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Are dogs becoming the new smoking?

(181 Posts)
M0nica Sat 31-Jan-26 17:15:24

Do you remember back in the 1970,80s, smokers could go anywhere and smoke anywhere, in hospitals. Some wards even had moking areas. Offices, shops, it didn't matter what the situation the smoker smoked. Thank goodness that has ended now,

But I am now beginning to feel like that about dogs. There seems to be no public place that people cannot take their dog, no matter how much other people may not like it.

Today we went out to lunch. We went to our local branch of The Lounge group. The lounge was full and as we waited for a table to clear, three tables of people walked out, all accompanied by dogs, 5 in all. I then saw the waitress picking up dog drinking bowls and putting them on the dog drinking bowl rack. later I saw another serving staff member stroke a dog with her hands near its mouth.

Staff clearly had had no guidance on touching dogs and serving food. More to the point. Assistance dogs accepted, what are dogs doing in places where food and drink is being sold?

In the past I seem to remember that people did not take dogs in to restaurants and to do so was considered bad form but now it seems to be accepted that dogs can go anywhere regardless of hygiene or the possibility that other people really do not want dogs sniffing around when they are eating.

I am not anti-dog, but I am curious about the way dogs have taken over from smoking as being an activity whose practioners expect to do/take something everywhere regardless of hygiene, other people'ss preferences, or fears. Why are dogs allowed in restaurants?

butterandjam Tue 03-Feb-26 16:55:18

I love dogs, we've always had dogs and still do. At home, they aren't allowed to hang around under the table while we're eating.

They are perfectly happy to stay home alone while we go to the hairdresser or dentist, supermarket or cinema or out for a meal . My dogs never go to restaurants so please don't bring yours.

butterandjam Tue 03-Feb-26 17:05:28

Chocolatelovinggran

...and we do need children, as they grow up and become farmers, bus drivers, doctors, hairdressers etc; which are useful to have.
However wonderful someone's dog might be, it's unlikely to grow to be of use to me if I need a pharmacist.

Choc, if you need a drug dealer, I've met dogs who can easily find one for you.

Our post sorting office employs a full-time drug sniffer dog.

Chocolatelovinggran Tue 03-Feb-26 18:43:01

Thank you for the offer, butterandjam. I'll keep that in mind if the pharmacy closes.

Menopauselbitch Thu 05-Feb-26 11:54:05

Why would I turn away a paying customer just because they have a dog? In the current climate I’d accept an elephant if it meant doing business.

M0nica Thu 05-Feb-26 16:59:11

Menopauselbitch

Why would I turn away a paying customer just because they have a dog? In the current climate I’d accept an elephant if it meant doing business.

But how many customers would this lose you?

I will not be revisiting the restaurant that had more dogs than people and cloths used for dogs bowls were used to wipe customer's tables