I was in a Carrabba’s tonight and despite the main dining area being 3/4 full, me, my wife and a rather lets say heavy-set friend were placed in a side area, out of view of other guests.
The table behind me had some strange older woman who was hacking up her lung every few minutes.
The table in front had an enormously obese fat couple at it, and the guy was dressed in a undersized tee shirt.
Needless to say, I felt slightly offended by being exiled in this cut off dismal part of the restaurant that cut us off from any of the aura that is the excitement of a chain restaurant that is Carrabas. And, before one on you wise-asses spouts off, I would consider me and my wife to look pretty “normal”. Now, I did not take the time to scout out the main dining area, and get a survey of what the crowd looked like there, and I’m fairly certain I am being paranoid that we were sat where we were because of our heavy friend, but there HAS to be some restaurants that segregate customers that are either disturbing looking or unattractive so as to not disturb the other guests, or turn off walk ins, no?
Hearty congratulations on you and your wife’s “Normal” looks. I am so sorry you had to interact and comingle with those of less desirable appearance. Maybe those of us less attractive types should stay home and off the streets to ease your dining experience.
I would hate someone to “walk-in”, see me, and then run in disgust.
I would never run away from a Beauregard Porkypine, whatever it is!
As for the OP, I think you are the cray-cray. I would so prefer the quiet area to the bustling main area, and have often asked for a side table or a booth if I see one is empty.
Besides maybe she thought you were a cute couple who wanted to make out. It’s just as much reason as putting you there because you were ugly! Most likely the waiters out front had their hands full and the one in this section had availability.
I think some higher-end restaurants that attract a celebrity crowd will attempt to seat the boldface names at the more desirable tables. That may mean the ones in front, so the celebrities can see and be seen by others. It may mean the quiet table in the back, so the celebrities can eat unmolested.
But a low-end chain of pseudo-Italian restaurants? The entire restaurant is for the ugly or unattractive people.
I am impressed with how few restaurants even seem to care. I am pretty scruffy at the best of times, I can be disheveled 2 minutes after combing my hair. My work is dusty, dirty, and most of my work clothes have glue and caulking stains. I often eat out at lunch though, after a quick dust off with the blow gun. I also take my dad out for dinner every Wednesday and often do not have time to shower and change before.
It is not like I am eating at Ruth’s Chris all the time, but I hardly have been refused service or huddled into a corner anywhere. About 10 years ago I stopped into an old burger and shake place in the trendy neighbourhood I was working in. It had been around for decades but recently had been converted from the old mom and pop stop to something more trendy, capitalizing the cool old signage and such. The place doesn’t have a lot of tables but there was room. I was quickly greeted and ask if I wanted take out. I didn’t.
I think most restaurants are much more interested in well behaved paying customers than maintaining exclusive clientele. If there are dress requirements those are always posted.
Having worked in several restaurants of Caraba’s quality, I would say no. The hostess tries to assign tables to spread them evenly between servers’ sections. This allows for the best service.
In my opinion you were seated in the section of the next server in the rotation, with no discrimination or forethought as to your appearance.
It’s really difficult to assess your own appearance. Just sayin. Maybe return to the restaurant and send your wife and heavy-set friend in without you. See if they get a primo table.
I find that when I go to the local yuppie sports bar on a Friday for their fajita & margarita special, they’ll walk me past a couple dozen empty tables and seat me clear in the back, rather than out front by all the happy, cheerful, young crowd with the laughing and the drinks and the friends and everything.
I’m still trying to figure out whether this is chance, insulting, or respectful.
Huh, I thought the MO of restaurants was to seat people so that they were visible to onlookers outside. Makes your restaurant look busy or whathaveyou. And I see fat people at restaurants all the time, so I’m guessing you’re being paranoid. Unless your friend was *really *ugly. Or maybe I’m being seated in the ugly section! :o
A couple of insane friends of mine decided to try the local old-school fancy restaurant located on the main drag in town. Although both are heavily tattooed, one is radically pierced, and neither owns any clothing one would think such a place would call for, they were prominently seated in the front window. They decided that even though the food was delicious, they would not return because of this slight.
That’s the usual rule, but I have noticed that when you come in with small children, they’ll often segregate you off in a section with a bunch of other parents. Probably not because you or your children are particularly embarrassing for the restaurant, but because screeching children and other not perfectly behaved children can be bothersome to other patrons, but probably less so to other parents.
Usually, a restaurant isn’t slighting someone by seating them at the front of the restaurant. For most restaurants, those tables are desirable (perhaps because of the view or perhaps because you can see and be seen there).
[QUOTE=FluffyBob]
… My work is dusty, dirty, and most of my work clothes have glue and caulking stains. I often eat out at lunch though, after a quick dust off with the blow gun…
… I was quickly greeted and ask if I wanted take out. I didn’t.
[/QUOTE]
Sounds like they tried their best to hustle you out, actually.
