Author Topic: Restaurant seating (Read 3105 times)

caroled · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2019, 06:11:48 pm »

A friend had a bad experience last week, and was very verbal about it on her FB page and then on the establishment's FB page.

She and her family , 3 in the party, had gone to a place they have enjoyed very much in the past, pizza, and from her description, treated pretty shabbily.
Friend is a very large young woman, and goes so far in her posts as to say fat...They, her parents and herself went to a pizza place, the seating is a variety of large tables for large parties, booths with moveable or stationary benches, 2 tops and bar height tables. Being 3 in their party, after asking for a booth with a moveable bench, they were told they weren't enough for a large table, and too many for a 2 top, so the waitress sat them at a bar table. Friend tried to sit in the rather small seated too tall chair and found it undoable. After asking for other seating, perhaps the 2 2tops adjacent to each other, as friend repeatedly stated her case, and explained that she was going to have to stand for the duration of the meal ( food had not yet arrived, but had been ordered). Waitress shrugged and did the sorry you feel that way dance.
Waitress doubled down and once again explained what each table was intended for and stated that they had "strict seating policies " and there was nothing she could do.
They ended up asking for their order to be packed for take away and left.
Friend ended up calling them out on her FB, basically stating that fat people were not welcome there and their response was that they were sorry to hear her experience was not good, and they do not discriminate, but strict policies that prevented them blah blah blah…

Except they do discriminate, they did that day, to a customer who asked for adequate seating, that was readily available, by citing policies, that they wrote and put into place, as the reason for their inaction...and still have the nerve to say they don't discriminate. Yes, yes you do.

( personally, I'd have gone over and sat at a table... and I too am a large person...What are they going to do, move me? can't lay hands on me, worst they could do is call the police and say what...? We seated her in inadequate seating and she refused to stay there? )

Hanna · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2019, 08:27:05 pm »

That’s horrendous caroled. I usually don’t like to see the ire of the Internet com down upon people, but this business deserves massive blowback for treating anyone this way.

caroled · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2019, 10:34:47 pm »

Quote from: Hanna on July 08, 2019, 08:27:05 pm

That’s horrendous caroled. I usually don’t like to see the ire of the Internet com down upon people, but this business deserves massive blowback for treating anyone this way.

You could read the pain and humiliation in her posts...and she uses the word humiliated to describe the situation. She said this is a restaurant they have enjoyed for the last 30 years and have never had this issue.
I've always had the opposite circumstances... 25+ years ago, I recall going into an Olive Garden, my first time ever, in a group of 6, and the host discreetly leaned in and asked would I prefer a chair with no arms. I know some people looking to be offended would have automatically thought the hostess was pointing out my size, but quite the opposite. He was being solicitous of my comfort. It was unnecessary but greatly appreciated

DaDancingPsych · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2019, 08:23:27 am »

caroled, presents a fine example of why it is smart for a restaurant to honor seating requests. It is mentioned that this friend has been enjoying this establishment for 30 years, so I imagine that they have been seated differently previously. This policy change could really cause them some lost business. I would not have faulted friend to say, "Since you are unable to accommodate us in a table that we can sit at, then we will be canceling our order."

Contrarian · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2019, 04:07:24 pm »

In this circumstance, I would consider this to f under the, I don’t want to say medical requirement but it falls into the same category. I hope that’s not offensive but I believe it’s not a preference but a need.

I also think requests should be accommodated as much as possible but when there is a need there’s not question.

My initial question stemmed from the fact that I often eat alone and, therefore, am often first offered a seat at the bar or a high top.

I’m very short. I can function at a high top, but it’s uncomfortable. The bar is twice as bad because it’s high, and it invites conversation. I’m glad the bar invites conversation! I think it’s great for people looking for some human interaction, I just would prefer to read.

So I usually will say, “it’s just me, can I sit anywhere but a high table?” But I’m often told no, despite a restaurant with plenty of available 2 seaters.

I hope the restaurant is ashamed to lose a customer of 30 years. Is it a new owner, I wonder.

caroled · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2019, 05:58:19 pm »

Quote from: Contrarian on July 11, 2019, 04:07:24 pm

In this circumstance, I would consider this to f under the, I don’t want to say medical requirement but it falls into the same category. I hope that’s not offensive but I believe it’s not a preference but a need.

So I usually will say, “it’s just me, can I sit anywhere but a high table?” But I’m often told no, despite a restaurant with plenty of available 2 seaters.

I hope the restaurant is ashamed to lose a customer of 30 years. Is it a new owner, I wonder.

A commenter used the term "differently abled", but trust me when I say, this friend would not be offended for you to say medical requirement, because for some people it is. In her review she starts off by saying "Fat people, you are not welcome to sit at ******…..
Fat is just a descriptive word to some. The real issues come when others use it to treat you (general) as being less than human and undeserving of dignity or compassion or simple human kindness.

GardenGal · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2019, 08:35:12 pm »

Quote from: Contrarian on July 11, 2019, 04:07:24 pm

In this circumstance, I would consider this to f under the, I don’t want to say medical requirement but it falls into the same category. I hope that’s not offensive but I believe it’s not a preference but a need.

I also think requests should be accommodated as much as possible but when there is a need there’s not question.

My initial question stemmed from the fact that I often eat alone and, therefore, am often first offered a seat at the bar or a high top.

I’m very short. I can function at a high top, but it’s uncomfortable. The bar is twice as bad because it’s high, and it invites conversation. I’m glad the bar invites conversation! I think it’s great for people looking for some human interaction, I just would prefer to read.

So I usually will say, “it’s just me, can I sit anywhere but a high table?” But I’m often told no, despite a restaurant with plenty of available 2 seaters.

I hope the restaurant is ashamed to lose a customer of 30 years. Is it a new owner, I wonder.

I was just going to post about this! I'm also short, which I love, but I cannot sit at a high table. My legs are just too short and I can't comfortably wrangle myself into a seat. DH and I ate at a very nice casual restaurant a couple of years ago. The food was great, the ambience was nice, out server was a peach. However, they only had high tables. I really wanted to try their food (the buffalo chili was delicious), but it was the most uncomfortable meal I've ever had, and obviously we never went back, which I would definitely have done if they had regular tables.

Jayhawk · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2019, 12:34:28 pm »

Quote from: GardenGal on July 11, 2019, 08:35:12 pm

Quote from: Contrarian on July 11, 2019, 04:07:24 pm
In this circumstance, I would consider this to f under the, I don’t want to say medical requirement but it falls into the same category. I hope that’s not offensive but I believe it’s not a preference but a need.

I also think requests should be accommodated as much as possible but when there is a need there’s not question.

My initial question stemmed from the fact that I often eat alone and, therefore, am often first offered a seat at the bar or a high top.

I’m very short. I can function at a high top, but it’s uncomfortable. The bar is twice as bad because it’s high, and it invites conversation. I’m glad the bar invites conversation! I think it’s great for people looking for some human interaction, I just would prefer to read.

So I usually will say, “it’s just me, can I sit anywhere but a high table?” But I’m often told no, despite a restaurant with plenty of available 2 seaters.

I hope the restaurant is ashamed to lose a customer of 30 years. Is it a new owner, I wonder.

I was just going to post about this! I'm also short, which I love, but I cannot sit at a high table. My legs are just too short and I can't comfortably wrangle myself into a seat. DH and I ate at a very nice casual restaurant a couple of years ago. The food was great, the ambience was nice, out server was a peach. However, they only had high tables. I really wanted to try their food (the buffalo chili was delicious), but it was the most uncomfortable meal I've ever had, and obviously we never went back, which I would definitely have done if they had regular tables.

I'm not short - but I am older and overweight. I do not like high tops and when asked, I tell the server no. I've never had a problem with being seated at a regular table or booth, though.

gmatoy · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2019, 03:17:12 pm »

I have been reading this with interest, as DH and I went out for breakfast recently, to a well known chain. They started to seat us at a table with chairs and DH said, "My wife has back issues, could we sit at a booth?"

The hostess immediately stopped, surveyed the room and asked if we "would be okay at that booth, once she got it wiped down?"

I always feel funny asking for a different table, but with my back issues, and the fact that I too am short . . . I just need to ask. (And get over the embarrassment.)

accountingisfun · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2019, 08:14:36 am »

I had the opposite problem for a little while. I had a hip issue that made it uncomfortable to sit in a normal chair or booth too long (more than an hour). If I did, there would be significant pain in standing again and I would have problems with the one leg supporting me while I hobbled out of the restaurant. I had to ask to sit at a high top so I could basically shift from sitting to standing throughout the meal so I would be comfortable. My husband hates sitting at a high top, but for a month he had to deal with it so I could sit then stand then sit as much as I needed to. Most restaurants had no problem with my request if they had a high-top available and we were rarely in a hurry so we didn't mind waiting at all. We were always kind about it, patient about having to extend our wait, and that helped quite a bit - especially when we said it was a medical issue.

I'm sorry for the OP who had someone be judgmental and rude about the seating. I find that people are judgmental about weight when they are understanding of other medical issues, and that is really sad. Weight is not a moral issue.

Raintree · « **Reply #25 on:** August 19, 2019, 01:54:41 am »

In response to the OP's question, I go out for a meal to have a great experience, not to satisfy the fairness of seating arrangements for the server's benefit. I have asked to be moved to a better table before. I would never be rude about it. In the most recent case, it was a rare family celebration, we had reservations, and then it turned out we were seated right next to the live performer (we hadn't realized there would be live music) and with my mother's hearing problems, there was no way she would be able to hear the conversation. None of us were really able to hear over the music without shouting. It really would have ruined a special occasion for us. We asked to be moved further away from the performer and where we were moved to was much better. I'd have been annoyed if that request had been denied due to some internal need to divvy up the customers in a way that benefits servers equally. I guess they had decide to put the next two groups in the noisy section to even it out a bit, but that is the host or manager's problem to deal with.

TootsNYC · « **Reply #26 on:** August 19, 2019, 11:18:08 am »

Quote from: jpcher on July 06, 2019, 10:28:24 am

AND! It was right next to the kitchen doors. Possibly the worst table in the house.

It dawned on me. Oh, it's because we have children with us, isn't it.

The food was really good. The ambience not so much, with the doors opening often, hearing the noise from the kitchen, waitstaff passing our table, etc. It felt like we were put in the corner because we were 'bad'. We didn't stay for dessert and never went back again.

Now I do understand the fear of unruly children in a restaurant but putting us in the corner when 1/2 the restaurant was empty? Putting us at a table maybe a few away from the rest of the diners would have been acceptable.

P.S. We dined out often with the girls since they were infants, so they grew up knowing restaurant etiquette. Our server commented on how well behaved they were and actually looked at both of them and said "It was my pleasure to serve you."

The thing is, all that distraction might have made it actually harder for your little kids to focus and to be involved with the meal.

My pastor got me to sit up front with my little kids, and they were MUCH better behaved, and my oldest actually got involved in the liturgy, etc. "It makes them feel like they're part of things, when they can see, and they feel close to the action."

TootsNYC · « **Reply #27 on:** August 19, 2019, 11:20:41 am »

Quote from: Contrarian on July 11, 2019, 04:07:24 pm

The bar is twice as bad because it’s high, and it invites conversation. I’m glad the bar invites conversation! I think it’s great for people looking for some human interaction, I just would prefer to read.

Especially because if you're alone, that will be MORE invite conversation. But you're there for dinner, not for socializing.

Bad Manners and Brimstone

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Author Topic: Restaurant seating (Read 3105 times)

caroled

Re: Restaurant seating

Hanna

Re: Restaurant seating

caroled

Re: Restaurant seating

DaDancingPsych

Re: Restaurant seating

Contrarian

Re: Restaurant seating

caroled

Re: Restaurant seating

GardenGal

Re: Restaurant seating

Jayhawk

Re: Restaurant seating

gmatoy

Re: Restaurant seating

accountingisfun

Re: Restaurant seating

Raintree

Re: Restaurant seating

TootsNYC

Re: Restaurant seating

TootsNYC

Re: Restaurant seating