Glossary

Camping (campers)

What is camping at a restaurant table?

Camping is when a party stays long after the meal is done, occupying a table the restaurant needs to turn: the two-hour coffee after a 45-minute lunch. Campers are a revenue problem in rooms that plan on multiple turns, because the next reservation is now standing at the host stand. Polite counters include pacing the check drop, moving lingerers to the bar for a nightcap, stating time limits on prime-time bookings ("we may need this table at 8:45"), and building realistic turn times into the book instead of hoping. The term is front-of-house slang and stays behind the stand; no guest should ever hear themselves called a camper.