Dining out during the 'new normal'
As we have seen, Covid 19 has resulted in sweeping changes across the spectrum of humanity – from the way we live, work, play and everything else. Terms like ‘social distancing’ and ‘new normal’ have emerged. Basically, we have changed the ways that we do a lot of things!
Whilst the gamut of articles from our end has been industry-focused, we at Hospitality Sri Lanka decided to do an article on what the customer, traveller or tourist can do in turn. Hospitality is after all a ‘two-way street’ where in the new normal, customers will have to behave differently and adjust their spectrums of expectations just as hotels and restaurants have to make sweeping changes across their operations.
So here are some things that you, as a customer, traveller or tourist can do when dining out - as a bare minimum:-
- Don’t forget your mask. Countless studies have proven that wearing of masks does indeed significantly reduce the risk of catching Covid 19. So, remember that wearing a mask is non-negotiable. Don’t cry on social media if a restaurant or hotel refuses entry because you refused to wear a mask. Of course, you have to remove it when you eat at a restaurant, but until you reach your table and settle in, keep it on, and put it back as soon as you have wiped your mouth after your meal.
- Pay attention to the restaurant or hotel’s guidelines. If they require you to sanitise your hands, take your temperature and request your contact details, comply. They require your details to assist with contact tracing in the event someone with Covid 19 is detected around the same time as your visit. Look at floor markings as to where you should stand and follow these. Avoid ‘crowding around’ places.
- If there is a queue or any other delay, exercise some patience before raising your voice. Restaurants and hotels have to work in the ‘new normal’ with social distancing requirements, hand sanitising requirements and to boot, may not have their full staff cadre due to a myriad of reasons, including the economic downturn. So, exercise some patience. Stop, take a breath and let life return to a slightly slower pace than before – maybe it’s a good thing in our dizzying world.
- Don’t be fussy or picky on your table and seat in a restaurant or room in a hotel. Restaurants now have to socially distance their tables and hotels have to practice social distancing and room rotation protocols to allow for adequate sanitisation and disinfecting. Leave allowance for these.
- If possible, check out the hotel’s facilities or the restaurant’s menu before you arrive there. That way, you can give your order or facility request to the staff in a quicker and more efficient fashion. If you can’t do this and need some time to peruse the menu or offerings, inform the staff. They can revert to another task and return rather than having to ‘hover’ over you while you decide.
- Bear in mind that you’re F&B orders may take longer than in the pre-Covid 19 era due to lower staff numbers, changed protocols and various other reasons. Patience is key once again.
- Don’t forget those health practices. Try to avoid eating with your hands. If you need to, wash and sanitise your hands just before eating – remember you will most likely have touched the menu, the chair and the table while waiting for your food to arrive.
- Last but not least, practice RESPECT. Staffs are human just like you, they are no different. They are going through this stressful time as well, trying to keep a smiling face behind it all. So, a little respect costs nothing but goes a long way.
Hospitality Sri Lanka
The above article is from our video series “19-Hospitality Related Questions on Covid-19", which can be viewed on our Youtube channel here
Why not take a moment to share your experience with us, or if you have a question you'd like answered, get in touch through reachus@hospitalitysrilanka.com
We hope to hear from you, and in the meantime, check out our social media feeds on Facebook and Instagram.
Shafeek Wahab - Editor, Hospitality Sri Lanka
|
|
