Table Introductions

At Red Lobster we are forced by corporate offices to do a certain introduction when we approach a table. This got me thinking, what do people prefer? Would they want us to do the things corporate requires us to say?

As a server at Red Lobster, you are required to say a certain set of things. First of all you are expected to make a 'guest connection'. This usually involves finding out the reason the guest came into the restaurant. If they say they don't have a reason I usually try and take it a step further and see if they have anything else going on for the evening. Another thing I usually do is if I see a sports team being worn by a guest I usually try to make a connection with that.

Another thing a server is required to do is use descriptive words to describe our promotional menu and fresh fish menu. This portion of the introduction usually brings out the annoyed looks from guests. Many of the guests that have been through Red Lobster are familiar enough with the menus that they don't care for us to go through the entire thing with them.

We are also required to introduce our partner for the evening. This is the server whose section is right next yours. We are required to take care of their tables too if anything is needed.

When going through the entire introduction I usually see the guests get pretty anxious to get their drinks ordered. There are also some guests who usually try to stay engaged with what you are saying and take some information from the introduction. This could be them just trying to be polite but I see guests act on both ends of the spectrum, some anxious and some listening.

I realize that it usually depends on the type of people at your table whether or not they prefer you to go through the entire required introduction. Being able to read a table is usually key in making them happy. There have been situations at Red Lobster where table hears the entire introduction and the server decides not to go through with it to the table right next them and that table complains to a manager that they did not get the same treatment.

I guess the purpose for this post is just to explain what servers are required to say. I do agree if the server communicates the introduction in a way that makes it seem 'fake' would be annoying. Sometimes people should just take time out to hear their server out and who knows maybe they will take something useful from an introduction or menu explanation.