[jgl]

Get your priorities right- there is nothing more important than the correct use of the semicolon. With the possible exception of the apostrophe.

Apostrophe Protection Society

[cloudybay]

Yes, good grammar trumps everything else in life.

The OP put up a thread griping about an experience at the Boathouse, we can either agree or disagree or offer a suggestion; however, it's unfair to speculate his/her background and badger the person because of it. What if the OP is an overseas HKer? Does that invalidate his/her complaint immediately? Or what if the person is a HKer? Does it mean he/she should be treated rudely by the staff based on an assumption?

I have been to Boathouse and found its service no different from most other restaurants in Hk: it's hit or miss.

[Lammarite]

[facetiousness]Maybe some of the group were overseas HKers and some were HKers and the staff didn't know what to do so they did nothing.
See- you need to look at this from every angle.[/facetiousness]

[Krad]

Also, some of them could have been llamas.

[emmie]

Originally Posted by PDLM

I rarely have a problem taking my time over a meal in Hong Kong. I've had quite a few long relaxed lunches at the Boathouse, often after hiking over there from the mid-levels. But then even when I'm in relaxed mode I, and the people I am with, are probably spending at about HK$100 per person per hour so I guess the restaurant has no problem with that. Spending an hour over a glass of wine and dessert at the Boathouse would, I am sure, be no problem at all. Provided that it is per person, not one dessert and one glass of wine being shared by a table of four.

Restaurants that let their tables be occupied by people who aren't spending money when there are others waiting who would are not restaurants that will be around for long.

When I first landed here, used to raise an eyebrow whenever local colleagues - mostly women - would settle down, very comfortably, leisurely picking over a couple of dishes, say a medium salad and a light-weight appetiser; and continue merrily chatting, sipping (tap) water for hours. And wow... did they make every little bite LAST.

I'd be the only one ordering glasses of red (which, of course, was expected to take care of, separately). Well, I soon tired of feeling still peckish straight after the meal, so changed my eating company...

The restaurants were nothing really fancy, but the most popular among up & aspiring yuppies: Dan Ryan's, Amaroni's, Fat Angelo's, Ruby Tuesdays, TGIF, etc.

Perhaps it was just the group of local girls I hung out with (i.e. late 20-somethings, but several living with parents) coz seems these F&B places are still making money from the long, lingering sips and the rare and SHARED tiramasu per hour and a half! Yeah, surely other higher-end restaurants wouldn't be able to put up with this kinda "dining out" for long? Especially given the rising costs and rent?

(A little aside: What often tickles me is when I see a dating couple at the next table - the girl sorta indicates that she's NOT really ALL that hungry (blah...), BUT when the guy orders himself a nice, hefty meal, with trimmings, immediately her side-plate and fork comes out, and there she is... DIGGING right into it! The poor fella ends up with just over half of his portion, plus ALL of the bill!)

[Hamton]

Originally Posted by PDLM

rather than have a what looks like a bunch of overseas-educated locals with a princess complex occupy the space for hours and spend 50 cents?

Let's not get ahead of ourselves now

Yeh, like, U kno, dey iz so nasty to us! Fackin waiter!

[Hamton]

Originally Posted by cloudybay

however, it's unfair to speculate his/her background and badger the person because of it.

You don't need to speculate, you can just his homepage from the link on his profile.

[RachRobin]

The restaurant I used to work in was a small, upscale place. It would be a pleasure to see people take their time over a meal and really enjoy their evening.
In the same way it would be frustrating to see a table of 4 share 2 entrees and 1 main and sip warm water all night (when you are turning others away).
When I say 'local dining habits' I am not saying locals are necessarily Chinese. Everyone in HK seems to come from somewhere else. However, the worst age bracket seem to be the 25 - 30 year old middle management brigade, all trying to out pose each other and talk over each other loudly.

My staff were a mix of Nepalese, Chinese and Filipino. I had 8 staff, only one of which was born outside of HK. So to say "they can **** off home" shows how little you know.

My crew were generally happy, although they know they were being exploited by the company we worked for. There are certainly more above board companies operating in the Hospitality sector.

I certainly don't condone the treatment the person got, personally I wouldn't dream of treating someone that way (as tempting as it may be sometimes). I am just trying to show the potential other side of the story.

[KnowItAll]

>> "they can **** off home"

Home does not mean home country ... home could well mean their posh apartment on The Peak.

I often tell people .. "just go home" at work .. and all that means is you should not be in the office. I don't mean, book a ticket on Oasis and pack your bags, pay your taxes and leave your ID at the immigration counter on the way out.

Looks like everyone here needs a drink ....

[ScotchDrinker]

KIA saved my arse once again...