As a former server in my younger days at a trendy restaurant, I can tell you lingering is a great annoyance, especially if they are not ordering a dessert or more drinks.

When this occurred, passive-aggressive methods are employed to get you to move on. The first is to pick up the signed credit card receipt from the table. Next, finish busing the table of anything not in someone’s hand. Then restock or clean up salt/pepper, the sugar caddy, condiments, etc. Finally, you stop refilling water or other refillable drinks. After a sufficient time some coworkers would ask people to leave, but I was never so bold/rude.

It seems to me it’s really just social norms as to why that’s not done. Of course, you could try social norms to pressure them to leave earlier =) I like the… stare longingly lol.

I believe some buffets in Asia implement similar systems; you pay for 1 hr and eaaaat.

Does it boil down to… what are you paying for? The food? “Renting” the table? the entire dining exp?

@AM – Since proprietor’s do not do as you suggest it is reasonable to conclude that it isn’t in their interests to do so. Maybe the combination of (a) it isn’t hospitable and (b) there is a trade off between rushing someone out and squeezing them for more (dessert, coffee, …).

I still think the effect of social norms is sufficient and, in all likelihood, preferable. Is it just a different kind of market where transactions are paid in good will and the self-satisfaction that comes with “doing the right thing”? Sure, why not?

Therefore, the proprietor should give a discount to diners who do not linger. E.g., anyone who starts dinner after 5:30pm and clears the table by, say, 6:50pm, gets a small discount on their meal.

Why doesn’t the restaurant owner do this? One theory is that, perhaps, patrons would look down on a posh theatre district restaurant that started giving discounts.

Best to go even earlier next time…