Hey Service Sector -- Provide Service

Last Saturday (not this past Saturday, but the one before then) I went out to see a play with someone.  It was a good play, but that is not the topic of this post.

Coming back from the play, we went out to eat (plays are often timed so that it is too early to eat before hand, leaving you really hungry after)

Anyway we came to a row of restaurants and chose one.  I should have realized right away that there might be cause for concern, the hostess was not being a good host.  We hunted for seating on our own, and ended up on the porch.  And then we waited for a waiter to come. And waited.  And waited.  Oh, we did get water, but I was hoping for something more substantial.

Time was wasting away.  Time when they could have been selling us drinks, and making money off of us.

The waiter seemed to have no problem helping the other table, but had no interest in us. 

So we left.

The next place we went, was crowded and loud.  But we were seated promptly.  The waiter was very busy but still made time for us.  The food was a little more expensive, but not much more, and it was a good meal.

So, the second place got our money and the waiter at the second place got a decent tip.

My experiences lately make me wonder if the service industry is losing its touch.  Maybe as America as a whole becomes increasingly lazy, it is reflected in many ways, including in the service provided.  Maybe staff everywhere are trying to emulate the CEOs of the world -- loose your company money so that you can be shown the door, while being handed unbelievable sums of money. 

I know it worked for the CEOs, but I am not quite sure it will work as well for others.