Tropical Punch Tour: Thailand Part 28
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Bangkok, Thailand
Let’s talk about chow. More specifically, restaurant service in Southeast Asia. After all of the awful food in Myanmar that gave me diarrhea twice in two weeks, I was so stoked to be back in Bangkok and eating good food again. But, a kid that works the floor at my favorite restaurant messed up twice today. The first time was at lunch when it was really busy. I had been sitting and waiting for 10 minutes for a menu when a couple of other guys came in and sat down. The kid instantly brought them menus. As he walked by, I waved, but he still ignored me. I had to walk up to the counter to get someone else’s attention to place my order.
The second time was at dinner later in the evening. When I walked in and sat down, the place was devoid of customers. A moment later, a family of four entered and sat at the table next to me. I ordered, then they did. A little while later, the same kid served them their appetizers and my food, which they were puzzled over but started chowing down anyway. I thought it was probably mine, but I wasn’t totally sure, so I didn’t say anything. A while later, the staff finally figured it out and re-made my food, but it took forever, and the family was almost finished eating by the time I even got started. I never even got an apology.
I know the concept of restaurant service in Southeast Asia is very different from the West. At almost every restaurant I’ve eaten at down here in every country–even really nice ones in Bali–the wait staff just seats you, takes your order, brings your food and that’s it. They just ignore you from that point on. If you want anything else, even your check, you have to flag them down. But the situation today was different. I know everyone makes mistakes, but two major blunders in one day? I say it’s time to teach that kid to pay attention to what he’s doing and to what’s going on in the restaurant. Come on, I’m starving here! And I’m trying to support your restaurant.
Roll over photos for captions.
All words and photos ©2010 Arcane Candy.
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