So, yes we need to talk about this. It makes it easier. It helps members feel welcome and enjoy a dinner out which is an expense. For some it's a luxury expense, for others less so. We don't judge and wish to make it as welcoming and as simple as possible. Firstly, we tag dinner events with a price indication so that you feel comfortable.
Dinner Pricing* main meal - some extras and moderate drinking - i.e. one to two drinks
€ - below €40
€€ - indicates €40 - €59
€€€ - indicates €60-80
€€€€ - indicates €100 plus
WELCOMING
Please take a minute to introduce yourself quickly to everyone at the table. This is a great start to an enjoyable evening.
SPLIT THE BILL? OR PAY FOR WHAT YOU CONSUME?
The table can decide to split the bill or pay for what you've ordered. We do this before we start ordering. In any case, this is always a little tricky, as we often forget the 'water service', bread, tips and some small extras, which can add up and needs to be paid for. Water Service at some restaurants is coming in around €15 for a table of 6!
ORDERING
We are saying this now, as we have had many new members join a dinner and not return as they felt it was far too expensive when they ordered just a main meal and / or decided to opt out on drinking alcohol for the evening.
Ordering - if the table has decided to split the bill, respectfully, do not order the most expensive item on the menu PLUS starters, cocktails, the oldest whiskey, dessert & coffee.
It's a social game, so this requires you to be mindful that others (new acquaintances and not friends), do not appreciate funding your (expensive) meal out. It's a Shared experience. Please order and enjoy what you wish, yet actively make the gesture to chip in / and pay your extra part - not a last minute nudge or we're tired now let's just see how the bill lands and sort it out next time...
Please honour this, we are actively marketing to welcome new members, wish to keep seeing our current members and make it possible (and affordable) for everyone to enjoy the experience. Please therefore respectfully 'own' your part.
CONVERSATION...
So apart from the food, the conversation really is the key ingredient that makes it memorable and we hope for the best reasons. Sometimes bad memories become good stories or great lessons.
Our aim is to welcome you back again and again.
We're educated adults, each with a story to tell. It's up to all our dinner guests (not just the host) to make sure that happens. They say for people to feel included you need to be talking as much as listening. So if you're just two people, you should spend half your time listening.
Here are some of our tips (from members):
Prepare yourself with some interesting questions and a funny tale...
Actively engage with other guests to 'Tell me more...' / What happened.../ Why...
Opt for a dialogue rather than a monologue ... and pick up the cues when the conversation needs to shift.
Comentarios