Would you have left?
By firecracker
@sacmom (14192)
United States
May 8, 2011 4:18am CST
I took my youngest to his favorite restaurant yesterday. We would have taken the food to the park that was nearby, but as it was a bit chilly outside we decided to eat inside of the restaurant.
The restaurant is small, but the only bench inside was available. So we ordered our food outside and went inside to wait for our order. As we waited a couple of people came in. They were talking to each other about how they were there for some sort of meetup. Anyway, out of the blue one of them said to me "It's going to get crowded in here. Could you leave?"
Needless to say, I was shocked...at first. I was like "Huh?" I guess my facial expression gave me away (it usually does LOL) and another person from the meet spoke up and told her I could stay. I didn't say anything to either of them. However, after the initial shock wore off (which only took a couple of seconds) I was glad the second person said something, because had they not, I would have spoken up, and I probably wouldn't have been so nice. After all, the first person was downright rude. Although they did put the words in a question form, it was more like a command. How could this person, who I've never even met before, be so heartless to want to send my son and I out into the cold? It's wasn't our fault that they wanted to hold their meeting there. Nor was it our problem. Not to mention we had been there first, so why should we have to be the ones to leave? So, I just continued to sit at the bench with my son...
More people came in. Before long, the meetup was in full swing. My son and I ate right there in the restaurant. I would have stayed longer than I usually do, just to spite that rude person, but unfortunately my husband and oldest son were waiting for me to get home. LOL I did however order some more food for my husband and oldest after I had finished my meal (which I had already planned to do before I even got there) which only added fuel to the fire. Because when my son and I were finally ready to go, the woman spoke to me one last time and asked, or rather said in a sarcastic tone, "You're leaving?"
I didn't even bother to respond to that! LOL
Has anything like this happened to you? What happened? Did you leave or did you stay? And if nothing like this has ever happened to you, what do you think you would have done?
15 people like this
52 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 May 11
Wow, are you serious? No way would I have moved, and even though like you, I probably wouldn't have said anything, but my glare would be enough to let that woman know how I felt...Since it sounds like it was some kind of business meeting where they didn't want to be overheard, I think they picked a poor place to get together..If this is how they work, hopefully next time someone will say something like, "This is a public place, I don't have to leave!!!" Poor planning on their part, that is for sure...
3 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
8 May 11
Yep, I'm very serious.
By the sound of it, it wasn't a business meeting. I think it was more of an online thing where people who share a particular interest meet up. I'm pretty sure I've heard of it before and even signed up for a couple of different ones a few years ago, although I've never been to one. Well, not purposely anyway. LOL
This restaurant is definitely a hot spot. And apparently some of them knew that so they should have known better than to go there, especially on a cool day where others would want to be indoors.
Happy mylotting!
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 May 11
That is crazy and if I were you and didn't have to leave, I would have stayed as long as I wanted, and would have glared at the woman who was so rude..Well, maybe not, but still, I can't believe she said this, and it wasn't even a business meeting..
1 person likes this
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
8 May 11
Hello Sacmom.
You did very well not to leave and it was probably better for your youngest son not to hear you curse them for being so rude.
If they wanted the restaurant for a meeting of one sort or the other and to have it up all to themselves they should have rented the place for the day before hand not try and kick out the other PAYING customers.
It's good that you took your time, i probably would have done the same and if it hadn't been for your beloved and other kid waiting at home, probably ordering more food and staying longer would had been just what they deserved for being so impolite.
It is sad to hear that people have this tendency to be mean to their kind, makes me think that sometimes we are worse then animals.
3 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
10 May 11
That probably would have been a better choice for their meetup, but apparently they had wanted to eat at this restaurant. Can't say I blame them. The food there is really good! LOL
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
9 May 11
Who said I would have cursed?
I don't think that would have been possible for them to have rented it out. At least not at this restaurant. They don't operate that way.
Oh, and some may just be worse. But it definitely doesn't apply to all...does it?
1 person likes this
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
9 May 11
They should have gone to Coco's or Denny's. Both have meeting rooms. Both are reasonably priced. Neither cares if you only order coffee. My dad used to be in the Lyons and the breakfast meeting were always held at Coco's.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160697)
• United States
30 May 11
It would just depend on how I felt that day as to whether or not I left. If they want to have a meeting in a restaurant they need to get it approved in advance, at least we do where we live. I would have definitely told management that I did not appreciate this, and if I was alone without my kid to see my bad example, I would have probably said "No, I like your company so well I am going to stay awhile."
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Jun 11
Hahaha! I love that!
Yep, it definitely depends on how I feel too. And lucky for her I was feeling pretty darn good that day! LOL
Happy mylotting!
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
8 May 11
First and foremost, did they reserve the area? If it wasn't so, then they don't have the right to tell you to leave.
Further, I would have probably said something even if the second person have said something already. I would let them know that they can't do that to anyone. I would have certainly bitten his/her ear off!
3 people like this
@tjburcham (690)
• United States
9 May 11
That's crazy. Yes and I acted just as you did. Sometimes it's not worth talking to people like that. They are self centered and it wouldn't have made a difference in their little minds. My husband on the other hand would have made a big scene. Embarrassing everyone. Sometimes I like that about him.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
17 May 11
My husband's just the opposite. He hates making a big scene. However, I think he would have made an exception in this case as he wouldn't have put up with someone like that! LOL
Happy mylotting!
@Dday50627 (359)
• United States
1 Jun 11
Well, here I go... lol. I would have stayed as long as I could anddddddd would have got on my cell phone and called a few friends to join me with thier children. I admit I would have also used some colorful metaphor to tell her what I thought of her statement.
On a lighter side, I Knew it had to be a female because the truth is, I would NEVER, as a male, ask such "eye=candy" as You to leave anywhere! ;)
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Jun 11
Hehe! Thanks!
That's a great idea. Though if I'd call anyone it would have to be my hubby. If he and our oldest would have joined us, things would have turned out rather interesting, that's for darn sure! LOL
Happy mylotting!
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
8 May 11
I would probably been a bit more vocal than you were and would have made some very snarky response. I would also have instigated a loud conversation with my son regarding the rudeness of some people. However I would have done exactly what you did by extending my stay just to annoy the rude person.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
8 May 11
Oh, I have my days. Yesterday just wasn't one of them.
Happy mylotting!
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
9 May 11
lol =D I have never been in that situation in my life! IF i'm in one, i would have STAYED on til they all leave before me!! lol =D Maybe i would arrange my own meet ups, get all my friends to turn up at the resturant.. lol =D If my group is larger than theirs, then i will ask them politely, "Can u guys leave?"
That person is just too rude to tell u to leave, when they have no right to do so. IF they are the management of the resturant, all the more they can't do that. IF they are just customers, then all the more u can ignore them.. haha =D
1 person likes this
@moonchild1au (6237)
• Australia
8 May 11
I have never had this happen to me but I am the type of person who would not so politely tell them where to go...i am glad that you stood your ground as you had just as much right to be at the restaurant as everyone else...there was no need for that person to be so rude...a nice way would have been just to warn you that there was a heap of people expected to be there like..."just a warning, it's gonna get crowded here as there is a meeting to be held" that would have sufficed.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
8 May 11
I agree, that would have been a lot better than what she said! LOL
I like what my husband told me earlier. He told me had it happened to him, he would have said something in the lines of "If you would have asked nicely I might have left, but since you were so rude about it I'm not going anywhere!"
And here's a shocker. He usually doesn't do things like that! LOL
I have to say, that thought did cross my mind. But it wasn't necessary. I did what I thought was best and ignored her instead! LOL
Happy mylotting!
1 person likes this
@dont_pick_your_nose (2279)
• Australia
8 May 11
That is so rude!! I cannot believe they had the nerve to say that to you when your with your son of all people. There is a lack of respect for fellow individuals that disappoints me in alot of people these days. Everyone is in such a rush, or just to ignorant to accept that not everything is about them. That people sont owe them anything and karma will send that disrespect back there way 3fold.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 May 11
Hell no I wouldn't have left. If there was a smaller table, and if they asked me politely if I would mind moving to it, that would be different.
I did have the one time I was at Dairy Queen, and there were 4 of us, and we had a table for 3, soon as a couple got up from their table, I grabbed a chair from it. This woman who had not been waiting as long as us got real nasty about it, but I just sat down on the chair and ignored her.
1 person likes this
@leateagee (3667)
• China
8 May 11
That person is rude. But I would do the same thing you did. Sometimes I just don't mind people who are rude, I would pretend not hearing them at all. You know if we would entertain all rude people, they will just ruin our day. These people are good at being rude but they seem not knowing they can iritate someone so just pretend deaf.
If these same exact situation happened to me, I won't leave at all. Still pretend I don't undertand nor hear them. I have the right to be there so I'll let them look for another place. hahahah ....
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
10 May 11
That's great advice. If anything like that ever happens to me again I'll just pretend to be deaf! LOL
Happy mylotting!
@apickett (123)
• United States
29 May 11
Oh my gosh!! That was just down right rude and uncalled for of that person. If it would have been me, I definitely would NOT have left either. I would have said "Excuse me, but I am staying here. Now, if you would like to leave then that's fine with me." I would have also told the manager about this person. Wow, the nerve of some people!
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
8 May 11
My sister and I had an experience like that....it was at a nice restaurant...and they were getting a big group so they tried to hurry us out...if they had wanted us to hurry I wish they would have said something before we ordered...we would have left without eating there! I was very upset...
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
11 May 11
That's terrible!
It's bad enough when a customer tries to rush another customer out, but the staff?!? That can't be good for business at all.
So, did you wind up filing a complaint, or what?
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
10 May 11
I can't picture being in a place where there is so little seating that you can't have a meeting and have a few other people sitting around too. I think that if I would have been there, I probably would have said some choice words that might have made me look bad and depending on the reaction to that, I would have left. There is no reason for people to be very rude and if that is their solution to everything, then I feel sorry for the. I don't think I have ever been in that specific situation, but I think you handled it quite well!
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
18 May 11
Thanks daeckardt!
The restaurant isn't a typical restaurant. The majority of the seating is outdoors. Customers like myself don't mind it this way as we would rather eat at the park anyway. That is, when the weather is nice enough to do so...
Happy mylotting!
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
18 May 11
I guess that makes sense. If it was a bit chilly, then you probably wouldn't want to eat outside. I think that the other people should have taken into consideration that you were there first and even if they knew it was going to get crowded, they shouldn't have asked you to leave.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
9 May 11
If it was a day like today i probably would have been snarky and asked what right they had to ask me to leave. I'm a customer there just as they are so they could just suck it up and leave me alone. I'd probably have been tempted to call a friend to join me as well!
In this case...i've never had anything happen to me like that. Ive been waiting by construction (they were parked on my driveway) and had the guy ask me why i dont just go home instead of sitting there...and been able to point out that i cant because they are blocking my driveway...if they would move i COULD go home. they moved pretty fast as they technically arent allowed to block people's residences!
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
10 May 11
It's funny you said that because my son and I did just that!
Happy mylotting!
@epicure35 (2814)
• United States
9 May 11
The comment was both rude and ridiculous. At a public restaurant anyone is free to eat and, unless this was the type of place where the room could be reserved, it's still "first come, first served". I do not know from your description if this was a fast food place or a more upscale restaurant that would have a manager you could have spoken to in order to see if the place was reserved for a meeting.
Given the circumstances, of course you did the right and expedient thing by staying. I hope you enjoyed your meal!
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
29 May 11
She's so rude~
You should just say that she is the one who should leave that place. I will say so if I were at your place. But sometimes if we just ignore and not say even one word or staring at them, they should know what's that exactly mean. I never been in that situation before but I surely know what to do if anyone ever try to did that to me.LOL
1 person likes this