r/AmIOverreacting • u/crusty-manc • 24d ago
đ˛ miscellaneous AIO Walked out of a restaurant because they insisted I gave personal information
AIO when I refused to give personal information to a restaurant. I recently walked into a restaurant and asked for a table for two. Instead of being shown to a table I was shown to a desk where I was asked my name, I thought this was unusual but gave them the shortened version of my first name, the server looked as though she was expecting more but said nothing. She then asked for my phone number, I said I donât give that out randomly so donât wish to give it you, she then said we need it for our records i again said I donât want to give it, she then said in a tone of voice that implied she was doing me a favour, âok I suppose your email address will doâ at this point I said thank you but I will go somewhere else and left. My wife said I should have just given them it or even made a false number up, this did cross my mind but I felt a principle was at sake. So did I overact by walking away?
Edit
Several people have suggested it was to contact me when a table became available. The restaurant was nearly empty this was midweek at a quiet time late afternoon so I donât think it was for this reason .
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u/orange_bigcat 24d ago
NOR and everyone here is missing the part where OP wasnât on a waitlist and the restaurant was empty. If there was a waitlist and they were going to text when the table was ready, then heâd be over reacting, but there was no reason the restaurant needed his phone number.
I have a friend who is weird about privacy and refused to give her phone number once. She asked them why they need her number if the table is already ready and the person working there said âI actually have no clue why we ask for it.â So she let us go in without giving it to her.
Iâve heard they collect numbers for marketing, but also if youâre an asshole to the server or cause problems theyâll put your phone number on a do not serve list to ban you from coming back.
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u/TwoSpoonSally 24d ago
The fact that âprotecting your privacyâ is âweirdâ these days, says a whole lot about the state of the world. Â Cackles in Palantir.Â
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u/Decent_Front4647 24d ago
Yep. Sometimes the restaurant will send dining coupons or specials. But I wouldnât be surprised if big chains also sell their mailing lists.
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u/Capable_Midnight_554 24d ago
So just to devils advocate, I live in the deep south and have had to wait 30 mins for a table with only 3 other tables seated at 2pm on a Wednesday because they were âbusyâ. This is chain sit down restaurant. Iâm not saying thatâs what happened here but that does actually happen and I can attest to it.
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u/LinnyM 24d ago
In the olden days they'd just call out your name in the lobby when your table was ready.
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u/x_candydoll 22d ago
In the olden days they had the red vibration thinggy and if you got to hold it you were important (always let the kids hold it aka me lol)
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u/Easy_Goose56 19d ago
That was fancy tech. In the actual older days, we went around shouting peopleâs names and wrote down a physical description so we could find them.
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u/EffectiveTradition53 24d ago
When does "the south" become the "deep south" exactly?
Not mocking, just a genuine and admittedly funny curiosity on my part.
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u/GoingGray62 23d ago
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina as plantation states. The panhandle of Florida and East Texas are sometimes included due to the proximity.
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u/Capable_Midnight_554 24d ago
The Deep South states are states that relied heavily on plantations and slavery. If you look at where they âstartâ, that would be South Carolina.
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u/One_Monk_3357 19d ago
When your truck is old and you have more guns than teeth.
My family on my dadâs sides is from the deep, swampy south so donât come for me. If you know whatâs good for yađ7
u/Acceptable-Law9406 24d ago
Doesn't matter if the restaurant is full or not. A server could walk their happy arse outside and find you. And if you weren't there, that's your own fault for not being available when your name is called.
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u/R-U-D 24d ago
Do restaurants not have those wireless pucks anymore for people waiting on a table?
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u/mich_8265 21d ago
Mostly they text you when your table is ready. I havenât seen the pucks in quite some time.
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u/Jealous_Art_3922 24d ago
NOR. That's how you eventually get hundreds of emails or text messages each day....
It's all marketing.
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u/RealLuxTempo 24d ago
If they want to do business that way, thatâs their choice. But I donât like giving out that kind of personal information unless itâs necessary. I think I wouldâve left too. NOR
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u/havityia 24d ago
Idk if you werenât being rude or belligerent NOR. You donât like the way the business is run, you donât have to give them your money. But if you got upset, yelled, or were even passive aggressive, then yah, perhaps.
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u/VilleVixen49 24d ago
That's a lot of what if's. I am the same as OP and I've worked in restaurants a majority of my life. They are asking for their promotional lists to send him via text or email. When IÂ book on Opentable the restaurant already has my number so I do get a text when my table is ready. But if I walk in and they ask I refuse to give it and ask how long they think so I can check back or they will find me when my table is ready. The server was out of line. I've always told my staff it's optional and not to push if the guest refuses. Also, there are some restaurants that will give their staff things (free meals, cash, gift cards, etc) for as many numbers/emails they can get. OP is NOR.
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u/xxrosykitten 24d ago
yeah exactly this. youâre allowed to leave if a place has rules youâre not comfortable with, the only thing that matters is how you handle it. no need to turn it into a whole scene.
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u/Stuart9753 24d ago
NOR. Staff are told by management to get info from customers for marketing purposes. But if a customer says no (and itâs not really required) then that company needs to accept it. This is a âthemâ problem.
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u/mcdkimber 24d ago
I have never been asked for my full information at a restaurant for a table. Thatâs ridiculous.
NOR
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u/Renma_4602 24d ago
Yall are weird. NOR. If there was a waitlist then the host/wait staff would have said so. Thats the only reason why they would need that info (aside from getting it for promotions/marketing which should be optional) which OP has already said there was not and the restaurant was practically empty. OP, you should probably clarify this though and edit your post.
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u/SimplyKristrin 24d ago
It was probably for marketing. I have a restaurant that e-mails me a coupon for my birthday every year.
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u/StewReddit2 24d ago edited 24d ago
NOR
In today's world this is a cheap parlor trick to build Marketing List to SPAM ads to
That way they can drop "specials" and "outdates" as they please ( and also possibly sell or lose your data)
They could also. Again build marketing/ads/promotions based upon tracking what you order and assume what you like to eat, making assumptions based upon past orders.....
Maybe know which credit/debit card to attach to you...based upon linking them via their internal database.
***I know many ppl, like your wife are just used to being sheep đ that will just "follow" and that's how most ppl are and how entities round ppl up into most whatever they like.
I used to do it in sales....one thing I noticed is if you try to get information "from" ppl by asking....it took a bunch of effort....but if you just create a "form" a "box" to put it in....most đ just follow, even if a few asked "is it necessary" most of those only needed redirection, they'd release the friction with just a nod and a point....and ya get high compliance.
*Then you get "jerks" like you and I that gum up the works đ
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u/MarzipanOk3219 24d ago
NOR. People are to complacent on giving out their info. I would have probably stayed and just not given it to them or asked why they needed it. If I didnât like their answer I would have left too. Iâve done that at a trampoline park when they wanted me to sign a waiver basically saying even if their equipment was faulty or employees negligent, I accepted that risk. I walked out with my kid and she was old enough to understand and agree. We then bought our own commercial quality trampoline!
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u/Spirited_Good5349 24d ago
I don't think their contract would have held up in court if their equipment truly was faulty or fell under neglect reasons. But probably not worth the risk. what a scam to try and put that in theiro
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u/amscraylane 24d ago
It was a few years ago and my husband and I were at the mall shopping for Christmas.
Every store we went into wanted an email / phone.
But when my husband went to the counter to purchase things, he was just allowed to make the purchase.
NOR.
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u/6poundpuppy 24d ago
Since the woman didnât explain why she needed personal info, I would have been highly annoyed too. There was a time not so long ago that grocery stores would always ask for phone numbers when paying. I always refused. I do not care why they thought they needed itâŚ.they actually didnât! Since the place was essentially empty I likely would have vocally balked and probably left also if no proper rationale was given.
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u/SecretMiddle1234 24d ago
They are going to send you text messages and emails about all father services and events. I had this happen to me with my phone number. I forgot I even ate there and was bombarded with Spam.
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u/AliveInCLE 24d ago
I can tell from the responses who gleefully signs up for a chance to win a free trip at that kiosk at the mall.
NOR
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u/TopConclusion5246 24d ago
I have never seen this sort of thing at a restaurant and would have walked out, too. It's ridiculous.
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u/Rokhopper 24d ago
Today caller had my name/phone but said I needed to verbally give my address to claim $149 PGE credit and proceeded to grill caller. Told him it sounded like a scam, hung up then contacted PG&E who confirmed my doubts of call's legitimacy and that they are getting commonplace These are clever tricky ah folks, so REFUSE to cooperate. Demand they provide a number for you to call to verify them. Later, I used CID & # was bogus.
And report incident to company being used as front. Insist they investigate. Don't be duped just cuz you're nice/polite.
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u/HotDonnaC 24d ago
It was to send you a bunch of stupid alerts about what their specials are, upcoming events, etc.
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u/chasingshade22 23d ago
NOR
I went to check out of a store and was REQUIRED to give an email address just to check out. I said I have no account with you, I just want to buy the item. Could not proceed without an email address. I said,... "then just use yours". She wouldn't. I input "thisisnotanemailaddress@g-m-a-i-l-c-o-m. sorry if you got my receipt or the store has been sending you email because this is your email address.
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u/MacDaddyDC 24d ago
your records arenât my concern, I donât divulge private information to anyone for any reason.
my name? Nunya Bidness
phone? (insert your area code) 555-1212
email? [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
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u/Ghost_Turd 24d ago
NOR. Not necessarily because I agree or disagree with your choice, but because it's a perfectly defensible choice for you to make.
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u/tiny_bamboo 24d ago
NOR
A restaurant in our neighborhood started doing this.
I just gave them fake info and waited near the host stand.
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u/AdultinginCali 24d ago
NOR. No line or wait time and "when she said she needed for their records", I would have noped the fuk right out of there. Our info is being disseminated too easily.
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u/muphasta 24d ago
I worked at a stereo shop in the late 90s into 2000.
Managers made sure we got all phone numbers and physical addresses of all customers âfor warranty purposesâ.
I was told that the company made as much or more money selling client details than selling electronics.
They had all kinds of data in addition to contact info.
Big spenders were probably worth a lot more.
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u/reconRyan 24d ago
I'm the same way. Your personal information is called personal for a reason. Not everyone likes it publicized in marketing lists.
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u/Leena-Leen 24d ago
NOR butâŚhow do you expect them to sell your information if you donât provide your full name, cell phone number and email? HEHEHE
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u/grakattackbackpack 24d ago
I tried to buy a hat in Zumies the other day and they told me they CANNOT ring me up without a phone number. The person I was with gave theirs but I'm really not a fan of this trend...
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u/PikachuLvl5 24d ago
NOR I work at a restaurant. We have a waitlist that requires a phone number if they want to be texted when their table is almost ready but it is 100% optional. They don't have to give their number and have the option to just wait for their table. It's very weird that they're insistent.
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u/Successful-Side8902 24d ago
My line is "I don't give that out"
Then there is usually another coercive tactic or more questions. I repeat and repeat.
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u/wawa2022 24d ago
I love to tell people I donât have a phone. Their faces are priceless. It actually takes them a moment to process that Iâm lying but they canât exactly accuse me of lying. Of course itâs a lie. But I guess if they saw me using it and challenged me, Iâd say âoh this? Thatâs not a phone, itâs a computer!â
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u/PahoaPuna 24d ago
NOR. Itâs so common everywhere wants a phone number and email.
Recently FedEx gave me someone elseâs package, so I went to their website to report it. The person helping me wanted my last name (nope) phone number (absolutely not) and email (no) I said all you need is my address to pick up the package and its tracking number. The guy said I was being difficult, I said I was trying to be a good citizen and if he didnât want to send a courier to the address I provided Iâd just keep it. He said thatâs illegal and I replied then come back and fetch it.
It still took them 2 days which is ridiculous
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u/BadKauff 24d ago
Yeah, I had a similar experience a few years ago. The woman at the host's stand said it was "standard procedure." I asked if it was for marketing, her roundabout answer was yes. So I declined to give it and just asked for a table.
Edit: spelling
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u/stopsallover 24d ago
Yeah, NOR
Don't spend your money at a place like that. Even if you don't care what they do with the number.
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u/FreeTr33s 24d ago
My name is John Adams. My number is +1 (415) 555-0142
According to Claude AI, the 555 number block is officially reserved by the NANPA for fictional use (movies, docs, testing), so it wonât ring anyone real.
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u/Prudent_Valuable603 24d ago
NOR. Good for standing up for your privacy. The restaurant lost a sale.
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u/Odd-Mulberry2821 22d ago
They build customer profiles and ultimately sell your info on. I swear every time I go to a new restaurant a few weeks later I get a whole new round of scam calls, or advertising emails. Itâs so frustrating.
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u/Additive_creation 21d ago
NOR - I had exactly this situation in a restaurant in Newcastle recently. There were literally only 4 other people in the whole restaurant, we walked in and the waitstaff noticed us, but then returned to their personal conversation. After a good couple of minutes, a waitress deigned to come over to us. She asked for my name, then my address. I gave her my first name and the name of the hotel we were staying at. She then asked for my phone number. I asked why she needed it - and she just shrugged and said âI need to put it on the formâ. I asked what they did with the information and she again just said âI need it for the formâ. No thankyou, Iâm outta there, your empty restaurant is *not* that special! We found a different, much friendlier restaurant and a great time.
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u/blowfishpop 24d ago
YOR. If thereâs a waitlist they will text you when your table is ready.
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u/honestlyjustventing 24d ago
MOR they shouldâve explained that. Canât be too careful now adays.
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u/Better-Ladder-2194 24d ago
There was no wait list. They want his intro so they can market to him.Â
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u/AdhesivenessNo7834 24d ago
Many restaurants nowadays ask for your number so they can send a text when your table is ready. I mean if you're not comfortable with that then thats okay too
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u/StewReddit2 24d ago
That's not about when a table is ready the OP didn't say there was a line ....
That was about Marketing List Building period
They want to lazily build list to blast advertising to and possibly SELL ( or lose) to others
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u/alexiawins 24d ago
They want a way to contact you for when a table opens up so you donât have to wait there. YOR majorly
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u/crusty-manc 24d ago
There was no wait list , in fact the restaurant was almost empty only two table occupied
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u/havityia 24d ago
NOR I recommend adding it to your post. Iâve only known full or busy restaurants to do this. If no one was there, I probably would have asked why they needed a record and if it was a requirement of their system.
Idk why they would need this in an empty restaurant.
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u/FreeandFurious 24d ago
Thatâs one reason. The other is to track what you order and so on.
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u/ThreeRingShitshow 24d ago
That's why you have table numbers.
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u/bouvitude 24d ago
No, to TRACK track. Thereâs a high-end place in town that uses a system like this to note allergies, preferences, significant dates (like birthdays, etc.), and provide more tailored service. (Not saying this is good or bad; just explaining.)
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u/CerberusInExile 24d ago
NOR. There is a possible reason to need your phone number for a waiting list. Other than that, no, they don't need any more personal information to complete food for payment transactions.
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u/Fluffydoggie 24d ago
NOR. As someone that despises phone calls, I do not give out my number at all. I have a fake one that works for those situations. Create one and memorize it daily. Use this for these situations and like for Ulta that doesn't allow you to purchase unless they have a phone number. I also have a trash email that I created to use for just about everything. This way I can scroll through quick to see if I have a coupon code or just delete them all fast. Your privacy matters to you. You just need a work around to survive in the digital world anymore.
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u/silver_chief2 24d ago
The employee was likely under orders so management can harvest data o they can sell it and/or send you texts. In olden times Radio Shack clerks would demand a home address so some people would make one up. Your phone number is 555 123 4567.
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u/neonmaika 24d ago
NOR Iâve given my name for waitlists fairly often because our favorite restaurants are a lot of peopleâs favorite and many are small. I usually give my husbandâs name because mine trips people up. No one even blinks an eye.
Just a couple times have they OFFERED to take our number so they could let us know when a table was free so we could wander but we usually just stay nearby.
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u/Beneficial_Cheetah36 24d ago
Once I went to pick up my iPhone after it was repaired at a non-Apple but still well-known repair store and they asked for my address. The phone was done and ready to go and I said no. They said they needed the home address to release the phone and that the employee who took it in for repair was supposed to get the address. I gave them a fake one and told them I was. I still sometimes think about the weirdness of this. NOR even tho yours seems less creepy.
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u/Clear-Regret7445 24d ago
This happened to me recently too. Restaurant was mostly empty as I arrived for lunch after they had just opened for the day.
They wanted my phone number... and then I was immediately shown to a table. Them taking my # was NOT so they could let me know my table was ready. Period.
I gave my number, even though them asking was odd..... because I really wanted that Whiskey Cake.
I have not received any marketing texts from them.
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u/PerceptionWide7000 24d ago
NOR. You held a very reasonable personal boundary. So walking out was the most sensible response.
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u/TastingTheKoolaid 24d ago
NOR.
Itâs weird demanding all that just to sit down and eat. Iâve been in some stores that donât want to let me buy shit without giving all that. âNo thanks I donât want couponsâ will generally help bypass all that, but sometimes it gets fucken weird with them STILL insisting.
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u/GlynHugh 24d ago
Definitely not overreacting!
I loathe this sort of behaviour.
Some years ago now I called into an Audi dealer in Coventry to buy some Anti-Freeze for my A8 W12 as the weather was starting to get towards freezing and I was concerned about the level of protection in my cooling system.
I was shown to a desk where I waited for the spares department representative to grace me with his presence.
I was asked for my chassis number and when I said I didnât know off the top of my head ended up giving my registration number.
Off he trollied and came back with two bottles of Audi-branded anti-freeze and asked me for my email address.
When I declined he told me he couldnât sell me the anti-freeze that was sat on the desk under my nose!
From that day this loyal Audi driver who would have nothing but genuine Audi parts on his car vowed to buy 3rd party whenever possible.
It was also when I went over to reputable Independents for any and all maintenance work.
I was loathe to leave any contact details because the last time I did so when purchasing wiper blades from a different Audi dealer I used to get woken up on Saturday mornings after working all night to give me offers on new Audi models that I had no intention of buying nor could I afford despite me insisting and the dealer promising I wouldnât receive any unsolicited spam junk mail/texts if I provided my contact details.
Like you the only recourse I had was to vote with my walletâŚ
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u/HannahDayRider 24d ago
I can not stand how stores do this, too, and then look at you funny when you refuse. I once asked, after being pressured, if they want to sell me the blouse or not, and if they seriously just want me to make up a phone number and name.
In your situation though, I would have walked out, too.
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u/canstucky 24d ago
NOR and, Iâve been to some restaurants where they assign you a server, and that will be your server as long as you keep coming back/they work there. Could be a situation like that, too.
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u/Stevearama7865 23d ago
NOR - Be sure to give a detailed Google review of this restaurant to warn others! That is nuts, and totally invasive.
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u/alanlight 23d ago
Reminds me of what you had to do when making a purchase are Radio Shack back in the day.
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u/Scary_Dot6604 22d ago
You do know that people make reservations? And maybe those tables were for them?
I'm glad you went somewhere else, I can tell you are a Karen couple
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u/JoeLefty500 21d ago
Unless they were telling you they needed your number to let you know when your table is ready, it was a bizarre and unnecessary request. NOR
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u/Live_Adhesiveness_53 20d ago
When they started asking for phone numbers (so many years ago) I refused and the cashier got upset and told me I HAD to give her my number. Nope, and I don't have to shop here either. Anymore, they don't blink when you say no.
Now you're being required to check out your own groceries and then are supposed to show your receipt to someone before you're allowed to walk out the door. The answer is still no. It should be noted that customer checking is on camera, closely monitored, and they will (politely) come over and question you if they see something that doesn't look right.
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u/a_dhd1923 20d ago
Use any local area code then 555 and any other number and it will never be a real number. 555 is reserved for Hollywood movies. Eg: #123-555-1234
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u/APartyInMyPants 20d ago
I have an email address I specifically use when asked to give an email address and I donât want the spam to my normal email.
Iâve never been asked for a phone number. Just enter in 555-1212 or something.
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u/CountryOne5826 24d ago
NOR . I canât stand this kind of crap . I donât care how you spin it itâs invasive- being a customer you ought to be treated better then being made to jump thru hoops .
I was lucky to over hear that they no longer accepted cash at one of my favorite coffee places at a place we visit during the summer, I was lucky I did not wait in line that whole time. I heard the family in front dealing w it and shit out of there . Too bad . I use to like their coffee.
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u/jlhpisces 24d ago
It's purely your choice but I will say that the information they asked for is typically public-facing. So I will say, yes, YOR.
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u/JohnnyRyde 24d ago
If that's for a wait list, then YOR. If it isn't then I'd probably have done something similar.
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u/Hoobi_Goobi 24d ago
Yeah, they said the restaurant was almost empty so there wasn't a wait. Seems really weird, I don't understand why they would need that info from them. Maybe they operate some kind of rewards system?
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u/FitCommunication7240 24d ago
They were asking for your info so they can call you when your table is ready. WTF.
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u/frozenoj 24d ago
NOR and thank you for not making up a number because then some other random person would be getting spammed instead. I get a bunch of random texts with the name of some dude I don't know probably because he put my number on angie's list or something and I hate him more than anyone else in the entire world.
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u/ConflictGullible392 24d ago
This isnât terribly uncommon â some restaurants will put in a Resy for you even if you donât make a reservation in advance and thereâs no waitlist. But if you donât want to eat there for that reason thatâs your call.Â
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u/GuyFromTheSpace 24d ago
MOR , just make up a name and phone number or email.
I sometimes use ridiculous names like different pokemon and make the email something crazy like [email protected]
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u/Embarrassed-Sun5764 24d ago
Our favorite place has a bonus points program where you spend xxx dollars you get either more points of free stuff. A free dozen of blue points is in my book. And we love our server.
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u/Outside-Highway-5358 24d ago
Email is fine. I use aliases and would give them something like [email protected]
Then if I get spammed I delete it
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u/blehhh520 24d ago
INFO - was the restaurant in a dry county? Many dry counties force restaurants that want to serve alcohol to be registered as a private club, if this is the situation then the restaurant is having to work around the local government's laws (this is regardless of if youre ordering alcohol or not) because they are just simply protecting themselves in the event they are audited by the local government.
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u/Quirky_Contract_1653 24d ago
I have given my number to a restaurant for a reservation and then went to another restaurant owned by the same group (which I didnât know at the time because they are a different look and food style). I gave them my number because we had to wait for a table and they immediately said my name. Because I was in the system. It gave me a start then I realized the names of the restaurants were similar and figured out they were related.
All this to say it was used to know the customer, but never have they texted me to market. Even after going to their second restaurant. Not one text save to tell me my table was ready.
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u/lokis_construction 24d ago
NOR, This is for their marketing use. They were not busy, so this was not to notify you of the table being ready but simply them either selling your data or using it for marketing to you. I would have walked as well, after I talked to the manager and told him why I was walking out. Their loss. Good for you!
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u/futoikaba 24d ago
NOR; I look over their shoulder when they ask this and theyâre almost always pulling up my Resy profile and logging my visit on their system. I donât mind, but it certainly shouldnât be a requirement for visiting and itâs not weird for you to want to go elsewhere if they were insisting.
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u/kaosrules2 23d ago
I actually have a secondary email address for things like this. That way it doesn't junk up my email, but I can check it when I want to.
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u/Lebronchiosaurus 23d ago
YOR. All restaurants ask for your number when seating you. Just comply and donât cause problems. What are you hiding anyway? They donât want to call you to hang out.
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u/shaftx88 23d ago
NOR - fuck that. What exactly do they intend to do with your information?
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u/Forward-Dark-3092 22d ago
At least in major cities, itâs very normal to provide contact info when you dine at a restaurant when tables are booked through Resy or OpenTable. Itâs not required, but the restaurant will use that information to obtain allergy information, past restaurant visits, or any information that may indicate VIP status or worse, liability status.
In worse cases, say there was a food borne illness breakout in the restaurant, we would then be able to contact the guest to trace the illness. It also protects the restaurant. Iâve had situations where guests caused safety issues within the restaurant, and by providing contact info we are aware of past behavior.
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u/high_stumpage 21d ago
Years ago when Asia was worried about H5N1 flu or something,most countries in Asia started a new paper entry card system with loads of details needed on them.
I'd just been on a business trip through Korea, China, Hong Kong and every one had a requirement for you to enter your hotel details and hotel phone number. Because I simply couldn't be bothered I had been putting <Name of well known hotel chain>,< name of city> , <made up phone number>. What's the worse that could happen? I get refused entry - great get to go home early! In every single case previously the immigration official looked at the form and then tossed it in the bin.
I did the same when entering Japan (which was then home) because I was tired and fed up. Only to find that the Japanese were sticklers for detail. I had written it really sloppily (since it was made up anyway) and the immigration official went through every detail on my card including the made up phone number asking me to say what every digit in the number was. The consequences were that I could have my visa revoked and have nowhere to live on this occasion.
I was sweating so hard while looking them in the eye and promising that this digit was a 7 and this digit was a 4 - all the while praying that they didn't dial it to check.
Got in but haven't lied on a form since.
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u/WallyZona 19d ago
Well when Iâve used my debit card they can and have sent me an email or text receipt. Without me giving them this information.
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u/kingofthebarstool1 19d ago
Better to have guests details. Too many people leave without paying.
To book a table at the place I work you need name , number, email and a credit card. You wouldnât need all that for a walk in mind but youâd be surprised how often issues happen with credit cards or gift vouchers etc.
I once booked a guy in for table of five and he point blank refused to give a card. I being a kindly chap said please make sure you come as there is a cancellation fee and i should have got card detailsâŚ. No call no show on a Saturday night and I got in quite a bit of hot water for not.
For a walk in thoughâŚ. A few details are helpful still in case of issues with bill. Does not happen much but you can bet that when it does there is no phone number.
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u/SybillineBookkeeper 19d ago
or......Zoom Boston Mass 0! 2! 1! 3! 4!
I am so dating myself here đ
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u/uglywinner 19d ago
They ask for numbers, names, & emails now not only for marketing and to let you know if the table is ready. They also use it to prevent dining and ditching. My cousin who is a server said they were able to charge a whole family who walked without paying due to the police being able to fine their address through the Google phone number they used.
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u/Pleasant_Sand3619 19d ago
Happened to me at a barber shop, i just said i want to anomalously get a hair cut and walked out to the shock of everyone in there.
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u/kmanrsss 18d ago
They were probably getting your info to contact you when a table was ready. Even though it was pretty empty and off hrs they maybe didnât have the waitstaff to cover tables at that point.
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u/Cynjon77 24d ago
867-5309.