 |
| SOURCE: Pixomar |
1. Put down the phone and nobody gets hurt.
I don't remember what life was like pre-smart phones. The instant access to information, email, social media, etc. is priceless BUT to quote Tina Fey, social media has “ruined our ability to interact one on one.” When you have a sommelier or server visit your table to discuss what you're eating or drinking and you can't be bothered to look up from your phone because you're Facebooking the masses about your meal--that's a problem. Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter can deal without your constant attention for awhile. If you have children or a career that require you to be on-call then, make the occasional discrete glance or excuse yourself to the restroom to check-in. I want to dine with you not your phone.
2. Which Fork Goes With What?
Dining out is not the appropriate time to try and correct your boyfriend on how he holds a fork. While out in Chicago recently one of my female dining companions decided to launch into a lesson on how her boyfriend holds his fork while he cuts his meat. Are you kidding me?! It's embarrassing to him because in addition to being in the public arena you are pointing out his inadequacies in front of everyone at the table. Nor was it just one comment but a 15 minute extended conversation and demonstration how to cut and eat the meat correctly. How about making a mental note talking to him about it at home and in private.
3. Table Games!
Everyone at my table was over the age of 30 so I assumed that worrying about embarrassing antics would not be an issue. Clearly I was wrong. We were wrapping up our meal and two of us were lingering enjoying the remaining wine in our glasses. One of the couples at the table choose to entertain each other by seeing who can spit ice at each other first. Water is for drinking and I really don't expect the ice in the water glass to be used for spitting at your significant other. WOW.
4. And the Oscar Goes To...
The gal making the hurling noises and facial expressions across the table from me! I blame this one partially on myself. I started the conversation about foods that I'm not particularly fond but I continue to try because I want to like them. One of my dislikes happened to be shared by my dinner companion Marie. She however takes this discussion to a place no dinner discussion needs to go. Instead of using words to express her distaste--there are gagging noises and facial expressions of faux vomiting. (Yes--in a public restaurant where people are eating around us.) I wisely choose to disengage and move my party out of the restaurant.
5. Tipping--really it's not optional.
I would like to dedicate this to my father who has to have an argument every time we eat out as a family over tip. Even with MULTIPLE children who have worked as servers he still throws a fit when you want to leave a 20% tip. Really? Really? Even when the rest of your party is providing the cash for the tip? Dad can't get credit for my entire snarky rant on this subject no matter how much he deserves it. The award for my all time favorite quote on the subject of tipping actually came from a 30-something female born and raised in the state of Minnesota. "A 20% tip is good enough for the Midwest." That one is priceless. These folks wait on you and get you whatever you need. Frankly if you had a really great experience you should let them know this by giving more than 20%.
I know some of you are reading these and thinking they are made up but sadly these were all taken from real life experience. I hope you don't see yourself in any of these scenarios. Let's just say I will be thinking twice about dining with these folks anytime soon!
Dining out is one of my favorite things to do. What's not to love? Tasty food, served to me and no clean-up--kind of a no brainer there...
ReplyDelete