A Question for the Chef/Owner/Operators, Please?

Pics of what you order and pay for, sure, go ahead. 

What I am uncomfortable with is taking pics of me, employees, the decor of the place, or, in my case, pics of chocolate and bon-bon display case. 

To me it is a compliment if someone wants to take pictures of the food. I figure it means that I have done the first part of my job well, because first you eat with your eyes.

I got no problem with it either.Like cheflayne, I see it as a compliment.

Pictures of the staff are fine as well, as long as they are happy with it (so basically, ask first, then shoot)

The only part I'm not too keen of is pictures in the kitchen, but since that is off limits for guests, it's not a problem

I would say ""Sure  thank you""

I had a guy a couple of weeks ago ask if it was ok to take a couple of pictures.  We are a very informal environment so I said of "of course, help yourself."  Well, I guess that was a mistake because the next thing I know this guy has walked into my kitchen, with his toddler in hand, and snapping pics like crazy.  That was a little much.

--Al

Funny story from a friend that manages a high volume restaurant in South Florida, the restaurant was having a buffet, table had a complaint and asked to see a manager, more than one person from the table, was actually taping the response from the manager on their smart phones!, as they were ambush complaining to the manager! Think news conference and multiple persons yelling complaints, at the same time!, Can you imagine!

My response was to remind them of the "no cell phone" posting in the dining room, also that "the establishment "reserves the right to refuse service to anyone", seemed like they were looking for a free lunch and just wanted to cause a scene.

But as we all must know the social media has to be reckoned with as "Yelp_ing" is becoming huge!

Anyone else have something similar?, this was a definite first for me, whew.

Cheers,

EDG

There are some restaurants in S Florida that have a cell phone prohibitive policy as phones going off during dinner got to be a problem, I've seen persons asked to leave after the second call, their smoking section is also a cell phone area, outside.

 A restaurant again in S Florida went through an interesting challenge with security cameras that were also recording conversations.

As for pictures of the food I have no problem, but the incident where a customer complains and then video records you answering their rant IMHO, is a bit much, no?

EDG

Wonder if they( a-hat customers) can actually stand to hear their voices and words on tape......

Really not sure, but the story, again from a friend who has 18+yrs in restaurant management was floored and actually sought legal counsel as how to react/respond to such an "attack".

Unfortunately there is a pattern that I've noticed seems to be pervasive in South Fla of persons that eat most of the meal, then pitch a fit about how bad the meal was in order to get it comp'ed. I've seen this elevated to an art form, this incident falls into that category. Again imagine 3 people screaming at a manager while simultaneously video taping them!, really?, nothing else to do but cheat an honest, very hard working business out of a meal?

Cheers!

EDG

Quote:

Originally Posted by EverydayGourmet 

Really not sure, but the story, again from a friend who has 18+yrs in restaurant management was floored and actually sought legal counsel as how to react/respond to such an "attack".

Unfortunately there is a pattern that I've noticed seems to be pervasive in South Fla of persons that eat most of the meal, then pitch a fit about how bad the meal was in order to get it comp'ed. I've seen this elevated to an art form, this incident falls into that category. Again imagine 3 people screaming at a manager while simultaneously video taping them!, really?, nothing else to do but cheat an honest, very hard working business out of a meal?

 

 

Cheers!

 

EDG

I remember one time we were sitting down at a chain restaurant.  A woman and her friend were a table away and were carrying on their conversation, finishing up their meal, got their bill.  All of a sudden (I was seated facing them so I could see the whole thing unfold) this big spider appeared from nowhere...I think it was tucked up in the sconce and came out all of a sudden and sat on the wall.  Quite obvious and from their reaction they weren't Arachnophobic...not even a jump, nor did they move away, they just casually continued their conversation and acknowledged the spider's presence.  The server returns and the woman boldly declares "Well! I'm not paying this bill, that spider ruined our dinner".  And out they went. They didn't even tip the server.   What can I say, but how my wife puts it "people suck". 

So yeah that is a potential issue with the photography/recording but let's face it, we live in the digital age and this probably isn't going away anytime soon.   I am not an owner/operator but my advice would to be discreet and polite, I doubt most places will even care or notice that you are taking photos.