Would you like a floating head with that?

In the restaurant business, a manager or a general manager will do what is called a "table touch". They will walk around the floor and stop by tables and ask how the meal or night is going. In one restaurant, our manager would do what I call the "floating head". Instead of walking up to the table and speaking with customers, he would peak around a wall or corner with his head only and speak. His head would typically be the only thing that they would see, along with his booming voice.


With this going on, I had to find a way to rebuttal at my tables after this traumatic manager experience. I would return to my table promptly after he finished his "table touch". I would ask the guests if my manager had stolen my thunder. I would reassure them that I will try my best to gain it back. I always got some sort of giggle or laugh and felt the evening would be back on track afterwards. Even though he would typically add difficulty to my service, I always enjoyed his hurdles that he would throw at me.