programme in place.

Stonington Beach dining room captain Whyman Lindsay told The Royal Gazette that while he could understand the views of foreign waiters working on the Island, he could not understand why they were criticising Government and the proposed waiter training programme.

"Here you have someone trying to revive Bermuda's tourism industry. I feel all power to them for taking the initiative to revive an industry which was booming.

"In its heyday, there was a person from every family working in the industry.'' Mr. Lindsay was responding in part to comments made by waitress Kristina Drews in last Thursday's article in The Royal Gazette .

Ms Drews said the planned training programme for waiters sounded like a crash course and was insulting to experienced and skilled foreign waiting staff who were working on the Island.

Mr. Lindsay -- who has been in the business for 13 years -- said he agreed with Ms Drews' recommendation that Government not embark on a "crash course'' to train would-be waiters.

"I agree with her. I believe the training course should be more structured.'' However he added that length of experience should not be a deciding factor in hiring waiting staff.

"...There are some people with experience who still cannot satisfy the client. I am not disputing their technical training, but there are people who do not have the training and are better waiters.'' Mr. Lindsay said waiters need "panache'' and "savoir faire'' to do the job and satisfy the customer. "There is definitely a personality aspect to the job.'' "Sometimes you can have all the training in the world yet not have the savoir faire necessary to satisfy a client.

"You must satisfy the client. People want service nowadays.

"Any waiter or waitress who is insecure about their job or position must have a reason. If you are a good waiter or waitress then you can always find work.

If you are incompetent you will be replaced.'' TOURISM TOU