We work in a seasonal, tourist town.

Not unlike thousands across the country just like us. People come from all over the world to visit our little town.

The guests at our restaurant are part local, part seasonal local, part tourist. And they love, love, love our restaurant.

All of our guests, no matter where they are from want to know about us. Us the restaurant. And us the staff.

They all ask lots of questions. About the fire? The meat? Where we are from? Where we live? How we ended up here?

I tell the same stories over and over. But to be honest, who doesn’t love talking about themselves.

Along the way you make friends. Some superficial, others close friends who have been to your home and that you’ve socialized with. Back in my younger days I even got a few dates out of the conversation.

The serving staff and bartenders have the same experience.

Part of my job IS to stand and talk. To be the host welcoming people to our home.

The staff however has a job to do.

Tonight table 25 began a conversation with Jen, a server. 7 to 8 minutes later she’s still talking. They won’t let her get away.

By the time she excuses herself she’s now in the weeds. All of other tables need something.

I was a victim of this when working at the Hard Rock. Everyone wanted to know what it’s like to work in NYC.

The guest never realizes that the server is actually do a job. It’s not malicious. (Watching Frazier, and they said malicious as I was typing it).

So a bit of professional advice. Almost all servers, not all, like to talk to their guests. But as the guest, realize that Jen can’t stand there for 20 minutes just shooting the shit. Let her have a break to say, gotta go.

Extend the conversation over the two hours you are there.

Meanwhile, I have a few signals I give if I want to be saved. And my staff knows just to interrupt if something comes up that needs immediate attention.