Ordering ice water

One of my inspirations for starting the blog was actually to respond to someone trashing the job of a server. This guy insisted that the customer always knows what they want, and there is no need for a server to try and "guide" their guest in the ordering process. It has taken me one shift at work to debunk said argument.

Example 1:

"Hi! Welcome to The Cheesecake Factory. Can I start you with something to drink?"

"Sure. I'll have an ice water with lemon or lime."

"O.K. So, an ice water with lemon." I defaulted to lemon because they are on the line and easier for me to get, where as, a lime wedge comes from the bar or kitchen.

"Well, do you have lime?"

"Oh, you would prefer a lime?"

"Yes."

Exit scene to retrieve water and lime from the bar.

Apparently I was mistaken for interpreting that water with lemon or lime meant that either was sufficient. Next time I will activate my mind reading skills so I know that a lime is actually needed, or maybe my guest could just order hmmm... a water with lime perhaps.

Example 2 (different table):

"My mother will have a lemonade with no ice."

"O.K. I just want to let you know, though, that our lemonade is extremely sweet. The ice, even just a little bit helps to cut the strength."

"It's O.K. We'll take it with no ice."

"Of course. Be right back."

Return to table later to check on food.

"I'm so sorry. My mom doesn't really like the lemonade. It's just too sweet for her. Can she have a water with lemon or lime instead?"

While I understand that guests don't want to be pressured into ordering something they do not want, servers ask little questions to get an idea of what they actually do want. I work at a restaurant with a menu that is almost 20 pages long. Some "tour guiding," no matter how little, is definitely called for.