Today at first watch, a local and popular brunch spot, it was pretty crowded as usual. A long line of people were waiting outside. We have been there and already gotten line up online and had no wait for table. When we finish, the line is even longer. As I was paying at the counter, an old gentle couple, probably in the late 80s, hand in crane walking into the counter asking for a table. A manager or owner, reply that it would be an hour and thirty minutes wait. Their reaction is slow but i can sense the disappointment in the mood. Without really much empathy in his tone, the manager only reaction were suggesting them to go online and get in the virtual queuing next time. Yes he said that to a almost 90 year old couple. So they gentling turn and walk away. It was a bothering and disheartening scene. At that age, it is hard enough to get yourself dress, out of bed, into the car and to the restaurant just to be turned away by an empathic manager. To the business, they have plenty of customer, it is standard procedure that a robot would perform to every inquiry. As a human manager, put some human element to it. Squeeze them in, give those senior a special priority, it is just a table for two. If i am those in line i wouldn't mind. We have handicap parking spot, expect mother parking spot, shouldn't restaurant make a senior designated tables? These are moral and good social responsibility that restaurant should consider.
