Rice Table Restaurant

There surely must have some reasons for all the recent controversy on the standard of the service industries. Singapore although is a developed country but the service and the graciousness of the people over here, really proof otherwise. It's not totally that bad, but it only takes one black sheep to taint all of us.

Here's my exciting encounter with the waiter at Rice Table restaurant in Suntec. On 19 Dec 2005, Monday, together with my friends, we decided to try out at that restaurant as we have heard quite a lot about it.

On arrival, first glance at the almost empty restaurant will means that there's definitely have seats for us. So we took a while looking at the menu while waiting for the staffs to come serve us. However, we realise that all the staffs were standing at the cashier counter chatting away, as if we were invisible. For your info, the cashier counter and the main entrance is 2 steps away.

So I took the initiative to step a tiny step forward so that we will be a little more obvious that we are some hungry soul wanting to eat. Looking at all the staffs at the cashier counter, I really thought I am invisible or some sort, they just continue with whatever they are doing. With the increasing blood pressure, I have to make my presence felt by calling out! I regret the outcome of what is going to happen, the staffs, after realising I exists they turned to look at each other, as if I have Bird Flu, as if I am the cause of the upcoming pandemic.

So with all the sudden "arrows" flying everywhere from their eyes, I think the most junior staff got struck. So with all the dismay displayed in his face (read: FUCK OFF), he slowly approached me and asked me a few questions which will bring this entry to climax!! I can't really remember the exact conversation, here's roughly what happened.

me: Can I have table for (turning behind and counting the number of people) 5?
waiter: (Totally not hearing what I say) HEI, GOT MAKE RESERVATIONS A-NOT??
(Hello~~!! If got make reservations still ask you for table for what? Too much time to spare? And what's with the rasing of voice)
me: erm.. Sorrrrrrry. No.
waiter: NO RESERVATIONS?!?!??!?! (Sound as if it's the most ridiculous thing he ever heard!) NO TABLE! (After saying this, he turned around and walked off.
me: ........... (Jaw almost dropped on the floor. Eyes almost popped out. And feel as if I am going to have a stroke there and then!)
me: (turning to my friends) WAH LAU, DARN FUCK UP ATTITUDE!! (And nodding in unity in disgust! And walked off.)

Did I mention that throughtout this whole "conversation", he did not even look at me once in my face and need I mention that his standing posture, body language remind me that of those ah-beng trying to pick a fight.

This is really service at it's worst! I mean I would have understand if you tell me nicely n politely if the restaurant is fully booked on MONDAY night. I would really appreciate if you were to apologise for the restaurant been fully booked. And I would been really gladful if the FREAKING ATTITUDE of the staffs is better!

I don't know what image of Singapore will be paint if I were a foreigner. You tell me..