# Hidden microphones under tables in Restaurants, specifically Outback Steakhouse?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hidden-microphones-under-tables-in-restaurants-specifically-outback-steakhouse/232356>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 3, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hidden-microphones-under-tables-in-restaurants-specifically-outback-steakhouse/232356 "2004-03-03T18:15:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Truth\_Seeker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Truth\_Seeker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truth_Seeker)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hidden-microphones-under-tables-in-restaurants-specifically-outback-steakhouse/232356/21 "2004-03-05T02:32:16Z")

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Not the most authoritative cite but I’m pressed for time.

> **[(404) Page not found...](https://lawforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=438)**
>
> Oops! I think this page got moved to a different section... We are currently remodeling our site but please feel free to browse our site! Thank you!

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**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hidden-microphones-under-tables-in-restaurants-specifically-outback-steakhouse/232356/22 "2004-03-05T04:00:13Z")

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> [@Truth Seeker](#):
>
> Not the most authoritative cite but I’m pressed for time.
> 
> [http://www.lawforkids.org/QA/other/other178.cfm](http://www.lawforkids.org/QA/other/other178.cfm)

Thanks. Wow. That suprised me.

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**Author:** ![Mesquite-oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@Mesquite-oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mesquite-oh)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hidden-microphones-under-tables-in-restaurants-specifically-outback-steakhouse/232356/23 "2004-03-05T06:06:49Z")

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> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#):
>
> Whether it’s cost effective, or an efficient way of monitoring service is another question. How much does it cost to have those little self-addressed “How was your dining experience?” cards at each table?

I agree. It does not make sense to have such an elaborate secretive monitoring system to search for a possible few comments out of thousands to accurately measure the quality of service. Wouldn’t make sense to have a manager or host spend 10 minutes during his shift asking people “How was our service tonight- what did you like, is there anything we could do better? (customer responds) Thanks for your input- here is 10% off your bill.” It would seem that you would get much richer and more useful feedback (along with some customer goodwill) in this way for less money.

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