No reason to go home

If you encounter the character who doesn’t really have any reason to return to the darkness they came from, you only realize when it is too late. They will stay after your ‘last call‘ and way past closing time.
What tells do we have on this person:

• Sitting at a table or booth in a far away corner

• Usually not a group of more than 4 people

• They consume their order at a very slow pace

We do not have a lot go on. Your customers come in and take their time. That happens a lot so no red flags yet. Slowly as time passes by you start to realize they might be in for the long haul. They sit and talk, talk and talk some more. When you ask them if they need anything they will tell you: “If we need anything we will let you know”. From there you kind of already know how this will turn out.
Camping at your tables is a problem. It refrains you from doing side-work in that particular section and also requires you to stay more than your already long working hours.

Personal note:

The worst part perhaps is, that they do not seem to realize. Could that really be? They have been ’checked on’ by several people multiple times already. Music is off and lights are on. Time to go.
Now I always understood people wanting to have a great time. Just when you are not at home, there will be an end to it as well. You are not surprised when the supermarket tells you they’re closing right? Would these same people also remain with their cart in the middle of an aisle? And then act offended as if you just declared war on them?

In a bar I worked I had a simple rule. Come closing time, I gave my regulars a choice. They could order another drink but it came with either a broom or a sponge and they needed to help clean up. You will be surprised how many of them will gladly help just to not have to go home for another 30 minutes.
Otherwise you can always tell the good news before the bad news; “The good news is you do not need to go home yet, the bad news is you cannot stay here”!

Sincerely,

Den The Man