I would have put my foot down and told the waiter to bring me back the silverware because I wasn't done eating. Then I would ask to speak with the manager and would politely inquire why I was being rushed through my meal.

I would have asked the waiter to see the manager. I'm not afraid to say something if I feel I'm not getting adequate service.

I agree with Partysugar. Pushy waiters annoy the heck out of me! In situations where the service of the waiter was poor I feel a tip, even small, should not be lfet.

I agree amloveaffair.

you ask for management, and if they dont comp that meal, you throw some punches.

I agree, I would not have thrown in the towel. Yum sugar, you are too nice, you paid for that meal - you should be able to finish it.

I agree- you ask to speak to a manager, otherwise you leave unhappy and the server gets a bad tip and you don't go back.

It's sort of a non-American thing to stand and wait for the bill. It makes me totally uncomfortable.

I would have asked for the silverware back.

I've had this same experience before and, I have to admit, I did the same thing as you, Yumsugar. I'm just too hesitant to make a scene, even if it is called for.

I would have flat out said, "I'm not finished. Bring me new silverware and a new shell plate, please. Also, please get the manager, I would like to speak to them."

Yeah, I would have asked for my stuff back! In a nice way, like "Oops, I wasn't quite done with that. Would you mind terribly bringing me another plate?" with a big polite smile. I'd have called later to ask for a manager. I don't care for direct confrontation.

What Modus Vivendi said. And about the hovering while check signing, I think I'd look at them and ask "Is everything alright? Do you need something?"

Yeah Yum you always seem so nice, but its easier said then done. When I get into these situations I usually chicken out, and then later wish I had done more. Only once did I stick up for myself, and the manger did NOTHING.

There is no excuse for the server to take your food/silverware before you're done with your meal unless you were there right as the restaurant was closing or something. I would have insisted that I was NOT finished yet and that I'd like my silverware back so I could finish my mussels. If the server refused, I would have asked why they were rushing me through my meal. If the situation wasn't remedied and the server was so rudely watching me fill in the gratuity on the bill, he/she would have watched me write in $0.01

Not that I think it's an excuse, but I wonder if he was annoyed because the burger and mussels were being shared? - it would have meant less of a tip for him.

Though seriously - that kind of behavior, no matter what, would have elicited a request for new silverware to finish my meal, and while he was at it, to get a manager or supervisor so I could have a chat with them.

I would have asked for a new silverware and shell plate combo. Maybe that would have at least clued him in that I wasn't done. The check thing is super rude though. It drives me crazy when servers do that.

What i cant stand is when they watch over you.

I would say ' is there a reason you are standing so close or do you not trust i can sign my check unaided?'

I hate bad manners!

Actually scratch my previous post.. id say 'standing that close wont get you a bigger tip for your poor service.'

cough*chez maman*cough.

Definitely wouldn't have let him take my dishes. (Had they been drink glasses we might be talking fisticuffs!) But as for what to write in for the tip, how about: "Don't play the ponies"

I actually think in this case that the lone server was the manager (and possibly even an owner). I am pretty sure the whole thing was very intentional, given that there was a party waiting to sit down at the bar. But still, it left the two of us thinking: Why us? Why not anyone else eating at the bar?

This sort of happened to me several years ago with my cousins. We were staying in a resort town and the first morning one cousin, her father and I had a great breakfast at this rooftop restaurant. We loved it so much that the next morning, my cousin and I returned to the same restaurant with her sister, sans their father. The restaurant had two seating areas, separated by a narrow walkway. We were seated on the farther side. The waiter took our orders and then left us. For a really long time. We waited forever for our food. We even saw a family of four get exactly what we ordered before us, even though they'd arrived 20 minutes after us. The waiter finally saw we were ansy and rushed our food to us--UNDERCOOKED. They were pancakes too. One cousin got sick. Even worse the waiter tried to make up for the initial terrible service by hovering annoyingly. While my cousin was in the bathroom he brought the bill and hovered while we sorted it out. The bottom of the bill read "Service not included". My cousin laughed and said loudly, "Yeah you got that right". We left him one of the worst tips I've ever left a waiter. We're convinced that the paltry service the day after we'd received great service was because we were young girls alone. But yeah, I NEVER tip well for bad service. Bad behavior should never be rewarded.

Since you think the server was the manager, then I would have just filled out the tip right there while he was watching. If he had made any kind of noise or said anything, I would have explained that it was because of the rushed serviced and being unable to finish my meal. No excuse for it.

*rushed service

Wow- how rude. If you think he was management, I would have left nothing for a tip and handed a business card to him letting him know that you also work in the food industry. Tell him to keep an eye out on yumsugar for their review . By the way, why don't you tell us the restaurant and spare some people a similar experience?

well - first off - i would have been more firm with the 'NO I'M STILL WORKING ON THIS THANKS' and not allow them to clear my dishes. i also would have done exactly what you did - dally before signing the check, and then tip lower because your experience was 'ruined' sort of. i know that restaurants want to have more turn over so they try to move people in and out faster, but still there's something to be said about being allowed to enjoy your meal.

I would have tipped appropriately based on the service and if possible have spoken to the manager about the rushed meal and the inappropriate and rude behavior of the server.
it's difficult when servers forget they're actually working for their tip.

Yelp it. Tip accordingly, and yelp away! It's incredible the power yelp has over the community. Make sure you note the waiter's name (usually on the receipt), and yelp yelp yelp.

with the additional details given by yum, i don't think there's much else you can do other than complain to him, tell him you were very angry with service, will not pay your bill, and will not return

it would be so frustrating!

I would of asked to see the manager and if not then I would of been less than nice in my tip. Sorry but bad service=bad tip

I would have smiled sweetly, and said,"I wasn't finished yet. Can you kindly bring back my utensils?" I will pay my bill and leave when I'm damn ready.

I think I would have asked for the manager, and then asked for a waiter who didn't have somewhere else to be. Dining out should be an experience that you enjoy, especially when it's not cheap. And watching someone sign the tab is rude, but that's his mistake. I would have given what I thought was appropriate - whether or not he was watching.