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Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

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Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#451

Post by dylan604 »

jimbokun wrote: post #375
resonious wrote: post #349

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the general topic of "technology in restaurants", I've noticed an increasing number of restaurants where the waitstaff uses phones/tablets with some kind of specialized app. This happens often: we start telling them our order, and they have to say "wait a sec.... (taps phone for several seconds) okay what was that?". The "UX" as a patron is pretty bad compared to the waitstaff just whipping out a notepad and scrib…

My favorite UX mental game is "Can you describe the paper interface as a new, innovative system relative to the technology solution?" So with the paper pad waitress experience: 1. Responsive, zero latency interactions. 2. Accepts free form text entry. 3. No multi step UI control lookups. 4. Allows entry of customer modifications and requests to items. 5. Allows custom abbreviations. Etc. etc.

I see this as the beginnings of a comedy bit. A group of people around a confernece table with someone presenting their slide deck. Maybe the conference table is replaced with "sharks" in cushy chairs?? At the end the presenter says "and now let me show you my invention" while reaching into back pocket to whip out a spiral bound note pad with a pencil in the spiral. "Oh, one more thing... It comes with its own iPencil holder"

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#452

Post by jamil7 »

jmkb wrote: post #435
jimbokun wrote: post #375

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My favorite UX mental game is "Can you describe the paper interface as a new, innovative system relative to the technology solution?" So with the paper pad waitress experience: 1. Responsive, zero latency interactions. 2. Accepts free form text entry. 3. No multi step UI control lookups. 4. Allows entry of customer modifications and requests to items. 5. Allows custom abbreviations. Etc. etc.

Supports every written alphabet out of the box, including custom emoji. Compatible with any brand of stylus. Can run thousands of games. Can go years without a charge. Never needs OS updates. Sustainable, recyclable, compostable. Flashlight mode doesn't last very long, though.

> Flashlight mode doesn't last very long, though.

Is flashlight mode when you set it on fire?

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#453

Post by Tor3 »

QR codes work fine where I live. I believe problems are due to the implementation, not with the concept.

I find it very convenient. Connect to the local wifi, there's no confirmation code, just open wifi (most of the time - some of them have an unnecessary "accept" step. Never any "confirmation code"). Scan. Browse. Choose. Pay, or pay later (convenient, I can adjust the tip before I pay).

All in all it's much faster than having to wait for a waiter to come to the table to take the orders. We can add and remove and make up our minds in peace, then just sit down and wait - drinks arrive straight away, the rest later.

And we don't have to wait forever to get the bill and to pay. It's all done. In short, to me it's a great improvement. Obviously it wouldn't be if the implementation hadn't been good, but around here it is.

Edit - let me add that most places I visit also have a physical menu to look at, it's just that ordering and payment is done via the web browser.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#454

Post by tarsinge »

sofixa wrote: post #437
tarsinge wrote: post #378

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live near Paris, but I admit did not go in many restaurants since they have reopened. I was under the impression that QR code only existed in restaurant chains, not in the regular restaurants. I have a hard time to see how the huge range of good restaurants where the menu is on a slate that change everyday and the waiter explain each item to you would use QR code, but I may be wrong.

Those that only do a daily menu on a slate still do so; some of those that used to do a ~daily menu with a printed sheet of paper either continue to do so or have a QR code to a regularly updated site. Those that did a mix ( fixed menu with daily options) often have the slate with daily options and a QR code for the basics.

I see, it's surprising and I stand corrected then.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#455

Post by andrepd »

infecto wrote: post #417

It's really interesting to see how a crowd of tech workers who generally are trying to pave the way are so quick to attack and be negative. Like all things in life, when its implemented well it works and when it does not it is terrible. I still think there is room for this to be the future though. I say this as a westerner but perhaps the west is not ready for it yet but I really enjoyed the experience of using QR co…

> The benefits to me of not having physical menus is huge.

"Huge" might be a bit of an overstatement relating to such a minor convenience.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#456

Post by Spivak »

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #44
whimsicalism wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would be lovely if we could move closer to the Chinese consumer model re: QR codes in general. Wechat pay/Alipay are incredibly convenient.

I find paying via QR code to be much less convenient than NFC that is more popular in the west. Tap and pay is really quick, especially in countries like Australia.

With "App Clips" or "Instant Apps" or whatever you want to call them QR codes for me take the lead again. Get a receipt at the table, open camera, scan, app pops up with receipt, add tip, click click pay, done.

Skipping the second waiter trip to swipe all the cards or the awkwardness of bringing out the PoS system to the table is immediately worth it to me.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#457

Post by conductr »

mxmlndr wrote: post #151
sksksk wrote: post #129

When they work well, they're really good, but when they work badly, they're _really_ bad. The other week, I went for dinner at a place that had a online ordering system. My experience was as follows... Arrive at the table, scan the QR code No phone signal in the restaurant, so I need to connect to the wifi. Connect to the wifi, get a captive portal Need to put my phone number in to connect to the wifi; there is no si…

I had a completely different situation last year. Checked in via QR (no account needed), ordered my drinks, got them quick, could also pay them with PayPal. The last thing was great because I hate waiting for a waiter to get my bill and pay it. And I could add tips in this 'app' as well. But maybe I was just lucky that my first experience with QR-codes in a restaurant was so positive.

It's been hit and miss. I've had good and bad. The best I've found are;

1. QR code to PDF of full actual menu. If they direct you to a HTML page is usually awful and is accordion based mobile UI that involves a bunch of clicking in and out. A PDF can be zoomed in/out but all the content is right there.

2. QR code to pay. This is great when it comes on your bill and you can just pay and leave. However, if it allows Apple pay it's very smooth. Unfortunately, most of the systems involve a web based checkout flow including manual credit card entry and capturing more info than is really needed (email/phone) so they can spam you later.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#458

Post by karaterobot »

Tor3 wrote: post #453

QR codes work fine where I live. I believe problems are due to the implementation, not with the concept. I find it very convenient. Connect to the local wifi, there's no confirmation code, just open wifi (most of the time - some of them have an unnecessary "accept" step. Never any "confirmation code"). Scan. Browse. Choose. Pay, or pay later (convenient, I can adjust the tip before I pay). All in all it's much faster…

To each their own, but that sounds less enjoyable than a traditional restaurant experience to me. As you say in your example, so much depends on the "implementation" in this case too — i.e. is the service at the restaurant good or not — but a talented waiter brings a lot to the table in more ways than one.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#459

Post by fleddr »

vmception wrote: post #133

> Before the pandemic, I’d shudder at the sight of a restaurant table full of people all staring at their phones. I was always happy not to be them or be sitting with them. I always kept the lively conversation flowing at my table. I always thought this perspective was funny because it always assumed what the people on their phones were doing. The assumption is that they are disengaged with each other when it's just…

The modern "consensus" seems to be that at such events, many if not most people do leave their phone in their pocket for a good first hour or so. So a basic awareness still exists.

Then comes the predictable ice breaker event. Somebody, as part of their conversation, needs their phone to show you something. The car they want to buy. Looking up a fact to settle your argument.

The first phone comes out, starting the phone avalanche. Everybody knows its ok now, and check their messages or whatever. The seal is broken.

The addiction is so widespread that we're still at full denial stage at society level.

Because the true reason almost everybody is itchy to pull out that phone is so bitter that it cannot be said out loud, but I will:

Whatever is on that phone, you find more interesting than your friends. And quite likely, because it really is more interesting. Because your phone can do anything and is full of surprises, yet your friend is not.

Downvote me, the truth hurts.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#460

Post by ww520 »

I like the dining experience while in Japan. Restaurants have kiosks at the entrance taking order and payment. You select the order from the menu and pay right there (cash or CC). The machine prints a ticket and sends the order to the kitchen. You give the ticket to the wait staff. They sit you and begin to bring what’re in the order to you, drinks, appetizers, meals when ready.

Simple, efficient, fast, low touch, low tech, and no tip.

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