Surveillance in restaurants? An experiement...

[Kitchari]

So my hubby and I just got back from dinner (yes, we are OLD farts) at a place someone gave us a gift certificate: Olive Garden. Normally we cook at home, so this was a little treat. On similar occasions, I've had the feeling that our conversations were being monitored--so in the car on the way I proposed an experiment, and this is what we did:

After the server took our order, and we were by ourselves, although nothing was wrong with the water glasses on our table, I mildly complained about the water-- I said, "Something is wrong with this water, I wish we had better water, I don't like how this water tastes." I didn't say anything to the server. Sure enough, in a few minutes (about 10 minutes) and before our food came, she reappeared with two new water glasses.

She said, "Here is some new water for you." Our water glasses were still mostly full, so I said, "There is nothing wrong with our water, why did you bring this?" She said, "Just in case." This restaurant has these electronic monitors on the table where you can swipe your card for payment and view your receipt, and I theorize these may be like Alexa, recording everything in the vicinity.

I would be interested if anyone else would like to experiment with this, or if anyone has had a similar experience.

[unblock]

1. I don't know one way or another, but I can't imagine

that waitstaff has the time to listen in on patrons' conversations

[onethatcares]

2. next time

wait until you're half way into your unlimited breadsticks and say, "these things are making me fart".

See what kind of reaction you get then. Keep us posted,

I luv me some undercover detections.

Good luck.

[targetpractice]

3. Good observation...

... I would bet that some corporate Olive Garden product manager responsible for the table-top technology is tasked with coming up with more ways to exploit the table-top device... Listening in and responding to conversational complaints, and proactively responding was probably considered a good idea during some product pitch meeting... Use the device to solve problems before the customer actually complained. That's the kind of idea that would probably be considered a win for justifying that table-top technology... But, lack of consumer research during that decision making process failed to understand how intrusive customers would feel about Olive Garden listening in.

[Kitchari]

5. True

Plus it extends to other restaurants in that group

[Sneederbunk]

4. Exactly why I never plan crimes in Olive Garden.

[Kitchari]

7. LOL

[Flaleftist]

6. I'd like to help test your theory, but that would mean I would have to go to Olive Garden.

sorry

I don't think it is that unusual for a server to bring new glasses of water. Maybe next time say the food you were served tastes funny something about not wanting to come back anymore and see what kind of response you get.

[Kitchari]

8. Do not blame you

in the least, but it would be an interesting experiment in any restaurant

[Flaleftist]

9. I wouldn't be surprised if something like that is happening.

Next time I'm at a restaurant, I'll say something like "This rum and Coke is really weak. I'm not sure if there is any rum in here at all."

[hibbing]

10. This post is going to give me nightmares

I don't go out much to full service places. That sounds both bizarre and frigjtening, but at the same time totally a possibility.

Peace

[FSogol]

12. Actually it sounds paranoid. Hasn't anyone here ever worked in a restaurant? Who has time to spy on

customers?

[klook]

11. Simple solution:

Use one of the extra glasses of water to dunk the scanner/spybox. “Oops, I was just looking at it and accidentally shoved it into this glass of water. Sorry!”

[OriginalGeek]

13. I'll try but

instead of saying "Something's wrong with this water - I wish I had better water" I'll say "Something's wrong with this water - I wish I had beer".

If they bring me a beer you may have something there..