I went to Kelsey's tonight for dinner. I also give way too many people free advertising on here.
Now usually when I eat out at a restaurant I'm used to enjoying the meal and then having the waitress bring the bill along with a couple of candies for the road. Kelsey's is doing something a little different these days though because the last two times I've been there I've received the bill, the candies...and a small card that says "Cheers" on the front. On the inside is a thank you note and the waitress's signature.
Now I understand that they're trying to be a friendly restaurant that wants their customers to feel appreciated, but the Cheers card just seems to be a little overboard. I get the hint that they care (or are at least being told by management to pretend to care). They're constantly coming by my table asking me how everything is. They smile. They're friendly. I got it.
The card just seems like a waste. I'm not really sure if I'm supposed to take it home or not. It almost seems like a gift. You wouldn't get a birthday card from your grandfather and then throw it out at the same party. I feel like I'm being a bit rude leaving the Cheers card behind. I feel like the waitress will come back later in the night, see the card still on the table, and feel heartbroken that I didn't like the gift she gave me.
But what am I going to do with it if I take it? It doesn't have enough sentimental meaning to keep around like the card from my grandfather. I'm not going to go home and keep it on the mantle for a couple of weeks. What most people would do is throw it into the trash. Outside the restaurant just in case our well-meaning waitress should happen to be watching. Wouldn't want her to cry.
Either way it's going to end up in the trash pretty damn quick. If I take it, I throw it out. If I leave it, they throw it out. And they give away several of these cards every night. I'm not usually a waste-not, want-not kind of guy, but this is just unnecessary. I don't like the thought of how much paper is being processed and then thrown directly into the trash.
Honestly, Kelsey's, a simple thank you and a smile will do at the end of the night. Really.
Next time write on the inside "no,thank you" and your phone number. then you can leave the card with out breaking any ones heart.
ReplyDeletei work at kelseys and we as servers are trying so hard to get rid of the cheers cards. i agree, theyre BS. complain as much as possible and hopefully head office will finally agree!!!!
ReplyDeletewould you rather friendly service of a complete jerk? if you would like a complete jerk you can let me wait on you so you will forget all about the cheers cards.! Would you rather a smile or a slap?
ReplyDeleteThe card is for your comments. Write in it if something bothered you or if you were really happy with something. If not, leave it on the table. They take it back and use it on another customer. Simple. If leaving behind an untouched card is too challenging for you, perhaps consulting a specialist may be in order.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately its not actually a comment card that can be easily reused with another table. I used to work at Kelseys when they started doing this and its a card that is to be personalized to each table with more of a comment like,"seems like you ladies had a lot of catching up to do" if we were aware that it was a couple of friends meeting up etc. but that is very nice of you to be concerned about the bloggers health.
DeleteI think that you writing about the cheers cards makes you more of a loser then kelseys wasting their money on stupid little cards. ohh wait...im writing about the cheers cards.
ReplyDeleteCheers!