“A friend invited me to a higher end ‘Fast Casual’ restaurant for lunch the other day. I arrived at the restaurant; stood inside the front by the door, and waited for her. After 10 minutes, I started to worry, thinking I had made a mistake and she went to one of their other locations. I texted her to confirm – no response. I waited a bit longer, texted again. Still, no response and it’s now been 20 minutes. At this point I decided to go ahead and order thinking she got tied up or forgot. I went to the back of the restaurant to get water from the drink machine … and there she was – sitting at a table by herself, saving a table, waiting on me. I about died! Then I started kicking myself for not checking the restaurant to see if she was already there. I just ‘assumed’ she would meet me at the front. What a mess! Help, what is the etiquette for ‘Fast Casual’ restaurants and lunch meetings?”
Believe it or not, this same thing has happened to me before! And yes, it was a mess. After this happened, it reminded me of one of the most important things one needs to do before heading out for a lunch meeting:
- Confirm with your guest the day before, or the morning of, the meeting. It’s a nice gesture (hey – who hasn’t forgot to put something on their calendar) and a perfect opportunity to verify the date, time and location (especially if there are multiple locations!)
Fast Casual Restaurants usually have a big lunch crowd and are very fast paced.
The best and most conducive flow for the restaurant is for customers to stand in line, place their order, and then get a table. This is an organic flow to their system and helps to make their process work and remain efficient. So wait until your party has arrived, place your order, THEN get your table. If you have a party of 3 or more and someone is running late, text or call them and ask if you can place their order to help move things along. This is a nice gesture for those who arrived on time and also helps to keep from clogging up the entry.
Special Announcements:
Cupcakes and Coffee
Will you help spread the word? … in April, we have scheduled two ‘Cupcakes and Coffee’ informational meetings. Please share with your friends that these meetings are not mandatory for new parents, but serve as an opportunity for parents to gather information about the program in addition to the information included on our website. If they have any questions, they are more than welcome to call or email. I would love to visit with them.
And we would love to have you join us as well is you’re available!
- Tuesday, April 15, 6:30-7:30pm, at The Nigh University Center (Campus of UCP), 2nd Street and Garland Godfrey, Edmond
- Thursday, April 17, 6:30-7:30pm, at the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association (COHBA) Event Center, 420 East Britton Road, Oklahoma City
Early Bird Registration for 5-8th Grade Programs
The highest compliment you can give us is a referral to your friends and coworkers. Please share our registration and contact information with any families you think might be interested in participating in our program.
Each year we build on the previous year as we add to the curriculum. We have many students who continue with us each season, from our Level 5 (5th grade) program through our Passport (High School) Program. Our goal with the continuous exposure, and gentle reminders, of the courtesies we teach over consecutive years – is to assist you in raising well-mannered young adults.
- Continued Exposure: Just as continued exposure to athletics and school homework reaps rewards; continued exposure to the social skills taught in our program will provide lifelong lessons that will benefit your child throughout the classroom and into the boardroom.
- Benefits and Rewards: One of the biggest rewards of our students returning year after year, is the virtual ‘light bulb’ that seems to turn on and stay on; the students are really starting to get it and they are very proud of themselves. Their confidence is building. We’ve highlighted some of our graduating seniors on my blog atwww.CareySueVega.com/?s=senior+spotlight
5-8th Grade Levels: We encourage you to register early to take advantage of the ‘early bird’ discount. Regular tuition for the 2014-2015 season will be $425.
- Before April 30, $350
- 5-8th Grade registration online via: https://www.expeditionsinetiquette.com/registration
9-12th Grade Levels: Registration is open and will continue with the Early Bird discount into the fall. Register early to avoid the waiting list.
- 9-12th Grade registration online via: https://www.expeditionsinetiquette.com/passport-high-school-registration
As always, thanks for reading!
– Carey Sue
