Thursday, March 14, 2013

Restaurant - Customer Service Practice

Situation: Customer Enters Restaurant

Waitress/Waiter: Hello, welcome to XYZ Restaurant. Would you like a menu?
Customer: Yes, thank you.
Waitress/Waiter: Here you are. Please have a seat and I'll be back in a few minutes to take your order.
Customer: Thank you.
Waitress/Waiter (returns): Hi, are you ready to order?
Customer: Yes, I'd like the stir fried vegetables and some miso soup.
Waitress/Waiter: Will there be anything else?
Customer: No thank you. That will be all.
Waitress/Waiter:  ...and will that be for here or to go?
Customer: Actually, I'd like to order take out if it's not a problem.
Waitress/Waiter: No problem at all. Your order will be ready in a few minutes.

Note

takeaway - While "takeaway" is a popular expression in Thailand (and easily understood) Western customers are probably more familiar with the expression "takeout." You may also ask the customer when she/he is ready to order, "Will that be for here or to go?"

sit down - While this is a popular expression in Thailand,  "please have a seat" is more polite. "Sit down" actually sounds like an order not a request.