Just an update here for you all. Apparently at MY
Smokey Bones this attitude DOESN'T have the stamp of approval from management either. I got a very nice letter from Darlene who said she would talk to the employees about this and asked me to come back and share my experience afterward.

My husband and I have both worked jobs in retail and in the service industry which is why we try to be accomodating and to always tip more than 20% for good service--these are HARD jobs dealing with the public when you do them well. We, however, believe in high standards even in a casual atmosphere and I'm so happy that Darlene confirmed this in her letter. Sure, joke around and have fun...but you're at work, you're not at home serving chips and dip to your crew.

I expect employees to treat us with the same respect that we treat them and that didn't happen with this particular visit. Believe me, I've been on ALL sides of this fence--I've been the employee, management, and the customer. I know that there is a certain foundation base of general respect you need to build to bring in and keep a customer base.

Barbara