A terrible person did a terrible thing in a lovely restaurant, and I want to know what our lovely readers think about it.
We’re in Runiccini, a gem of an Italian restaurant in Kilkenny (full review to follow). The service is impeccable and professional: white tablecloths, waiting staff in black and white uniforms. The restaurant is busy and buzzing.
Across from us, a large party are gathered for their post-Christmas office party. The mains are finished. And then, amidst the chatter, a noise brings an abrupt end to all conversation in the building.
Somebody actually whistled to get the attention of the waiting staff. Then, immediately after, another member of the same party shouts loudly: “Oi! Dessert menus here please.”
The waitress is as shocked as the rest of the dumbfounded restaurant. To her credit, she doesn’t refuse service and ask the entire party to leave, which would be a fair and measured response to this obnoxious behaviour. It would be slightly less heinous – although still very, very heinous – if the service had been anything less than attentive and wonderful.
Through gritted, professional teeth, with all the other customers watching in open-mouthed, silent shock, she calmly takes their orders. But the happy, chatty atmosphere of a minute ago is now gone; this is a different place now, and it takes a good ten minutes before people feel comfortable enough to talk again. All except, of course, the obnoxious table, who seem to be having a great evening altogether.
What do you think should have happened to this party? And what’s the most obnoxious behaviour you’ve ever seen from a customer in a restaurant?