Weirdness at IHOP
A typical Saturday morning and afternoon sitting around the house led to a typical Saturday evening shopping at Corridor G. I had every intention of getting a new phone today, but the AT&T store there didn't have the Samsung Epix (which I'd like to at least get my hands on versus buying sight unseen — or unfelt, I suppose) so that's been delayed yet again — giving me more time to obsess about the decision.
While out, we ate at IHOP and encountered a bizarre customer service experience. The restaurant was pretty empty — it was almost 9:00 when we ventured inside, and since they close at 10:00, you'd think we'd have gotten pretty decent service. Wrong....
We were seated promptly, our order taken, drinks brought. So far so good. While waiting for the food, I spotted a woman wandering aimlessly around the back of the restaurant. Now, this lady was easily over six feet tall and weighed maybe 85 pounds. She sauntered by the entrance to the kitchen, grinned at us, and kept on walking. Martha did the old "tipsy tipsy / sombody's been drinking" gesture, I nodded and rolled my eyes. As Tori Amos said, I love the way we communicate.
We got our food just fine and commenced eating. A few minutes later, here comes this lady again — sliding past the kitchen. Apparently someone had been mopping up over there and the floor was slippery. Nice... but probably not a good idea when "tipsy tipsy / sombody's been drinking."
She was talking with the staff, including the manager — loudly, I'll add — and it was pretty obvious she knew everyone there. Either she worked there and was off duty, or she was a regular like Otis in the Mayberry jail. I'd have put my money on either at this point. But because this woman was hanging around keeping the staff occupied with her antics, our drinks were emptied without being refilled, our bill was delayed, and none of the empty plates at our table were taken away. I'm kind of anal about having things like empty plates around me when I eat, so it was a bit unnerving... and when the bill finally did come, I was more than ready to go.
First of all, to the staff — I'm sure working at IHOP is a shitty job. But still, it's your job, and you need to do it. If that means fill up our drinks and carry away the plates we're finished with, then please... do that. Please.
Second, to the manager. Manage! You have customers in your establishment — do you really want them to see your staff acting up and carrying on like that? Or for that matter, you? What if I'm an IHOP secret shopper or something? Let's get it together here.
Third, mystery sliding lady. Two things for you. First, don't come in your place of employment drunk, even if you're not on the clock. Second, is IHOP really the best you can do on a Saturday evening? Granted, I'm not one to talk — but then again, I was there to eat. You were there to annoy the patrons, apparently, and slip-slide around in front of the kitchen.
This isn't the first time I've had — interesting — service at that particular restaurant, but I do think this was the last time I'll go back. I can see drunk and disorderly at any number of places in this town. This time, I just wanted some pancakes.
Comments on "Weirdness at IHOP":
I'm also pretty sure that they have rules against drinking in the workplace. I mean you know, maybe not ALL places have that, but just sayin... ;)
Glad to see this project up and running. Looks great.
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On Goodbye, Blossom, Martha said: We can still dress up and go to Laury's. Or Aubrey's. Or even Soho's, if/when I get over being mad.