Okay, I work in a restaurant. Technically, two. I do social media marketing among other things. My actual title is "Reservation and Social Media Specialist". Sounds fancy, right? I'm basically just a sales and marketing assistant mixed with a secretary. Now that we have established what I do, I want to talk to you about the stupidity I have seen so far today. During the afternoon, I manage phones for both restaurants until someone else gets in at the other one. Already this morning, I have answered the phones more than I typically do in an entire two days.
Charlotte does this really cool thing twice a year called Queen's Feast Restaurant Week. Basically what it is is you get to try all these restaurants that participate in this event, a lot of fine dining restaurants will do this and you kind of get to see how the other half lives. Most restaurants offer 3 courses for $30 per person but if the restaurant has a lower price point they will offer either 4 courses or 5 courses for $30 per person, it's a really great deal! Here's the thing, good luck getting a reservation the week that it starts. You have to either put in a reservation way before restaurant week starts or be REALLY flexible with your time.
Today, at both restaurants, I have been dealing with people trying to make reservations. I can understand trying to make a reservation for 2 people, but I'm also getting people trying to make a big group reservations (think 5-12 people). I do what I can but at one location I can't take a single other reservation. We are maxed out. People are actually getting mad at me. Are you kidding me? I really want to chastise them and say "If you were a responsible adult who made plans in advance, maybe we wouldn't have this problem. This is not my fault, it's yours. You big idiot." but I don't. I smile into the phone, apologize profusely, explain that reservation times are very hard to come by during restaurant week, and ask if they'd like me to try to make a reservation for them at a later date.
I swear, I'll probably go to hell with how much I pretend to be nice. It's kind of hilarious, I'm great at customer service and attempting to diffuse difficult situation but I absolutely hate 89% of people. Did I also mention that my home restaurant (aka my home base) is extremely understaffed because of people quitting and that means I get to hostess tonight? Yup.
So yeah, THAT'S what I'm dealing with today. Wish me luck, I'll try not to kill people.
Until next time, make it rain.
D
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