You're a business owner. A customer makes an appointment with you, to avail themselves of your services, and you will be paid for that appointment. Because of that appointment, you turn down other paying customers who wanted to see you at that same time. You also purchase supplies to handle your customer's needs during that appointment.
However, when the appointment time arrives, your customer doesn't show up, and doesn't even call to tell you they won't be there. Thus, you don't get paid, and you have extra supplies which you might not be able to use with another customer. If the customer had given you reasonable notice that they could not keep the appointment, you might have been able to get someone else to fill that appointment. You'd probably be upset at that no-show customer, and justifiably so.
Unfortunately, that situation happens far too frequently in the restaurant industry. Numerous customers make reservations but then never show up for those reservations, and may not even call to say they won't be there. It might seem to some people to be an innocuous harm, thus providing justification for their cavalier attitude, but that isn't the case. It can have a significant financial effect on that restaurant, on everyone from the owner to the servers. And this discourteous act needs to stop.
Over the holidays, I know one local restaurant where over 25 people with reservations were no-shows! This is a relatively small restaurant so that many no-shows has a significant impact. I've also heard of other restaurants over the holidays which also had far too many no-shows and last minute cancellations. Even some restaurants which ask for a deposit face this problem.
Unfortunately, that situation happens far too frequently in the restaurant industry. Numerous customers make reservations but then never show up for those reservations, and may not even call to say they won't be there. It might seem to some people to be an innocuous harm, thus providing justification for their cavalier attitude, but that isn't the case. It can have a significant financial effect on that restaurant, on everyone from the owner to the servers. And this discourteous act needs to stop.
Over the holidays, I know one local restaurant where over 25 people with reservations were no-shows! This is a relatively small restaurant so that many no-shows has a significant impact. I've also heard of other restaurants over the holidays which also had far too many no-shows and last minute cancellations. Even some restaurants which ask for a deposit face this problem.
Restaurants often operate on thin margins and no-show reservations hurt their bottom line, especially if someone doesn't call to say they won't be showing up. Other potential customers may get turned away because of that reservation. Servers, who rely on tips, won't earn as much money because of the no-shows. A no-show is definitely not a victimless activity and it needs to stop. Where is basic courtesy and etiquette? You wouldn't like it to occur to you, so why do it to others?
Some people make multiple reservations for the same day and time, and then, frequently at the last minute, choose which restaurant to visit, failing to call the other restaurants that they won't be there. Stop doing that! Yes, there are a few legitimate reasons why you might need to no-show at a reservation, from medical to family issues, but a simple phone call to the restaurant is still warranted. Have the courtesy to notify the reservation of your cancelation, and give them as much advance notice as possible. Give them a chance to get someone else to take your reservation time.
Some people make multiple reservations for the same day and time, and then, frequently at the last minute, choose which restaurant to visit, failing to call the other restaurants that they won't be there. Stop doing that! Yes, there are a few legitimate reasons why you might need to no-show at a reservation, from medical to family issues, but a simple phone call to the restaurant is still warranted. Have the courtesy to notify the reservation of your cancelation, and give them as much advance notice as possible. Give them a chance to get someone else to take your reservation time.
And if you have to cancel your reservation or are a no-show, try to make it up by making a new reservation for the restaurant, and then honoring that reservation.
Stop being so self-absorbed and thinking only of your own needs and wants. Give consideration to how your actions affect other people. Failing to show up for a reservation and not even calling to cancel is a selfish act. Start thinking about how such actions could negatively impact the restaurant and its employees. We need more people to be courteous, to consider others. And we need people to be more courteous not just in this situation, but in all aspects of life.
Stop being so self-absorbed and thinking only of your own needs and wants. Give consideration to how your actions affect other people. Failing to show up for a reservation and not even calling to cancel is a selfish act. Start thinking about how such actions could negatively impact the restaurant and its employees. We need more people to be courteous, to consider others. And we need people to be more courteous not just in this situation, but in all aspects of life.
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