Being Seated

Last night we went to a restaurant, early in the evening, as is our custom and so the place wasn't that busy. So they take us to our table, a booth against the wall, and stick us into the only available spot left in that section. My question is: how about spreading us out a little bit instead of jamming the 20-30 patrons in there like it was the last subway car on the way to the ballgame? The rest of the place was absolutely vacant.



If they would spread you out you could talk in relative privacy so that the other people around the place wouldn't hear you making fun of them. No - they insist on jamming you in there right next to the loud kid with mashed potatoes on his face and the greatgrandmother who insists on sending every part of her meal back because it's not done right. It's almost like they are load testing the building to see if it will tip over by piling everybody up on the same side.



And they hardly ever ask you where you would like to be seated - they just make you march over there penguin style and stick you in the gap. The rest of the place is wide open, cavernous, the Ponderosa for God sake, so it defies logic, as well as the likely preference of their patrons to congeal them together like they always do. My wife thinks it's because it's easier on the wait staff that way, but heck, who is the server and who is the servee? Can't they walk an extra 10 steps once in a while?



So since this is a new year I am going to be more assertive and ask for wilderness seating when I notice that it's available. The chef has probably sneezed in my chowder already, but I don't need all the additional airborne delights that come with subway seating at dinner time.

BBFN - Fanatticman