Obnoxious Diners

I just don't undertand why people treat people who prepare their food that way. I try to live by the Golden Rule, and treat people with respect. Especially people who prepare my food in a back room, out of my sight. After seeing "Waiting" I will be even more mindful of the Golden Rule, especially when it comes to folks working in a restaurant!

Respect goes a long way. In just about every aspect of life.

I've had some pretty bad servers in my life, but they're just making the good ones look even better.

Cheers,

Republicans should eat at home.

It doesn't matter if it was a Republican or Democrat, anyone acting like that needs a smack upside the head!

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I know a lot of Republicans as well as Democrats, none of whom would act that way. I don't think that type of behavior is acceptable, on either side of the fence. This wasn't intended to be a political discussion, merely a "what would you have done in this situation," discussion. What a polarizing response.

Okay, nevermind. Wrong place for such a discussion.

Republicans should eat at home.

It doesn't matter if it was a Republican or Democrat, anyone acting like that needs a smack upside the head!

Are you assuming they were Republicans because of their behavior, or their comments about proposed health care reform? I like to think that all Dems are polite when dining out, but don't presume all of us support every aspect of health care reform... enough said.

Look, I'm sorry I made that leap - ranting about Obama's Health Care = Republicans and Republicans = not caring about others, especially the little guy...

The issue here is whether you treat servers and fellow customers with politeness. I did not mean to divert attention from that concern. My politics are immaterial.

Please ignore my posts and go to the issue at hand: how do we behave in a restaurant?

The great British chef Marco Pierre White tells a pretty funny story about how he used to deal with obnoxious diners back in his younger days. At the point where he came to the realization that a problem table was beyond salvaging, he would signal the maitre 'd to assemble the waitstaff, who would then simultaneously descend upon the table and wisk away every last item on it, including the tablecloth, without a sound or making eye contact. After sitting dumbfounded at a bare table and being completely ignored by the entire staff for a few minutes, the offending party would usually slink quietly out the door.

I would go back to the place just based on the way those women handled that table, with grace, and kindness. I'd have dumped a glass of ice cold water on them and thrown them out!

The great British chef Marco Pierre White tells a pretty funny story about how he used to deal with obnoxious diners back in his younger days. At the point where he came to the realization that a problem table was beyond salvaging, he would signal the maitre 'd to assemble the waitstaff, who would then simultaneously descend upon the table and wisk away every last item on it, including the tablecloth, without a sound or making eye contact. After sitting dumbfounded at a bare table and being completely ignored by the entire staff for a few minutes, the offending party would usually slink quietly out the door.

Beautiful.

There is nothing like the feeling of kicking out a "bad" customer. I've only done it a couple times. Feels wonderful. And especially if you tell them "and don't come back." Some people are simply not worthy and are far far more trouble than they are worth.

I've come to believe that the customer isn't always right. (although I do bend over backwards for them, within reason).

I firmly believe the customer isn't always right. I have witnessed some truly outlandish rude behavior along the likes of what Michelle describes and it just reminded me about how important it has been in rearing my son to know that all jobs are worthwhile, and all people have dignity in whatever they are doing. We had carryout last Friday night for a large group that was coming over and they could not have been more supportive on helping with the authentic menu, making sure our timing was right for pick up, helping us get it to the car. Our group included several who were "adverse" to a dish like unique chicken smell but by the end of the meal were all converts.

Time for another Red Pepper banquet offline!

I'm was planning on going out tomorrow anyway; now I'm going to Red Pepper. I promise that my kids will not run around.

It's funny, but one of the loudest, most obnoxious diners I've ever seen was a woman who also was talking about Obama bringing socialization (sic). The same person?

If you go, try the Chinese style Twice Cooked Pork. It's basically a pile of spicy pork belly, with a few veggies thrown in for good measure. Omg, so good!

Red Pepper rocks my socks off every time. The staff has always been so gracious that I have trouble getting my mind around the fact that customers would treat them with such disrespect.