Message Boards

I had just commented to my DH how nice it was to see so many young children at our favorite restaurant early on last night. The place was close to full of young families enjoying supper.
A corner booth 3 away from where we were eating turned over with a couple and 2 kids about 4 & 7 y/o. Dad left the kids coat lying in the middle of the aisle floor, he gave the little boy a $1. to go up to the counter and ask for quarters, and then I heard a nasty word over a speaker phone coming from his table. Once, twice and if another I'm gonna go say something.
Bingo, the guy on the other end uttered S--T! I got up, walked over, spotted a phone lying in front of Dad. "Please take that off of loud speaker, I don't have to listen to that kind of language!" "Oh, I'm sorry." Another gentleman dining with his preteen son in the booth next to us nodded, smiled and mouthed me a "thank you" as I returned to my meal.
In my case, it really helped that I had pondered what I would do if this ever happened. Otherwise I might not have done anything while I tried to think it through.
Like the Scouts motto - be prepared!

I'm always unsure of where the boundary of my freedom to enjoy a peaceful meal meets the boundary of another diner's freedom to be obnoxious, so I don't ever say anything. Good for you for being assertive. I'm glad the other diner responded in a civilized manner and didn't curse at you.

Good for you! I would have done the same thing as DH( who would never make a scene) cowered in shame in his seat.

I was in a restaurant seated next to a table of about 10 or so women who were extremely loud. When we were seated, I started to ask to be seated elsewhere, but their dishes were empty. It was obvious that were finished with the meal and just lingering over their last glass of wine. The table was so close that I could touch one of the women without stretching to do so.

While DH went to the restroom, the loudest women starting telling about her sexual exploits across Europe (you do know that Europeans are more sexually open than Americans)...yep I was glad to hear that myself. I looked over at another table - looked to be a mother and 13-14 year old daughter. The daughter had her back to us and was eating. The mother was staring daggers at the table of women.

DH returns to the table and I whispered about the sexual exploits. While we are eating our salad, loudmouth tells a very vulgar joke. No nasty language but it did contain a sex act. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I turned and told them that "you are not in the privacy of your living room...that was totally inappropriate for a public restaurant."

Loudmouth did a "I never! That would never happen in Europe."

I turned to DH slightly mortified, "I can't believe I said that. And I waved my (salad) fork at those women." We whispered while Loudmouth was loudly complaining about me.

They got up...left. The mother at the other table smiled at me and started eating.

Someone appeared at my elbow and said,"I hope you enjoy your meal." I thought it was a waiter and looked up. It was one of the women. I apologized and she said no...that the women did not all know each other but had a common friend. And I was correct...that joke was totally inappropriate and she wished us a good evening.

I STILL can't believe I snapped like that. At least I didn't draw blood. Good thing loudmouth was on the other side of the table or I would've stabbed her with my salad fork!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KeepYouInStitches,

Strong powerful women!!! I hope that both of the "scenerial" people will think twice about their actions the next time. (My bet is, they will.)

Have you seen Silver Linings Playbook? Loved Jennifer Lawrence in it! She exudes power! I don't usually see movies twice, but this one I would!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nance425,