Hi Folks !
This blog will be a departure from my " Petaluma Flashbacks" series. I will be " flashing back" again next blog. This blog is about PET PEEVES while dining out. I have collected these " peeves" over the years from friends and from what we have observed.
But first...I want to stress that Petaluma has some of THE best restaurants one could ever hope to find anywhere !! Carole and I like to eat out a few times a week...it is our "little romantic time out ".
OK...here goes...fasten your seat belts !!
Maybe it is just me...but let me know if the following
observances bother you too...and feel free to contact me with your peeves as well !!
SO...
#1...As you are being shown to your seat by the hostess or waiter, he or she takes the menus and slides them onto each plate at your table. These menus have been handled by many diners and I am sure aren't sanitized after every customer is done reading them. This is especially " fun " at the height of the flu season !
#2...When the waiter or busboy brings your water glass and is holding it at the top of the glass where you will be drinking from and when he refills it , the same action happens.
And by the way...I really am not a " germaphobe" !
#3...As you are being shown to your seat, you see the busboy picking up your silverware to bring it to your table and holding it on the end you will be
eating from.
#4...The rag that has wiped off a 150 table tops already that day...is used to wipe off your table and then...your silverware is immediately placed on the wet and still "dirty" surface...right next to your napkin.
#5...I have observed this one in many delicatessens !
The person who is making your sandwich stops to go to the cash register to take money from a customer...then...goes back to making your sandwich. ( this is without washing hands or changing the rubber gloves )
HOW AM I DOING ??
#6...And lastly...this one REALLY bugs me !
You are going out to a wonderful restaurant to have a nice quiet night out with your "date". Your gal is a FOX...You go into the restaurant with your " fox" and
the owner or waiter immediately spots your "date"...
suddenly, this person becomes your "best friend" for the evening ! He holds your "date's" chair, helps her off with her coat, puts the napkin in her lap (looking DEEP in her eyes the entire time) smiling broadly and talking to her the entire time but totally ignoring you , of course. He finally leaves...but just for a minute...he is back with who knows what...just to keep the "contact" alive. At this point , the man , who is paying the $75 to $100 for this " nice quiet romantic"evening, is ready to kill the "intruder" !!!
When you are spending that kind of money, you dont need..."Welker, a party of three" !!
I will be doing my "Petaluma Flashbacks" again next blog.

BON APETIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!