The Dolphin bar staff; what's their problem?

[stone-penge]

Do they get paid extra to appear unfriendly ,ignore people waiting to be served or even acknowledge their existence?
They need to sort out the attitude IMO or the place is doomed.

[The Eagle]

Not my sort of pub so never used it; but only two days ago I was told exactly the same and apparently the service is so so slow!

[pip]

I must say there have been times when I have waited at the bar for what seems ages as the bar staff walk to and fro with what appear to be more important chores on their mind. Once engaged most, not all, are friendly enough although it is quite clear their general lack of experience when it comes to bar work.
But hey, what an improvement to the old Dolphin. Perhaps the management could consider buying the Greyhound and then we'd all be happy.

[Weeble]

I must say the slow service at the bar has been a complaint every time we've been in there.

[forest]

I have been to the doplhin twice now and both times I have found the staff to be friendly and helpful. Each time was busy so I did find myself waiting to be served but I think that is to be expected given the situation.

[simon]

Ive been in a few times and have to say that when they are not busy the staff seem totally oblivious sometimes and agree with pip and stone penge. Its an attitude thing; "Ive got better things to do than sell you a pint of beer". Dont like that and its put me off. Maybe they dont like the cut of my jib

[user100]

I found the staff to be fairly clueless when they first opened, especially in the welcoming the customer department. I posted on this at the time on the huge 'dolphin' thread. Haven't been back much since.

It's prob a sign of age but they just don't seem to have the ability or inclination to make the customer welcome and even give a bit of chat or banter as appropriate. 'Too cool for school' attitude belongs to Hoxton / Bethnal green / wherever - not Sydenham!

If you don't get that much out of the staff, it detracts hugely from the atmosphere and so you might as well meet your mates at home and drink - or go to a pub where you get that subtle but important feeling that you are welcome and valued in some small way. Doesn't have to be OTT / smarmy / overbearing - just a simple hello, a smile, some service and a bit of chat sometimes.

Shame as its a great set up there otherwise.

[GemStone]

I have been there on about 3 occasions. I shouldn't have bothered going the 2nd time if it were not for the odd hot day to indulge in a refreshing pint.
My 3rd visit was to meet a friend. I approached the bar, there was a broken glass on the floor by the bottom of the bar area and clearly a spillage from the bar area. I assumed it had just happened and it was about to be attended to. I noticed the bar staff - an uninterested individual standing slightly out of view having a coffee. I naturally presumed this person wasn't on duty. We caught eyes and I found I was wrong. I ordered my usual Brown 'n' Mild and pointed out the spillage and broken glass. Upon ordering my 2nd pint I suffered long wait for service due to just 1 person serving....Luckily my friend turned up. To my "amusement" I realised the spillage and broken glass was still there. I had informed the bar staff member about 15-20 minutes prior. Naturally I'd made my mind up we wern't stopping there any longer.
Upon leaving we noticed the remainder of the staff outside on an anti-passive smoking break.
As you may guess, I don't agree with the smoking ban as I'm a smoker myself.
However I am beginning to digress.

[SAF]

Sometimes the yougsters behind the bar can be exasperating, but it is my new local, I love it and I'm just glad we have a decent place to complain about at all.

[Big Ben]

I've found the bar staff brilliant virtually all the time - things might slip a bit when they're under pressure but generally they are really good. I love the way that you can order at your table if you are eating - saves all that jostling around the bar. They are light years ahead of bar staff in most of the other pubs in Sydenham - and like Pip I too think the Dolphin management should be encouraged to take over the Greyhound.

[Greg Whitehead]

I've never had any problems the many times I've been in T.D. I actually met a client in there on Wednesday (early evening at around five and we sat in the chairs by the fire) rather than in C.London and the client commented on how attentive, polite and well-bred the young blonde was (particularly by comparison with the oik that serves up the grotty fare in the 'Mexican' which the client had suffered first-hand). My female client was most impressed with the whole experience.

Dare I say it you all need to either work on your bar presence or smarten up or get better looking or indeed a mixture of all three.



I mean that without prejudice or malice BTW.

[stone-penge]

Dare I say it you all need to either work on your bar presence or smarten up or get better looking or indeed a mixture of all three.



I mean that without prejudice or malice BTW.

Really?
If twats like you are representative of the clientele I can expect to meet once I ever get served in the Dolphin then the search for a decent pub in Sydenham continues..

[gillyjp]

Oh dear - is our Greg offending people again? He did add a winky smiley and said it was 'without malice'. Still I don't need to defend him he does that very well without help.

I have been in TD a couple of times and it struck me that the bar staff are very young and inexperienced. Probably students or Eastern European trying to make their way in life but with no experience of bar work. They have always seemed very nice and eager to please, to me.

Anyway - I am very happy this week because the Greyhound is closing which I hope means peace and quiet for a few months till the building starts. Sorry I digress.......

[Greg Whitehead]

Well, that's a rather measured response stone-penge. t**t? Quite a puerile word I tend to find. I wonder what we're dealing with here… Small man syndrome per chance? A laughingly small appendage? Frankly your physical shortcomings and repugnance are of no consequence to me. My post was intended to be tongue-in-cheek but clearly I've hit on a sore point. I know Simon and if he cannot on occasion get served then there is clearly a training need with certain members of staff. Now I have a mental picture of you...getting all hyperventilated and showing ‘the Missus’ the back of your hand (never hitting her in the face of course) but you ought to calm down stone-penge, that vein will pop.

I pity you.

You ought to try the Windmill. I'd suggest it's more your level. You could nurse a half-pint of mild in there and blame all the ills of the world on immigrants and single Mothers. I'd put it at a reasonable guess that they don't want to serve you in T.D. as you put the other clientele off their food. Run along now, there's a good chap.

Ultimately I dismiss you. There’s no need to continue the search, there’s a fantastic pub that serves great food and good wines in a relaxed and convivial setting, it’s called The Dolphin but the unfortunate thing for you is your type are clearly not welcome. People like you have been dragging Sydenham down for far too long.

t**t indeed. What supreme command of the written word you have. You may not like me but I'd strongly recommend you remember your place and keep your ill-educated thoughts to yourself.

[admin]

Gentleman! Gentleman! I am calling time on this debate.

Admin