Waiter-less, Fully-Automated Restaurant Opens in Germany

Many years ago, we had the Automat restaurants in New York City which were waiterless.

Obviously the author of this story has never waited tables. It is a tough job, we earn every penny we make. I am a professional server who considers my job my profession! I take pride in my work. Perhaps the author of the story is not dining in the proper establishments.

Better yet, what waiters have the time and patience to deal with indecisive, impatient, flat out rude customers.

I can't wait to finish school and never have to serve another jerk again.

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I have worked in restaurants for almost a decade now. I agree with K that too many people assume servers are stupid or lazy (there are a few bad apples, sure, but don't make a blanket statement): most work hard & many DO make it a profession. A good server provides a personal touch no computer can: recommending dishes & wines, creating a special touch, and sometimes a little entertainment through personality. Plus, think of lost jobs. How will they make their money now? Besides, computers break or have glitches so it's not exactly a flawless system. In a world where people are ever more distanced from the human experience, this is the last thing we need. How about a computer to solve world hunger? Oh, wait - no money to be made there. It's really kind of creepy.

Terrence O'Brien has apparently never had a job dealing directly with the general public. I have never been a waitress, but I have friends who have done it and I have worked in retail. It sucks. People, such as Terrence, treat you like you are their personal slave and talk down to you simply because waitressing and retail is typically done by students. Maybe your waiter/waitress wouldn't be so rude to you, Terrence, if you didn't walk in the restaurant with the awful attitude that you have displayed in this story. I would definitely spit in your food.

I grew up in New York City, and as a child we had Automats for food that were owned by the Horn and Hardett (sic?) company. Back then I remember a casserole dish of piping hot Macaroni and Cheese was like fifteen cents, and hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate was a nickel. Most items required nickels and dimes and a cashier station was in the center of the large dining area. There was also an area like a cafeteria style set-up where you could purchase a full plate meal rather than a la carte.
I realize prices have gone up, but the food they served was excellent. I only wish the company were still in business.

I actually think this would be a fun and novel experience to eat there. I hardly think it's going to be the end of waitstaff. I bet it would be a lot of fun to go with a group of friends and just enjoy the sheer fun of doing something different.

IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST

IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST

IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST

Sounds like the set of "The Jetsons'.
Don't think I will dine in this fashion.

Bet this reporter is a Tip Stiffer.. that means a person who does not leave a tip..

My better half has worked as a waitress for 10+ yrs.. put 2 of her 4 kids to college and has a 401k.. She also holds a Masters in Industral health and hygeine...

She has chosen not to work in her feild because she loves what she dose.. and yes thier is a big difference in the mothly check..

but in the same note.. she was sick and was off work for a week and a half.. I still haven't finshed opening all the mail ( get well cards )I was totaly blown down. I knew I had something good.. but all these people reminded me I had something GREAT!!!

Thanks, but no thanks.. I'll have a real live person get my food.

I've had my fair share of rude wait staff who treat me like I'm annoying them by asking them to do their job. I flagged down the manager and complained about them.
I've also had some wait staff who were so good to me and so personable that I flagged down the manager and made a point of complimenting my wait person to their boss.
That being said, this places looks like its cool and has found its "hook" to attract patrons. I doubt this will be the wave of the future though. Sure it might catch on in fast food places but not in other resturants.
If every resturant serves food the robotic way, where will be the sense of style and atmosphere that really good resturants pride themselves on?
Don't worry wait staffers, you're safe.

Years ago, in the 1960s I believe, there was a restaurant in St. Louis where your menu was delivered, your order was taken, and your food was delivered all by an electric train that ran around the counter. So much for the German's "new idea".

Blah Blah Blah, Whine Whine Whine.. if you don't like the way your treated at work quit and then you won't like the way you are treated when you're standing next to the freeway begging for money either. Why should I be forced to pay MORE for something I'm already paying for just because the person is doing their job? If you do a great job, I'll reward you, but a tip should not be EXPECTED!

Just to echo the other sentiments posted; as a waitress myself (working up and through med school) I find it sad that so many people assume waitstaff is stupid, rude, and impatient. I love my job waiting tables, because it's fun and to some limited extent, rather challenging. I do my best to accomodate anything my customers might ask for, and at least twice a night have people comment on my excellent service. Remember your waiters and waitresses are probably going to treat you well whether or not you're a hideous customer - we're so used to it. Try being novel, for a change, and give your waiter a smile and a thank you (and at least 17%)

To me, 3 things make up a good meal: good food, nice atmosphere, and a good waiter. If you have a problem with your order, is the robot going to fix it for you? Is the robot going to entertain your special requests? I can maybe see this kind of system going in at McDonalds, but not in a "real" restaurant. Yes, there are bad waiters just like there are bad cops and bad teachers. But there are many more good waiters who are working hard to make a living, and to make your dining experience a little more enjoyable.

i have been a server for 20+ years and supported my 12 year old son on my for for most of his life.we do just that, provide a service, usually with a smile no matter how rude and demanding our diners may be. replacing your server with a robot, whats next, your auto mechanic or better yet, your childs pediatrician. hopefully i dont see this any time soon

I agree with all of you ... yes, he's probably a bad restaurant patron and a tip stiffer to boot. To imply that all servers are merely on their way to something better infuriates me. Some of us truly LOVE what we do, and the rest of us stop doing it because of attitudes like his.

http://ontheside.blogstream.com

I've been a server for almost ten years now, and I've never been considered rude, lazy, or stupid. Living in a smaller town, most of my customers are regulars that I know almost as well as my own family. Your waitstaff is what personalizes a dining experience and when you cut them out, it's not as much fun. You might as well hit the drive through at McDonalds.