They Shouldn’t Just Leave The Restaurant, They Should Leave The Country

An elderly couple and their mid-thirties son come in during the peak of dinner service. They don’t speak much English, so the son does most of the talking. They point at a booth that has a family at it, mid-way through their meal.

Customer: *Speaking on behalf of his parents.* “They’d like to sit at that table.”

Me: “Uh, this one?”

Customer: “Yeah.”

Me: “With the family at it?”

Customer: “Yes, they want that table.”

Thinking it might be a language barrier; I offer them a different booth. They get irritated and say, pointing at the family:

Customer: “That one!”

Me: “I mean you’re welcome to wait for it, they could be another thirty to sixty minutes, especially if they get dessert.”

They’re actually outraged. I’m busy so I just overlook that whole interaction, pick up some menus, and say:

Me: “I’ve got a booth for you just over here.”

I start walking toward it but they just mumble amongst themselves before following me and sitting down. I go to get them water for the table, and I’m startled by the son standing behind me at the bar.

Customer: “Mother is very upset she can’t have that booth. She is insisting.”

Me: “Man, I don’t know what’s happening here but there’s a family enjoying their meal at that table. I have no idea why anyone would expect me to move them but it’s not happening.”

Customer: “She’s outraged and threatening to go somewhere else.”

Me: “I think they should, sorry man. Have a good night.”

Customer: “If you treated them this way back in our country you would be in prison.”

Me: “Well this is America and that family in that booth is entitled to it more than you are since they were there first.”

The family storm out. I don’t know who they are or how important they are in their own country but that s*** doesn’t fly in my restaurant!