Although we are at Bill Bateman's pretty frequently, there is but one waiter who remembers anything about us, and it's that my partner likes a long island iced tea with a double shot of tequila. Other than that, we're lucky if the bartender knows how to MAKE a long island iced tea or if we get what we actually ordered. We don't patronize any of the "nicer" restaurants on such a regular basis that they'd care about this info, I guess.

I didn't realize that Open Table kept all that info. I guess I'd be p.o'd if it was noted that I was a psycho. But, I would think it was funny if they noted that we were a queer couple. Again, odd things tickle my funny bone though.

I just went to look in my spam folder...

LOL, that is awesome. Patron's inane behavior is recorded and 'accidentally' shared with all the other patrons. Gotta love technology. Before it would just be the staff laughing over Mr. Buzz when he came in or avoiding the table crier. Now it can be recorded and pulled back up, and everyone else can know what odd behaviors you do at a restaurant. Perhaps the restaurant biz needs some sort of HIPAAesque regulations like the docs have.

I can only imagine the comments that have been made about my loud and uninhibited family by some of the restaraunts we have visited... We are not disruptive to other patrons, but we are spirited, especially if we've had a few bottles of wine. There have been tears at our gatherings, both happy and sad, but that is just because we are very close and very emotional. Really, we are not a difficult table to wait upon, but there is nothing we won't discuss...and you never know what you might hear. If they truly keep tabs on such things, it is amazing that I can get a reservation anywhere! Then again, we do tip well...

Wow...this is scary. I'd like to see all the comments entered from...you know...the place that doesn't like to split checks.

And this may help explain why they are always forgetting Springs1's ranch dressing. There's probably a note in there that says, "Wanna have some fun? Don't give her any ranch."

This is one reason why the library co-op I worked in during the 90's developed a policy on the kinds of notes we could put in patron records, then went and scrubbed out a lot of things folks had put in. It is tempting to put all kinds of useful little things in there, but if the patron ever sees it, they might get very upset.

But, I don't see where this is all that different than a good maitre d' keeping track of regulars in a notebook. Except for the accidental transmission part.

When I was a server we didn't need a fancy database to let us know that our patrons were psycho.

GrayGirl - Our family outings sound very similar...Just as you said, we are not a difficult party to wait on. In fact we have had many staff express they wish more of their customers were like us. We go out to have a good time, but certainly do not impede on other patrons dining experience (at least I don't hope we do!).

Joyce - I always enjoy your sense of humor!

Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!

I don't think that having notes on patrons is uncommon... A lot of the top hotels do it so that their staff knows client preferences, like not having down pillows or duvets, or which one is the mistress and which is the wife... that sort of thing.

Hey Trixie - I was wondering where you've been. I enjoy your humor as well!

Ditto, hoping everyone has a safe and happy holiday. Maybe I'll see some of you tommorow night in Hampden taking in the 34th street lights and walking off whatever big meal you ate (at whatever location!).

We find the customer notes extremely helpful at my restaurant. They help us keep track of preferences, allergies, favorite drinks, family names, etc. Sometimes they forewarn the staff about overly-demanding guests, etc. But I continually have to remind the staff to keep the comments benign. Often, servers will run to the OpenTable to record that a customer is a bad tipper or rude.

Open Table allows customers to make comments about restaurants, too. I haven't really looked at them, but I know I've said a negative thing or two about the odd Baltimore restaurant (much that was positive, too).

I wonder if our Open Table notes record that I will follow up on Dining@Large about a very good (or very bad) dining experience?

man. why wasn't I in that mailing list?

Now, I'm assuming that this only goes for those that book through Open Table. Or not?

Rosebud -- actually, Open Table sells a restaurant management system, including hardware and software, that enables a restaurant to track all of its patrons, whether or not they have actually made online reservations through the Open Table website.