Should you be informed abou a party of 20 before seated?

We made last minute reservations. The food and service were totally wonderful. I chose not to eat outside because I have had early allergy woes! This was a special dinner just to celebrate with my girls over their new jobs. After about 10 minutes, the room next door was filled with a group of perhaps 20 people who were over 50 and maybe hearing challenged, but they were so loud that i could not hear or communicate with my daughters. When we were seated, shouldn't they have told us that a large group was coming in and maybe we would like to consider moving? On a generally quiet Wednesday night, this group was over the top loud. We had already received our bread and made our order when this group began arriving.

I think it is the responsibility of the host/hostess to tell you about such matters. I would like to hear your feedback.

We made last minute reservations. The food and service were totally wonderful. I chose not to eat outside because I have had early allergy woes! This was a special dinner just to celebrate with my girls over their new jobs. After about 10 minutes, the room next door was filled with a group of perhaps 20 people who were over 50 and maybe hearing challenged, but they were so loud that i could not hear or communicate with my daughters. When we were seated, shouldn't they have told us that a large group was coming in and maybe we would like to consider moving? On a generally quiet Wednesday night, this group was over the top loud. We had already received our bread and made our order when this group began arriving.

I think it is the responsibility of the host/hostess to tell you about such matters. I would like to hear your feedback.

Linda, I'm sorry to disagree, but you did admit you made your reservations at the last minute. Presumably, they made theirs before yours. I'm sorry you were disturbed by them, but was there really anywhere in the restaurant where they wouldn't have bothered you? A large "hearing-challenged" party has as much right to a reservation as anyone else. I realize that your point is that the hostess should have told you. Would that have made it more bearable?

On the other hand, if you called ahead and said "we're coming in last minute, we want to make sure there's plenty of peace and quiet so we can hear each other talk, can you guarantee that?", then you have my sympathy. If you were assured you'd have privacy and quiet, apologies in advance.

Excuse me(or you)!! Not everyone "over 50" is "hearing challenged" and talks "too loud". Perhaps it was just a group of 20 friends having a good time. My husband thinks that perhaps the group just came from "Geezer Day" at Kroger's and were celebrating the good fortune of !0% off!!! Maybe next time you should try Chucky Cheese!!! Have fun.

Excuse me(or you)!! Not everyone "over 50" is "hearing challenged" and talk "too loud". Perhaps it was just a group of 20 friends having a good time. My husband thinks that perhaps the group just came from "Geezer Day" at Kroger's and were celebrating the good fortune of !0% off!!! Maybe next time you should try Chucky Cheese!!! Have fun.

Hahahaha

really 'over 50' and 'hearing challenged' - but wait you were the ones who couldn't hear yourselves.

I have to agree with Marsha. It is logistically impractical to inform every table (or any table, for that matter) of what other tables are doing. It is also difficult to predict what is going to bother or disturb one guest over another. Linda, did you ask your server if you could be moved due to the disruptive presence of the large party? I realize you had already ordered, etc., but this would have been the best logical step for your smaller party if you were being disturbed by the larger group. Also was the table for the 20-top preset when you were escorted to your table? Seeing such an instance is a good tip off that something is brewing and usually prompts me to inquire about impending situations if they are relevant to the needs of my seating.

Ultimately, I do not think it is the restaurant's responsibility to provide information about large parties that may or may not be seated in proximity to your table. It is, however, good business to offer to move a table for guests if other patrons are being disruptive and this is brought to the manager/server's attention. (I'm thinking here about intimate groups being upset by rowdy teens or the like)

It could have been worse...you could have been seated next to a party of 20 that included of 5 or 6 screaming toddlers. I'm betting that given the option you and your daughters (not to mention your server) would much prefer the "over 50" crowd to multiple temper tantrums.

BTW...Being over "50" ROCKS !!! I wouldn't go back to my 30's or 40's or God forbid my 20's even if I could.

I'm proudly over fifty, have perfect hearing and excellent health.

Now get off my lawn!

What? What did you say? What?

What? What did you say? What?

<shouting> I think she said we can’t hear !!!!!

I'm proudly over fifty, have perfect hearing and excellent health.

Now get off my lawn!

and while your at it.....Turn that sh** down !!!!

Well, I am well over 50 and am the biggest geezer. I love seeing people having fun. However, I couldn't hear a word and they were over the top loud. I know where all you compassionate people work and will hereby take my business elsewhere. There were other places to be seated. I am asking....don't you think a host should tell you that a group will be filling that space? We arrived at 6 pm and could have been seated anywhere. The reservation was "last minute" because of a schedule change, but at least it was a reservation. Thanks so much for your understanding.

On another note...we were going to Cafe you know where in St Matthews, Marsha, but tried a different place for the heck of it. I do think when a host seats you they can say, "we're expecting a large table here in 5 minutes". We could have then chosen to move to the front or out back. I am really happy to hear all the nasty responses here from people seeking business. I am glad that large groups do business in local eateries. However, when a small table comes in, could they not at least be advised of a group of 20 seated within 5 feet? I am a customer, and I am glad to hear that you all are so insensitive to our needs and concerns. I would expect that you wanted honest feedback from the people who keep you in business. I guess not.

and btw...it was an opentable reservation as I was not in town when I made it.

Well, I'm pretty sure my response wasn't nasty. I would expect that you wanted honest feedback from the people you asked to give it. I guess not.

And please don't hold my response against Cafe you know where. I don't work there any longer!

Linda-
If you want "honest" feedback in the future, may I humbly suggest you omit generalizations about any segment of the population. The table was loud, period. Does it really make any difference to the discussion what their ages? Now, that "take my business elsewhere" comment is certainly your right, but don't be surprised if your next post goes unanswered....just sayin'.
Bill Paumen