re: restaurant question. how long before you walk out?

First off, I'm a server at a restaurant so that might make me a litte more patient.

If the place seems a bit slow, I expect better service since they aren't too busy, so anything over 3 or 4 mins gets a little aggravating, esp if im on a time schedule.

If the place is packed and hectic, I don't mind to wait 5-8ish mins to be greeted, it just gives me time to look over the menu and figure out what I want, which in turn saves my waiter time by not having to come back 3 or 4 times to get our order. However, if someone doesn't come by and acknowledge that I'm there or at least say they will be right with me after those 8ish mins, then I start to have a little problem. If I have to grab another waiter or someone else to see where mine is, that's a bigger problem. Anywhere over 12-15 mins and I'm gone.

To be fair, in some restaurants the host doesn't tell you you've been sat, and you have to constantly check your section, which doesn't seem like such a big deal in most places. But where I work, you can't just chill by your section, you gotta keep busy since there's so much to do, like running food/drinks, etc.