Right. But a ticketing system doesn't solve this problem either.

A pre-paid ticketing system could make this problem worse because there is no "cue" as it were. At least a bill being placed on the table, paid, and then picked up later by the server. Having the bill picked up by the server is, ostensibly, the last interaction aside from refilling the water.

Of course, tickets could get handled in some special way like being redeemed at the end of the meal, or the ticket pays for the core meal, and a separate bill is given for drinks and extras not handled by the ticket.

At Alinea, it works just like you suggest - the ticket price is just covers the core meal, with the drinks being extra and settled at the end of the meal. Interestingly enough, though, the sister restaurant Next does require you to purchase your drinks option as part of the ticket. But I doubt there is much problem, as they provide a highly-coordinated service that already requires a constant awareness of where you are in the meal at all times.

For the non-high-end, non-pre-fixe market, the ticket is normally a deposit on the meal price, so you'd still have to settle the remainder of the bill when you're finished.

A simple cue is warmed towels for washing your hands.

Or maybe some minty breath freshener.

Or maybe some coffees.

Social cues do not have much to do with the money exchanging hands.

I think that in most of the cases, there is still a bill presented at the end. The article itself points this out:'

> The system also allows for different kinds of tickets, allowing for variable pricing. (Most restaurants are not prix fixe and will sell tickets as down payments on a meal as opposed to a full prepay.)

I don't think length of table use is generally a problem. Most restaurants have it figured out. Shit happens and you move people around. I don't think there is any solution for this beyond proper table management.

This will start to normalize the process of asking people to leave when their slot is up . Faux pas now, but i could see it becoming the norm. Afterall, its in a businesses interest to have people that spend $10 and stay 2 hrs to be someone else's problem.

It will be the same as it is now. The restaurant will find ways to get you to leave if you only spend $10 and stay another 2 hours. The amount you stay is directly proportional to how much you spend. If you stay 5 hours but you bought a $10,000 bottle of Screaming Eagle then don't expect to hear a peep from the restaurant.

I've long felt that if you're not on time for your reservation then you get sidelined and accommodated when it is convenient for the restaurant. I understand things happen but unless you call in advance and explain that you're going to be late then you're really just not respecting the restaurant's time and they should not have any obligation to you.