Restaurant Chatter: Think Before You Speak

Every day, whether you're talking to a friend, listening to the radio, or chatting at work, you hear someone say something that just makes you go, "What?"

I think in the restaurant industry we get some of the most interesting comments from people because they have their guard down. It's when you're at your most relaxed that you're most likely to say something silly.

Take, for example, a few of the things that were said to me this past couple of weeks just in taking reservations:

I answer the phone and the lady on the other end says, "I have reservations for 6:30pm and I need to change them."

I reply, "Okay, what time would you like to come in?"

She says, in all seriousness, "I don’t know, probably when my husband gets home from work."

Or this one:

"I have a reservation for tonight and I'm running late because I'm lost."

"OK, sir, where are you? I'll give you directions."

"I'm on Station Ave. and can't find you."

"Give me a land mark and I'll tell you how to get here."

"I'm sitting in front of a pizza shop called Ralph's."

"Sir, look to your left. We're accross the street."

Or:

"Yes, I'd like to change my reservation."

"Sure, what's your name and time of the reservation?"

"Mr. and Mrs. (Guest), and 7:30."

"I'm sorry, I don't have that reservation."

"Oh, it was for last night and we couldn't make it, so we'd like to come tonight."

How about you? Anything interesting said to you recently?

Fred Kellermann is the owner and chef de cuisine at Elements Cafe in Haddon Heights. He is also the president of SJ Hot Chefs, and urges you to support your local restaurant with your dining-out dollars.