Customer Profiling At Hop Haus Rogers Park

How's this for insulting, gang? Went to Hop Haus tonight as I was driving home to place a take out order for burgers. I wasn't asked my name and no one else was waiting, so thought everything was fine. Got the order, paid by credit card, came home, and found that the server who took my order identified me as "OLD GUY" in the computer -- and there it was on both the food check stapled to the bag and both credit card receipts.

Completely uncalled for, and a major fail on the restaurant's part. I called this evening to speak to the manager, who was not forthcoming with making amends. Never had a problem with the River North location, but this location needs a staff intervention fast. Would "FAT LADY" or "GIMP" be just as likely to appear on patron checks?

(And yes, I suppose I qualify in theory as an "old guy", but I don't want to hear it until I've lost a lot more of my hair, strength and faculties.)

>>Brent

I think you should go "OLDBOY" on them.

brotine wrote:I called this evening to speak to the manager, who was not forthcoming with making amends.

What did you want them to do?

Hey, Josh, the manager should have asked me exactly that -- saying "I'm sorry, sir" on the phone is a weak response, and he should have added "how can I make it up to you?" or some such. He didn't feel it was important to ask my name or for the order number from the receipt.
>>Brent

But, Brent, you are old.........

So am I, and damn happy I made it this far.

Life is full of little bumps, you let something this minor get to you it won't be long before you are no longer aging.

Regards,
Gary

Yeah, you're right, Gary, but I still don't consider you or me to be "old" as in alter cocker-old, hunched-over old, asking-for-senior-discounts old, and the big one, old-like-my-parents old. When I do my mystery shopping reviews of hotels and restaurants I'm always careful to never describe hospitality staff I don't have names for by such characteristics -- I use hair color, eyeglasses, etc. which is the industry standard, and while this is a little thing it shows sloppy management practices at the restaurant. OK, close/move thread!
>>Brent

Hi,

I was in a restaurant in Pittsburgh last year where there was a dense crowd waiting to get in. The older woman (much older than me) who managed guest relations just looked at me, I flashed three fingers and she affirmed with a nod. About fifteen minutes later, she found me in the crowd to advise there was now a table for three.

I knew she had a system to help jog her memory, because she took nobody's name in the waiting pool. When the crowd died down, I found her eating dinner at the bar. I inquired how she remembered I was the party of three. She smiled, then said it was my sweater she used to log me as the "Indian Sweater Lady." She had some regulars whom she had nicknames they never knew and would never want to know. One reminded her of a well known actor, though her customer never knew.

I really don't think there was any intent to profile you. They offered a nickname to make sure the right customer got their food. The only goof was letting you know what they used to jog their memories.

Regards,

I believe they use a similar system at Kuma's (at least sometimes).

Now I finally have a reason to go to Hop Haus. I want to see how I'm identified on the check.

My husband and I once picked up a pizza and they didn't take our name at the time. When we looked at the register slip that was attached to the box it identified us as "BOOTY CALL". Needless to say we were confused, then amused.

brotine wrote:(And yes, I suppose I qualify in theory as an "old guy", but I don't want to hear it until I've lost a lot more of my hair, strength and faculties.)

This statement suggests more 'profiling' than the restaurant - where it could be more of a 'nickname'/tag for the order.
To me 'old guy' conveys wisdom, experience, etc., not necessarily negative attributes.

So Brent, how was the food? I hope the dimentia hasn't caused you to forget.

Yeah, you're right, Gary, but I still don't consider you or me to be "old" as in alter cocker-old, hunched-over old, asking-for-senior-discounts old, and the big one, old-like-my-parents old.

Wait a minute. The restaurant may be guilty of "profiling" but I think their might be another "ageism" culprit in the vicinity, too.

I probably would have laughed if it happened to me.

toria wrote:I probably would have laughed if it happened to me.

That would have been my reaction, too. Not that I blame you for having the reaction you had, Brent--not saying you're wrong to feel the way you feel at all--just that I'm sure I would have been more amused than offended, and would have fully accepted the characterization.

I just crossed 60. Regardless that I'm "young at heart" and healthy, I'm more aware every day of the gulf that separates me culturally from the majority of the current-day world's inhabitants, a majority that grows bigger with each sunrise while the group defined as me-and-people-older-than-me experiences, ahem, shall we say, "attrition." When I'm with younger people (friends, nieces, nephews, etc.), I find myself referring to myself as an "old person," tongue only partially in cheek. Acceptance of it helps me deal with it--paradoxically, acceptance is the best denial. And age has its benefits. I got into the Skokie Crown 18 last week for $5.

the server who took my order identified me as "OLD GUY" in the computer -- and there it was on both the food check stapled to the bag and both credit card receipts.

You think its bad seeing in on a check ? fire up your webcam and log on to http://chatroulette.com/ and see how the young folks greet ya
Warning...this site can real weird real fast.