I hear ya cynic! I love eating breakfast out one day on a weekend. I think they should have a waitress just to refill coffee. I like more than one coffee, and sometimes they don't offer you more coffee till your meal is almost finished.
And seeing uncleared tables when people are waiting to be seated is not right. I've seen waitresses just talking amongst themselves at their stations and not being on the ball to keep the customers happy.
Prices have gone up for meals here, or portions shrink. It really, really irks me when they do both, and I end up paying more for less.

Don't get me started...

My daughter works for a restaurant. Twice in the last three years, they've purchased smaller "scoops" for dishing out the food. It's the incredible shrinking portions.

I used to take a little tupperware in the restaurant with me and take home 50% of the portion for the next day's lunch. No more. They really are offering less for the same price. I think inflation has returned, but the retailers are trying to hide it best they can.

And as to service, don't get me started on that, either. It's really, really, really disappointing. There is no pride of accomplishment or pride in your work. I've paid for merchandise at a check-out while the cashier is talking non-stop on the phone.

It's a whole new world.

I agree with most, but as a person who does enjoy the smaller portions, it is good for me. Almost everywhere a person goes, the food just overwhelms the plate (smaller plates), and much of that is not eaten. I try to ask for smaller portions, but sad to say since weight has become a problem for many, small is good.

Do you make your concerns known to the management? No point complaining HERE. We're sitting around the Kitchen Table, not managing these restaurants.

Ask for the manager's name. Ask to speak to him or her, or write a note, detailing what you'd like to see done differently. That may actually help and it worth the small effort if you want to continue to patronize that restaurant.

Need further incentive? You might get a 'comp' on some part of your next meal!

Cracker Barrel used to have great service...now it's non-existent. Long waits for a server, long waits for food, and then there's something wrong with the order or cold.

We've stopped going there.

Monica, it must just be that CB. Ours has great service.

Linda

I read in the paper that Applebee's is installing little buzzer-like things on the tables that will alert your waiter you need service. The waiter wears a band on the wrist (sort of like a watch). Pretty cool, huh?

Have you noticed how hard it is to get a waiter's attention? They seem to look straight ahead instead of at the tables they're servicing. I know it's not the easiest job in the world, but you can make a pretty good living in tips if you're good to your customers.

Cracker Barrel is our go-to place when we're on the road. Always good, friendly service. So, too, with our local restaurants.

As for portion size, well, like mariend, says, weight is a problem for many of us. Huge portions have always been unrealistic, and why should a restaurant serve us two meals for the price of one and have to supply a "doggie bag" to boot! I understand that it's their own fault for supersizing things to get us in the door in the first place, but try to think positively - restaurants are trying to be responsible and serve a little less food so we won't feel obligated to "clean our plates." That's right, isn't it?

Seriously, food is the least expensive commodity in a restaurant, which is part of the reason they started piling food on our plates in the first place. Hub and I don't eat out all that often anymore, but when we do we're good tippers and rarely get slow service or the wrong food. I for one am happy to see somewhat smaller portions on our plates.

Sherry

Oh, Boy, do I hear ya, Cynic!!! It does to make your unsatisfaction known to the establishment. At our local super market, their week-end help tend to be high school age, and they never even acknowledged a customer while ringing up the purchases. So I wrote a note to the manager and expressed my complaints about this (and about their not having a sufficient inventory of sale items). I got a letter back thanking me for my input and things have change for the better since.
P.Sfriend Cynic, how are you doing? Dottie

Chisue is absolutely right about telling the management, home company or owner about poor service or poor product. Our local stores, locally owned, can't do enough for the customer. Carry out your bags? May I help you find something? Good morning, glad you stopped in. I love shopping in those stores.
However, the Arkansas-owned blue store is different, with check out persons who don't acknowledge your existence, no one to help find things. I contact Arkansas almost monthly. I shop there only under duress. Sometime something has got to give!

Count me among those who think that portion size has been way out of control for a long time. Is it any wonder then that people base their at home portions on what is most often served in a restaurant or fast food place. Large portions and super sizing has lead to a lot of obesity, along with complications, imho.

Heck, if the portions ever get small enough, I may someday even have room for a desert of some sort, but as it is, after cleaning my plate, and having a glass or two of water, I'm quite full.

I think the me-and-mine generation (which is mine,) is getting bitten in the keester and getting pay-back for raising a bunch of kids who have no manners and little consideration for others. Of course this is not all, thank goodness, but it seems to be a majority. I watched a young guy the other day approach a door with his wife (fiancee?,)with me just a little bit behind them. He actually had to make a maneuver to open the door and get himself in first! She meekly followed and it really ticked me off. He had no clue. I've harped and harped on my kids to the point of becoming a real nag about manners and consideration for others, and I hope they are a little thoughtful when they are out and about, if not always at home. But the Me-Blinders are so pervasive in our society now. I hope the up and coming generation of new parents wakes up and smells the coffee. Pity us in a few decades when we're old and totally dependent on these kids!
Ok, off my soapbox now. Yes, please write asap to the manager, and also to the head honcho of the chain.

It seems to me that we are a bunch of crabs today.

We want our low-paid teenage cashiers to be cheerful at all times, when we have no idea how much homework they may have to do when the shift is over, or whether they, like us, are pooped from school and work and life.

We want the nurses aides in hospitals and nursing homes to be on the top of their game at all times, but we pay them next to nothing.

We want our waitstaffs to be johnny-on-the-spot with our food and drinks and refills, and pleasant to boot, but how can they take care of more than one table if they're standing there chit-chatting with us? Often, some of us tip only 10%! Don't deny it!

We want big portions, then waddle our fat selves out to the car complaining about service or cost (or something).

I think the me-and-mine generation (which is mine,) is getting bitten in the keester and getting pay-back for raising a bunch of kids who have no manners and little consideration for others. Of course this is not all, thank goodness, but it seems to be a majority. I seldom meet people like that; I'm sorry you seem to. I worked in the local high school for years The young people I know are polite and considerate, just as I'm sure you are at all times, regardless of the moment.

Personally, I don't consider cashiers or waitstaff or anyone else rude just because they don't chat me up. I'd rather they manage their time well. And, actually, I don't always feel like being friendly to everyone. It's artificial to be friendly to everyone. It's not rude.

I'm not Pollyanna, but I don't go looking for things to criticize, either.

Cynic...again, I feel your pain! Poor restaurant service is rampant in this area, too.

To add insult to injury, try going in a restaurant as a single, lone, female. I've always had problems with being invisible to people, but when I walk into a restaurant alone I practically cease to exist.

When I'm finally seated, with the obligatory "Oh! You're alone?" comment to which I often reply, "Yes; I'm perfectly capable to feeding myself!" I get seated either next to the bathroom, or next to the drink station, or as far out of the way as possible.

So, I get up and reseat myself somewhere more comfortable and near a window.

If DH is with me the waiter will (sometimes) check back to see if we want refills or anything. If I'm alone, that's just not going to happen.

I've started calling the managers as soon as I leave. I quit leaving tips if the waiter doesn't check back at least once.

People today, especially the younger ones that take these types of jobs, seem lazy, uncaring, and not-too-bright. I worked as a waiter in my early 20s. It's very hard work; you have to be on your toes. It's a real talent to be a good waiter. I cared about my customers. Caring equaled tips.

My other restaurant pet-peeve. Waiters that take your money and say "Will you be wanting change?" As if I'm going to leave them $20 or more in tips? The ones that say "I'll be right back with your change" get a good tip. The ones that ask if I want change don't get squat.

OK, who is going to volunteer to accompany Caroline to restaurants to make sure she's not overlooked until she's starved to death? LOL

I suggest looking into a toy bullhorn like the one I gave DGS for Christmas. Maybe we should all get one of these: "HEY! WAITER! Over HERE!"

I have contacted the higher-ups about this. That's a whole nuther thread in itself! I understand the dilemma that the managers have when they can't pay a lot and have to get the job done with less than stellar people. And I understand a manager's situation when they work for a corporate operation. They can't do things an independent owner can do. And I'm not looking to get meals comp'd. That in itself bugs me when people look for that. Always drove me crazy with people trying to get something for nothing because "the customer is always right". The thing that bugs me is this place USED to be SO good, that yes, I got a little spoiled. The waitstaff were all people who took pride in their work and yes they were given far more than 10% in tip from me. That is, when I got excellent service. When I get poor service, I do not even give 10%. For me, tips are earned not a part of the bill.

It's not like I have to change the world. There's several other locally owned places that are a joy to patronize and I'll go there. I'll have fond memories of when this place was good and I will not be surprised to see this place close soon. No, not because of the loss of my business, but the place is pretty deserted when I've been in there lately. When I used to go there at 4am and there'd be a number of people there, they enjoyed a nice business. And of course as the day went on there'd be lines waiting. Not anymore. Part because of the economy I'm sure, but I'm convinced more because of service.

Some of the issues are easily resolved. For coffee, put a carafe of coffee on the table. Other places they regularly bring a pot around.

Cashiers or whatever who don't want to talk, that doesn't bother me. Some are bashful, tired or whatever. I just expect them to DO THEIR JOB and not be rude. When that happens, I'm fine with it. I guess having worked in restaurants I don't buy Shermann's philosophies completely. I was able to watch if glasses/cups were empty. I could occasionally ask if things are OK, etc. And there is inflation so costs go up. If the employees get a raise, it's an added expense. And good employees deserve raises. Although part of their income and raise in a tip oriented business will come from tips.

Oh, and Dottie, thanks for the concern. I'm doing OK. Just need to eat more and drink more. Not a bad situation to endure in a lot of ways, huh? :)

My DD used to be a food server in a large, very popular restaurant with a terrific ocean view. She loved it and made great tips because she gave excellent service.
Several years ago, or maybe longer, a local chain bought the restaurant. She stayed and it wasn't long until she felt she had to quit. Reduced staff, poor food quality, less tips for her.
She said she felt terrible when she could only offer the menu, take the order and then bring the check.
She went to work for a woman who used to manage this large restaurant. She remembers how to treat her help and how to treat her patrons. DD will never get rich working for her but she is happy and so are her patrons, many who have followed her to the smaller restaurant.

Recently I found some maple-flavoured filled cookies at a discount store that includes groceries.

There was a blurb on the shelf that told of the great new style that the cookie company was offering, with an illustration of the old and new packages ... with the old one showing that it included 750 grams (about 1.65 lbs., at 454 grams/lb.) and the new one showing that there are 625 grams of product (about 1.37 lbs.). Store staff indicated that they were selling at the same price.

Individual yogurt cups used to hold 175 grams, then down to 125 gr., later 113 gr ... and recently down to 100 gr.: which is, as far as I'm concerned, a real, "Ggr-r-r!" - but haven't noticed any reduction in price.

Inflation, I guess!

I agree that quite a large number of young folks, as older folks, are polite and helpful ...

... but it's rotting fish that get noticed: they smell.

ole joyful

Never would I send something back to the kitchen...heard so many horror stories of what goes on behind those swinging doors when food is sent back...think twice.

June

Very well-said, Cynic. Rudeness and fatigue are apples and oranges.