The Modern Waitress

Maybe it’s all the technology in the world today, but I’ve noticed that waitresses are going without two quinetessential “waitress items”: the pen and pad of paper. They seem to magically remember all of the complicated orders they are given and then proceeded to serve these meals accordingly.

For example, my husband and I were at a pretty crowded restaurant today on the marina. We sat outside and many other groups of people arrived at the same time and also proceeded to sit outside. Shortly after we were handed menu’s a waitress appeared and quickly recited all the specials today (bravo! I’m always impressed when they don’t have to look at the “special board”.) We nixed the specials because they all contained chicken or beef and then told her our orders. She nodded after each one then collect our menu’s. Our cheerful waitress then proceeded to a group of four at another table and took their orders. Wait! Do you remember our orders! My husband said no onions with his fish taco…did you get that?! She did & our dishes were quit good. Whew.

Why are waitresses (and waiters, let’s not leave out the men), deciding it’s “cool” to not write down our orders. Is it because they have no concept of what pens and pads of paper are? Remember this is generation Y, where emails have replaced traditional letter writing and the words “card-catalogue” mean absolutely nothing. Or, is it pure one-upsmanship in the waitress world, proving their minds are like little menu computers? I really don’t know.

May I take your order?

~ by karenferguson on May 16, 2007.