Some More Bar-Related Comments

"I specifically give you my name when I greet your table for a reason. The reason being I do not answer to 'Hey you, Ma'am, waitress, hon, honey, babe, sweetheart, psssst' or snapping fingers. Thanks."
-Kim, from Stained Apron

I've been reading through various waitstaff written websites and blogs, and while we're on the same page most of the time, there are a couple things we differ on.

1. Separate Checks: there's a big anti-separate feeling on a lot of these sites. For me, though, I'm a big fan. Tables who pay all on one check often, though not always, tip poorly (or sometimes not at all). In part, I think it's oversight - people think of covering their drink/food/etc. and forget to cover their portion of the tip. In part, it's being cheap - a "my buddy will cover the tip" mentality. So, yeah, I'm all for separate checks when people are accountable for exactly what they ordered and how much they are, or aren't, tipping.

My only beef with separate checks is when I have tables who come in, stay for an hour or more, order multiple drinks and food, and only when they ask for the check do they ask for multiples. Then, I've had to stand there for a minute or two saying "and you had the __, right?" Talk about pain in the ass. I've gotten to the point that one of the questions I ask the most, right up there with "Do you guys want some popcorn" is "Are these together or separate?" Some folks remember to tell you at the beginning, many don't. I try to avoid later confusion by clearing up the issue right away.

2. Names. I don't give mine unless I'm asked. Last night a gal asked (She also brought her chihuahua into the bar, but she knows Marianne so it's okay. The chihuahua's name is Tinkerbell). She also said something like, "You never told us your name" as if I had committed a great sin. Good god! I didn't tell her my name! I must now do penance.

The bottom line: People who know my name know me. Most customers don't know me, thus they don't need my name. Regular customers and/or those I'm friendly with know my name. The random patron who comes in for a single drink doesn't need my name. Really. All they need to know is approximately what I look like (though, even on that count, it's far from guaranteed that they'll pay much attention).

A while back, bartender John and I had the name conversation, and I was glad that I'm not the only one who skips introducing themself. His comments were along the line of "As soon as people know your name, they act like they're your buddy. I don't want to be their buddy. They don't get to know my name."