When you are running a successful restaurant that is always full, the last thing you want is for people to sit around having conversations. You want them to qu

When you are running a successful restaurant that is always full, the last thing you want is for people to sit around having conversations. You want them to quickly eat and drink their fill and get out so another customer can take their place. On the other hand, when your place is half empty, either because it is not so popular or because it is not busy time, you want to keep present customers there as long as you can. Even if their are sitting there nursing the one beer, there is always a chance they will order another one or get a snack or a coffee. Your solution is obviously going to bad unpopular places, or going at times when not too many people eat. Joking aside, it is possible that this has recently gotten worse due to reduced capacity associated with social distancing.