Changing your RSVP at the last moment

Things happen....life happens.

I do planning for several groups. I make reservations at restaurants, arrange transportation and provide the necessary information to make the event as stress free as possible. I make the announcement and wait for the RSVPs to come in. Once I have the 'final' number I contact the venue and adjust the reservation if necessary. Simple, right? Wrong.

It would be simple if some did not wait until the last possible minute to change their RSVP. I am not talking about the person who woke up that morning with pink eye or a fever rather the one who signs up for every event and then backs out at the last moment...everytime. You know the one...the guy or gal who loves to see their name on the guest list but never quite makes it to the party.

Maybe they don't understand why it makes a difference. Let me explain:

Friday is Valentine's Day. I have a dinner planned for 10 guests at a restaurant. We will have a private room, I have arranged for each lady to receive a rose, place cards for each guest and a server who expects to receive a gratuity from 10 guests. In some cases the restaurant has called in extra help based on the 'final' number that I provide, usually 5 days in advance.

So, just be kind and think about the planning that goes into an event. I really want you to attend but if you are just thinking about it...please don't RSVP until you are sure you want to be with us.

Are you always late?

There are some people who cannot be on time. It is in their DNA to be late. What to do?

It is difficult for those of us who are rarely late to understand how someone can consistently get caught on the phone, hung up in traffic or got lost.

For some people, being on time seems nearly impossible -- no matter how important the event. They're always running out the door in a frenzy, arriving everywhere at least 10 minutes late. If this sounds like you, have you ever wished you could break the pattern? According to Julie Morgenstern, author of Time Management From the Inside Out, the first step is to make promptness a conscious priority.

 http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/help-chronically-late

I really think she is right. Being late becomes a habit and difficult to break but it can be done. It is important to understand why you are late but once you do it can be addressed and corrected.

Take some time and think about it. It is uncomfortable for your friends when they are always waiting on you.

What is really good service?

What makes really good service when dining out?

Number one on my list is good service. Even if the food is only mediocre good service can make it an enjoyable experience. So what constitutes good service?

Acknowledgment

I want my wait person to notice me and to actually look at me, not over me. A great waiter will ‘read’ my mood and adjust.

Smile

I know you are tired and that you just had the table from hell but hey, I just got here. Give me a chance to piss you off before you take it out on me.

Keep my water replenished

Whether I am having a cocktail, wine or coffee I drink water as well so if I order water please don’t let the glass get empty.

Repeat my order

Just make sure what you heard is what I said. If there are choices to be made, please be a little patient. A reminder may be needed.

Serve all table guest at the same time

Sometimes this is the fault of the kitchen but a good waiter will work it out so that all guest receive their orders together. Nothing is more annoying than to have your steak getting cold because one person at the table hasn’t been served.

Please give me time to eat

Dining is a social event so I may take a break to converse with my fellow diners; don’t remove my plate too soon. In fact I am happy to have that plate in front of me until all are finished. It can be uncomfortable to be the first or the last to complete the meal if the plates are removed too quickly.

Remain professional

Don’t insert yourself into my conversation. I know you are dying to tell me your story of your opinion but please don’t.

Tell me the gratuity has been added

Many restaurants add the gratuity for larger groups. I wish they didn’t because those that don’t get a better tip from me. But if it is added and you remind me you are likely to get an additional tip and I will leave with a favorable impression.

Are you an annoying diner?

Fine Dining Lovers lists 44 of the most annoying types. Let’s look at five of them. I found myself here. How about you?

The Substiuter

Remember that scene in the movie “When Harry Met Sally” , no not THAT one. The one where she is ordering her dinner. She wants the salad but not the regular dressing, she wants balsamic vinegar and oil and she wants it on the side. Then she wants the Salmon with Mustard Sauce and she wants that on the side, too.

The Couple with a Baby in a Place Where There Shouldn’t Be One

So glad you are proud of your new baby and that you are not letting her get in the way of living your life, but maybe little Sara would enjoy her evening more if she could get to bed on time and we could enjoy our $75 dinner without the serenade

The Ruiner

Did that guy just ask for catsup for that $60 steak?  Oh no he didn’t.

The Table Rearranger

Is it really necessary to move every item on the table as soon as you sit down? That vase of flowers does not belong on the floor!

The 18-Way Check Splitters

This is the one who retrieves a calculator and ask the waiter for a menu so he can split the bill precisely according to every single item eaten and then counts out the bills and change from his pocket and asks the waiter to put the rest on his credit card.

Eating or Dining ?

Someone asked me recently, “What is the difference between ‘eating’ and ‘dining’?” ...well

Eating is feeding my body. I eat when I am in a hurry. Usually on my way to my next task,  a million things on my mind and my stomach is growling. I must feed my body in order to do what I must do. I grab something and cram it down and continue on my journey. I gain only sustenance, there is no enjoyment only necessity and I won’t pay much for that.

Dining on the other hand is slow and feeds my ‘spiritual’ needs. There is music, a tablecloth, great service and most of all, interesting guests and stimulating conversation. It feeds my senses with wonder and joy. I gain insight, perspective and new ideas. When I leave my senses are satisfied and I am full in every sense and every ‘sense’ of the word. I am happy to pay for such rare occasions.

So, for me the difference between ‘eating’ and ‘dining’ is like the difference between sex and making love.

If you enjoy dining in Oklahoma City check us out at www.okcgourmet.com