4 ms·

Wagamama and Legal Sea Foods have had earlier versions of these kind of technologies for a while. This is the next step in evolution. If it cuts costs (for the

Wagamama and Legal Sea Foods have had earlier versions of these kind of technologies for a while. This is the next step in evolution. If it cuts costs (for the restaurant owner / manager), improves the customer experience, and 'encourages' customers to spend more ... you can bet that owners will be all over it!

sopooneo 15y ago
I'm with you, but I am very dubious that these things will actually improve customer experience. The experience of going to a restaurant is very much one of being served by another human being.
- polyfractal 15y ago
  Eh, that's the part I like the least about restaurants. I really don't like the feeling of being served at all. And I certainly don't like someone bugging me every twenty minutes asking if my food is ok (while I invariably have food in my mouth). I go to restaurants to enjoy the food and enjoy the company. If everything else could just get out of the way (like the waiter) I'd be happy as a clam.
  - rogerbinns 15y ago
    I'm with you on that. I detest the time wasted waiting to place an order. And even more I detest the time wasted waiting to pay and making payment. For some reason restaurants really like to drag the latter out as much as possible. I'm fine with people adding value. Adding in unpredictable delays for them to carry paper between me and the cooks or me and a credit card machine is not value.
    - sopooneo 15y ago
      I agree with both of you. And I don't think anyone likes to have to wait to pay. But as far as not liking being served, we are not the norm. I hate it, but I guarantee it is the psychological aspect of servitude that is most appealing to a wide swath of humanity that "treats" themselves at restaurants. I admit that it may be a matter of context. Going out from work to grab a quick bite might be different than an "evening of fine dining" even for normal people. In my life, I've found that those most interested in being waited on are those whose normal lives put them in positions of feeling put upon by others most of the day.
      - polyfractal 15y ago
        That's a very good point which I hadn't considered. :)

sopooneo 15y ago

I'm with you, but I am very dubious that these things will actually improve customer experience. The experience of going to a restaurant is very much one of being served by another human being.

polyfractal 15y ago
Eh, that's the part I like the least about restaurants. I really don't like the feeling of being served at all. And I certainly don't like someone bugging me every twenty minutes asking if my food is ok (while I invariably have food in my mouth). I go to restaurants to enjoy the food and enjoy the company. If everything else could just get out of the way (like the waiter) I'd be happy as a clam.
- rogerbinns 15y ago
  I'm with you on that. I detest the time wasted waiting to place an order. And even more I detest the time wasted waiting to pay and making payment. For some reason restaurants really like to drag the latter out as much as possible. I'm fine with people adding value. Adding in unpredictable delays for them to carry paper between me and the cooks or me and a credit card machine is not value.
  - sopooneo 15y ago
    I agree with both of you. And I don't think anyone likes to have to wait to pay. But as far as not liking being served, we are not the norm. I hate it, but I guarantee it is the psychological aspect of servitude that is most appealing to a wide swath of humanity that "treats" themselves at restaurants. I admit that it may be a matter of context. Going out from work to grab a quick bite might be different than an "evening of fine dining" even for normal people. In my life, I've found that those most interested in being waited on are those whose normal lives put them in positions of feeling put upon by others most of the day.
    - polyfractal 15y ago
      That's a very good point which I hadn't considered. :)