash up yelling at her to bring in all the dessert dishes, as they've run out and Table 6 wants their ice cream NOW and was looking round for the random high chair for the family with twins...

So you paying your bill was down her list of priorities. You wouldn't appreciate how much pressure there is in a hot kitchen.

But she could have apologised.

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

The only reason I don't think she was v busy was because of the empty tables and she was going to tables nearby to ask if they were happy with their meals, not taking orders or delivering food to tables.

[WhereDoAllTheCalculatorsGo]

rediculous indeed

[HugAMoo]

I was going to say this isn't The Ritz, this is Toby Carvery, it gets very busy and I imagine the staff were run off their feet.

However, you've just said it wasn't that busy so I do find it odd that she seemed to ignore you. If it was quiet, you must have stood out like a sore thumb, running after the waitress, waiting at another table and waving / trying to get her attention? Maybe you were annoying her?

[emuloc]

I pay on the way out when I want to leaye. I have better things to do than wait an eternity.

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

Oh dear, im going to have to tell dh he was right! I accept iwbu by the majority of replies! :)

[usualsuspect]

She could have said sorry though.

But next time pay at the till, saves all the drama

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

Hugamoo - I promise we were very well behaved throughout the meal. No annoying requests or anything, I just wanted to go home! Big meal + long day + baby's bum in my ribs = uncomfortable pregnant lady!

[TabithaStephens]

Or just leave cash on the plate.

[Sirzy]

Most places like that expect their staff to go to the tables to check they are happy with meals within a certain time of the food being taken to them.

The fact that there were empty tables doesn't necessarily mean she wasn't busy. She could still have been looking after lots of tables and they will have more staff in at busy periods.

[MalcolmTuckersMum]

Oh completely rediculous. I might even go so far as to say it's discusting. Did you loose your temper?

[RatUpADrainpipe]

You are being rIdiculous and are overeating a tad.

Ah, well.......baby AND pregnant.....so you have an excuse?

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

And if we go back I will definitely pay at the till, save all the hassle :)

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

No I didnt lose my temper at all, just said I wasnt happy, no raising my voice or anything, very polite. Just to clarify, no baby yet, just pregnant, with my unborn baby's bum pushed up into my ribs, very uncomfortable. We didn't have cash, so couldn't just leave it unfortunately.

[WheresMeJumperOhNo]

Please, for the sake of my sanity, learn how to spell ridiculous. Please.

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

Ooh dear I'm usually quite good at spelling!!

[MalcolmTuckersMum]

for Jumper

[HugAMoo]

heff no, I meant you may have annoyed her by persistently asking for the bill (a normal request, granted). Sometimes, in these situations the more you ask for someone's attention, the less likely you are to get it iyswim

[LottieJenkins]

I can definitely say that not all Toby Carvery staff are rude. I have been three times to the one at Westwood Cross in Margate and the staff there are lovely!!!

[HugAMoo]

Yes, how dare anyone post if their spelling isn't perfect

[usualsuspect]

Someone always comes on and makes sweeping statements that all the staff are rude.


Bit harsh to be so rude about OPS spelling.

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

Well it's been decided by mn, iwbu! I shall put it down to being a tired and cranky pregnant lady.