Orchard Road. July 2016
[from FB post: December 11, 2011]
Just had a late lunch at TGI Fridays on Orchard Road. It was NOT busy and the food was actually quite good. The service was, in a word, HORRIBLE. I met the manager on the way out... I told him about my experience and also finger pointed the hostess for not even being at her station when we arrived. Not to mention our server didn't know the menu and disappeared for long periods of time. The manager was very apologetic and gave me a discount voucher for my next visit. Ugh. I'd just rather he do some more staff training!!! $S100 for lunch for two and BAD service? I mean.... REALLY!!!!
unrealistic expectations?
How culturally specific is service? In Singapore all the expats complained about service, especially in high end places. No one ever complained about it in the hawker centers with their lightening fast, deliciously prepared local food - but in any place that approached being "nice", suddenly it was as if the wait staff had been trained on the set of "The Walking Dead". Take note: never expect good service in high end restaurants in Singapore.
In Melbourne, Australia we were at the start of a trip having the breakfast buffet in a huge chain hotel. Everything was self-serve except for the coffee - that was served to each table. In the vast lobby of the hotel with over 100 people sitting down to breakfast, one lone waitress was making her way from table to table pouring coffee and tea. I was in shock. I heard later that Australia was in a perpetual labor shortage in the service sector and under-staffing was the norm. I complained to the waitress and said "I can't believe they have only you serving this whole room". She curtly replied, "Oh I think we doing a pretty good job, sir". Take note: not enough service staff is the norm in Australia so BE PATIENT.
In Freiburg, Germany MAP, his girlfriend, and I stopped for late lunch and a walkabout on the way back to Stuttgart from Strasbourg, France [see: Strasbourg]. We ate at a lovely, old place right on the cathedral square. It was needlessly expensive, but we were hungry and M gave into my need to eat traditional German food in an old restaurant in the tourist zone. One of the special dishes on offer was venison. I am just not a venison fan. The waitress was insisting I try it to the point of nearly bullying me - I was astonished. MAP barked something at her in German and she left. She took the concept of "chef's special" to a whole new level. Take note: in Germany you might be coerced into trying a local dish.
Once in London on Westbourne Grove, AFVdR, Brian, and I were eating at a churrascaria. It was A's treat and we were in a festive mood. We had a lot of drinks and then those lovely, endless skewers of meat started arriving. We were having a fabulous time until.... a large party arrived and literally sucked the wait staff (and meat servers) right away from us. We went from normal service to no service because this group of 15 or so required so much attention. Given the price of the place, we all were livid - especially A, since it was his treat.
Disappointed, we managed to get a little more to eat and asked for the bill. It came and A suddenly changed his demeanor. He smiled, got out his card and quickly paid. He then rushed Brian and I out of the place: "Go, go, go, go". We had no idea what was happening. We just followed along and dashed up the street. After we had "cleared" the immediate restaurant area, A stopped and said, "Those twats forgot to charge us for the meals. We only paid for the drinks". HA! Justice served for poor service? Take note: when undercharged in a London restaurant, make your way to the exit as calmly and quickly as possible.
Funny how bad service incidents are usually looked back on humorously, yet in the moment they rankle us greatly.
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