Etiquette Tuesday: The Regulars

[ 0 ] September 25, 2012 |

©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood

The “regulars” are the best in most businesses.  “Regulars” are the folks that frequent an establishment on a steady, consistent basis.  They often are the reason some businesses stick around for many years.  The owners, managers and waitresses are familiar with them because they become as much a part of the restaurant as the people hired to work in the establishment.  This week’s etiquette tip talks to restaurant establishments about these regulars:  do not take them for granted.  If you have ever been a regular at a restaurant you have had the opportunity to observe how the staff reacts when someone new comes in for a drink/dinner service.  Do they still provide you with the same service? Do they shun you while there’s “company” in the building??  These are legitimate questions to ask yourself if you’re evaluating whether you need to become a “regular” at another spot.

This tip came to me because I have noticed there are times where I have “regular” envy:  the service is so good for the people the staff seem to know (“regulars”) that I want to come here for that same treatment.  There are other times, however, I notice how the staff takes on the Stepford wives routine towards me while treating the regulars like they are 2nd class citizens.  Both instances are not acceptable:  good service should be across the board.  Simply because someone walks into your restaurant who is what society considers a “VIP” should not deter your service to your regulars.  On the flip side, just because I do not visit your restaurant regularly does not mean my visits will not increase after a positive experience.

Moral of the story:  Treat all of your patrons good, some of those irregulars could become regulars but those regulars could also become irregulars.  Just a thought…

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Category: Etiquette Tuesday

About the Author ()

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.

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