The fall of proper restaurant service.

[Dr Doran]

Hey, $ally, thanks for that list. It's nice to have that as a refresher. I know that my family regularly broke about 3 of these (no, I won't say which ones) when I was growing up, and I bet every family has a few they break -- so it's good to have the list to make us remember.

 

[$ally]

Hey, $ally, thanks for that list. It's nice to have that as a refresher. I know that my family regularly broke about 3 of these (no, I won't say which ones) when I was growing up, and I bet every family has a few they break -- so it's good to have the list to make us remember.

Beaucaillou's comment inspired my list making. So often the workers are more refined, elegant and gracious than those being served. It must be so frustrating.
I'm guilty of checking the time too often when I'm bored. That's the one I struggle with most. My list is a bit tongue-in-cheek, a bit serious. I forgot:
-No slurping, gulping or playing with your food.
-No children crawling under the table or wandering around to other diners.
-Children must at least try everything on their plate. Some families insist kids clean their plate, but I slack on that one. It could lead to obesity, after all. Especially with the servings my Grandmother gave out. It's a miracle family was so slender.
-Children only speak when spoken to.
We broke that last one at every meal. How can a child excuse herself to use the restroom if she has to be spoken to first? Daddy, why do I need to wash my hands before I eat when I am using utensils? Will the germs slide down my fork? I followed in parents foot steps and answered all my sons interesting questions. He ended up getting the National Merit Scholarship, so I highly recommend this method. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. Or is that, there are no dumb questions, just dumb people who ask questions?
I once witnessed a man blow his nose into his cloth napkin, put it back into his lap, then continue eating. Also, once I was part of a big party who had reserved a large table at an upscale Japanese restaurant. One of our party had recently had surgery and could only eat small amounts of solid foods at a time. Well, he got carried away and was sick on his plate at the table. The wait staff rushed over and took his plate away. He continued eating, as did the rest of our table (aside from me). He was sick again. Still didn't excuse himself. I was appalled. The other diners left the restaurant. I wanted to leave too, but my husband-at-the-time insisted we stay. The owner came out to make sure it wasn't the food. It was implied that the guest was not well enough to dine. He still stayed. Our table all went on like it was everyone else's problem. I excused myself to go outside many times, couldn't touch a bite of dinner. Had it been me, I would have explained that I wasn't yet up for dining out, BEFORE I got to the point of being sick. I certainly wouldn't have continued after that.

 

[Dr Doran]

I'm guilty of checking the time too often when I'm bored.

Whoah! No offense, but that is ... really ... kind of ____.
Unless you are TRYING to be rude, which is different. And necessary on certain occasions.

I once witnessed a man blow his nose into his cloth napkin, put it back into his lap, then continue eating. Also, once I was part of a big party who had reserved a large table at an upscale Japanese restaurant. One of our party had recently had surgery and could only eat small amounts of solid foods at a time. Well, he got carried away and was sick on his plate at the table. The wait staff rushed over and took his plate away. He continued eating, as did the rest of our table (aside from me). He was sick again. Still didn't excuse himself. I was appalled. The other diners left the restaurant. I wanted to leave too, but my husband-at-the-time insisted we stay. The owner came out to make sure it wasn't the food. It was implied that the guest was not well enough to dine. He still stayed. Our table all went on like it was everyone else's problem. I excused myself to go outside many times, couldn't touch a bite of dinner. Had it been me, I would have explained that I wasn't yet up for dining out, BEFORE I got to the point of being sick. I certainly wouldn't have continued after that.

What a disgusting experience. I think I would have taken him to the bathroom and drowned him there. JUST KIDDING. But that is really horrible.

 

[Foofoogal]

EEWWW........That is beyond horrible.

Made me laugh though as it made me remember Bush Sr. when he lost it on the Prime Minister of Japan.
I am sorry but that had to be funny to anyone. lol

 

[Dr Doran]

EEWWW........That is beyond horrible.

Made me laugh though as it made me remember Bush Sr. when he lost it on the Prime Minister of Japan.
I am sorry but that had to be funny to anyone. lol

I laughed.

 

[green papaya]

bad table manners

I was at the China buffet a while back and a young couple was dining next to me, and they started throwing food back at each other and gigiling

throwing french fries, throwing salad, etc

I couldnt believe how two grown people could behave so stupid in a public restaurant, they were annoying

 

[$ally]

Whoah! No offense, but that is ... really ... kind of ____.
Unless you are TRYING to be rude, which is different. And necessary on certain occasions.

Not trying, just comes naturally. I'm a clock watcher. It keeps me out of the right circles.

 

[Undertow]

What a disgusting experience. I think I would have taken him to the bathroom and drowned him there. JUST KIDDING. But that is really horrible.

No...I probably would have drowned him!

 

[Zemke Fan]

Ya'll ain't seen bad...

Just finished a WONDERFUL meal with service straight from HELL here in hot, hot, hot Sevastopol, Ukraine (we're talking temperature here, boys and girls, and NOT the night life...)

 

[Zemke Fan]

We were JUST trying to bother you...

I was at the China buffet a while back and a young couple was dining next to me, and they started throwing food back at each other and gigiling

throwing french fries, throwing salad, etc

I couldnt believe how two grown people could behave so stupid in a public restaurant, they were annoying

Next time leave the FEDORA LOUNGE pin at home... ( Just kidding! )

Unbelievable!

 

[Diamondback]

Not trying, just comes naturally. I'm a clock watcher. It keeps me out of the right circles.

Simple fix, set your watch (if you've got it as a feature) or phone (ditto) to chime every 15 minutes.

(I know, supposed to turn phones off, but unfortunately I require near-continuous round-the-clock communications availability, except when on a plane. I do adjust volume to the situation, though.)

 

[$ally]

Simple fix, set your watch (if you've got it as a feature) or phone (ditto) to chime every 15 minutes.(I know, supposed to turn phones off, but unfortunately I require near-continuous round-the-clock communications availability, except when on a plane. I do adjust volume to the situation, though.)

Argh, that's a new one that my parents didn't have to teach me.
-Put the cell phone on vibrate. Excuse yourself to answer an important call. Do not chat on the cell while sitting at a bar or table. Exception would be a very casual lounge, waiting for more friends to arrive, they call needing directions. Or holding up the phone at a small live show for someone stuck at home.

 

[Dr Doran]

Not trying, just comes naturally. I'm a clock watcher. It keeps me out of the right circles.

Oh. Well, as long as you don't keep looking at your watch while I'm regaling you with a SIMPLY FASCINATING ANECDOTE ABOUT THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MID-FIFTH CENTURY ATHENIAN DIPLOMATIC EPIGRAPHY.

lol lol lol lol lol

 

[$ally]

Oh. Well, as long as you don't keep looking at your watch while I'm regaling you with a SIMPLY FASCINATING ANECDOTE ABOUT THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MID-FIFTH CENTURY ATHENIAN DIPLOMATIC EPIGRAPHY.

If I'm really tired, I'll just stick one of these on your forehead.
https://www.12voltaccessoryoutlet.com/Catalog/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=885
You'll never know.

 

[Dr Doran]

If I'm really tired, I'll just stick one of these on your forehead.
https://www.12voltaccessoryoutlet.com/Catalog/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=885
You'll never know.

Ouch. But digital? Come on, we're Loungers. It should be a round-face mechanical.

(PS on that note, I actually saw an adult wearing a digital WATCH recently ... perhaps this belongs in the I Hate The 70s thread ... I didn't think any adult wore those after 1989 at the latest)

 

[$ally]

Ouch. But digital? Come on, we're Loungers. It should be a round-face mechanical. (PS on that note, I actually saw an adult wearing a digital WATCH recently ... perhaps this belongs in the I Hate The 70s thread ... I didn't think any adult wore those after 1989 at the latest)

Stick-on digital clock is pretty Golden Era, isn't it? Yes, I need to learn to be a good lounger and be polite. Actually, I'd be interested in that topic, even though you'd be over my head.

 

[Dr Doran]

Actually, I'd be interested in that topic, even though you'd be over my head.

P. J. Rhodes' 2007 book on Greek history of the Classical period is a fine start, very up to date, with references to Thucydides, Xenophon, Aristotle, Diodorus Siculus, and more in each paragraph. It is also on DEEP discount brand new at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/History-Class...8969651?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188139424&sr=1-1