Friday, September 9, 2011

Can You Hear Me Now?

ARUGGG. I seldom eat out and have just returned from spending an afternoon with a friend. We were in sore need of a quiet conversation and met for lunch at a restaurant I remembered as quiet and intimate. It was anything but.

We were seated in a too-full room with tables thisclose together, and so noisy we HAD TO SHOUT to be heard the entire time.

I don't raise my voice; this actually strained my throat muscles.
It was unnerving to be shouting personal revelations to one another, even knowing otherwise we wouldn't hear one another, and regardless of whether or not anyone else would hear (there was no way).

Why, oh why, do restaurants insist on concrete and hard floors, blaring TVs, and tables so close together one has to apologize for disturbing other patrons when they are getting to their seats?

Miserable.

Despite the wonderful food, I will never eat there again.

14 comments:

Aloha Acres said...

HATE it when that happens!

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

I'm so sorry. I have had that happen and it sucks.
Because you are looking for the ambiance as well as the company to share it with.
The only thing worse is having a quiet wonderful place and having to listen to others phone conversations!
Happy Weekend.

ReformingGeek said...

I hear you. I also find that to be a miserable experience and I don't get why people continue to go to these places.

Ashling said...

I hope you'll let the restaurant know exactly how you feel & why they are losing your business...

Ms. A said...

Situations like that can suck all the enjoyment right out of you.

e said...

The concept of ambiance has been supplanted by the belief that packing the room is better for the bottom line, apparently. Sorry for the miserable surroundings. That restaurant needs to know why it is losing your business.

Sally Wessely said...

A soothing, warm, comforting ambiance seems to have not been something this place cared enough about to create. I hate these kinds of places also. What a disappointment you must have felt.

Chris said...

It seems to be the popular thing now. I've noticed most of the trendy new places have what I still think of as "city diner" ambience. Another sign that we are no longer the target demographic, I suppose.

Arkansas Patti said...

I don't blame you. I have no volume to my voice so I would have just had to be content to nod.
I'll take atmosphere over quality of food if I have to make a choice.
Better luck next time.

Peruby said...

Greed. That is why they do it. I would look for another place unless this place has food I could die for.

Maybe it is timing - perhaps there is a time when it is quieter.

Katherine said...

I can't remember the last time I was in a restaurant... kinda sad!!! I know what you mean about the noise though, I have been to plenty like that. What happened to wonderful quiet restaurants and intimate conversations... with perhaps a bit of music to cover up everyone's conversations.... I agree!

Carol............. said...

I totally agree with you. When I meet friends (or a friend) for lunch or dinner I hardly want loud background noise disturbing the visit.

Nora Blithe said...

And the exact moment you decide to reveal the results of your Pap smear the whole room goes silent. Been there, done that. I'm with you. I like to catch up with friends in dark corners. Safer that way.

Traci Marie Wolf said...

It's always great when you find yourself in a popular place with great food but the place is empty. It also hardly ever happens.