Last weekend we spent a quick 3 day getaway in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to celebrate an anniversary. Had a great time kayaking and just taking long walks. However, I have a weak spot for the restaurants there so the evening was special dinner time. We have our favorites… Blue Moon, Espuma, Eden, among others and return time and again. And when we go out for a special night we are conscious of prices but not in everyday frugal mode. Yet – I can’t tell you how much I hate getting a menu or hearing specials without knowing their price. What are restaurants trying to hide?

This is not an instance of pay what you think the meal is worth. Instead this is a prime example of dessert drinks and daily specials being a mystery. Having been burned in the past by a daily special that was off the charts expensive, I am admittedly gun-shy. I also know a drink “by the glass” can range from a few dollars to a small car payment if it is some coveted high brow concoction.

That is why I was a bit miffed as I perused some menus last week that seemed to be missing some crucial numbers (the prices). What is the great mystery? It is not like you will never know what it costs — it has to show up on the bill. Why put forth the element of surprise and potentially upset a customer at the back end when they read the check and collapse? Wouldn’t it be better customer service to just let people know up front the cost of something?

In the restaurant we were dining in, I have had a lot of experience with them and felt confident that whatever I ordered wasn’t going to be a “shocker” when the bill came. Still, I couldn’t help but simply want to know up front so I could do a little math in my head. I know I could have asked outright and I often do. Many other people are more reluctant to do so.

What do you do in these situations? Do you ask? Steer clear of those items? Choose them and pray it isn’t too expensive?

And, if you own or work in a restaurant — what the heck is the rationale behind not stating prices? I would love to hear what you think…

 

Paula Gregorowicz, owner of The Paula G. Company, works with women who are ready to create their lives and businesses in a way that fits who they are rather than how they were told they "should". Get the free 12 part eCourse "How to Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin" http://www.coaching4lesbians.com and start taking charge of your own success.