Do you reserve ahead?
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
United States
May 7, 2019 6:01pm CST
When you are going out to eat with a large group, do you call ahead to reserve? I do. If it's more than six people, I call and make sure they have space or can make space.
We were leaving a restaurant earlier and saw a large group of people filing in. I'd say atleast 15, maybe more, maybe less. They hadn't called ahead, and they came in during the busiest time. How inconsiderate!
Even if you weren't sure where to eat UNTIL 20 minutes before you arrived, you should still call. Give them a heads up, let them prepare tables in advance.
Do you reserve a table ahead?
11 people like this
12 responses
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
8 May 19
Sometimes I reserve a table and sometimes I don't. If it is a Friday night or a Saturday night I often need to make a reservation, even if we are a small group. If I am having dinner with a large group of people I always make a reservation. One time we were about 15 people and I think it is too risky to just show up and expect them to have a table for that many people. If they know we are coming, we know that a table will be ready for us.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 May 19
Exactly! It makes more sense to call ahead, that way you aren't rejected ("Oh sorry, we don't have a table for you.")
I also like to try to go slightly before or slightly after the dinner rush. That way they can pay more attention to us and not feel harried.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
9 May 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yes, it is not nice to get rejected and if we are a large group of people it is not easy to find another place without a reservation. Here many restaurants open at 5 p.m. and if we arrive around that time or half an hour later there aren't a lot of other people. We often do that.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
9 May 19
@Porcospino Here restaurants mostly stay open from 11 until 9. Some close for an hour or two between late breakfast and dinner. So maybe 11-2 and then 4-9.Some restaurants stay open as late as 10, but most of them close at 9.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56224)
• Los Angeles, California
8 May 19
I definitely would reserve a table. They could tell you then if they can truly accommodate the group . . . it'd be pretty bad if everyone had to wait around and then end up getting super slow service (which can happen if there's not a heads up given to the restaurant).
1 person likes this
@much2say (56224)
• Los Angeles, California
8 May 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yep! People act so entitled sometimes 
. It's a courtesy thing . . . I think it's only fair to let the restaurant know so they can prepare!
. It's a courtesy thing . . . I think it's only fair to let the restaurant know so they can prepare!1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 May 19
@much2say Ye! When they can prepare, everyone is happy!
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 May 19
Yes,and honestly? I feel like the same type of person who DOESN'T call ahead, are the ones who complain about the service.That gripes me!
2 people like this
@wanghui (894)
• China
8 May 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum yes,if a large group,we also usually to reserve room or a table.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 May 19
Yes, but I am referring to a large group. Here in the US and in other countries, it's polite to reserve a table if it's going to be a large group.
@jobelbojel (36046)
• Philippines
8 May 19
There are places here that does need reservations and some don't. If we think that the time will be full, we book in advance to ensure we have a place.
1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (36046)
• Philippines
8 May 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yes for bigger crowd. When the team goes out for lunch. We are about 15-25 people in a team.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 May 19
I am referring to bigger parties. Like atleast ten people. Even if a restaurant doesn't require a reservation, it's polite to call and say "Hi, I'd like to dine with ten of my friends tonight at your establishment, will you be able to accomodate us?"
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
11 May 19
It's very rare that I do... Even when celebrating birthdays, it's usually at home.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
13 May 19
@Courtlynn It makes life simpler, not having to celebrate so many.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67080)
• United States
13 May 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum the only birthdays I celebrate out are mine, my brothers and my moms. and that's only the 3 of us, and sometimes my brothers friend.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 May 19
It makes things run more smoothly. If your waitress is prepared, she's more likely to be attentive to you and your party. We always try to dine a little before or a little after the dinner rush, that way the waitresses can pay more attention to us.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (182415)
• United States
8 May 19
Some restaurants don't offer reserve seating, but calling ahead to get seating arranged just makes sense, and it is considerate as well.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 May 19
Yes, even if they don't offer reserve seating, it's best to let them know ahead of time. They can still figure out which tables they are going to set the group at.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 May 19
It's not as necessary with only four people, but it also depends on the scale of the restaurant.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
9 May 19
@LadyDuck Oh I see. Yes, it's nice to have a bit of space from the rest of the diners. Some of the restaurants we've resreved in? They have a separate room altogether for the private diners.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472124)
• Switzerland
9 May 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum I usually like to have a quiet, large table in a corner, so I call and I ask to "reserve my table".
@Spontaneo (14700)
• United States
14 May 19
I do not go to fine dining establishments. This girl saves money.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
14 May 19
You can reserve a table at a mom and pop place just as you can at any other. Just call the day ahead and ask if they would be able to seat x amount and x time. You might have to come a little earlier than the rush, but that's another question to ask. "What time does it start getting busy on x day?"
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
14 May 19
@Spontaneo I didn't mean to come off as rude, and I hope I didn't come off as rude.
I wish we ate at home more. The way we have things here, there are three of us and we each have two days where we pick what we want to eat, the 7th day is always the same place. I try to encourage them to let me cook, but I usually only end up cooking on the days that it's my time to decide what to eat.
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14700)
• United States
14 May 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum I realize this. Still I tend to dine at home or pack a lunch. No worries.
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
8 May 19
Yeah that's the right thing to do. Even more when it is a busy restaurant that many people go!
