Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

Took wifey out for an airing last night as it was our 4th wedding anniversary.
Restaurant had about 25 tables - 2 were occupied. She got a small steak for $30 and the wine was $45

Now what strikes me as odd in the land of ace marketing, is why they whip the food out fast and then harry you to say if you want anything else and then plonk the bill in front of you and make it clear you should leave.

If I was the manager I would try and keep the clients there as long as poss in the hope they would buy more food/booze. I can understand it when its busy and people are waiting - but in a big empty expensive joint ?

My son has a business in Tenerife and I used to go 6 times per year. The waiters will do anything to avoid bringing the bill as they want you there for hours and hours till you get hungry again and order a sweet plus another bottle of vino


Can anyone explain this apparent marketing faux pas ? Rope em, kneel em, brand em and slap their backsides and send em back to the herd. Can the managers really be following cowboy tradition ?

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

Congrats on the anniversary. Lunchtimes I can understand because people here get very little or no time for lunch, maybe around 1/2 hour. Dinner time, I suppose the wait staff are just used to plonking the bill down when they see you have just taken the last mouthful of food. Dosen't matter if the restaurant is half empty or there is a line out the door. We have, in different places, have had the bill plonked down, and other places we have had to ask for the bill.

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

I go to a restaurant to eat. Why would I want to stick around forever after I finish? :confused:

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

Don't recall having that issue when we dine out for dinner and it isn't usually in an expensive restaurant. We don't dine out often at chain restaurants so that might be the difference.

Also my DH is a Canadian and no one, but no one, bolts his food down faster than he does. I'll still have 1/2 a plate left and he is ready for his brandy.

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

<<<sigh>>>

Would this be another aspect of the cultural divide? :lol:

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

One of my pet hates has always been waiting for a bill - so I actually think its a good thing to get it in your hand.

I've never felt pressured to leave anywhere, even if the bill is sitting on the table for a while afterward whilst chatting - I'd sooner have that scenario than want to leave, but can't because the waiter has forgotten about you.

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

The whole dining out scene over here is bizarre. One set of cutlery to use for spreading bread, appetizer and entree. Appetizers so large there is no way you can ever get to dessert. Entrees being served before your appetizers are finished. Other diners plates being removed before you are finished eating. I also think its funny when you see a couple share an appetizer, entree and dessert - hasn't anyone realised that if they served smaller portions they could charge for 2 meals!

Yes it's great if you are in a rush but as OP says if you want to enjoy a nice relaxed meal you have no chance.

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

All that...... and 'side salads' being served before the main course... :blink:

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

That one really bugs me, they even bring them all together sometimes:frown:

I like to leave a time period of at least 15 minutes between entree and dessert, and quite often longer. When you are sat drinking their wine I don't see why this should be a problem, but they do seem to want to rush you off here.

They don't seem to have cottened on to maximizing the bill, you are never offered a dessert wine, brandy.... Lucky if you are offered coffee:(

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

Tried that after dinner conversation thing. Wife and I critiqued everyone else in the restaurant, which took about 4 minutes. After another few minutes of sitting there staring awkwardly at each other trying to remember what the hell we used to talk about before we had kids, we grabbed our doggie bags and left. ;)

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

Thing about alcohol is that it makes you want more. Also many people get hungry again after alcohol. That's why all the yobs in England go for a curry or a burger afterwards (and then hurl the results into a shop dooorway or a parked convertible if it's Tenerife)

Wifey often digs into a load of grub when she gets home - even when she was full in the restaurant

Keeping people there is also good because it is a better ambiance than when the place is empty - and it saves on heating bills with the warm bodies.
If there is street window, it's looks more inviting than an empty place.

If I am a quarter way down my gassy beer substitute when they try and shut me, there is every chance I will be tempted into another bevvy or eclair if the waiters just wait.

In Tenerife the first g&T is free so it loosens you up to start buying. In the US they loosen you up and then cut the selling opportunity short.

If I just wanted to eat I would stay at home as my wife makes superb meals every night - most people go out for the ambience and to relax - not to acquire calories in any form and then leave. That's the deal at McDonalds but this was an independent restaurant and not a chain food factory

It doesn't sound like good business

My point is - is it good business ?

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

Yes, actually it is.

What was your bill for the main course and all that? Say $60. You spent $60 in 30 minutes. Now if you stay another 30 minutes how much more are you going to buy? Another $10-$15-$20? A drink, ice cream, a piece of cake?

Contrast this to another patron who comes in, spends another $60.

1 hour, 2 patrons = $60+$60=120
1 hour, 1 patron = $60 + $15 = $75

Churn them in and out. Every minute you are debating the state of the world over an after dinner coffee the average money they make per minute / per table goes down.

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

How so when there are 2 tables occupied and 23 free ?

What opportunity are they losing ?

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

I can recommend a nice relaxed venue in Pearland - serve great Pasta ;)

Re: Why do Americans bolt their food and go ?
 

This is too funny - we should do a poll on this one to see how many people experience this :rofl: