Welp, I'd think $20 at a high-end restaurant might get the maitre d' to lose the sneer, so maybe $40 or so would get you a table. But then, I've never tried it, so what do I know?

Just remember, if you slip the maitre d a twenty, you are making people who have been there longer wait some more. Pretty selfish, I'd say

You all know my feelings about waiting! I'm not paying anybody anything - if there's a line, and they don't take reservations, time for a new place!

I must say, I've discovered some of my favorite little bistro type places using that criteria especially in beach areas of OC, Fenwick, Bethany, and Rehoboth.

I'd like to go on a date with a man that could pull this off suavely. Just for the experience. It would be fun to see the movie trick in real life.

This practice must be very common in Miami, since we were literally the last party to be seated. I can still see the smug look on that guy's face. I agree with EL, I'd love to try it somewhere like the Cheesecake Factory!

There was a Friends episode when Monica was dating Tom Selleck that had Chandler and Joey practicing up on slipping the maitre d' a bill (folded just right) because Selleck's character had been so cool about it.

Love the scene in "Goodfellas" where they actually set up a new table in front of the stage..

Hue - Goodfellas is one of my favorite movies - I love that scene too!

Tweety Cat, Next trip to Miami, go to Monty's Stone Crabs instead or forget the crummy stone crabs altogether and have a delightful meal at the Panna Cafe on Collins Ave. Or, any of the Cuban or other Latino restuarants on A1A or anywhere in Little Havanah.

Even in Chef Michele Bernstein's ex-restaurant in one of the chi-chi Southbeach hotels, reservations were taken and we had no problems being seated quickly.

All of Miami does not indulge in this bribery!

not only have I done this, I am in the business and would find a table for someone who slips me a twenty. keep in mind, hosts and hostesses make $9 an hour and since the majority of restaurants have hosts/hostesses not a matre d' you will find that this works but choose carefully, younger staff will be confused if you try this on them

Joyce, thanks for the tips, I love Cuban food. If I ever go back I also won't be at the mercy of my cousin as we no longer speak.

My feelings are hurt. She didn't send me a box of mangoes. Maybe ours will arrive tomorrow.

Brother Bim, you're in the wrong discussion.

Back in 98 or so, I was standing at the host stand (and not working in the capacity of the maitre d'), and a gentleman said he needed a table. We were fully booked, and had no tables available at that point. I told him as much, and he asked me what it would take to get a table, pulling out his wallet. I told him if he could take me to the table that I should ask to leave for his benefit I would do so. He backed down pretty quickly.

(In retrospect, I should have taken the money and "disappeared" to the office - the actual maitre d' or host would have reappeared at some point with zero knowledge of the "arrangement.")

PS baltimoron, I would probably write you up or worse for taking a bribe.

I always knew you were a stand up guy, Volker!