That person that just HAS to be the loudest in a restaurant. What gives?

Usually it is the one drinking the most

quote:

---

Why is it that there's always that one person in a crowd, or even an entire table that just has to laugh to an absurd level, talk so that everyone has to hear their stupid stories or personal stuff that is so loud that the other people trying to enjoy their meals are staring at their table going WTF, and yet it's almost as if they either don't notice or just don't care that they are making idiots of themselves or their selves?

---

In my experience with this it usually a table full of mid 30's overweight female democrats.

They want to sell you a car

quote:

---

In my experience with this it usually a table full of mid 30's overweight female democrats.

---

Good to see I'm not the only one that notices this.

They often are transplants from the northeast, giving them unbearable accents to go along with the obnoxious volume.

quote:

---

I would attribute it to some perceived issues of childhood neglect.

---

That's a good point. Maybe a Jan syndrome, or one in a big family that feels the only way someone will listen to them is if they talk over everyone else or talk to such a level that there's no way to not notice them.

I'd love to tell you more about my personal experiences with the guy but being that it's a pretty small world, I don't want to get too detailed on here.

But I'll say that this guy was willing to burn bridges with friendships he had developed over years just to be the center of attention for one night.

Things seemed to escalate to a completely different level if it was a situation where he clearly wasn't the center of attention. Someone's graduation, or an event like a birthday party centered around someone else, or even a wedding.

It's a shame that he went to such lengths for whatever reason that he did. Because I can tell you one on one where there is no impressions to be made he was one of the greatest people to just relax and have a conversation with over a few beers. Extremely intelligent and curious guy. One on one he would share different ideas that he had learned and listen openly to other people's opinions. But in a group, he went full retard.

quote:

---

In my experience with this it usually a table full of mid 30's overweight female democrats.

---

How can u tell they were democrats just from eating next to them?

quote:

---

How can u tell they were democrats just from eating next to them?

---

One of them said "guuurrrlll your hair grooowin!"

quote:

---

I'd love to tell you more about my personal experiences with the guy but being that it's a pretty small world, I don't want to get too detailed on here. But I'll say that this guy was willing to burn bridges with friendships he had developed over years just to be the center of attention for one night. Things seemed to escalate to a completely different level if it was a situation where he clearly wasn't the center of attention. Someone's graduation, or an event like a birthday party centered around someone else, or even a wedding. It's a shame that he went to such lengths for whatever reason that he did. Because I can tell you one on one where there is no impressions to be made he was one of the greatest people to just relax and have a conversation with over a few beers. Extremely intelligent and curious guy. One on one he would share different ideas that he had learned and listen openly to other people's opinions. But in a group, he went full retard.

---

I think you most probably nailed it from what you said. It sounds like there's some self confidence or personal issues that's getting in his way. I've known people similar I think who are great one on one, but when in a group are trying real hard for approval from the group, or that's the way it comes off. It's as if they have something to prove.

I have a really good friend who when it's just he and I shooting the shite over drinks it's great, but when we get around some other people who I suspect he feels challenged to show what he knows about a subject, he gets really uncomfortable with his trying to control the conversation and rehash the same stories I've heard in private, but much more embellished in the group. Not really lying, but pumping it up. They are actually pretty good stories by themselves, and a lot of times appropriate to the subject matter, but it becomes quite obvious that he's taking it a bit overboard, or perhaps overstating things a bit.

FWIW, I've had partial hearing loss since I was a small child, and because of that the volume of my speech is at times louder than I realize. Though I try to moderate it to the best of my ability, I count on my friends or family to inform me when I've elevated my voice without realizing it. When it happens with friends or family I mostly laugh it off, but I'm suitably embarrassed when it happens in restaurants or public places.

That being said, some people are just shitty diners and there's no excuse for the level of disrespect they display for the surrounding patrons.