It was a beautiful 65 degree sunny winter day. My date and I decided to go to an upscale restaurant for my birthday. We knew that they had a breathtaking view of intercoastal waterway located in West Central Florida.
Upon arrival at 2:15 PM in the afternoon we wanted to sit outside on the deck. We were surprised that the restaurant was not busy at all; there was only one other couple sitting at a table. The waitress came up and brought us to our table. However, before we were seated, my date asked if we could sit at the corner table because it was in the sun and it had a better view. We didn’t think this would be a problem since the deck was empty other than for the other couple. To our surprise the waitress said no. We asked why and she replied the table was reserved for five or more people; she then sat us at the table next to the table that we wanted.
The waitress came back to take our order and I asked her again if we could sit at the other table which was in the sun. She said that this was the rule and that she would have to get permission from the manager. She said it might take a while because the manager was busy with other guests. I said fine, we will wait. She asked if we would like to order something and I told her we would wait until we saw what the manager said before we ordered anything.
As we waited my date and I agreed that if we couldn’t sit at the table we wanted, we would just go someplace else. We thought why pay this kind of money if we can’t be comfortable. A few minutes went by and the waitress came back with two women who were introduced to us as the assistant manager and the product coordinator. Once again we asked why we couldn’t sit at the corner table next to us. The assistant manager replied that it was a six top table and that they are reserved for five or more people. I responded by asking her, “Where are they?”
The assistant manager replied, “Where are who?”
“The five or more people,” I replied.
“I DON’T KNOW.”
“Well are they coming or not; if the table is reserved then where are they?”
I could tell that she was getting angry with me. She said back to me in a harsh tone, “This is the rule and the table is for five or more people.”
I looked at my date in shock and said let’s not eat here and she agreed. On my way out I said loud enough for people to hear, “I wonder what the health department would feel about the poor treatment we received here today?”
The assistant manager yelled back, “We just had a health inspection and passed with flying colors.”
I yelled back, “Great, but I hope you go out of business and I’m sure you will being the way you treat people!”
As we were going to the car she yelled out across the parking lot, “GET THE FUCK OFF THIS PROPERTY!”
I yelled back, “VERY PROFESSIONAL. DO YOU TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN LIKE THAT?”
She yelled back, “A MATTER OF FACT, YES I DO, AND I SAID GET OFF THIS FUCKING PROPERTY!”
Meanwhile I noticed about eight of the Red Hat Society women witnessing all of this. My date was appalled; we could not believe this just happened. We were both in shock and were just amazed that we were treated liked this at such a high scale restaurant. To end the story, we went to a fun beach type restaurant where we were treated like royalty.
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