re: What is your biggest pet peeve when dining out??

LOL. Some people just never figure out that there are some places you can't go on a strict time frame.

A few years ago, some coworkers and I were looking for something different for lunch. We were on a more regimented time frame back then so we called in our orders to a lot of places so it would be ready when we got there. We decided to try this with a local italian (not Olive Garden) place one day...

The owner/manager answered the phone and said they don't take call in orders. We explained that we only had 40 minutes for lunch and we would order as a to go order instead. He insisted that there was no need for that, we would be in and out with time to spare. We foolishly decided to give it a shot.

We got there, ordered drinks and waited 15 minutes for the waitress to show back up. She brought our drinks finally a few minutes later and didn't hang around to take our orders. About this time, the manager/owner guy comes over to ask us how everything is. We told him that we were the people wo tried to place a call in order, then tried to make it a to go order and still hadn't even placed our order. He apologized and went to find the waitress. Next thing we knew, we heard yelling and crying, then saw the waitress running out the side door. We realized he had fired her for essentially no good reason and we all ran out trying to give her a tip before she could drive away. We've been nervous as hell aboout trying new places to eat ever since.

not my biggest but ive noticed it lately a lot.

people wearing freaking hats while eating in a restaurant.

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people wearing freaking hats while eating in a restaurant.

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This drives people from my dad's generation crazy. I don't like it either, but it really bothers dad. So many people do it though.

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Yeah, your posts.

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Nope...I can't stand pepper in a shaker, I don't like my dirty empty dishes sitting in front of me when I am done eating, and I don't like a slacker server trying to skip out early on a table and still get paid in full.

I don't see that as being unreasonable at all.

I also don't "WAIT" for a table...if a restaurant is on a wait, I go to the next one.

I am reasonable about the check, I don't expect them to drop everything at my whim, but a reasonable time between asking for it, getting it, coming back for for the card and returning it for signing.

I'm wondering why the 21st century hasn't entered the restaurant biz, just drop off a tablet device that the customer can swipe, tip and sign. The result go directly into accounting and the customer is free to leave.

I notice a clod with a hat, I just think, 'what a slob', and forget about it.

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proper manners seem to be fading away. i grew up with my parents enforcing strict table manners though and they have pretty much stuck with me.

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Same here. Some things have changed due to the "women are equal" stuff. My dad still stands up whenever a woman approaches or leaves the table. Most of the women of my generation I've asked about this say they don't like it. I still open doors for women, but that may be fading too.

People that spend more time focusing on the service than enjoying the meal. I like to enjoy the company of others, not spend an hour or two finding every possible reason to find fault in the waiter.

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I don't like my dirty empty dishes sitting in front of me when I am done eating

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This is a toughie because it's considered rude to take a plate away while someone is still eating. Makes some women feel uncomfortable when their date doesn't have a plate in front of them and they're still eating.

This is true and it's not proper to remove dirty plates until all are finished with the course. Just move the plate a bit towards the center of the table in front of you.

I don't wear a hat at the dinner table but I'm guilty of wearing a hat indoors however if you saw my hair after wearing a hat you would excuse my behavior.

I'll wait a reasonable amount of time for a table but I certainly always try to make a reservation.

And yes if I only had thirty minutes for lunch I'm brown bagging it or hitting the drive thru.

And I agree I go to enjoy food, wine and fellowship. Not to nitpick what is wrong with the experience. If I want to do that I can sit home and bark at my wife. That never ends well.