Thread: Why are Thais crappy at restaurant service?

Originally Posted by panhunger

You're kidding, right? Which don't you understand. Please be specific.

OK

No 1. That seems fair enough, I agree that is a service related subject and you shouldn't have to wait for ages for your food or to be served.

No 2. Two-tiered menu?? Is that a service related problem? I'd say it was more of a problem with a systematic practice that happens across all sectors. A practice I disagree with, but again... service related?

No 3. "Girls loudly gossiping in the corner, or playing shitty pop music via their mobiles while you try and listen to the TV or have a conversation." Again... how is this service related? Did you mean the actual staff doing this? Or the staff not doing anything about it? Or not doing anything about it after you asked for them to do something? Again.. how is this related to service? It like being in a restaurant with a crying baby... Annoying, yes. But I don't really understand how this is related to service?

No 4. Not having good English skills? In a decent hotel or resort I can understand that this would be related to service as you'd go there expecting a good level of English. But do you expect this in all areas of service related issues? If you do then you are being entirely unfair. If Good English is promised and it's not delivered, then fair enough. But this Thailand, and last time I checked English isn't the national dialect. Have you though about perhaps learning... you know... the language of the country you have chosen to live in?

No. 5 Multiple servers? This is intrinsically bad? If you have multiple servers not working well together then that = bad service. Surely you go to a restaurant to have a meal, not make friends with the staff... this seems like an entirely personal problem. As I've previously alluded to... I find the overly friendly, first name basis that passes as Good service in the states, over bearing and annoying.

No. 6 Why would they be asking for a tip if you've been tipping all along? Perhaps you're talking about whore-houses? That's what they do in there... context is everything here.

No. 7 Context... This is a developing country, with terrible education. Most of the people that work in bars, restaurants and in customer service didn't even finish school. IMO as long as they aren't trying to fiddle the bill I don't see the problem. How hard can it be? Pretty damned hard if you haven't had a decent education. Something missing from this country,

No. 8 Agreed...

No. 9 Family run businesses are a staple of the hospitality industry all over the world. Don't see how it means bad service.

No. 10 Once again...how is this related to service? Do you begrudge the staff for the paint on the walls or the furnishing? Some people like places with music, some people don't. If anything, it's providing a choice for those who don't want to listen to music while they eat. You have the choice when you first walk in there, don't hear music? Go somewhere else!

Originally Posted by panhunger

I'm still trying to figure out what people don't understand of that outstanding post from Nick???

You are? Well lets look at a few of the points and turn them around, shall we?

Originally Posted by Nick

4) Inability to handle a complaint, or issue, due to shite English skills. Worse is laughing at a problem, which I know is a Thai trait and a way of dealing with an unpleasant situation, but....er, you made it unpleasant!

Now shall we look at the nice high tipping American restaurant, and that nice Frenchman peppy le pew!!! Trying to enjoy a meal, B eing used to a refined service that he gets back home he finds the ‘in yer face ’ style somewhat disturbing, at first he tries politely to turn the sycophantically sucking up waiter to stay away, but when this fails the poor froggy visitor losses the plot. Now as we all know. With the exception of a few backwoodsmen from Louisiana the average American has the foreign language ability of a gopher, and thus we get a similar situation to that described by nick, except in America the poor froggie is liable to be set upon by the security employed by the restaurant.

Originally Posted by Nick

5) Multiple servers. One greets and hands out menus. Another takes the drinks order,...and so on...

Good evening sir! I am your maitre D this even, claude will show you to your table(and expect a tip for doing so)
Good even sir! My name is monica and I shall be your drinks waitress this even, I will also do you a nice under the table special as I need the extra money to pay my collage fees!
Good evening sir! My name is mike and I am your waiter this even may I suggest the chefs special!
Good evening sir! My name is Chuck I am your chef this evening, How exactly do you want your special cooked? A 35% tip up front with enable me to prepare the dish without having to resort to my world famous asscrack sweat seasoning.
Good evening Sir! My name is Sindy and I shall be serving you with dessert this evening! A special dispensation to help me help my rug munching sister Monica through collage will guarantee that you will not get the dessert that was specially creamed by pedro our dishwasher!
And so on and so on!

Originally Posted by panhunger

that just doesn't add up...

Yeah I knew you would have problems! try using your toes as well!

Originally Posted by Hollow

OK

No 1. ... Go somewhere else!

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Hollow again.

Well stated Sir!

Originally Posted by panhunger

Add it up...

OK Panny .. I'll "add it up" .. with the help of 5 minutes with Google and my handy dandy desktop calculator.

U.K PETROL PRICES
All petrol prices are in pence per litre Region Unleaded Diesel LPG
England 102.7 104.3 51.8
Scotland 102.6 104.1 50.6
Wales 103.2 105.1 49.9
Northern Ireland 102.9 101.6 0

Ok .. let’s say roughly 1 pound per liter.

1 Pound = $US 1.63

$1.63 per litre ..

1 Gallon = 3.785411784 Litre (L)

That’s $US6.17 per gallon

U.K INCOME TAX
INCOME TAX

If you work in the UK, you will have to pay income tax. This tax is collected by the government department known as HM Revenue & Customs (previously known as the Inland Revenue). Tax is paid based on your income during the tax year, which starts on April 6th and ends on April 5th in the following year.

In the 2008/9 tax year (for income earned between April 6th 2008 and April 5th 2009), the income tax bands are as follows:
0% on the first £5,435 (your personal allowance, equivalent to about £105 per week, or £453 per month)
(you will only be entitled to a part of this allowance if you are not resident in the UK during the whole tax year)
20% (the basic rate) on the next £36,000 (equivalent to about £692 per week, or £3,000 per month)
40% (the higher rate) on any income above this
The table below shows how these tax rates and allowances have changed in recent years:

So basically 40% is the highest tax rate .. not 60-70%
Petrol is about $6 per gallon .. not $10

So they are still getting a good deal with the free education (not to mention the free health system which is non existent in the States)

Nick, you've reviewed restaurants here on Ajarn Forum on occasion and recall you liking many of them. of course, if one was to come up with a list of all the problems that have happened at all the restaurants one goes to, then that could be the list.

though, at least in my experience the problems you've mentioned don't all happen at most of the restaurants that i go to. maybe one or two of them at each one. though, like others have mentioned, after spending some time in a part of bangkok or an upcountry town, one knows the places to go to which have great food and good service.

if one goes out experimenting at new places without recommendations from others or a newspaper, etc., then, of course, comes the adventure of unpredictable things happening. for me, getting the attention of the staff at a busy restaurant is the only real problem with staff, i've found. though, the signing wave usually works across the room.

i always leave a 5 or 10 baht tip for a cheap place and a 20 baht bill for a more "upscale" place where the bill comes to 100 or 200 baht. these small tips (10 - 50 u.s. cents) are appreciated by staff, IMO and thai staff usually are genuinely friendly and nice, IMO, compared to cindy in the us giving the customer her rehearsed lines.

Originally Posted by kingdomcome

Spot on.

Geektwat, where are you with your witty reporte?

I'm sorry but it's hard to respond as I don't understand the word "reporte" .. If by any chance you meant "reportraire" .. well .. I don't have one. Everything I say is spontaneous.

I tip way too much to be honest and it's something I need to tone down. I left the change from 500 B today, for a 330 Baht bill. Bloody Thai smiles making me generous!

Originally Posted by TFHOTA

Good evening sir! I am your maitre D this even, claude will show you to your table(and expect a tip for doing so)
Good even sir! My name is monica and I shall be your drinks waitress this even, I will also do you a nice under the table special as I need the extra money to pay my collage fees!
Good evening sir! My name is mike and I am your waiter this even may I suggest the chefs special!
Good evening sir! My name is Chuck I am your chef this evening, How exactly do you want your special cooked? A 35% tip up front with enable me to prepare the dish without having to resort to my world famous asscrack sweat seasoning.
Good evening Sir! My name is Sindy and I shall be serving you with dessert this evening! A special dispensation to help me help my rug munching sister Monica through collage will guarantee that you will not get the dessert that was specially creamed by pedro our dishwasher!
And so on and so on!

Thais can't pull off the above, and thankfully don't try. I was talking about complete confusion stemming from disorganisation.

I don't expect refined service at a 70 - 100 baht a dish place, just very basic stuff like the meal arriving before I pass out from hunger.

And what happens when nearly every restaurant around you is shite and you've voted with your feet so often that there's barely anywhere left to eat?

Ultimately I voted with a plane ticket back home.

This is all subjective, of course, and I'm happy for all those that enjoy their experiences in Thailand.

Keep on smiling.

Forgetting local taxes, health insurance contributions, petrol taxes, sales tax, etc, etc...

Originally Posted by Nick

Thais can't pull off the above, and thankfully don't try. I was talking about complete confusion stemming from disorganisation.

The crux of the problem...

I don't expect refined service at a 70 - 100 baht a dish place, just very basic stuff like the meal arriving before I pass out from hunger.

Keep on smiling.

Is that the vapid smile?

Check out my restaurant reviews if you wanna hear something positive.

Originally Posted by Nick

just very basic stuff like the meal arriving before I pass out from hunger.

Honest to God .. I have NEVER experienced anything like this in Thailand. Another clock watching whinger.

Originally Posted by Nick

Ultimately I voted with a plane ticket back home.

Thank God !

Originally Posted by TFHOTA

So for anyone not living in the great state of nevada, how are the above different from the US?

Oh yes we have free healthcare, you sadly dont!

Death and taxes and dicks like you...some of life's certainties...

Free healthcare??? ...I guess you've been out of the UK for awhile...