My parents invited my wife and me out for dinner at a nice restaurant to celebrate my birthday. Since my wife was going to be in the part of town where the restaurant was located with her girlfriend “Anna” to attend an art fair anyway, Anna agreed to drive her to the fair. Afterwards they planned to arrive early at the restaurant to share a drink together at the bar, and then Anna was going to leave so that my parents, wife and I could dine together. Then, of course, my wife and I would drive home together.
As it turned out, my wife and Anna arrived later than expected, just before our dinner reservations were set. They had just ordered their drinks when I arrived at the restaurant where I met my parents in the lobby. My wife and I told Anna that she could sit at our table until she finished her drink. At first she declined, but then accepted when I told her that it would be okay until she was done with her beverage. As it turned out, Anna remained at the table after finishing her drink, browsing the menu. I whispered to my wife, “I thought she was going to leave?”
My wife responded, “She’s going to order something to go first.”
Time went by and Anna didn’t order any food to go. When she left to go to the restroom, I asked my wife when Anna was going to leave. My wife said that she was going to stay and dine with us, but that she would be paying for her own meal. I was furious, and told my wife that it was rude to invite someone else when it was my parents who gave us the invitation so that we could enjoy an evening with them.
I left the table, met Anna as she left the restroom, and politely explained to her that the agreement was that she was going to leave after she finished her drink. I also explained that my parents had invited my wife and me as an opportunity for us to be together as a family. She seemed to understand and said she’d depart.
When I returned to the table I told my wife what I had told Anna. She was shocked and left to speak with her. After a while my wife returned and stated that she was leaving. Soon afterwards Anna came to the table to say good-night and she wished me a happy birthday.
That was a birthday celebration that I’d just as soon forget.
Tagged as:
couple's spat
My wife and I were having a quiet dinner together at a nice restaurant. That is, until our pleasant tête-à-tête was rudely interrupted by the bellows from a couple sitting nearby. They were apparently drunk to the gills, and oblivious to the ill will their behavior was engendering among other diners. When it was apparent that restaurant staff was going to ignore the matter, I approached the manager and informed him that the couple’s behavior was ruining the dining experience for others. He went to their table, whereupon the couple berated him, stating that they had the right to be there since they were paying customers. The manager walked away and the couple continued on with their tirades (much of it against each other). Eventually a police officer arrived and told them they had to leave. The couple seemed stunned and angered by his order, but complied anyway. As they were departing, everyone in the restaurant started applauding.
Tagged as:
alcohol,
couple's spat,
owner/manager,
police
My wife and I were on vacation in the Caribbean. We were eating in a nice restaurant by the beach, enjoying a leisurely dinner. For reasons I can’t remember, we got into an argument and she ended up leaving the restaurant. Unfortunately, I had left my wallet in my hotel room and therefore had no means to pay for our meals. I explained the situation to the waiter. The waiter, who was previously amiable, suddenly turned stern. He said he’d discuss the matter with the owner. The owner came to the table and grilled me about what happened and where I was staying, and asked for my name. He abruptly left me alone, facing my thoughts and the stares of other diners. Thoughts of spending the night in jail filled my head. I considered offering to wash dishes in the kitchen if the police arrived.
After about 15 awkward minutes, the owner returned and told me that I could go back to my hotel to get some money, but that I’d have to leave my watch as collateral. Happy to be released, I still faced the task of hiking a couple of hot and humid miles to the hotel since my wife had driven us to the restaurant. I found her sleeping when I finally go to the room. Long story short: I paid the bill to the ungrateful owner, got my watch back, and eventually forgave my wife.
Harried Hubby
Tagged as:
couple's spat,
owner/manager,
server
