She built a dance program from nothing at a Toronto high school; students say it changed their lives. After 30 years, she's taking her final bow
Maryanne Marsh demonstrates ballet movements to her students, narrating rhythmically: 'Seven and eight. One cross the thighs and out, cross the thighs. And arm. Add the arm. To the back and close, to the back and close, and bend and stretch. Inside front. Am I right?'
'Yes,' the students chorus.
Building a dance program from the ground up
For 30 years, Marsh has taught dance at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, growing it from a small group of 50 students in 1995 into a thriving program of 450 across ballet, jazz, hip hop and more. Now 61, she is retiring at the end of the month. 'You gotta know when to fold 'em,' she says simply. The long hours have taken a toll, and she's eager to travel while still mobile.
It's a bittersweet farewell for a teacher who built the program from scratch at a school that had no dance department before she arrived.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
'We had to fight every year for our numbers,' said Bertan Kazazic, the school's technical director, who has worked with Marsh for 16 years. He says they regularly did community outreach — bringing dancers and musicians to places like Regent Park and local schools to raise awareness and let people know the school even existed.
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Marsh often used her own money to buy music, costumes and supplies. 'She created something out of nothing, literally,' Kazazic said.
After class, Marsh reflects on her life and career. 'Arts programming in schools saves lives,' she says, tearing up. After losing her husband — her 'cheerleader and music researcher' — dance kept her going.
'He would share his opinions about my artistic choices and journeys, and he would reflect and debrief with me after performances,' she says. 'I miss that.'
Dance has been her outlet since childhood. 'It was a good escape for me,' she says, describing a difficult childhood with little elaboration. 'I was a sensitive kid, so I had a hard time. I have come to terms with much of my childhood.'
From age 13 — the age of many of her students — she started working to fund her own dance lessons. She taught younger dancers and developed a love of teaching. It came naturally to her, she said, and enabled her to 'learn a lot about (herself) and a lot about the craft.'
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
She studied at Toronto Metropolitan University, then Ryerson, and danced professionally for a few years with two Toronto collectives: PBJ Dance Projects and idDanse.
Then, she was hired to start the dance program at Rosedale.
For three decades, her workdays often stretched from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., filled with teaching, choreographing, and planning showcases. In 2002, she was recognized with a Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. According to archival records from Library and Archives Canada, she received the honour in part because her 'popular dance program focusses on skills and instils discipline, responsibility and personal life skills.'
'She's like the iron lady with a heart of gold,' said principal Barrie Sketchley, who hired Marsh 30 years ago. 'In her classes, (the students) work and there's no fooling around. But somehow she also communicates to them that they are very much cared for.'
A lasting legacy
At a recent retirement show, alumni returned to perform and to honour Marsh. One was Adam Boros-Rausch, now a PhD candidate in women's and children's health. He graduated in 2015.
Gta
Ballroom, salsa, cha-cha: Men have been taking the lead for ages. Here's why this Toronto dance class flouts the rules
For more than 20 years, this non-profit group has provided a safe, inclusive space where all ages and identities can dance freely.
Gta
Ballroom, salsa, cha-cha: Men have been taking the lead for ages. Here's why this Toronto dance class flouts the rules
For more than 20 years, this non-profit group has provided a safe, inclusive space where all ages and identities can dance freely.
'When I heard that I was able to come back and do this, most importantly for Miss Marsh… I jumped at the chance.' He says it was Marsh's dance class that sparked his passion for anatomy and physiology.
Marsh taught him discipline, camaraderie, perseverance, and loyalty — skills he only recognized years later. 'I think most of us took it for granted at the time... (we) didn't realize what it was doing for us until after the fact.'
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Lukas Malkowski, now a professional dancer and choreographer, credits Marsh with seeing potential in him early. He graduated in 2011.
With mainly hip hop experience and plans to pursue trumpet, Marsh's ballet class changed his path. She encouraged him with a simple compliment: he had a 'good pli é. ' 'That one comment kept me going all year,' he said.
Marsh gave students freedom to create, helping Lukas find his artistic voice. 'There's a lot of formal training, but not much artistic training — that's what Maryanne fostered,' he said.
She told him he could be a professional dancer but needed more ballet training. 'Maryanne was the first teacher to tell me I could pursue it professionally,' he said.
He studied at Opera Atelier ballet school from 2008 to 2012 and danced professionally with their company for five years.
Other alumni shared their gratitude in the event programme. Naomi Lee, a 2022 grad, wrote, 'Marsh taught me how to speak with my chest and advocate for myself. She made me realize that grit and grace are two sides of the same coin.' Another, Melanie Yin, said, 'Learning to dance made me feel comfortable and confident in my body; it made me feel strong.'
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
From the start, Marsh envisioned Rosedale as a true performing arts school. She insisted that the dancers should be accompanied by a live pianist rather than a CD because the students 'respond differently.'
Gta
They remember your order — and your name. Meet five of Toronto's most beloved servers, bartenders and baristas
From heartfelt moments to legendary stories, here's why these five Toronto servers, bartenders,
In the early days of teaching dance at Rosedale, many students — some from less affluent parts of Toronto — were hesitant to embrace ballet. So Marsh started with what felt familiar, introducing other dance styles first and gradually easing them into ballet. 'These kids deserve this kind of arts education too,' she said. 'Not just the ones who've had private lessons or come from money.'
Students were dealing with more than finances. Then, as they do now, students struggle with their mental health. To boost their confidence, she reduced mirrors in class and offers skirt options for those uncomfortable with leotards.
Don't look, feel, she tells them. 'I'm here to be your eyes... (You're) beautiful no matter what, and you're exactly where you're meant to be.'
Life beyond the studio
Today, Marsh teaches about two dozen students in room 111. Black-and-white photos of alumni and anatomy posters line the walls. The pianist plays while she moves between students, offering cues: 'Change and change and change, up beat close, up beat close. If you're a beginner, don't do the beat — just do out and in. Those are called échappées. Échappée means to…?'
'Escape!' the students cry.
'Escape. The legs are escaping each other. Let's do it all together… Right leg devant. And.'
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Most students have no prior dance training. The program requires no auditions — anyone can join.
Though Marsh says she will miss teaching, she plans to take a trip this September to explore Lake Garda, Italy, and its environs. But as soon as she gets back to Toronto, she plans to continue volunteering in the Toronto dance community.
Dancing is 'magic,' she says. 'You get to leave the earth for a while. It's another force, outside of regular life.'
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Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Toronto Star
She built a dance program from nothing at a Toronto high school; students say it changed their lives. After 30 years, she's taking her final bow
Maryanne Marsh demonstrates ballet movements to her students, narrating rhythmically: 'Seven and eight. One cross the thighs and out, cross the thighs. And arm. Add the arm. To the back and close, to the back and close, and bend and stretch. Inside front. Am I right?' 'Yes,' the students chorus. Building a dance program from the ground up For 30 years, Marsh has taught dance at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, growing it from a small group of 50 students in 1995 into a thriving program of 450 across ballet, jazz, hip hop and more. Now 61, she is retiring at the end of the month. 'You gotta know when to fold 'em,' she says simply. The long hours have taken a toll, and she's eager to travel while still mobile. It's a bittersweet farewell for a teacher who built the program from scratch at a school that had no dance department before she arrived. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We had to fight every year for our numbers,' said Bertan Kazazic, the school's technical director, who has worked with Marsh for 16 years. He says they regularly did community outreach — bringing dancers and musicians to places like Regent Park and local schools to raise awareness and let people know the school even existed. Gta Dance your heart out, in bed by 9: Toronto's booming daytime party scene is reshaping how we socialize Sober afternoon raves and R&B brunches are changing how we think about going out: 'You can start early, have fun, and your next day isn't Gta Dance your heart out, in bed by 9: Toronto's booming daytime party scene is reshaping how we socialize Sober afternoon raves and R&B brunches are changing how we think about going out: 'You can start early, have fun, and your next day isn't Marsh often used her own money to buy music, costumes and supplies. 'She created something out of nothing, literally,' Kazazic said. After class, Marsh reflects on her life and career. 'Arts programming in schools saves lives,' she says, tearing up. After losing her husband — her 'cheerleader and music researcher' — dance kept her going. 'He would share his opinions about my artistic choices and journeys, and he would reflect and debrief with me after performances,' she says. 'I miss that.' Dance has been her outlet since childhood. 'It was a good escape for me,' she says, describing a difficult childhood with little elaboration. 'I was a sensitive kid, so I had a hard time. I have come to terms with much of my childhood.' From age 13 — the age of many of her students — she started working to fund her own dance lessons. She taught younger dancers and developed a love of teaching. It came naturally to her, she said, and enabled her to 'learn a lot about (herself) and a lot about the craft.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW She studied at Toronto Metropolitan University, then Ryerson, and danced professionally for a few years with two Toronto collectives: PBJ Dance Projects and idDanse. Then, she was hired to start the dance program at Rosedale. For three decades, her workdays often stretched from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., filled with teaching, choreographing, and planning showcases. In 2002, she was recognized with a Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. According to archival records from Library and Archives Canada, she received the honour in part because her 'popular dance program focusses on skills and instils discipline, responsibility and personal life skills.' 'She's like the iron lady with a heart of gold,' said principal Barrie Sketchley, who hired Marsh 30 years ago. 'In her classes, (the students) work and there's no fooling around. But somehow she also communicates to them that they are very much cared for.' A lasting legacy At a recent retirement show, alumni returned to perform and to honour Marsh. One was Adam Boros-Rausch, now a PhD candidate in women's and children's health. He graduated in 2015. Gta Ballroom, salsa, cha-cha: Men have been taking the lead for ages. Here's why this Toronto dance class flouts the rules For more than 20 years, this non-profit group has provided a safe, inclusive space where all ages and identities can dance freely. Gta Ballroom, salsa, cha-cha: Men have been taking the lead for ages. Here's why this Toronto dance class flouts the rules For more than 20 years, this non-profit group has provided a safe, inclusive space where all ages and identities can dance freely. 'When I heard that I was able to come back and do this, most importantly for Miss Marsh… I jumped at the chance.' He says it was Marsh's dance class that sparked his passion for anatomy and physiology. Marsh taught him discipline, camaraderie, perseverance, and loyalty — skills he only recognized years later. 'I think most of us took it for granted at the time... (we) didn't realize what it was doing for us until after the fact.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Lukas Malkowski, now a professional dancer and choreographer, credits Marsh with seeing potential in him early. He graduated in 2011. With mainly hip hop experience and plans to pursue trumpet, Marsh's ballet class changed his path. She encouraged him with a simple compliment: he had a 'good pli é. ' 'That one comment kept me going all year,' he said. Marsh gave students freedom to create, helping Lukas find his artistic voice. 'There's a lot of formal training, but not much artistic training — that's what Maryanne fostered,' he said. She told him he could be a professional dancer but needed more ballet training. 'Maryanne was the first teacher to tell me I could pursue it professionally,' he said. He studied at Opera Atelier ballet school from 2008 to 2012 and danced professionally with their company for five years. Other alumni shared their gratitude in the event programme. Naomi Lee, a 2022 grad, wrote, 'Marsh taught me how to speak with my chest and advocate for myself. She made me realize that grit and grace are two sides of the same coin.' Another, Melanie Yin, said, 'Learning to dance made me feel comfortable and confident in my body; it made me feel strong.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW From the start, Marsh envisioned Rosedale as a true performing arts school. She insisted that the dancers should be accompanied by a live pianist rather than a CD because the students 'respond differently.' Gta They remember your order — and your name. Meet five of Toronto's most beloved servers, bartenders and baristas From heartfelt moments to legendary stories, here's why these five Toronto servers, bartenders, In the early days of teaching dance at Rosedale, many students — some from less affluent parts of Toronto — were hesitant to embrace ballet. So Marsh started with what felt familiar, introducing other dance styles first and gradually easing them into ballet. 'These kids deserve this kind of arts education too,' she said. 'Not just the ones who've had private lessons or come from money.' Students were dealing with more than finances. Then, as they do now, students struggle with their mental health. To boost their confidence, she reduced mirrors in class and offers skirt options for those uncomfortable with leotards. Don't look, feel, she tells them. 'I'm here to be your eyes... (You're) beautiful no matter what, and you're exactly where you're meant to be.' Life beyond the studio Today, Marsh teaches about two dozen students in room 111. Black-and-white photos of alumni and anatomy posters line the walls. The pianist plays while she moves between students, offering cues: 'Change and change and change, up beat close, up beat close. If you're a beginner, don't do the beat — just do out and in. Those are called échappées. Échappée means to…?' 'Escape!' the students cry. 'Escape. The legs are escaping each other. Let's do it all together… Right leg devant. And.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Most students have no prior dance training. The program requires no auditions — anyone can join. Though Marsh says she will miss teaching, she plans to take a trip this September to explore Lake Garda, Italy, and its environs. But as soon as she gets back to Toronto, she plans to continue volunteering in the Toronto dance community. Dancing is 'magic,' she says. 'You get to leave the earth for a while. It's another force, outside of regular life.'
Winnipeg Free Press
28-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Phineas and Ferb return this summer with zany new episodes and a small change
NEW YORK (AP) — The beloved cartoon duo Phineas and Ferb are returning for new episodes this summer after a decade away and pretty much nothing has changed. Except maybe one thing. 'The more observant of you will notice Phineas' shirt has one extra stripe,' says co-creator Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh. Dan Povenmire, Marsh's creative partner, adds: 'He hasn't actually gotten any taller, but we're giving him the illusion of getting taller.' Other than a fourth stripe on Phineas's orange-and-white T-shirt, 'Phineas and Ferb' returns with all the characters that Gen Z viewers so adored, including Perry the Platypus, the mad scientist Dr. Doofenshmirtz, the easily excitable older sister Candice and the bully Buford. 'We were a little worried at first, like are we going to get in the writer' room and just get a lot 'No, did that.' 'Did that.' 'Did that,'' says Povenmire. 'But it hasn't been like that at all. It's been great, fresh, new stories with these characters that we're just thrilled with.' 'It's like old times' The series restarts with Phineas and Ferb enjoying summer vacation, Doofenshmirtz back to his evil ways — he updates his social media status to 'Evil Again' — and Candace is once more on her everlasting quest to get her brothers in trouble. 'Isn't it great? It's like old times,' says Doofenshmirtz. The first two episodes of the 40 ordered air June 5 on Disney Channel and Disney XD, while the first full batch of 10 episodes will premiere on Disney+ starting June 6. The decision to restart the series was a no-brainer. According to Disney internal streaming data, the show has been streamed some 650 million hours on Disney+ globally to date. According to Nielsen, 'Phineas and Ferb' is among the top 10 most-watched animated kids series on streaming platforms despite not offering new episodes in 10 years. The show — which had four seasons between 2007 and 2015 — centers on the titular stepbrothers — the triangular- headed Phineas and the quiet Ferb — who stave off boredom by turning their backyard into things like ski resorts, surfing beaches or monster truck rallies. Unbeknownst to the pair, Perry, their mute pet platypus, is a secret government agent code-named P who regularly dons a hat and trench coat to save the world from Doofenshmirtz, voiced by Povenmire. The show is pitched to both kids and adults, mixing references to Nietzsche and Girl Scouts. Each episode also includes an original — often very catchy — song, written by Povenmire and Marsh. ('Squirrels In My Pants' is a proven winner.) 'It's something that the whole family can enjoy together,' says Marsh. 'We made a commitment never to cut anything just because somebody said it was too smart. We just believed kids are smarter than you think.' A labor of love The idiosyncratic show had a hard birth, created in 1993 but not airing until 2007. Povenmire and Marsh, both veterans of shows like 'The Simpsons' and 'Family Guy,' hit it off and stuck with their vision. 'Whenever anybody would ask us to pitch them something, we would always dust this off and say, 'Well, here's the show we really want.' And most of the time people were just like, 'I think it's too complicated,'' says Povenmire. The creators insisted on using no double entendres, took out mean humor and refused to make the moms and dads idiots. Even the so-called villains — Candace and Doofenshmirtz — are good, deep down. 'If you're trying to get a laugh, shocking somebody or putting somebody down are the two easiest, cheapest laughs to get,' says Povenmire. 'We'd made this decision to make it nicer than the shows that we had seen on the air at the time.' The show has been a magnet for celebrity cameos and the upcoming season is no different, with Michael Bublé, John Stamos, 'Ted Lasso' stars Brendan Hunt and Cristo Fernández, Alan Cumming, Leslie Jones, Anna Faris, Megan Rapinoe, Meghan Trainor and Ruth Negga all making guest spots. A champion of engineering Phineas and Ferb's penchant for building things like a submarine sandwich submarine or a vaporizer machine has over the years had an unintended effect — inspiring a generation of engineers. When Povenmire visits colleges, engineering students routinely approach to say his TV show was the reason they are studying the field. 'So we're expecting a thank-you letter from all of the engineering schools around the world,' jokes Marsh. Marsh recalls the first time he realized that he and Povenmire had a hit on their hands. He was with his child at an outdoor skating rink in Santa Monica early in the show's run when a little girl came skating by, singing their song 'S'Winter,' a mashup of summer and winter (One lyric goes: 'You can freeze while you get tan'), 'So I started singing along with her, and she circles back and sings the entire song and then she looks at me and she goes, 'Wow, how do you know that song?' I said, 'Well, I watched the show,' Marsh says. 'It was the first time anything I'd written I heard somebody else sing back to me. It was like, 'Allright!''
Toronto Star
24-05-2025
- Toronto Star
Toronto servers hate it when diners do these 10 things. Here's how we can be better customers
Boorish diners are on the rise, according to some Toronto servers. 'There is definitely an increase in people that forget that servers are humans,' says Danna (last name withheld), a server at Wynona, an Italian restaurant in the east end. 'I've found with all the technological advances and all the isolation that happened during COVID, people have forgotten how to interact with others. Nowadays, we are mostly making reservations online and getting email or text confirmations and there is no human interaction until you enter the restaurant. These simple and basic forms of etiquette are being thrown out the window, which makes restaurant staff feel like servants versus skilled professionals that curate a specific experience.' We spoke to servers and bartenders from across Toronto about their biggest customer pet peeves — and how we Torontonians can become better diners. Gta They remember your order — and your name. Meet five of Toronto's most beloved servers, bartenders and baristas From heartfelt moments to legendary stories, here's why these five Toronto servers, bartenders, and baristas are hard to forget. Gta They remember your order — and your name. Meet five of Toronto's most beloved servers, bartenders and baristas From heartfelt moments to legendary stories, here's why these five Toronto servers, bartenders, and baristas are hard to forget. PET PEEVE: Calling for a reservation the same day THIS ONE TIME… When same-day reservation requests are denied, one popular last-minute wheedling tactic is claiming to know the owner. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Never say you know the owner. Guess what? So do I. And neither of us want to bring them into this,' says Maxwell Johnston, a bartender at Grazie Ristorante in midtown. BEHAVE BETTER 'If you don't have a reservation but show up and they don't have space, most times it's worth sticking around. Reservation times are always overestimated on purpose so we can keep our word and deliver quality service,' he says. 'The line usually goes fast, but you can't be mad when it doesn't. Pro tip: ask for a drink from the bar while you wait.' Nikita, bartender at The Cottage Cheese in Kensington Market, says rude comments about prices can make things awkward. Michelle Mengsu Chang Toronto St PET PEEVE: Complaining about prices THIS ONE TIME... 'A guest looked at the cocktail menu and literally said, '$18? What's in that, liquid gold?' recalls Nikita (last name withheld), a bartender at The Cottage Cheese, an Indian restaurant in Kensington Market. 'I get it — things are more expensive these days — but comments like that make things awkward for servers.' BEHAVE BETTER 'If it's out of your budget, totally fine, just don't be rude about it. There's usually something for everyone,' she says. PE T PEEVE: Venting online instead of speaking up during the meal THIS ONE TIME... 'I feel like there is this power people feel when they know they can leave a bad review but pretend they had a good time in the moment,' she says. 'The worst is when you say everything is good and you leave and we get a negative review the next day or next week and we wish we had known since we have the power to make your experience better.' BEHAVE BETTER 'If a server is checking in on your meal and asking if you are enjoying yourself, please give real feedback,' she says. 'If there is something wrong, we are more than willing to fix it and ensure you have a great experience.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW PET PEEVE: Disrespecting the space THIS ONE TIME... 'Taking apart and breaking our curated antique decorations, moving tables without permission, vaping or openly doing drugs at the bar, going behind the bar to get the bartender's attention? It should be pretty clear, even to a drunk person, that these actions are completely unacceptable and yet they're committed quite often at my workplace,' says Jakob Brull, bartender and bar manager at The Comrade in Riverside. 'The funny part is that people like this are always offended at our frustration which is weird. People will literally look me in the face and say, 'Hey, take it easy! We didn't know we weren't allowed to play with the decorations and do a line of coke off the bar in front of everybody' and these people are the same age as my parents. Crazy.' BEHAVE BETTER 'Take a quick moment to think to yourself, 'Is this truly an appropriate way to act in this environment right now?' Sometimes, the answer might shock you,' he says. Oh — and never, ever throw up in the sink. 'My staff and I have to spend all night unclogging the sink with an oyster fork and then fishing out the vomit in a litre container. It is freakin' disgusting and it pisses everyone involved off because it is such an avoidable scenario.' Gta It's harder than ever to get a reservation at Toronto's hottest restaurants — these ones in particular High demand, limited seats, and viral buzz are making it tougher than ever to get into Toronto's most popular restaurants. Gta It's harder than ever to get a reservation at Toronto's hottest restaurants — these ones in particular High demand, limited seats, and viral buzz are making it tougher than ever to get into Toronto's most popular restaurants. PET PEEVE: Lying about allergies THIS ONE TIME... Dreyfus server Peter Alexandropoulos remembers when a guest claimed to have a variety of allergies, saying they couldn't eat a single item on the menu without modification. 'We made them a really nice menu, only for me to catch them trying food from the table they said they were allergic to,' he says. 'Out of concern, I ran over to stop them from eating something that might make them sick, only for them to tell me 'I'm not actually allergic to this stuff, I just try to avoid it.' Insane behaviour.' BEHAVE BETTER 'Use the correct language when discussing your food restrictions with a server. Use the word aversion if you just don't want it, and only use the word allergy if you mean it. Many steps are taken in a kitchen to prepare the cooking area for a guest with a severe allergy. It slows things down, and stresses a kitchen,' he says. 'Nobody wants to make anyone sick, and this can really ruin a restaurant's reputation, so it is taken very seriously.' Gta Would you pay $41 for roasted cauliflower? What this status menu item says about eating out in Toronto now The rising cost of dining out is changing how Torontonians eat, spend and think about value. Gta Would you pay $41 for roasted cauliflower? What this status menu item says about eating out in Toronto now The rising cost of dining out is changing how Torontonians eat, spend and think about value. PET PEEVE: Camping ou t long after the bill has been paid THIS ONE TIME... 'Tables and bars are a restaurant's main resource, especially in peak hours,' says Preston (last name withheld), a bartender at Paris Texas on King West. 'When guests linger long after they've finished eating and paid the bill, it slows down table turnover, cuts into the server's ability to make tips, and prevents other guests from being seated.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW BEHAVE BETTER Be aware of your timing, Preston says: if it's a slow afternoon or you're told you can hang out, that's one thing. But during dinner rushes or brunch hours, lingering too long can be a problem. 'Enjoy your meal, tip well, and be considerate of the restaurant's flow. If you want to keep socializing, consider moving to the bar or ordering another round, if the table isn't immediately needed. Better yet, head to a nearby café or lounge after dinner.' Peter at Dreyfus says pretending you're allergic when you're not is a pet peeve that makes life harder for the kitchen staff. Richard Lautens Toronto Star PET PEEVE: B ringing your laptop or coffee cup to the dinner table THIS ONE TIME... 'I'm sorry, but you should not be flipping open the laptop at a restaurant,' Alexandropoulos says. 'Next to you might be sat a couple who has been looking forward to this night out for weeks, and your laptop is really killing the vibe. Little solo brunch at a bistro is a different story, but when did we decide this was ok to do at the dinner table?' BEHAVE BETTER 'If you must work, excuse yourself and take it outside,' Alexandropoulos says. And just leave the coffee cup at home. Otherwise? 'I get very excited to go up to a table and take their coffee away.' PET PEEVE: Obnoxiously trying to get your server's attention THIS ONE TIME... 'I once had a guy snap me over, only to follow that up with a whistle the next time he needed my attention,' Alexandropoulos says. 'The best part is, the table right next to them were the ones that had a huge problem with that. Their conversation escalated into a full-blown screaming match, and the other guest essentially told this guy that he needed to pay his bill and leave, which he did.' BEHAVE BETTER 'Your server is probably busy if they have not come over to help you with something. If it's a big spot, or it's very busy, a little lean and hand up around shoulder height is the move,' Alexandropoulos says. 'If you need to make a sound, that sound should be 'excuse me.'' PET PEEVE: Not cancelling reservations you don't need THIS ONE TIME... 'We had a group make a reservation for 12 people for 7 p.m. that, without any communication, didn't show up until after we were closed. The business made no money off this and because we didn't seat anyone at their table due to the reservation, we had to turn potential paying customers away,' Brull says. 'That one reservation cost the bar hundreds of dollars in losses and it's even more frustrating since this could be avoided with a mere cancellation or phone call. Since there were no sales, there were no tips, so it hit especially deep for the staff.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW BEHAVE BETTER 'Just communicate with us. It's very simple,' Brull says. 'Every reservation platform has an option to cancel and most bars and restaurants have a phone line and employ a host for this exact purpose. We all understand that plans change and all, but not showing up with no warning costs the establishment and its workers a lot of money and is generally lazy and inconsiderate.' PET PEEVE: Being on your phone while ordering THIS ONE TIME... 'Someone once tried to order a full round of drinks while holding their phone to their ear and shushing me mid-sentence,' Nikita says. 'It's frustrating and honestly kind of rude; it slows everything down for everyone.' BEHAVE BETTER 'Just take 30 seconds to place your order properly,' she says. 'We'll all move faster and smoother that way.'
