# Do restaurants try to "hide" ugly or unattractive customers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 7, 2015, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023 "2015-04-07T05:10:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/61 "2015-04-08T22:40:51Z")
IMHO, that’s truly gracious service. On the other hand, if those bike trails are frequently used, and there are few other establishments nearby, they may be used to having sweaty bicyclists come in for dinner. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/62 "2015-04-09T00:52:44Z")
I think that if somebody looks like too big a freak, the restaurant will say that they are all full up, with a 5-hour wait, or some such. I used to be a host at a high end restaurant; one time, I, for some unknown reason, seated a guy who was dressed as if he had just changed a transmission, or welded a few oil wells together. This was limited seating, so he sat with the normal run of wealthy individuals. The hostess raised cain, but, the manager-owner didn’t complain. Especially, when the customer paid his $800 tab. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/63 "2015-04-09T04:46:29Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > You went out to dinner with a friend and I assume you did so to spend time with your friend and enjoy his/her company. Why does it matter where you were seated as long as it didn’t detract from your ability to enjoy your company? We had a wonderful time. But if we were seated where we were seated, out of sight and out of mind, just based on personal appearance, than I have a problem with that. If I wanted to eat in the broom closet, I would have made the request of the hostess. > [@](#): > > Oh. Well why didn’t you say so in the first place? Let us know the next time you go out and we’ll alert the media so you don’t waste another outfit. 😉 I really appreciate that, I really do. The problem is the last thing I need is for the other patrons to see the riff-raff from this message board approaching my table, which would definitely give the mistaken impression that I might be uncool. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/64 "2015-04-09T04:48:25Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > There was a bit of an uproar about this internationally a couple of years ago when it was revealed that: > > [Guests at Paris restaurants are seated following a strict appearance policy](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2489691/French-restaurant-group-seat-guests-according-good-looking-are.html) HAH!!! Theres a couple of posters who owe me an apology for at the very LEAST bringing up a suspicion, methinks. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/65 "2015-04-09T05:08:24Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I’m pretty sure if a chain restaurant had a policy of “Hide the ugly people” it would soon turn into a PR nightmare for them as the Muckrakers would have a field day with it. “Muckrakers?” WTF is that? Sounds like one of those trendy overpriced burger joints that think the zany crap on the walls qualifies them as “_avant garde_.” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/66 "2015-04-09T05:31:57Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > We had a wonderful time. But if we were seated where we were seated, out of sight and out of mind, just based on personal appearance, than I have a problem with that. If I wanted to eat in the broom closet, I would have made the request of the hostess. I find myself doubting that you would. After all, you (presumably) wanted to eat in the main dining area and you didn’t request THAT of the hostess. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/67 "2015-04-09T10:46:34Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > “Muckrakers?” > > WTF is that? Sounds like one of those trendy overpriced burger joints that think the zany crap on the walls qualifies them as “_avant garde_.” [Here ya go…](http://lmgtfy.com/?q=define+muckraker) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/68 "2015-04-09T13:45:35Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > We had a wonderful time. But if we were seated where we were seated, out of sight and out of mind, just based on personal appearance, than I have a problem with that. If I wanted to eat in the broom closet, I would have made the request of the hostess. But…why? Did the waitress ignore you? Did you not get your food on time? I really don’t get it. I mean I get dressed up quite often to go out, too. I am dressed nicely today because we are going out to lunch. Oh, it is a casual lunch, but I wanted to wear a skirt. But it’s not “to be seen”. It’s because I wanted to look nice for myself! As long as the waiter pays attention to me I don’t care about anyone else at all. ---
**Author:** ![MsJinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@MsJinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsJinx)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/69 "2015-04-09T21:02:16Z")
Last night at a restaurant the two of us were led to a booth at the back of a restaurant. I hadn’t scoped out the other diners as we passed through, but after sitting down I noticed that the other couple nearby were elderly, another couple was then seated behind us, also elderly. We are both 60 (but we are a YOUNG 60, I think). I wondered for a minute whether they were shuffling us back there, hoping for a younger image up front. I thought was funny that the older couple across the aisle were both on their smartphones for most of their meal - just like my kids. ---
**Author:** ![Fallen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@Fallen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fallen)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/70 "2015-04-09T21:29:28Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > HAH!!! Theres a couple of posters who owe me an apology for at the very LEAST bringing up a suspicion, methinks. Uhm, I don’t think one can equate a ultra-snooty French restaurant with Carrabbas, but ok. 🙂 I’m sure there are some restaurants that do this, but if it were a common practice, you’d already have heard about it or noticed on your own v. needing to ask. Only after more experimentation or you happen to be good at reading faces and decide to interrogate the manager o(r the person who does the table assignments) will you be able to get an idea whether this happens at the restaurant you visited. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/71 "2015-04-13T11:44:55Z")
The idea that restaurants shuffle ugly customers off to the side is preposterous. I can say this with absolute authority, because _ **I myself** _ am regularly seated off to the side…in the dimly lit section. I have no reason to believe they do this for any other reason except for the one they always give me—_for my comfort_. Why, just the other day, as I was about to sit front end center in the Walmart snack-bar dining area, the nice cashier rushed over to me and said, _“sir, wouldn’t you be more comfortable over there next to the wall, behind the trash can?”_ She then took me by the arm and briskly escorted me to that fine table. And she was right, I was very comfortable there—it was a little smelly with the overflowing garbage in the can, but very ambient and relaxing indeed. I’ve even been asked if I wouldn’t be more comfortable off to the side when I’ve sat down at tables of friends who’ve arrived earlier. I have no doubt that they choose particularly dimly lit tables for me because my thick glasses must make them believe I have photosensitivity. One place even gave me a big floppy hat and a trench coat to wear—I guess I looked like I was cold! So, I realize many (most?) of you have ugliness issues, and for that you have my sympathy, but please don’t think that’s the reason you’re being shuffled out of view by the wait staff. They are simply attending to their patrons comfort, and I applaud them for that. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/72 "2015-04-13T12:41:33Z")
It does seem like in many cases if they’re nearly full and have one particularly poor table, say by the kitchen door or waitstaff station, the host(ess) tends to send folks there. I don’t sit where I don’t want to sit, so I always refuse that one if it’s offered. But sure as heck, the next group in will be offered that same table. And if they refuse, the next group gets it. Bottom line is they’ll keep offering until somebody takes it. That may be confirmation bias, since I only watch for this little dance \*after \*being offered the “bad” table. Separate comment unrelated to the above: While traveling I eat alone a lot in restaurants all over the US. I’m not bashful about asking for a quiet table with good lighting, or to be in the middle of the hubbub, or whatever I feel like that time. And 95+% of the time it’s accommodated with a smile. Host(ess)es generally have a hard-to-please low-reward job but by and large do it well. Thank you one and all. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/73 "2015-04-13T15:20:08Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > I was in a Carrabba’s tonight… > [@russian\_heel](#): > > I’m one of those go out and “see and be seen” people… Where in Pennsylvania do you live, where Carrabba’s is the place to “see and be seen”? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/74 "2015-04-13T15:51:36Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > Seating people to make a restaurant look fuller from the street is pretty normal in city places, as is putting prettier people in the window, but Carabba’s… …comprises a chain of generic strip-mall islands, right? Not _city_ locations. The decision to go to such a place is generally made before anyone is close enough to look in the windows, and in any case the attendance is reckoned by the surrounding parked cars. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/75 "2015-04-13T21:15:10Z")
Well at least they didn’t throw a tarp over your dining party. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/76 "2015-04-13T21:36:31Z")
There is restaurant in my city that a nice fancy room for it wealthy customers and for those you’re not can go downstairs to eat. . ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/77 "2015-04-14T01:28:54Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > It does seem like in many cases if they’re nearly full and have one particularly poor table, say by the kitchen door or waitstaff station, the host(ess) tends to send folks there. > > I don’t sit where I don’t want to sit, so I always refuse that one if it’s offered. > > But sure as heck, the next group in will be offered that same table. And if they refuse, the next group gets it. Bottom line is they’ll keep offering until somebody takes it. > > That may be confirmation bias, since I only watch for this little dance \*after \*being offered the “bad” table. Well, yeah. Host try to keep a rotation, so if the “bad” table is in section 3 and the waiter in section 3 is due for a new table, they are going to try to get guests into that table so they can move to section 4. Section assignment usually take in to account tough-to-seat tables, but there are a lot of moving parts (for example, guests who throw off the rotation by asking for a seat in a section that isn’t due yet.) A host’s primary allegiance is to the waitstaff, because they are the ones that tip out to the host. If getting that table seated is what will make the server in section 3 happy, they will love heaven and earth to get it seated. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/78 "2015-04-14T04:08:40Z")
In my small hometown, there was a woman who was horribly disfigured (Think an Elephant Man-like disorder). When she would visit local restaurants, many people would leave the restaurant. Despite that, nobody even thought of asking her to leave. So why would just plain unattractive people be put in undesireable areas? Short answer, if your restaurant isn’t chic enough to have a strict dress code it’s not chic enough to keep out ugly customers. ---
**Author:** ![Neem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@Neem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neem)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/79 "2015-04-14T04:29:41Z")
> [@installLSC](#): > > In my small hometown, there was a woman who was horribly disfigured (Think an Elephant Man-like disorder). When she would visit local restaurants, many people would leave the restaurant. What time period are you posting from, 1742? That is a terrible way to behave. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023/80 "2015-04-14T04:35:26Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Where in Pennsylvania do you live, where Carrabba’s is the place to “see and be seen”? Palookaville. If you don’t know where that is, keep harassing me from forum to forum, and that’s where you’ll end up for being a troll, Pal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-restaurants-try-to-hide-ugly-or-unattractive-customers/717023.md?page=5)