I love traveling around the world and around my town. Since I was young I learned to enjoy things around me regardless of whether I was alone or accompanied. There was nothing remarkable about that until I became an adult and suddenly, there was an expectation that I should always be accompanied. This expectation or assumption has led to many awkward moments with various service providers, but particularly with the restaurant industry. So here are some tips I would like to give to restaurateurs if you would like to maintain the patronage of people who are patronizing you on their own: DON'T: Ask "just one?" DO: Say "thank you for choosing us today" DON'T: Take the food away when the customer goes to the bathroom DO: Ask the customer whether they are done with their plate DON'T: Have one tiny table in the back of the restaurant DO: Have small tables spread throughout the restaurant DON'T: Let the customer to their own devices when it comes
These are the meandering thoughts of a smart and competent woman.