A Red Lobster Dining Experience

For many, dining out is meant to be a relaxing and hassle-free experience. Whether it's a special occasion or a way to wind down after a stressful work week, eating out is the perfect alternative to preparing a meal. The hardest decisions you'll have to make are deciding between Scrumptious Option A and Scrumptious Option B and determining a fair tip for your waiter or waitress.

Many factors affect the percentage I will leave for a tip:

1.) How often my drink is refilled.
2.) The temperature and quality of my entrée.
3.) The demeanor of my server.
4.) How long it takes to receive my meal from the time I placed my order.
5.) When I receive my check.

Since childhood, Red Lobster has been a favorite restaurant. I salivate at the mere mention of Cheddar Bay biscuits and have attempted to duplicate the recipe to no avail. But as an adult, one learns that there are more things than the complimentary rolls that make a restaurant worthy of my time and money.

Perhaps the biggest factor in having a positive dining experience is the server. Even if the food is mediocre, I will give the restaurant another shot if the customer service is exemplary.

Today I dined at the Red Lobster in Murray, UT. My drink was promptly refilled, my entrée was the perfect temperature, the server was attentive and friendly, and the courses were not rushed. Mr. Waiter was well on his way to receiving a good tip until he dropped the check.

According to "The Waiter", it's actually impolite for the server to bring the check unless the guest has asked for it. I'm willing to bet that most people who dine out are unaware of this fact and deduct from tips if they have to ask for the check.

As for me, I find it perfectly acceptable for the server to bring me the check: as long as I'm through or nearly through with my meal. We were not even onto our second bite when we received our checks.