My husband & I are 73/69. I let my hair go gray a few years ago. I've always looked 10 years younger and while I love no trips for color & receive compliments on the color, I think it does make me look a little older. He has had 3 back surgeries and 2 strokes in the past 7 years and walks slowly with a cane.
All that to say, I've noticed a shift in how we're treated. At restaurants particularly. Yesterday we arrived at a seaside restaurant just as they were opening for lunch, about 11:30. Another couple walked up just ahead of us. They were seated on the patio at a 4-top with a nice view. The hostess asked if we'd like to sit on the patio. Yes. She sat us by the door against a wall, away from the "view" at a 2-top. I asked for a better table and she was pleasant and accommodating. There were a dozen tables on this patio and only us two couples. Another couple arrived 20 minutes or so later and she sat them at a table with a nice view. No one else arrived before we left. The other two couples were in their 40-50s. Toward the end of our meal, the manager came around and asked each table if their meal was fine. I mentioned the seating to her, saying everyone has been very nice and this isn't the first time this has happened, but it seems as older customers we're given less desirable seats. She said, "You know, I'm getting older and have noticed a difference in how I'm treated sometimes." I told my daughter about it and she said, "That's why when I travel I always eat at the bar, they'll stick single women at the worst table every time." Have you dear Grans noticed this as well?
I just ask to be moved if I'm seated at an unsatisfactory table, or just say No, not there.
I frequently ask in Hotels, restaurants, or tell them if the table is wobbly.
If I pre book a table, I ask if I can have a table in certain areas as well.
Like a few others most places we go to you seat yourself. I will always ask to be reseated though if I'm not happy. Last weekend we went to Zizzi on Saturday. It wasn't very busy but they placed us near the loudspeaker and the music was so loud we couldn't hear each other speak. They moved us away when we asked. When I looked later there was a family with young children sitting there.
Part of the problem is little corners can usually only seat two people, so if there are two of you you're likely to find yourself there.
I like to be near a window where I can see things going on. My friend hates it as people can watch her eating. I hate being near crowds of noisy people so a quiet corner suits me well. Others like to be in the middle of things.
i have travelled alone and with friends and family all over the world in many different places. I expect to be treated properly and usually am, but if they try to direct me to some table near the kitchen or loos, unless the restaurant is totally full I just walk towards a preferred table and say quietly but with determination, no I prefer to sit here. I have only once been asked not to sit at a particular table as someone with a disability needed it and of course that was fine, but in general if you walk in and your body language says "I am a paying customer " you get trated properly.My money is as good as anyone elses and I expect to be treated with respect.
We’ve hardly ever needed to, but we would insist (politely) on another table if we don’t like the one we’re shown to.
In a seaside hotel (a bit Fawlty Towers-ish TBH!) some years ago we came down halfway through the breakfast service, and went to sit by the window, with a sea view. A waitress came and told us quite grumpily that we couldn’t sit at any of the window tables, they were laid up for lunch.
We just told her - in firm but pleasant tones - that we preferred to sit by the window, thanks anyway.
She didn’t argue.
Sad but true. As a gramps have noticed tho inflation in US has been so bad gave up eating out
On quite a few occasions this has happened it is ageism IMO and I do find it very annoying. I don’t like to instructed where to sit and most definitely not by the toilets.
I will request a different table if I’m not happy my DH would sit and say nothing.
We always seem to get stuck by the kitchen door or in a drtaft. Perhaps they are hoping to kill us off.
You made me laugh, BigBertha.
I daresay this happens although I don't go to restaurants now.
On an occasion during the 1990s I was escorting six disabled young adults to a restaurant and was told to leave. My party did did in fact appear to be mentally disabled but each person was behaving respectfully and happily, and looked clean and decent, and each of them could walk and sit down unaided.
Is it true that a restaurant manager has the right to exclude any customer without any credible reason?
It all reminds me of that incident on the film Pretty Woman when she tried to shop at a posh boutique and they asked her to leave because her clothing was inappropriate to the shop's image.
That reminds me of an occasion some years ago. We were going to the Everyman in Liverpool and decided to go for a meal before hand. We went to the nearest hotel straight away we were directed to the bar.
We said we have come here to eat why do we have to go to the bar. The waiter said you will be served there we asked why when the restaurant is half empty. He then said the tables were reserved there were no signs on the tables.
It was getting on so we decided to stay in the bar to have a snack. But when we left I told the waiter that we won't be going back we were dressed perfectly fine but not good enough for their snobby hotel. I deliberately gave the hotel a well deserved negative review.
I've not noticed, but then I rather step in head held high and ask with a big smile for "a nice table for the two of us, for lunch, please" I never get stuck next to the loos unless that really is the only table available and then they explicitely appologise! Attitude, ladies! It does work magic!
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