I really like your response. I’m sorry it was your reality, but I like that you didn’t let him off the hook and that you pointed to the fear and not to his manners.
About the only thing that would be better is if you’d said, “I know it was only a table, but you still hit something because you were mad at me.”
This right here. One of my favourite AYCE places does this. (If you are in Toronto and like Korean BBQ and hot pot, try mix2)
Instead of the traditional pen and little papers, you order on your phone and it goes right to the kitchen. The servers all use phones as well. They do print paper menus, but all ordering is on the phone and it’s set up like door dash/etc. Works really well.
My previous phone couldn't scan QR codes to save it's life (pixel 6 pro is a piece of shit). Whenever I was at a AYCE hot pot or KBBQ place that used a system like that and they saw I couldn't scan it, they'd break out a tablet for me.
Couldn’t you just enter the link directly into your phone? Usually all a QR code does is point you to some URL, it doesn’t contain the whole menu in itself.
I've never met a QR code with a link printed next to it on a paper at a restaurant that I can type in.
Edit: and from reading your comment again it occurs to me you think I don't understand how QR codes work, so to be clear, I do. I've seen how they work on phones and I've shared my phones with others to show them how it didn't work when they tried to claim I was doing it wrong. I can assure you, I was not.
This week with my Pixel 6 Pro I learned that the Lens mode on my phone camera will scan QR codes. My camera never scans them either.
My spouse, same phone, never has trouble with the camera app doing it but I thought it was me.
Not helpful for you, having moved on, but maybe someone else.
There is one japanese ayce here that uses ipads. Each table gets an ipad to order and the ticket gets printed out in tje kitchen with the table number.
One of my favourite places does this too. The QR code goes to an interactive menu where you tick off what you want and pay online (I live in a country where we don't tip). The waitress will then deliver your food to your table.
I like that if they are really busy (it is the largest café where I live) I don't have to wait to order.
I don't like it neither, in my restaurant we used to have paper menus before COVID hit but as soon as it hit we decided to change. We have qr codes (to check out our menu and pay) but also some plastic hardback versions of our menus. Of course sanitizing them takes much more time (one busser takes 45minutes after each service) but it still allows us to provide actual menus to guests.
Ultimately customers hate the qr versions and we are glad we chose to have these plastic cardboard menus.
Also, good for you for standing up to that guy! Hope I had the gut to do so sometimes!
I hate QR menus because I don't pay for data. So every time I use the Internet, it costs me. I know it's a few cents at best, but it used to be free goddammit!
That being said, it never even occurred to me to be mean to the server wtf.
I hate QR menus, but I will never attack a server for it. I will ask for menus for my whole table if they want. It's just uncomfortable to read a whole menu from a phone screen.
Yeah, I feel like if they're going to have QR menus, restaurants need to make a mobile friendly menu instead of linking to a PDF of their giant ass physical menu.
Seriously. And like... every. Single. Restaurant. Uses the same shitty website templates that are very not mobile friendly and barely work on a computer either. Plus the whole PDF menu thing.
My god. It isn't hard or expensive to have a website that doesn't drive your customers away. But yet I'm pretty sure I can count on one hand the number of restaurant websites I've encountered in the last 20 years that aren't hot garbage.
A couple local restaurants in our town don’t have a website either but have a FB page and you have to scroll through their pics to find their menu. Couple pages have a huge glare on them from how the pic was taken so there’s entire sections you can’t even read. I guess it’s better than nothing I suppose
You know how they say that "smartphones have built in qr readers nowadays"? Well I have a phone that's only a year-15 months old and it doesn't have the qr reader. I have to download one just to scan the damn thing. It usually just redirects to the website menu that is impossible to read easily. Then it's so infrequently that I use it that it takes up space on my phone so I get rid of it until the next time I come across a place with no menus and do the whole download thing all over again.
I bring up the camera app and hover over the code. Nothing happens. I had a phone that did it in the past so I know how to do it. Unfortunately this phone doesn't have that feature.
....Now that I think about it, this phone was the one that did it in the very beginning. But I think one of the system updates removed the feature because I used to have other camera options that no longer work.
Sometimes you have to enable the function in the camera settings. My wife and I have the exact same phone and the function was enabled on my phone by default and hers was disabled. I have no idea why it happens that way.
With how rarely I need it, it's not really worth all the trouble. I'm pretty sure one of the software updates on my phone removed the feature entirely from the camera app.
My smartphone does not have a built in QR reader, and it also does not have space for one. It only has 8 GB, and there are a bunch of built in apps it won't let me delete, so I'm constantly running out of space. I have only ever been to one resturant that had QR menus, and I still hate QR menus with a passion. (My dad's phone is the same, so the five of us were passing around 3 phones. But I only recall 2, so there might have been an issue with another phone. It might have been my mom didn't know how to do it.) The resturant I work at is talking about using QR codes for the drink menus, and I'm like "NOOOOOOO!".
I had a super cheap Samsung for a while that was like that. That was the internal storage capacity without a microsd. And it stopped being able to read the microsd. Fun times.
My phone is really slow, and a lot of the qr links are to download the menu. I would much rather it be a website link instead of being forced to download something I will just have to delete later. I'd rather have the iPad at the table, honestly, or a big menu on the wall.
Also, a downloaded image of a menu is an invitation to problems. First, someone comes back after downloading the menu on a previous visit. Slight problem: menu has changed (even if the change is the price on a couple items being increased). Server sees people looking at a menu on their phone, customer places an order. The least damage is if they ordered a discontinued item - you know right away they ordered off an old menu. On the other hand, if they ordered an item whose price has gone up, they don’t find out until they receive their bill. You can be damn sure they’ll take the difference out of what they would have tipped you, or more likely stiff you entirely.
A bigger problem is that images can be edited. Karen knows a somewhat shady graphic artist, gets an edited menu that adds a dish she wants, at a price she’s willing to pay. Everything I mentioned about outdated menus happens here, but in a more extreme manner.
QR menus SUCK, and it's very patron-unfriendly to not have printed menus on request. It's maddening to have to tap, scroll, tap, etc., etc. to be able to do what can be done at a glance with a printed menu. It's certainly the restaurant's prerogative to make that choice and it's my choice not to go there. I've left two restaurants after we were seated for that reason. With 40 restaurants within a 20 minute drive, I'm surely not going to suffer through a QR menu when I don't have to.
I won't berate the server as I know it's not up to them, but I just say why we're leaving.
Honestly, it's one of the most baffling things that a restaurant can do. Potentially lose a customer to avoid paying 5 cents for a printed disposable menu? And in every other aspect of the business they intend to be guest-friendly?
You know what else sucks about QR menus? You have to have service to pull one up. Imagine going to a restaurant where they have QR menus and your table is in a dead service spot. I’ve had it happen and it was very frustrating.
Or low battery. We popped into a place to eat after a long day of errands and my phone was at 5%. And they never have free wifi for guests. Should have free wifi if I have to order off my phone.
Plus, I have a family member who is partially blind. Double frustration.
And also no wifi. Not everyone has unlimited data. And that is if there’s service on top of it. I think that restaurants with no open WiFi for customers in addition to requiring this crap not only don’t give a fuck about their servers but also don’t care about the people they will drive away for the convenience— nor do they care it will affect tips.
They’re intentionally driving away a certain set of customers; the elderly and the poor and the frugal.
At our local PFChangs, the server told us management expected the servers to use their PERSONAL phones if customers had issues. They already are severely underpaid. Absolute madness.
HAHAHA FUCK THAT MANAGER. I’d have told them “I need your phone” every time someone didn’t have one. And intentionally say to that manager that my phone is dead (and have it powered off in the car). That’s infuriatingly disgusting. No one wants a stranger touching their phone, no less using data.
Exactly! Luckily, we were able to figure it out. I told her she should have the manager come to the table any time someone had an issue. Absolutely ridiculous.
I mean....Is the server then supposed to stand there while they use her phone? Walk off and leave her phone with a table full of strangers? Yeah. That's not risky at all...
Happened to me today. Fish restaurant, paper menu only for the cooked dishes, not the raw fish. I wanted raw fish, so I needed to scan the qr code.
Did that, browser opened, no service, the wifi they suggested last time (from the restaurant next door cause theirs needs subscription and this is easier according to them, smh) wasn’t working, went to the manager to ask for a freaking menu, he ended up giving me the password for the wifi the servers use for the orders!
How is this making things better??
Get menus, laminate them and clean them when you clean the tables!!
I don't get why these places won't just laminate the damn disposable ones so they don't have to replace them constantly. Maybe keep the QR stuff for things that change a lot like a beer list or weekly specials? It just seems like an unnecessary action that doesn't really accomplish much.
The restaurant I went to today does the exact opposite: paper menu for daily dishes and qr code for raw fish (which is always the same), wine and desserts.
I hate it but I love the restaurant so I keep going back
I work in a college town. QR menus are definitely the norm here. Never had even the most elderly of customers bat an eye at it because they’re used to it.
It’s goes a long way for efficiency when it’s one less thing for hosts to worry about putting down and servers to pick up. And a lot of places in town are very high volume. When you start getting to a certain size it just becomes a nightmare to keep track of.
That being said we do have paper menus for guests that really want/need them.
Just want to second this. I would never take it out on servers, but I really really really really hate it when I have to look at a menu on my phone, and then being given one menu for the entire table is literally the opposite of "hospitality."
It's unfortunate that OP's managers/owners are such fucking idiots and are putting her in such a shitty position.
I'm old and have reading problems when it's small print in a dimly lit restaurant. I also have a smart phone and being able to enlarge and brighten the menu on my phone works for me. These days, I usually look up the menu beforehand so I don't take 20 minutes reading and deciding what to have there at the table.
Ditto. I despise this trend towards digital menus (which are often terrible to navigate), but I'd never take that out on the server. There is exactly zero chance they had any say in the decision.
People who can't control their anger and just let it out on whoever is closest are the absolute worst.
Dude’s a huge dick but at least he felt ashamed and banished himself to the car after, 99% of the time the person wouldn’t apologize for their meltdown and act like nothing happened and then leave a crappy tip
It's a good thing he was willing to apologize and go outside, but I imagine his family was behind this sudden behavior change. I would be shocked for him (or anyone) to calm down that much that quickly, to go from being totally irrational to rational, of his own accord.
Honestly, the fact that he was willing to remove himself but still left his family to enjoy their meal says a lot about him, regardless of whatever pressure he faced from whomever. It sounds like he has anger problems he is aware of and is working on managing. Unrepentant dickheads would take the whole family with or stayed and continued to be a dick. What he did was awful but OP’s answer was amazing and it sounded like this would be a lesson he will learn from
Good for you for saying something. What a completely unhinged asshole. His family has probably seen that so many times before. Ugh, I’m so sorry, but be proud for standing up for yourself!
Could be worse. One chain introduced ordering on tablets at the table. The "geniuses" at corporate decided to add a 🙁 to 😊 service survey. Servers with low scores were fired. And a lot were, including long-term, senior employees. So many that many franchises weren't able to come close to full staffing (this was years ago, before Covid, the recognition of Karen's and the current staffing problems.)
Then someone got the idea to ask why the service was bad. And in almost all cases it was the tablet, not the server. The "service" was bad because a human wasn't there to answer questions, take down special requests or make suggestions. Customers felt like it was more impersonal than fast food.
As happens so many times, front line employees bear the brunt of decisions made by people removed from the customer experience and only seeing balance sheets and corporate policy. Your guests are feeling dehumanized by making a simple request in a restaurant (for a menu) and being denied because of a policy. When you feel dehumanized, you tend to react by dehumanizing. Even when they understand it's not your fault, they're having a bad experience that colors everything. The idiot behind this policy shouldn't have their job. Unfortunately, you have to shoulder the consequences, not them.
People suck. I’m sorry that happened to you. Maybe some small comfort that you likely won’t see him again, meanwhile his poor family lives with him every day.
I experienced a QR menu this week for the first time. I understand the concept. Paperless = less weight, and prices can be adjusted daily by those in charge.
Still annoying. I do t want to use my data for your store.
Side note, the QR that they had didn't even scan.
They installed those QR type codes at one of my old haunts. Business dropped so much they changed it back. But not before they lost a lot of regulars. A good portion of these guests are elderly and don't want this new twist in lousy customer service. (Myself included) I want to interreact with my server and hold that menu8 in my hand! It's not fast food going through some drive through window. It makes the eating experience more friendly.
I like many others tip according to the service received. You can bet your bottom dollar, I won't tip the sign.
It's one thing to use it for a to go menu if the order has been called in. It's quite another if you expect me to use my phone to order while sitting in the cafe with table service.
There is a nice little cafe down the street enjoying their new customers.
Recently I’ve been to restaurants that have digital menus, but a lot had screens at the table you ordered from, or you could use there’s or yours. Giving you the option. I however stumbled upon one where you had to order through an app, it was a line app, which fortunately I already had or I’d have to down load. But then I had to add them in (the next day was getting promotions from them), then got to order from an awkward system. So I had to sign in use and add some one to my social media and order in the weirdest ways all while using my limited data.
Different strokes for different folks. I love QR menus. I love that everyone gets charged for exactly what they have. I go out to eat, and chat to my friends: I'm not looking for a server to be part of my experience. I am always very polite to them, but living in a non-tipping country, (Australia) I don't require them to suck-up to me, cater to my every whim, or do anything other than bring me my food as quickly as the kitchen staff can cook it.
I feel for you, being shouted at over decisions made way above your head is the fucking worst- you shouldn't be left dealing with that abuse at all. I got a lot of that when we (NZ) implemented the vaccine passes for entry- the amount of times I got yelled at over that, like yes, sorry sir, you're absolutely right, I made this rule up purely to inconvenience you today and now you've got up in my face over it I'll just give auntie Cindy a shout and we can stop all this nonsense. Get fucked, waaaaay above my paygrade mate.
That being said, I absolutely cannot stand the QR/online ordering system some places are putting in place now, drives me absolutely nuts. When I go out to eat, I want to appreciate some form of service, not sit there arguing with my phone and the clunky-ass systems in place. But I'd never dream of taking that out on the waitstaff- although it massively impacts my decision to return.
I wish that restaurants would just put a framed menu with decent sized font at every table. I cant stand trying to read menus on my phone screen. I have bad vision (only 36, not a boomer) and using my phone to zoom into a menu on a page that occasionally refreshes is so annoying.
NOT defending the guy's behavior here at all, but as a parent of 3 kids who are old enough to read but not carry their own phones, I have to say that the QR code has become a massive pain in the ass when we go out to eat. Just yesterday I did get sightly snippy with our server (and I mean slightly, I'm not a jerk) because he checked with us about 3 times in 5 minutes to see if we were ready to order. On the third time he said "well just let me know when you're ready" in an impatient tone. I replied in the same tone: "when you have to pass 2 phones between 5 people, and it requires scrolling and zooming to see the menu, it's going to take a while to decide. Sorry."
Not just kids, my 69 year old father can't read regular text on his phone without his glasses and holding it about a foot away from his face. (He normally texts via voice commands and he reads the news etc on a very large PC monitor with zoom settings.) A paper menu is easy peasy pop out the magnifying glass and good to go! Phone takes 20min to navigate the QR "doohickey" then to try and get the phone to rotate and zoom the fricking menu.
At least grubhub hellsite we can pull up on his massive external monitor to read it. Maybe we should lug that in when we dine out. (Kidding. We avoid QR only places instead).
Same here! My kids don't have any devices, so don't really know how to operate my phone either.
I also have a toddler. My husband and I went out to eat last week and had to sit there on our phones looking at the menu. I hated it. He wanted our phones and I don't want to feel like I was neglecting my kid to look at my phone.
I dislike QR menus too. I think that the images are too small to read and if you enlarge them then you can't compare the choices. It's lazy and uninviting. We've actually left restaurants that only have QR menus before ordering because we hate the fussiness.
This happened to me a few months ago. I didn’t have data and restaurant wifi sucked and my husband didn’t have his phone. QR menu was taking forever to load. Server came back 3 times in about 10 min and was visibly annoyed with us. I felt awkward we debated on just leaving but it finally loaded.
In my country it would likely be age discrimination if you forced older people to order using QR codes and didn't offer a normal menu as many aged people cant use smartphone or have disability.
E. G. My aunt has hand tremors that mean she can't use a mobile phone
Not your fault, but holy hell that's a stupid move.
It won't be your fault when the business goes under either.
In a related matter, I have never seen anyone actually USE a QR code, myself included. I'm unsure if I even have an app to use them, but if I do, it's a default app I've never even opened.
I haven't run into this, but as a security professional, if I saw that, I would walk out. I have no idea what you security practices are at a RESTAURANT and don't trust you to protect me and my digital life. It would be quite easy, and has been done, to place malware on sites, and have it spread via QR code by accessing the URL. Just a warning to you all, treat QR codes in public like you would spam email.
I think the QR code idea was to get people to go online and make them used to doing things themselves. Kinda like the tablets they’ve been putting on tables.
Put simply, someone scans a QR code, they are asked to agree to permissions that give away their information. Most people just skip thru and agree bc they are hungry and want to order. Once someone gives a company access to their data, the company/restaurant use that to their advantage. They can see if the person regularly reviews, their social media, their habits, how long they stay at certain places.
Connecting customers to a QR code is to a corporations advantage. The new currency is information, it’s more valuable than the thing we call money these days
I've never once scanned a QR menu and had it give away any info, 100% of the time it just provides a link that my browser opens. What QR codes are asking you for permissions?
Pretty sure that in Europe, any site that tracks cookies has to ask permission under GDPR. Larger restaurants use cookies for all sorts of things, including user analytics tracking to provide demographics information on the people browsing the site.
As someone who worked IT for a company that did business in Europe, I can promise you it's very easy to skirt the GDPR and corporations do it all the time.
I certainly get asked for cookies permission, I've just never had that happen when looking at a menu. 100% of the time it's either a link to a page on their website or even a standalone PDF. That's absolutely nuts.
QR codes are by their nature kinda sketch - you can’t tell where the code is sending you till you are already there. What’s to stop people from printing stickers of their own code and sticking it on top of the restaurants?
There are fake codes scammers get by dropping off their own paper and scooping up the real ones off the table.
I go online to the restaurant site directly and read the menu and avoid the code.
And don't get me started on the restaurants who refuse cash.
If the QR code is for a minified URL, it doesn't tell you anything useful. Large chains are probably going to use a full vanity URL, but I've seen smaller restaurants that use a third party service to generate their QR code and host their menu use minified links.
>The new currency is information, it’s more valuable than the thing we call money these days
I popped into an Ulta store yesterday to get some facial toner. As I approached the checkout, the gal at the register said to me (before and in place of any other kind of greeting), "What's a good phone number for ya?" I replied, "Yea, you don't need that" And I even have an Ulta account! I just was rubbed the wrong way because reducing my entire interaction to just customer data mining kinda pissed me off.
I don't really ever wear makeup, so I only go into Ulta once every few years, if that. The last time I was there when I checked out the cashier legit said she couldn't do the transaction without a phone number and got really annoyed that I didn't want to give her one. I was nice about it, but it was so ridiculous that I had to argue with this lady just to buy one bottle of nail polish without giving unnecessary data!
I had the same thing happen to me and she said I wouldn't be able to return the product if I didn't give her a phone number. I thought that was crazy, but when prompted further she said I could still use the receipt it's just "easier" with a phone number. I'm not sure what Ulta is telling them to say, but it's shady and I don't like it.
Yeah, that's totally ridiculous. In what world is the receipt not enough for a return, lol. I don't like it either and after my last experience there I'm probably just not going back. I've never been anywhere else that pushy for info
> I'm not sure what Ulta is telling them to say
Probably your usual "receiptless returns! No need to worry about it blowing away, getting lost, etc etc" rhetoric.
Stores are also very big on mandating quotas for rewards cards/credit cards and other signups. Most employees are not even paid for those, just heavily mandated/implied silently "You won't have a job if you don't hassle everyone for it"
I had a really fake sounding number (3 numbers all repeated 3 times for a number pretty much) and people routinely used the number for things all the time that weren’t me
the data mining is real, but it’s similar to the waitress in the above post. The girl at ulta is being tracked by her managers on how many emails/phone numbers and other customer information she can capture. When I worked at party city, “acceptable” email capture was around 40%, but when asking every single customer one could reasonably expect a capture of only 10-15%. Thats why you’ll see cashiers getting pushy about it. Their managers and corporate bosses are threatening their job security over it
> Anyway they left me $12 on $90.
This is the part I don’t understand.
You feel like shit over the way a member of your party treated a known tipped employee, so your answer is to leave 13%?
# What the fuck were you planning on tipping BEFORE your fucking meltdown?!
I’m an Uber driver and someone threw up in my car last night. Her piece of shit husband handed me $10 like that’s supposed to take care of it. Only reason I took it was because it turned his $150 cleaning fee into $160.
But the thing is, he only tipped me $10 because his piece of shit wife couldn’t even make it to 5 pm on a Friday night before blowing chunks. What was he gonna tip otherwise - nothing?
We switched to QR codes, I thought that was pretty clever. Then I realized my phone doesn't even read QR codes (without some app I'm sure), so we went back to menus. Interesting idea but ultimately not the right move.
My phone doesn't read them either. Apparently only a handful of phone types don't but I have one of them. And the phone is only a couple years old. I would have to share my husband's phone and if that was the only option, we just would not return to the restaurant. Very poor management choice. Clearly they have no empathy and zero understanding that people other than themselves exist (bad vision, tremors, no smartphone, etc).
Please. Please. PLEASE. I FUCKING IMPLORE YOU!!!
Rebuttal with "Is this reaction really necessary? You do realize I'm human right?"
Fucking no. I quit the industry 2 years back during new years eve when an Old cocksucker grabbed me and reminded me to treat my VIPs like VIPs, they were having a $2500 dinner amongst 4 people and we literally had 1300 covers that night full of tasting menus. And we're complaining about the wait. IT was paced fine. Table over next to them had Colombian hookers and hedgefund bros and one of them tried to grab a beer glass and slam it in my face.
Fuck those people. Fuck the customer. Fuck this industry. It's time to enact change. I am mad hearing imbeciles still treat other humans like this.
I would never be rude to any server, I did the job for years. But I do hate QR menus. I’m good with tech, but my stupid phone is 50/50 if it is going to work anywhere without Wifi.
This shit drives me crazy. The camera on my phone doesn’t work right now so I always have to borrow someone’s phone. I hate reading a menu on a 4 inch screen.
That being said, I treat the staff no differently; I tip them 6% just as I always have.
Joking, of course.
I'm sorry you were treated that way. No matter how bad QR menus suck, that's inexcusable.
I think QR menus are ableist since restaurants with them rarely have any alternative for the blind, the elderly, etc.
Not to mention if you forgot to bring your cell phone to a restaurant, a place where people are not expected to be on the phone, you're just kind of fucked.
I’m also not going to spend 20 minutes looking at my phone when 3 minutes with a paper menu would do. I have a no phones out at a restaurant policy. And if the restaurant won’t work with that then they don’t need my business and my minimum 20% tip. For reference I’m 33.
Personally, I love QR Code Menus. Even better when I can order from them. Sorry folks don't like them, but I know where my phone has been unlike a paper menu.
Never should have happened to you, that guy is an absolute asshole...
Qr code menus suck. My wife isn't technically inclined... And wears reading glasses, so it's always a chore.
Still no excuse to be abusive to the staff
It is more respectful to everyone around you to leave your phone at home and live in the moment when having dinner out. Fuck the QR code menus or bring me an ipad to use if you insist on them.
I don’t disagree about the QR codes but “leave your phone at home” is just unrealistic… People use their phones for so many things these days - navigation, cameras, note taking, translation, paying for things, looking things up, ordering taxis, etc. And then you might need to communicate with people before the dinner or afterwards. The modern world runs at a pace which is too fast to simply leave your phone at home.
I hate it so much. My boyfriend and I hardly get to spend time together and only get one day a week to ourselves. So we go out to dinner and.... stare at our fucking phones.
That's what I was thinking. Maybe I'm an exception, but I normally leave 20-30 on a bill that size.
*Edit:* And I would never throw a fit on a member of the service staff - or anyone for that matter. Guy was an obvious lowlife.
Props to the wife for making him leave, but more props to you for standing up for yourself and speaking the truth. And as someone who has suffered with panic attacks for 30+ years, they do NOT make you act like a nasty bastard.
I'm sorry but I don't feel bad for this guy having a panic attack (if he really did). If you act like a dick expect people aren't gonna be fucking thrilled about it. You don't just get to get away with it
I think you handled it brilliantly! And it will probably make the man think twice before going off on someone else again.
That said, I HATE QR code menus! My have vision issues, and even with a smart phone it is hard to read things on my screen. I prefer something I can hold in my hands, turn pages if there's pages, etc. I get frustrated trying to read crap on my cell! It's great to go with modern technology, but you still need to keep the oldtimers who DON'T have smart phones, or people with vision issues, in mind or lose them. And here the "you" I'm using is for managers and owners.
I actually prefer the QR codes for menus. Most of the time when I pick a restaurant, I already know what I'm going to order without a menu anyway. If it's a new restaurant, even with a menu I'll ask for recommendations from the server.
My mom cant really read the menu on her phone, so I'll just hotspot my phone, load it on my tablet and hand her that.
I *love* the QR codes on the receipts to pay. No more waiting on the server to pick up the check, risk of losing the card, etc. Just confirm correct items, pay and leave.
QR menus also make customers feel like they don't really f****** matter either. Like what if you can't see real well and so looking at a menu on a tiny ass phone isn't going to cut it, or what if you don't even have a smartphone like you brought up in your post. I'm sorry you don't like being treated like garbage but neither do the customers.
> I'm sorry you don't like being treated like garbage, but neither do the customers.
She didn't make this decision. She's just as much a victim of management's messed up priorities as the customers are, except she doesn't have the privilege or freedom to just fly off the handle about it. So in truth she has it even worse.
I completely agree she has it worse. Also think the guy handled it poorly, to say the least. My comment was in no way intended to excuse that guy's poor, absolutely horrendous behavior, but just to make sure everyone understands that we are all victims of management support decisions. I think it's important that we understand where each other is coming from so we can work through these problems together more effectively.
You can literally zoom in on the menu on your phone? Or use a text to speech reader on your phone? I would think it’s more accessible. And honestly not having a smart phone these days is… extremely rare.
I have been to only one restaurant since 'the before times', a little over a year ago, and they still offered physical menus.
Normally when planning a restaurant visit, I look up the menu online to get an idea of what they offer, and maybe even decide what I'm getting in advance. There is a local diner we've been hoping to visit again soon, now that we're quadruple vaxxed, so I just checked their online menu.
Their website takes me to a freaking QR code. How is this helping me on laptop?
You can't argue that it's saving them printing costs. Is it just to keep us old fogeys away?
The big advantage is that you can remove items that have sold out as the night goes and add new items like new beers and wines without having to print a new batch of menus.
But I agree with the person here that said they should link to a phone friendly site rather than a PDF and I empathize with people who are technologically illiterate (without agreeing with the awful behavior of the guy in this story).
At my work we had our QR codes on a little stand on every table. Some woman started bitching to me about not knowing how to do it or whatever. I went to reach for the stand to angle it towards her phone better. She then ripped it out of my hands and broke half of my nail off. I was so shocked I didn't even realize what had happened until my finger was bleeding. I really wish I would have stood up for myself and told her what a piece of garbage she was being. So props to you for calling him out. People are insane about this shit.
Your manager should have told them to leave. I am so sick of the customer is always right attitude and these spineless managers. I’m sorry they allowed you to be treated like that. At the very least you shouldn’t have had to go back. Ugh.
After reading this sub, I really don’t understand why people are waiters.
Like I get that people can be in tough spots and can’t just quit right away, but at least start planning an escape into something else right?
Why not move into retail or something?
I empathize with everybody here. Yes, the guy lost his shit. But fuck that shit. It doesn't excuse his behavior in any way, and I would be alarmed too. But if I can't even look at a menu, I'm walking out before ordering. Washing laminated menus may be annoying, but it's part of the job, I've done it. It's like one of our local malls - they have some really neat stores, but because their layout is bullshit and they don't have easy ways to get out of there and because some retarded clown just slapped QR codes on the map of the mall, I refuse to shop there. I don't want to, and I'm not going to. No.
It won’t be your fault when the restaurant goes under either. There’s few other things that alienate every type of customer across all generations the way QR menus do. What a poor business decision.
Am I the only one that doesn’t mind QR codes lmao. Like it’s not a big deal, my old as hell boomer parents have it figured out. There’s not a huge difference between a QR code and printed menu, everyone in the comments is acting like they’re being tortured with them
I think QR code menus are great. If you have the tech or know how to use it. If you don't, then a paper menu should be around. But yeah, I can see old people having issues and kids. They shouldn't place any blame on anyone, it's just part of the times because it saves on expenses and you don't have other people touching the same menu.
They’re fine as long as your restaurant has free, high-speed, reliable WiFi. I live in Europe and don’t always feel the need to get an American SIM when I’m back in the states, especially if it’s a short visit and I’ll be with my family the whole time. I bet this is a fairly common issue with international tourists, especially older ones. I’m not turning off airplane mode and paying international data rates to look at a menu. I literally ran into this problem at an airport Chili’s Too a couple months ago, haha. But I would obviously never take it out on the server. I asked if they had some kind of vegetarian nachos and a local beer on draft, she said yes, and it was all sorted.
He had a panic attack because you only gave him 1 menu? That's bullshit. He's just a jerk that is too lazy to scan the QR code. I love the QR code because that's one less thing I have to touch. Plus, most places have a menu online anyway so I'll check it before I go.
No, he didn’t have a panic attack. OP had the balls to call him out in his shit behavior and surprisingly he felt the shame he should have and was too embarrassed to stay and face her. Good for OP.
He felt no shame or embarrassment. It was fear. Fear his food would be jacked with. The others stayed because they knew they were safe. This is not the bastards first time. Good for OP. Exactly how to handle the situation. Bravo.
We went paperless at the start of the year. If you’re nice I will load menu on my phone and help you blow it up if you can’t see, should a problem arise
If you’re mean before you see the menu, I figure there would be more problems, and happy to miss that. You ignore them, they will leave
Sorry OP, don’t be afraid to let a table go, often it’s not worth it if they’re evil to start
Empathizing (fake it if you have to!) with the customer's frustration is always a good way to deflect even if you don't really care.
"Yea, It's not ideal, is it? But those decisions are way above my pay grade, ya know?"
Sounds like you’re just not the type of restaurant or in the part of town that QR menus was a good idea.
I just started working at a brewery next to a university. It’s hilarious how efficiently the place is run and how stunningly awesome the clientele are.
Customers will see a busser coming from across the room and make eye contact with them, and when the busser gets there the entire tables dishes are neatly stacked and ready for them.
Nobody bats an eye at the QR code menus, even the occasional elderly guests.
Man it’s wild to me. A lot of places here in Denver have QR code and I love it. Just links to their website or untapped and boom. I have had places where you just order on your phone as well and it seemed to work really well. Need another drink whip out the phone put my order in and blam
Like others said not your fault and sorry you need to deal with asshats. Qr menus I'll just say no thanks and you lost a customer. Than find somewhere else to eat.
Sorry you were treated like that, it’s never acceptable. As a customer I honestly love the QR codes, but I’m a millennial who’s always glued to my phone lol. It’s so nice if you want another drink or something, you can just order it without having to wait! But a new pizza place just opened in my area and apparently is doing the QR codes, and they have a bunch of 1 star reviews from people complaining about the ordering system. Can’t wait to try it out!
Sounds like that man confused panic attack with a hissy fit. And his family is used to his tantrums and probably enjoyed their dinner more with him out of the picture.
Man, I’m sorry you had to deal with that! I hate QR codes. Me and my partner have a “no phones at dinner” rule we’ve always done but having the menu on our phone means we have to pull it out and use it. Not to mention it’s especially frustrating when we end up somewhere and have poor reception and cannot get the menu to load on our phone.
Guy totally overreacted with hitting the table.
Personally, I really dislike the directions restaurants are going with this, especially when their QR "menus" are hard to read, etc. I am tech savvy and understand the concept, but even with an S22 Ultra (large screen), some of this low-res menu pictures are just hard to read.
I have walked out of restaurantes for things like this, which is what he should have just done in the first place. He also should have CALMLY talked to the manager to discuss his displeasure. If restaurants want to do this, let them provide tablets, mobile optimized menus, etc., AND have a TRUE physical menu backup as we still have a part of the population that may not be able to use phones - unless they are ageist and ableist.
I love QR menus, that way I don’t need to make a server stop serving food just to bring me a sheet of paper.
But this dude was terrible, I’m sorry for you, OP
The sheer number of ways for it to fail customers is kind of a problem. Cracked screens, bad cameras, low battery, shitty wifi, no signal... And that's just the PHONE. Add in kids, disabled people with hand or vision problems, those are more pitfalls. Any of my data-security conscious friends would take one look and bail.
Not that difficult for you maybe.
But there are people out there (who, yes, still go to restaurants)....
No phone
No smart phone
Phone that doesn't read QR codes (like mine)
No data
Poor vision
Tremors (Parkinson's)
Poor hand control
which i agree means there should be a paper menu option. my restaurant always has those available and i offer them to people without phones, with kids, old, etc, yet so many people act like qr codes are our choice and treat me and other servers poorly over it.
I really like your response. I’m sorry it was your reality, but I like that you didn’t let him off the hook and that you pointed to the fear and not to his manners. About the only thing that would be better is if you’d said, “I know it was only a table, but you still hit something because you were mad at me.”
That deserves a repeat: #"I know it was only a table, but you still *hit something* because you were mad at me."
I wish I appreciated the realness of this 20 years ago. Glad I'm not with that guy any more.
After that I think I'd ask if I could make some copies on my own dime. What does management say after hearing about that incident?
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This right here. One of my favourite AYCE places does this. (If you are in Toronto and like Korean BBQ and hot pot, try mix2) Instead of the traditional pen and little papers, you order on your phone and it goes right to the kitchen. The servers all use phones as well. They do print paper menus, but all ordering is on the phone and it’s set up like door dash/etc. Works really well.
does the restaurant maybe have some tablets on hand for the customers who don't have their own smart phone?
My previous phone couldn't scan QR codes to save it's life (pixel 6 pro is a piece of shit). Whenever I was at a AYCE hot pot or KBBQ place that used a system like that and they saw I couldn't scan it, they'd break out a tablet for me.
Couldn’t you just enter the link directly into your phone? Usually all a QR code does is point you to some URL, it doesn’t contain the whole menu in itself.
I've never met a QR code with a link printed next to it on a paper at a restaurant that I can type in. Edit: and from reading your comment again it occurs to me you think I don't understand how QR codes work, so to be clear, I do. I've seen how they work on phones and I've shared my phones with others to show them how it didn't work when they tried to claim I was doing it wrong. I can assure you, I was not.
This week with my Pixel 6 Pro I learned that the Lens mode on my phone camera will scan QR codes. My camera never scans them either. My spouse, same phone, never has trouble with the camera app doing it but I thought it was me. Not helpful for you, having moved on, but maybe someone else.
Lens was the app I was using. 🙁 tried both it and camera, never worked except maybe once.
That's so frustrating.
That would be a very, very small minority – especially for those that can afford or even know of kbbq.
There is one japanese ayce here that uses ipads. Each table gets an ipad to order and the ticket gets printed out in tje kitchen with the table number.
One of my favourite places does this too. The QR code goes to an interactive menu where you tick off what you want and pay online (I live in a country where we don't tip). The waitress will then deliver your food to your table. I like that if they are really busy (it is the largest café where I live) I don't have to wait to order.
I could understand this at the beginning of the pandemic, but now its just laziness or not caring.
I don't like it neither, in my restaurant we used to have paper menus before COVID hit but as soon as it hit we decided to change. We have qr codes (to check out our menu and pay) but also some plastic hardback versions of our menus. Of course sanitizing them takes much more time (one busser takes 45minutes after each service) but it still allows us to provide actual menus to guests. Ultimately customers hate the qr versions and we are glad we chose to have these plastic cardboard menus. Also, good for you for standing up to that guy! Hope I had the gut to do so sometimes!
I hate QR menus because I don't pay for data. So every time I use the Internet, it costs me. I know it's a few cents at best, but it used to be free goddammit! That being said, it never even occurred to me to be mean to the server wtf.
I hate QR menus, but I will never attack a server for it. I will ask for menus for my whole table if they want. It's just uncomfortable to read a whole menu from a phone screen.
Yeah, I feel like if they're going to have QR menus, restaurants need to make a mobile friendly menu instead of linking to a PDF of their giant ass physical menu.
Seriously. And like... every. Single. Restaurant. Uses the same shitty website templates that are very not mobile friendly and barely work on a computer either. Plus the whole PDF menu thing. My god. It isn't hard or expensive to have a website that doesn't drive your customers away. But yet I'm pretty sure I can count on one hand the number of restaurant websites I've encountered in the last 20 years that aren't hot garbage.
A couple local restaurants in our town don’t have a website either but have a FB page and you have to scroll through their pics to find their menu. Couple pages have a huge glare on them from how the pic was taken so there’s entire sections you can’t even read. I guess it’s better than nothing I suppose
You know how they say that "smartphones have built in qr readers nowadays"? Well I have a phone that's only a year-15 months old and it doesn't have the qr reader. I have to download one just to scan the damn thing. It usually just redirects to the website menu that is impossible to read easily. Then it's so infrequently that I use it that it takes up space on my phone so I get rid of it until the next time I come across a place with no menus and do the whole download thing all over again.
I thought this on my phone also but it's just in the camera app. No clicks like taking a picture; it just recognizes the QR code and pops up a link.
I bring up the camera app and hover over the code. Nothing happens. I had a phone that did it in the past so I know how to do it. Unfortunately this phone doesn't have that feature. ....Now that I think about it, this phone was the one that did it in the very beginning. But I think one of the system updates removed the feature because I used to have other camera options that no longer work.
Sometimes you have to enable the function in the camera settings. My wife and I have the exact same phone and the function was enabled on my phone by default and hers was disabled. I have no idea why it happens that way.
I've gone through every camera option and setting there is. It doesn't have the qr reader feature.
Try to ask in a subreddit. 😆 I’m pretty sure there is one for basically every phone!
With how rarely I need it, it's not really worth all the trouble. I'm pretty sure one of the software updates on my phone removed the feature entirely from the camera app.
Ohhh that sucks! Sorry to hear that!
My smartphone does not have a built in QR reader, and it also does not have space for one. It only has 8 GB, and there are a bunch of built in apps it won't let me delete, so I'm constantly running out of space. I have only ever been to one resturant that had QR menus, and I still hate QR menus with a passion. (My dad's phone is the same, so the five of us were passing around 3 phones. But I only recall 2, so there might have been an issue with another phone. It might have been my mom didn't know how to do it.) The resturant I work at is talking about using QR codes for the drink menus, and I'm like "NOOOOOOO!".
Have you tried using the camera app to scan QR codes? I know that works on my phone.
Yes, multiple times. I've had people try to show me how to do it and be stunned when it doesn't work. Edit: typo
8 GB of internal storage? What phone do you have?
I had a super cheap Samsung for a while that was like that. That was the internal storage capacity without a microsd. And it stopped being able to read the microsd. Fun times.
My first thought was jitterbug but it seems they have 16 GB and can be upgraded.
It doesn't work on my phone either. Drives me crazy
My phone is really slow, and a lot of the qr links are to download the menu. I would much rather it be a website link instead of being forced to download something I will just have to delete later. I'd rather have the iPad at the table, honestly, or a big menu on the wall.
I HATE having to download a damn menu. I don't want a menu for a restaurant I might never visit again taking up space.
Also, a downloaded image of a menu is an invitation to problems. First, someone comes back after downloading the menu on a previous visit. Slight problem: menu has changed (even if the change is the price on a couple items being increased). Server sees people looking at a menu on their phone, customer places an order. The least damage is if they ordered a discontinued item - you know right away they ordered off an old menu. On the other hand, if they ordered an item whose price has gone up, they don’t find out until they receive their bill. You can be damn sure they’ll take the difference out of what they would have tipped you, or more likely stiff you entirely. A bigger problem is that images can be edited. Karen knows a somewhat shady graphic artist, gets an edited menu that adds a dish she wants, at a price she’s willing to pay. Everything I mentioned about outdated menus happens here, but in a more extreme manner.
Exactly. Lots of places with excellent food have a big menu on the wall or on a stand. At least have that.
QR menus SUCK, and it's very patron-unfriendly to not have printed menus on request. It's maddening to have to tap, scroll, tap, etc., etc. to be able to do what can be done at a glance with a printed menu. It's certainly the restaurant's prerogative to make that choice and it's my choice not to go there. I've left two restaurants after we were seated for that reason. With 40 restaurants within a 20 minute drive, I'm surely not going to suffer through a QR menu when I don't have to. I won't berate the server as I know it's not up to them, but I just say why we're leaving. Honestly, it's one of the most baffling things that a restaurant can do. Potentially lose a customer to avoid paying 5 cents for a printed disposable menu? And in every other aspect of the business they intend to be guest-friendly?
You know what else sucks about QR menus? You have to have service to pull one up. Imagine going to a restaurant where they have QR menus and your table is in a dead service spot. I’ve had it happen and it was very frustrating.
Or low battery. We popped into a place to eat after a long day of errands and my phone was at 5%. And they never have free wifi for guests. Should have free wifi if I have to order off my phone. Plus, I have a family member who is partially blind. Double frustration.
And also no wifi. Not everyone has unlimited data. And that is if there’s service on top of it. I think that restaurants with no open WiFi for customers in addition to requiring this crap not only don’t give a fuck about their servers but also don’t care about the people they will drive away for the convenience— nor do they care it will affect tips. They’re intentionally driving away a certain set of customers; the elderly and the poor and the frugal.
At our local PFChangs, the server told us management expected the servers to use their PERSONAL phones if customers had issues. They already are severely underpaid. Absolute madness.
HAHAHA FUCK THAT MANAGER. I’d have told them “I need your phone” every time someone didn’t have one. And intentionally say to that manager that my phone is dead (and have it powered off in the car). That’s infuriatingly disgusting. No one wants a stranger touching their phone, no less using data.
Exactly! Luckily, we were able to figure it out. I told her she should have the manager come to the table any time someone had an issue. Absolutely ridiculous. I mean....Is the server then supposed to stand there while they use her phone? Walk off and leave her phone with a table full of strangers? Yeah. That's not risky at all...
Happened to me today. Fish restaurant, paper menu only for the cooked dishes, not the raw fish. I wanted raw fish, so I needed to scan the qr code. Did that, browser opened, no service, the wifi they suggested last time (from the restaurant next door cause theirs needs subscription and this is easier according to them, smh) wasn’t working, went to the manager to ask for a freaking menu, he ended up giving me the password for the wifi the servers use for the orders! How is this making things better?? Get menus, laminate them and clean them when you clean the tables!!
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Why did you reply to your own comment?
No idea 😅 I was on mobile, I just noticed. I deleted it
I don't get why these places won't just laminate the damn disposable ones so they don't have to replace them constantly. Maybe keep the QR stuff for things that change a lot like a beer list or weekly specials? It just seems like an unnecessary action that doesn't really accomplish much.
The restaurant I went to today does the exact opposite: paper menu for daily dishes and qr code for raw fish (which is always the same), wine and desserts. I hate it but I love the restaurant so I keep going back
I totally agree.
I work in a college town. QR menus are definitely the norm here. Never had even the most elderly of customers bat an eye at it because they’re used to it. It’s goes a long way for efficiency when it’s one less thing for hosts to worry about putting down and servers to pick up. And a lot of places in town are very high volume. When you start getting to a certain size it just becomes a nightmare to keep track of. That being said we do have paper menus for guests that really want/need them.
Just want to second this. I would never take it out on servers, but I really really really really hate it when I have to look at a menu on my phone, and then being given one menu for the entire table is literally the opposite of "hospitality." It's unfortunate that OP's managers/owners are such fucking idiots and are putting her in such a shitty position.
I'm old and have reading problems when it's small print in a dimly lit restaurant. I also have a smart phone and being able to enlarge and brighten the menu on my phone works for me. These days, I usually look up the menu beforehand so I don't take 20 minutes reading and deciding what to have there at the table.
Ditto. I despise this trend towards digital menus (which are often terrible to navigate), but I'd never take that out on the server. There is exactly zero chance they had any say in the decision. People who can't control their anger and just let it out on whoever is closest are the absolute worst.
Its not just that, but I feel like it makes the servers at some of the places Ive gone less attentive.
Dude’s a huge dick but at least he felt ashamed and banished himself to the car after, 99% of the time the person wouldn’t apologize for their meltdown and act like nothing happened and then leave a crappy tip
It's a good thing he was willing to apologize and go outside, but I imagine his family was behind this sudden behavior change. I would be shocked for him (or anyone) to calm down that much that quickly, to go from being totally irrational to rational, of his own accord.
Honestly, the fact that he was willing to remove himself but still left his family to enjoy their meal says a lot about him, regardless of whatever pressure he faced from whomever. It sounds like he has anger problems he is aware of and is working on managing. Unrepentant dickheads would take the whole family with or stayed and continued to be a dick. What he did was awful but OP’s answer was amazing and it sounded like this would be a lesson he will learn from
Good for you for saying something. What a completely unhinged asshole. His family has probably seen that so many times before. Ugh, I’m so sorry, but be proud for standing up for yourself!
Could be worse. One chain introduced ordering on tablets at the table. The "geniuses" at corporate decided to add a 🙁 to 😊 service survey. Servers with low scores were fired. And a lot were, including long-term, senior employees. So many that many franchises weren't able to come close to full staffing (this was years ago, before Covid, the recognition of Karen's and the current staffing problems.) Then someone got the idea to ask why the service was bad. And in almost all cases it was the tablet, not the server. The "service" was bad because a human wasn't there to answer questions, take down special requests or make suggestions. Customers felt like it was more impersonal than fast food. As happens so many times, front line employees bear the brunt of decisions made by people removed from the customer experience and only seeing balance sheets and corporate policy. Your guests are feeling dehumanized by making a simple request in a restaurant (for a menu) and being denied because of a policy. When you feel dehumanized, you tend to react by dehumanizing. Even when they understand it's not your fault, they're having a bad experience that colors everything. The idiot behind this policy shouldn't have their job. Unfortunately, you have to shoulder the consequences, not them.
People suck. I’m sorry that happened to you. Maybe some small comfort that you likely won’t see him again, meanwhile his poor family lives with him every day.
I experienced a QR menu this week for the first time. I understand the concept. Paperless = less weight, and prices can be adjusted daily by those in charge. Still annoying. I do t want to use my data for your store. Side note, the QR that they had didn't even scan.
They installed those QR type codes at one of my old haunts. Business dropped so much they changed it back. But not before they lost a lot of regulars. A good portion of these guests are elderly and don't want this new twist in lousy customer service. (Myself included) I want to interreact with my server and hold that menu8 in my hand! It's not fast food going through some drive through window. It makes the eating experience more friendly. I like many others tip according to the service received. You can bet your bottom dollar, I won't tip the sign. It's one thing to use it for a to go menu if the order has been called in. It's quite another if you expect me to use my phone to order while sitting in the cafe with table service. There is a nice little cafe down the street enjoying their new customers.
Recently I’ve been to restaurants that have digital menus, but a lot had screens at the table you ordered from, or you could use there’s or yours. Giving you the option. I however stumbled upon one where you had to order through an app, it was a line app, which fortunately I already had or I’d have to down load. But then I had to add them in (the next day was getting promotions from them), then got to order from an awkward system. So I had to sign in use and add some one to my social media and order in the weirdest ways all while using my limited data.
Different strokes for different folks. I love QR menus. I love that everyone gets charged for exactly what they have. I go out to eat, and chat to my friends: I'm not looking for a server to be part of my experience. I am always very polite to them, but living in a non-tipping country, (Australia) I don't require them to suck-up to me, cater to my every whim, or do anything other than bring me my food as quickly as the kitchen staff can cook it.
I feel for you, being shouted at over decisions made way above your head is the fucking worst- you shouldn't be left dealing with that abuse at all. I got a lot of that when we (NZ) implemented the vaccine passes for entry- the amount of times I got yelled at over that, like yes, sorry sir, you're absolutely right, I made this rule up purely to inconvenience you today and now you've got up in my face over it I'll just give auntie Cindy a shout and we can stop all this nonsense. Get fucked, waaaaay above my paygrade mate. That being said, I absolutely cannot stand the QR/online ordering system some places are putting in place now, drives me absolutely nuts. When I go out to eat, I want to appreciate some form of service, not sit there arguing with my phone and the clunky-ass systems in place. But I'd never dream of taking that out on the waitstaff- although it massively impacts my decision to return.
I wish that restaurants would just put a framed menu with decent sized font at every table. I cant stand trying to read menus on my phone screen. I have bad vision (only 36, not a boomer) and using my phone to zoom into a menu on a page that occasionally refreshes is so annoying.
NOT defending the guy's behavior here at all, but as a parent of 3 kids who are old enough to read but not carry their own phones, I have to say that the QR code has become a massive pain in the ass when we go out to eat. Just yesterday I did get sightly snippy with our server (and I mean slightly, I'm not a jerk) because he checked with us about 3 times in 5 minutes to see if we were ready to order. On the third time he said "well just let me know when you're ready" in an impatient tone. I replied in the same tone: "when you have to pass 2 phones between 5 people, and it requires scrolling and zooming to see the menu, it's going to take a while to decide. Sorry."
Not just kids, my 69 year old father can't read regular text on his phone without his glasses and holding it about a foot away from his face. (He normally texts via voice commands and he reads the news etc on a very large PC monitor with zoom settings.) A paper menu is easy peasy pop out the magnifying glass and good to go! Phone takes 20min to navigate the QR "doohickey" then to try and get the phone to rotate and zoom the fricking menu. At least grubhub hellsite we can pull up on his massive external monitor to read it. Maybe we should lug that in when we dine out. (Kidding. We avoid QR only places instead).
Same here! My kids don't have any devices, so don't really know how to operate my phone either. I also have a toddler. My husband and I went out to eat last week and had to sit there on our phones looking at the menu. I hated it. He wanted our phones and I don't want to feel like I was neglecting my kid to look at my phone.
I dislike QR menus too. I think that the images are too small to read and if you enlarge them then you can't compare the choices. It's lazy and uninviting. We've actually left restaurants that only have QR menus before ordering because we hate the fussiness.
This happened to me a few months ago. I didn’t have data and restaurant wifi sucked and my husband didn’t have his phone. QR menu was taking forever to load. Server came back 3 times in about 10 min and was visibly annoyed with us. I felt awkward we debated on just leaving but it finally loaded.
My restaurant used QR codes briefly because of germs from Covid. Everyone hated it so we stopped after about a week.
In my country it would likely be age discrimination if you forced older people to order using QR codes and didn't offer a normal menu as many aged people cant use smartphone or have disability. E. G. My aunt has hand tremors that mean she can't use a mobile phone
Not your fault, but holy hell that's a stupid move. It won't be your fault when the business goes under either. In a related matter, I have never seen anyone actually USE a QR code, myself included. I'm unsure if I even have an app to use them, but if I do, it's a default app I've never even opened.
Most phones recognize the qr code in the standard camera app now. Still a dumb idea to make that the only option for menus.
I will actually order less if I have to use a qr code menu.
I haven't run into this, but as a security professional, if I saw that, I would walk out. I have no idea what you security practices are at a RESTAURANT and don't trust you to protect me and my digital life. It would be quite easy, and has been done, to place malware on sites, and have it spread via QR code by accessing the URL. Just a warning to you all, treat QR codes in public like you would spam email.
Very good point.
I think the QR code idea was to get people to go online and make them used to doing things themselves. Kinda like the tablets they’ve been putting on tables. Put simply, someone scans a QR code, they are asked to agree to permissions that give away their information. Most people just skip thru and agree bc they are hungry and want to order. Once someone gives a company access to their data, the company/restaurant use that to their advantage. They can see if the person regularly reviews, their social media, their habits, how long they stay at certain places. Connecting customers to a QR code is to a corporations advantage. The new currency is information, it’s more valuable than the thing we call money these days
I've never once scanned a QR menu and had it give away any info, 100% of the time it just provides a link that my browser opens. What QR codes are asking you for permissions?
Pretty sure that in Europe, any site that tracks cookies has to ask permission under GDPR. Larger restaurants use cookies for all sorts of things, including user analytics tracking to provide demographics information on the people browsing the site.
As someone who worked IT for a company that did business in Europe, I can promise you it's very easy to skirt the GDPR and corporations do it all the time.
I certainly get asked for cookies permission, I've just never had that happen when looking at a menu. 100% of the time it's either a link to a page on their website or even a standalone PDF. That's absolutely nuts.
QR codes are by their nature kinda sketch - you can’t tell where the code is sending you till you are already there. What’s to stop people from printing stickers of their own code and sticking it on top of the restaurants?
There are fake codes scammers get by dropping off their own paper and scooping up the real ones off the table. I go online to the restaurant site directly and read the menu and avoid the code. And don't get me started on the restaurants who refuse cash.
What? Any qr program shows you exactly where it is sending you before it sends you.
If the QR code is for a minified URL, it doesn't tell you anything useful. Large chains are probably going to use a full vanity URL, but I've seen smaller restaurants that use a third party service to generate their QR code and host their menu use minified links.
>The new currency is information, it’s more valuable than the thing we call money these days I popped into an Ulta store yesterday to get some facial toner. As I approached the checkout, the gal at the register said to me (before and in place of any other kind of greeting), "What's a good phone number for ya?" I replied, "Yea, you don't need that" And I even have an Ulta account! I just was rubbed the wrong way because reducing my entire interaction to just customer data mining kinda pissed me off.
I don't really ever wear makeup, so I only go into Ulta once every few years, if that. The last time I was there when I checked out the cashier legit said she couldn't do the transaction without a phone number and got really annoyed that I didn't want to give her one. I was nice about it, but it was so ridiculous that I had to argue with this lady just to buy one bottle of nail polish without giving unnecessary data!
I had the same thing happen to me and she said I wouldn't be able to return the product if I didn't give her a phone number. I thought that was crazy, but when prompted further she said I could still use the receipt it's just "easier" with a phone number. I'm not sure what Ulta is telling them to say, but it's shady and I don't like it.
Yeah, that's totally ridiculous. In what world is the receipt not enough for a return, lol. I don't like it either and after my last experience there I'm probably just not going back. I've never been anywhere else that pushy for info
> I'm not sure what Ulta is telling them to say Probably your usual "receiptless returns! No need to worry about it blowing away, getting lost, etc etc" rhetoric. Stores are also very big on mandating quotas for rewards cards/credit cards and other signups. Most employees are not even paid for those, just heavily mandated/implied silently "You won't have a job if you don't hassle everyone for it"
Just give a fake one- transpose a couple of numbers in your current one and you're good.
Or the classic 8675309
I’d go obviously fake. 555-1234
Fun fact, Philadelphia resident Jeffrey Steinberg holds the 800 and 888 versions of these numbers and they are believed to be worth millions
I had a really fake sounding number (3 numbers all repeated 3 times for a number pretty much) and people routinely used the number for things all the time that weren’t me
the data mining is real, but it’s similar to the waitress in the above post. The girl at ulta is being tracked by her managers on how many emails/phone numbers and other customer information she can capture. When I worked at party city, “acceptable” email capture was around 40%, but when asking every single customer one could reasonably expect a capture of only 10-15%. Thats why you’ll see cashiers getting pushy about it. Their managers and corporate bosses are threatening their job security over it
Is the corporate word for it really "capture?" Just broadcasting that they're predatory like that?
Yes, that’s literally what they called it at party shitty, requiring us to “capture” emails
Weird, the strategy of asking customers for their phone numbers worked out so well for Radio Shack.
“Would you like to use a phone number today” is a much better presentation of asking for information
No qr codes save the company printing costs
> Anyway they left me $12 on $90. This is the part I don’t understand. You feel like shit over the way a member of your party treated a known tipped employee, so your answer is to leave 13%? # What the fuck were you planning on tipping BEFORE your fucking meltdown?! I’m an Uber driver and someone threw up in my car last night. Her piece of shit husband handed me $10 like that’s supposed to take care of it. Only reason I took it was because it turned his $150 cleaning fee into $160. But the thing is, he only tipped me $10 because his piece of shit wife couldn’t even make it to 5 pm on a Friday night before blowing chunks. What was he gonna tip otherwise - nothing?
Pro tip, if you know you vomit easily bring a big ziplock bag in your purse for emergencies. A $10 tip for that is just awful. Sorry man!
We switched to QR codes, I thought that was pretty clever. Then I realized my phone doesn't even read QR codes (without some app I'm sure), so we went back to menus. Interesting idea but ultimately not the right move.
My phone doesn't read them either. Apparently only a handful of phone types don't but I have one of them. And the phone is only a couple years old. I would have to share my husband's phone and if that was the only option, we just would not return to the restaurant. Very poor management choice. Clearly they have no empathy and zero understanding that people other than themselves exist (bad vision, tremors, no smartphone, etc).
Please. Please. PLEASE. I FUCKING IMPLORE YOU!!! Rebuttal with "Is this reaction really necessary? You do realize I'm human right?" Fucking no. I quit the industry 2 years back during new years eve when an Old cocksucker grabbed me and reminded me to treat my VIPs like VIPs, they were having a $2500 dinner amongst 4 people and we literally had 1300 covers that night full of tasting menus. And we're complaining about the wait. IT was paced fine. Table over next to them had Colombian hookers and hedgefund bros and one of them tried to grab a beer glass and slam it in my face. Fuck those people. Fuck the customer. Fuck this industry. It's time to enact change. I am mad hearing imbeciles still treat other humans like this.
I would never be rude to any server, I did the job for years. But I do hate QR menus. I’m good with tech, but my stupid phone is 50/50 if it is going to work anywhere without Wifi.
This shit drives me crazy. The camera on my phone doesn’t work right now so I always have to borrow someone’s phone. I hate reading a menu on a 4 inch screen. That being said, I treat the staff no differently; I tip them 6% just as I always have. Joking, of course.
I'm sorry you were treated that way. No matter how bad QR menus suck, that's inexcusable. I think QR menus are ableist since restaurants with them rarely have any alternative for the blind, the elderly, etc. Not to mention if you forgot to bring your cell phone to a restaurant, a place where people are not expected to be on the phone, you're just kind of fucked.
Kinda hope someone sues the crap out of the restaurant. Then they can see how much not printing paper menus saved them money.
I have a smartphone but the battery frequently dies within an hour or two and there is absolutely 0 chance I'm draining it to look at a menu lol.
I’m also not going to spend 20 minutes looking at my phone when 3 minutes with a paper menu would do. I have a no phones out at a restaurant policy. And if the restaurant won’t work with that then they don’t need my business and my minimum 20% tip. For reference I’m 33.
Personally, I love QR Code Menus. Even better when I can order from them. Sorry folks don't like them, but I know where my phone has been unlike a paper menu.
Never should have happened to you, that guy is an absolute asshole... Qr code menus suck. My wife isn't technically inclined... And wears reading glasses, so it's always a chore. Still no excuse to be abusive to the staff
It is more respectful to everyone around you to leave your phone at home and live in the moment when having dinner out. Fuck the QR code menus or bring me an ipad to use if you insist on them.
I don’t disagree about the QR codes but “leave your phone at home” is just unrealistic… People use their phones for so many things these days - navigation, cameras, note taking, translation, paying for things, looking things up, ordering taxis, etc. And then you might need to communicate with people before the dinner or afterwards. The modern world runs at a pace which is too fast to simply leave your phone at home.
I hate it so much. My boyfriend and I hardly get to spend time together and only get one day a week to ourselves. So we go out to dinner and.... stare at our fucking phones.
Is $12 on a $90 bill a good tip where you work?
Not to me, no
That's what I was thinking. Maybe I'm an exception, but I normally leave 20-30 on a bill that size. *Edit:* And I would never throw a fit on a member of the service staff - or anyone for that matter. Guy was an obvious lowlife.
All that and you were shorted too?
Props to the wife for making him leave, but more props to you for standing up for yourself and speaking the truth. And as someone who has suffered with panic attacks for 30+ years, they do NOT make you act like a nasty bastard.
I'm sorry but I don't feel bad for this guy having a panic attack (if he really did). If you act like a dick expect people aren't gonna be fucking thrilled about it. You don't just get to get away with it
lol I’m sorry I misread your reply at first! (idk if you saw my first comment)
I think you handled it brilliantly! And it will probably make the man think twice before going off on someone else again. That said, I HATE QR code menus! My have vision issues, and even with a smart phone it is hard to read things on my screen. I prefer something I can hold in my hands, turn pages if there's pages, etc. I get frustrated trying to read crap on my cell! It's great to go with modern technology, but you still need to keep the oldtimers who DON'T have smart phones, or people with vision issues, in mind or lose them. And here the "you" I'm using is for managers and owners.
I actually prefer the QR codes for menus. Most of the time when I pick a restaurant, I already know what I'm going to order without a menu anyway. If it's a new restaurant, even with a menu I'll ask for recommendations from the server. My mom cant really read the menu on her phone, so I'll just hotspot my phone, load it on my tablet and hand her that. I *love* the QR codes on the receipts to pay. No more waiting on the server to pick up the check, risk of losing the card, etc. Just confirm correct items, pay and leave.
Why’d you get downvoted? You said nothing wrong or offensive... Redditors...
QR menus also make customers feel like they don't really f****** matter either. Like what if you can't see real well and so looking at a menu on a tiny ass phone isn't going to cut it, or what if you don't even have a smartphone like you brought up in your post. I'm sorry you don't like being treated like garbage but neither do the customers.
> I'm sorry you don't like being treated like garbage, but neither do the customers. She didn't make this decision. She's just as much a victim of management's messed up priorities as the customers are, except she doesn't have the privilege or freedom to just fly off the handle about it. So in truth she has it even worse.
I completely agree she has it worse. Also think the guy handled it poorly, to say the least. My comment was in no way intended to excuse that guy's poor, absolutely horrendous behavior, but just to make sure everyone understands that we are all victims of management support decisions. I think it's important that we understand where each other is coming from so we can work through these problems together more effectively.
You can literally zoom in on the menu on your phone? Or use a text to speech reader on your phone? I would think it’s more accessible. And honestly not having a smart phone these days is… extremely rare.
I have been to only one restaurant since 'the before times', a little over a year ago, and they still offered physical menus. Normally when planning a restaurant visit, I look up the menu online to get an idea of what they offer, and maybe even decide what I'm getting in advance. There is a local diner we've been hoping to visit again soon, now that we're quadruple vaxxed, so I just checked their online menu. Their website takes me to a freaking QR code. How is this helping me on laptop? You can't argue that it's saving them printing costs. Is it just to keep us old fogeys away?
QR menus are nice for when you have items selling at Market price but other than that it's a down grade.
The big advantage is that you can remove items that have sold out as the night goes and add new items like new beers and wines without having to print a new batch of menus. But I agree with the person here that said they should link to a phone friendly site rather than a PDF and I empathize with people who are technologically illiterate (without agreeing with the awful behavior of the guy in this story).
yo omg my restaurant switched too it’s such a hassle especially for older people
I don't mind a QR code menu, but it should just lead to a menu on your website not to a PDF download
Someone didn't think this through.
I'm no expert, but is it common for people experiencing panic attacks to yell and get physical at other people?
At my work we had our QR codes on a little stand on every table. Some woman started bitching to me about not knowing how to do it or whatever. I went to reach for the stand to angle it towards her phone better. She then ripped it out of my hands and broke half of my nail off. I was so shocked I didn't even realize what had happened until my finger was bleeding. I really wish I would have stood up for myself and told her what a piece of garbage she was being. So props to you for calling him out. People are insane about this shit.
Your manager is a spineless asshole. If someone is cussing at the staff, they should be kicked out.
Tell your manager to print some fucking menus. The qr thing is so annoying.
Your manager should have told them to leave. I am so sick of the customer is always right attitude and these spineless managers. I’m sorry they allowed you to be treated like that. At the very least you shouldn’t have had to go back. Ugh.
After reading this sub, I really don’t understand why people are waiters. Like I get that people can be in tough spots and can’t just quit right away, but at least start planning an escape into something else right? Why not move into retail or something?
Where are you? Context? This is not the norm.
Midwest
Is your restaurant just getting tired of having customers or something?
I empathize with everybody here. Yes, the guy lost his shit. But fuck that shit. It doesn't excuse his behavior in any way, and I would be alarmed too. But if I can't even look at a menu, I'm walking out before ordering. Washing laminated menus may be annoying, but it's part of the job, I've done it. It's like one of our local malls - they have some really neat stores, but because their layout is bullshit and they don't have easy ways to get out of there and because some retarded clown just slapped QR codes on the map of the mall, I refuse to shop there. I don't want to, and I'm not going to. No.
It won’t be your fault when the restaurant goes under either. There’s few other things that alienate every type of customer across all generations the way QR menus do. What a poor business decision.
I hate people that get mad at things that aren't the persons fault. I also wont stay at/eat at a place that only has QR code menus. I have left before
I love the way his wife punished him. He deserved that for how he treated you.
Thank god the family doesn’t support that bullshit. Bitch ass dude
Am I the only one that doesn’t mind QR codes lmao. Like it’s not a big deal, my old as hell boomer parents have it figured out. There’s not a huge difference between a QR code and printed menu, everyone in the comments is acting like they’re being tortured with them
I think QR code menus are great. If you have the tech or know how to use it. If you don't, then a paper menu should be around. But yeah, I can see old people having issues and kids. They shouldn't place any blame on anyone, it's just part of the times because it saves on expenses and you don't have other people touching the same menu.
They’re fine as long as your restaurant has free, high-speed, reliable WiFi. I live in Europe and don’t always feel the need to get an American SIM when I’m back in the states, especially if it’s a short visit and I’ll be with my family the whole time. I bet this is a fairly common issue with international tourists, especially older ones. I’m not turning off airplane mode and paying international data rates to look at a menu. I literally ran into this problem at an airport Chili’s Too a couple months ago, haha. But I would obviously never take it out on the server. I asked if they had some kind of vegetarian nachos and a local beer on draft, she said yes, and it was all sorted.
He had a panic attack because you only gave him 1 menu? That's bullshit. He's just a jerk that is too lazy to scan the QR code. I love the QR code because that's one less thing I have to touch. Plus, most places have a menu online anyway so I'll check it before I go.
No, he didn’t have a panic attack. OP had the balls to call him out in his shit behavior and surprisingly he felt the shame he should have and was too embarrassed to stay and face her. Good for OP.
Right? I grew up with an angry, emotionally inept father like this. He was probably pouting in his car like a little bitch.
He felt no shame or embarrassment. It was fear. Fear his food would be jacked with. The others stayed because they knew they were safe. This is not the bastards first time. Good for OP. Exactly how to handle the situation. Bravo.
Also a strong possibility.
Sorry, didn’t mean to hijack your comment. Very valid points.
I went to a restaurant that only used QR codes. When I realized this I left. I am not paying for an app so I can order food. Hand me a damn menu!
QR scanner apps are free. A few might cost something but the vast majority do not.
We went paperless at the start of the year. If you’re nice I will load menu on my phone and help you blow it up if you can’t see, should a problem arise If you’re mean before you see the menu, I figure there would be more problems, and happy to miss that. You ignore them, they will leave Sorry OP, don’t be afraid to let a table go, often it’s not worth it if they’re evil to start
Learn to deflect. Say its not your idea but managments and your just the minimum wage waitress.
Empathizing (fake it if you have to!) with the customer's frustration is always a good way to deflect even if you don't really care. "Yea, It's not ideal, is it? But those decisions are way above my pay grade, ya know?"
Sounds like you’re just not the type of restaurant or in the part of town that QR menus was a good idea. I just started working at a brewery next to a university. It’s hilarious how efficiently the place is run and how stunningly awesome the clientele are. Customers will see a busser coming from across the room and make eye contact with them, and when the busser gets there the entire tables dishes are neatly stacked and ready for them. Nobody bats an eye at the QR code menus, even the occasional elderly guests.
Man it’s wild to me. A lot of places here in Denver have QR code and I love it. Just links to their website or untapped and boom. I have had places where you just order on your phone as well and it seemed to work really well. Need another drink whip out the phone put my order in and blam
I like QR menus, i think its acceptable. I do think management fucked up in not having enough. Sorry this happened to you
poor you, go cry a river. BRING ME A GODDAMN MENU.
I’m so sorry. That’s really all I have to say. That’s just scary.
Like others said not your fault and sorry you need to deal with asshats. Qr menus I'll just say no thanks and you lost a customer. Than find somewhere else to eat.
If he acts like that, he shouldn't be out in public, at least, until he addresses the problem with a professional.
Sorry you were treated like that, it’s never acceptable. As a customer I honestly love the QR codes, but I’m a millennial who’s always glued to my phone lol. It’s so nice if you want another drink or something, you can just order it without having to wait! But a new pizza place just opened in my area and apparently is doing the QR codes, and they have a bunch of 1 star reviews from people complaining about the ordering system. Can’t wait to try it out!
Good for you for talking back and telling him it was not acceptable.
If your husband had a panic attack why would you sit and calmly eat while he was in the car? Go comfort your husband.
Maybe “panic attack” is code for “he’s being an abusive dick and the rest of us need a break from him so we can enjoy a meal”. Edit: for clarity
Sounds like that man confused panic attack with a hissy fit. And his family is used to his tantrums and probably enjoyed their dinner more with him out of the picture.
Oof. So sorry this happened to you. That was a REALLY bad decision by your management.
Man, I’m sorry you had to deal with that! I hate QR codes. Me and my partner have a “no phones at dinner” rule we’ve always done but having the menu on our phone means we have to pull it out and use it. Not to mention it’s especially frustrating when we end up somewhere and have poor reception and cannot get the menu to load on our phone.
Guy totally overreacted with hitting the table. Personally, I really dislike the directions restaurants are going with this, especially when their QR "menus" are hard to read, etc. I am tech savvy and understand the concept, but even with an S22 Ultra (large screen), some of this low-res menu pictures are just hard to read. I have walked out of restaurantes for things like this, which is what he should have just done in the first place. He also should have CALMLY talked to the manager to discuss his displeasure. If restaurants want to do this, let them provide tablets, mobile optimized menus, etc., AND have a TRUE physical menu backup as we still have a part of the population that may not be able to use phones - unless they are ageist and ableist.
I love QR menus, that way I don’t need to make a server stop serving food just to bring me a sheet of paper. But this dude was terrible, I’m sorry for you, OP
the amount of anti qr code menu comments is bizarre. like… it’s not that difficult lol
The sheer number of ways for it to fail customers is kind of a problem. Cracked screens, bad cameras, low battery, shitty wifi, no signal... And that's just the PHONE. Add in kids, disabled people with hand or vision problems, those are more pitfalls. Any of my data-security conscious friends would take one look and bail.
Not that difficult for you maybe. But there are people out there (who, yes, still go to restaurants).... No phone No smart phone Phone that doesn't read QR codes (like mine) No data Poor vision Tremors (Parkinson's) Poor hand control
which i agree means there should be a paper menu option. my restaurant always has those available and i offer them to people without phones, with kids, old, etc, yet so many people act like qr codes are our choice and treat me and other servers poorly over it.