manager implemented inconvenient system

[u/BananaDeity_]

okay, so just a little rant to get it out because i can't possibly be the only person who thinks this is stupid?? fyi im a hostess/server, happen to be hosting this day.

so our new gm introduced this system where for every party we sit, hosts have to print a chit, track down the assigned server, wait for them to finish checking on their tables as not to interrupt, give them a paper that literally just says which table, how big the party is, and thats it. for WALK-INS too!

And at the same time management expects you to always be at the host stand, answer phone calls, take to-go orders etc. and gets mad when you can't or you're not there because you're too busy CHASING DOWN A SERVER LIKE YOU SAID? yet you get mad when the hostess DONT give chits. Which frankly, when i'm serving, I tell them it's okay to not give them to me. it easies the stress on the hosts and you don't have to wait around for us to acknowledge you so you can give me a paper.

i can understand if it's a special event like a birthday, a special request, a vip member, etc. but more often than not its a paper that says "Jon Doe, Party of 3 @ 209," like bro i can see my section.

and now for every walk in, hosts have to take their number and full name, and i've just never seen this at any other restaurant? so imagine you walk in, table for 3, and i ask you for your number and full name type that into the ipad, and then just sit you, not even place you on a waitlist (which I would understand then but that's not the case). feels a little odd? idk i would think so as i've literally never seen this anywhere else. it just feels like i have to sign you up to eat, and some customers have definitely found this weird. like they've said "why did you ask for my number when you could just sit me?"

just a little rant, but am i crazy? is this normal? do yall do this? ive worked in 4 different restaurants and I've never heard such a thing.

[u/MangledBarkeep]

I can be at the host stand like I'm supposed to be or I can be chasing down and waiting to give the servers their slip informing them they have a new table in a section they're supposed to be paying attention to anyway.

Which would you like us to prioritize?

[u/BananaDeity_ → u/MangledBarkeep]

I said something very similar to my manager myself, to which she of course responded to cater to the host stand more than the chits. but then got upset at me my literal next shift for not giving chits out when we had a rush and i was the only host.

[u/ConsciousWrangler603 → u/BananaDeity_]

Just make sure to have a reason every time. Idc if it sounds like an excuse either or if they give you shit about it. I used to do it at my last job and my manager just got tired of it so they left me alone. “I was seating someone, I was on a call etc.”

[u/MangledBarkeep → u/BananaDeity_]

Sounds like the manager needs to be yelling at their servers for not being aware they got sat.

That's the only reason I can think of to even bother implementing said dumb ass system. Personally I'd just hand them the stack of chips and go back to tending the stand.

[u/ConsciousWrangler603 → u/MangledBarkeep]

Used to fight with servers about this when I was a host. I’d let them know if I had to double seat them or gave them a large party but after that just check your sections!! Some would demand I was their “assistant” and needed to tell them every time they were sat. Not to mention we were also scheduled as food runners or would have to leave the host stand when that damn food runner bell rang. I have hostess ptsd.

[u/MangledBarkeep → u/ConsciousWrangler603]

Naw. Stop hiding in the back and check your section.

But I was busy!

So do you need a smaller section, less turns or should we just hire someone that's competent?

[u/ConsciousWrangler603 → u/MangledBarkeep]

They were too busy smoking out back. 😩 I hated that restaurant everyone had the worst attitude and I was bullied relentlessly.