How is Everything?
We went out to eat with friends the other day at a local restaurant. As usual, the waitress came up to the table and asked us, “How is everything?” As in most cases, all it takes is for one person to respond, “Everything is good.” and the server goes away having received an answer.
When did this pattern of behavior start? How is it that when one person replies, they are considered the spokesperson for the table? Is it possible that other people at the table have a different point of view about their food or service? In the instance of this meal, we had at our local restaurant, one of the dishes that one of us ate was undercooked. Clearly, the “spokesperson” for the table got it wrong.
So how would you change this process? Here are some thoughts… all of which I would love to try, but probably never will, because it would be rude to do so.
1- “How is everything?” Response: “That’s a good question let me ask.” Then what you do is ask each person at your table for an answer and let the server just wait for all the answers. Of course, this does put some pressure on the people at your table. Would you be the only person at your table to say something is bad? Also, suppose most of the people think the food or service was not good. How would that impact how you are treated for the rest of the meal?
2- You are well aware that the server is going to come at some point and ask the question. So you prepare for it. You pre-poll your table using a rating system. you ask each person at your table to rate the food and/or service from I-5. Now you are ready. “How is everything?” Response: “On a scale of 1-5 we feel that the food is 3.8.” and/or “Our table feels the service was 4.1 out of 5.” This leaves you many options. You could respond with, “the consensus of our table is 2.8 for food and service” or if you want to generalize a response, “the consensus of our table is good, thank you.” In this way, no one in the group has to be put on the spot for having a bad review. Of course, this may force the server to clarify the rating by asking for more information. But chances are this will not happen, after all, the server wasn’t expecting a real answer to begin with, so probably won’t hear what you said anyway.
3. Pre-select a true person as a spokesperson for your table. “How is everything?” Response from the designated spokesperson, “As the spokesperson for the table, without objection, I would have to say that everything is fine.” Now in this scenario, someone could add to or refute a spokesperson’s statement if they wished.
4. Whoever answers, they should go into great detail about the meal. “How is everything?” Response: “Well the mashed potatoes were made to perfection, the string beans, however, were undercooked, the salad would have had a better dressing if it didn’t have so much salt. I think that I can speak for everyone and say the music was too loud since we couldn’t hear each other speak. Is it possible to turn up the heat, it’s pretty chilly in here? Some of us would like a refill on our drinks, will that cost extra?…” you get the idea.
5- And finally, answer with either complete nonsense or in a foreign language. “How is everything?” One response, “Absolutely Flutsoid.” Another response, “Es ist eine gute Mahlzeit, C’est bon! “
As tempting as these choices are, I’m not willing to actually do any of them, but boy, would I love to see a server’s reaction to any of these scenarios.
