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Do you like restaurants? Most people do. As a friend once said, there’s something nice about “seeing and being seen.” But even the best eateries have challenges and things that irritate or even perplex. Here are my top eight…

Too loud – Sometimes you feel it the moment you enter. There’s a wall of sound that would scare off Metallica. The restaurant chains are notorious for this with intrusive music that almost takes up a place at the table. Other times you don’t realize its a noise factory until you’re seated and have to repeat each sentence three times. Certain restaurants I love, but won’t go to anymore because it feels like a hearing test.

Bad table location – Anyone in my family will attest (with rolled eyes) that I’m sensitive to where I sit. Nothing irks me more than spending good money, only to stare into the men’s room or busboy station. I love a window seat, but will compromise with a nice table off to the side, if possible (so I can observe everyone). The worst is facing a wall and having to constantly turn around to see what’s happening. Torture.

Waiting a long time for the server to acknowledge you – You know that awkward moment when you first get to a party and the hostess isn’t in sight? You stand and wait in social limbo. That’s how it feels when it takes eons to get menus and water. Meanwhile, everyone around is digging in and laughing. But your party’s sitting there, a little sad, a little ignored…until that magical moment when the server appears!

The server who doesn’t write anything down (even when it’s a party of eight) – Although impressive, this memory prowess display makes me nervous. They’re going to remember that I want my burger medium with extra pickles and mustard instead of catsup and sweet potato fries, not regular? And do that for seven other people? Damn. It’s a lot of trust to put in a stranger, but begrudgingly, I admit most of the time (most) they get it right. Maybe I’m jealous.

Too “cozy” – This is one of the most challenging. The restaurant’s super crowded and everyone’s packed into tables the size of phone booths, one foot from each other. This is especially dangerous since my eavesdropping goes into overdrive, especially if politics are being discussed. Even my husband, Randy, who shakes his head at my nosiness has been caught listening in. Not to mention, the stripper-like moves needed to get between tables to use the ladies room. Give me wide-open spaces.

The disappearing server – He or she was great over drinks. We bonded over apps. Dinner was fun with even some chuckles, but then something went horribly wrong. We were promised a dessert menu…twenty-two minutes ago? Where did this person go? Are they still alive? Should we call 911? You look around and all the other servers are bustling about. You can’t help wonder, was it something we said?

Too understaffed – I get hives watching a sweaty, exhausted waiter try to service twelve tables at once. Like a bad car crash, I can’t look away. Maybe someone called in sick. Maybe the restaurant is just mismanaged, but I can’t relax watching another human straining to keep up, trying to get everyone’s meal on time, getting that trapped, feverish look in their eyes. It doesn’t bode well for dinner or my sanity.

Undertrained staff – We see this mostly during the summer on Cape Cod. Fresh-faced college kids stand around, many more interested in each other than serving. They’ll proudly bring a tray brimming with dinners, only to realize we’re still on appetizers. They blush and apologize while we do the confusing “changing of the guard” from one course to another. They finally hit their stride in mid-August, just in time for them to return to the quad. (And yes, I can kvetch, since I used to be one).

The strange thing is I love restaurants. There’s nothing lovelier than hitting that sweet spot — a good meal with enough fellow diners to “see and be seen,” but not too loud and with good service. Which is why in my old age I prefer early dinners. Yes, I’m not proud. When the restaurant has become loud and screechy, it feels so good to pay the bill… and say goodbye.

 

What are your pet peeves about restaurants? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like to share…. please do!

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Comments(22)

  1. I love restaurants, too, and while you’re exactly right about the problems, I find that they are few and far between … and I usually cut the restaurant some slack since I know how difficult it can be to coordinate everything perfectly. Interestingly, you don’t mention anything about the food!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Tom, I can’t imagine running a restaurant. It looks so hard. My husband said the same thing about the food, but I guess this was just about the restaurant experience. Next time I’ll tackle the food!

  2. I love going out to eat! Mostly because I don’t have to cook and someone brings me tasty food I wouldn’t normally make myself (I never order something I would prepare. In fact, I just booked a reservation for Saturday night A bad table always gets me, but I love lively and people watching! Or even better going out with a group. Oh and sitting at the bar for a drink before dinner. My dad loved that part too. He always arrived early to a reservation to get a drink at the bar.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Lauren, I also like sitting at the bar before dinner and having a drink. Very civilized!

    • Donna

    • 4 years ago

    My biggest peeve is when the waiter(ress) hasn’t tasted the menu items themselves and can’t say how something is prepared or tastes.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Donna, Yes, that’s a good one!

  3. I am with you, girl! So with you!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Ha ha!

    • Lea Sylvestro

    • 4 years ago

    I so enjoyed this piece! We love eating out and are regulars at two restaurants in Fairfield. We know everyone and get hugs all around when we arrive – all so Cheers! It is happy, yummy, and sociable, but we know we are limiting ourselves but not expanding to new spots. I grinned at your description of feeling forlorn when a server doesn’t get to your table promptly when everyone else seems well cared for. One does feel like the wall flower at a dance!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Lea, We also get very chummy with our favorite restaurant staffs. That’s one of the fun things — getting food you like with people you enjoy.

  4. Oh, my! You’ve hit every one of mine!
    My son likes a lot of water with his meal and the tip is reflected in just how well the waiter kept his glass filled—or brought a pitcher so he could do it himself. (I suggested more than once that they should just bring the hose…)
    But I’ve noticed lately that I’m drinking more water with my meals and wanting the waiter to keep the glass filled. Weird, right?

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Diane, I’m also a big water drinker and need at least one refill during a meal. Funny about the hose!

  5. All of the above! We’ve always loved eating out, but hate a noisy restaurant because we’re all visitors. Our biggest gripe, though, comes from small portions.
    You know what I really love watching? A server serving drinks from a big tray. How do they do that? I’d have tipped that sucker after removing the first glass!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, I’m always amazed too, how they can serve drinks without tipping the entire tray over (which I’d do).

  6. I appreciate this even more these days!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, so true!

  7. I look at this a lot differently in this era of Covid…

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, Me too. How different it all is now.

  8. And now… in the time of Covid… when do you take off your mask?

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Jane, We wear our masks while walking around inside and take them off at the table.

  9. I used to love going out to a restaurant. However, since the pandemic it’s been so challenging and I feel so bad for our local restaurants. Between not having enough staff and having to clean and separate the tables and then the masks. Lately, it’s been too much of a struggle so I order takeout. Hope things get better over the next year.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Judy, We order mostly take-out too. Once in a while, we’ll go to a restaurant. I also feel bad for our local eateries. It’s so hard for them.

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