Hospitality with Rein Pastoor - Sometimes I do want to shout all over the terrace ...

'Hello, can you really not see me then!'

You know that feeling, sitting cosily on a terrace and feeling unseen?

And I don't even mean really seen, as the beautiful person you are, but as a guest who wants another drink, who wants to order some more food or who just wants to checkout.

You know it? Someone from the waiters stands a few tables away or even at the table next to you. You're already sitting upright on your chair, half with your hand raised, but they don't look up or back and walk right away.
The 'in their phone attitude' I call it, total disregard for surroundings!

In the old days (yes, I am almost 50, I think you can say the old days), you were taught that if you had been at one table for bringing a drink or taking out the plates, that you immediately looked around carefully to see how the other guests were doing. Just straightening your back, looking up to see if there were any guests in 'your neighbourhood' who needed something.

Or even better, and to me this is the ultimate form of hospitality, you were so in tune with your guests that you knew what they needed before they did; that guest at table 7 who has almost emptied his beer and would probably like another one. Another guest, who is looking a little restless after his coffee and probably wants to checkout. Or the guest who has just finished eating, but would still like a (small) dessert.

Surely it feels genuinely nice, when you can really be there for your guest!

Do your guests/customers feel seen?

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Hospitality Expert Rein Pastoor writes a short column once a week about what strikes him around hospitality. Would you like to comment on this column? Follow us on LinkedIn.