Julia Altshuler > wrote in
news:KvOfb.688791$uu5.112026@sccrnsc04:

> It happened again tonight. We ate the first part of our meal in
> relative silence since we don't like to talk much as we eat. As we
> were slowing down, we started talking more. Only when we're in the
> middle of spirited conversation does the waiter or waitress come over
> to interupt to ask if everything is alright. I have to take my
> attention away from my dining companions to pay attention to her to
> reassure her that everything is fine. (Or it was fine until I was
> interrupted.)
>
> I was a waitress. I'm trying to be sympathetic to someone who has a
> rough job, but it is getting harder. Is it my imagination, or is it
> rude to walk straight up to people in the middle of conversation to
> interrupt them with some trivial question? Surely if there were
> something wrong, wouldn't that be obvious by the fact that I was
> looking around for the server trying to catch their eye?
>
> Is there a solution? May I explain that I'm in the middle of a
> conversation and don't wish to be interrupted? Would that do any
> good?
> I never take my irritation out on the servers' tip because even I'm
> not that cantankerous and because I know the servers would have no way
> of making the connection between their interruption and the lower tip.
>
> --Lia

You won't change their habits, but you might change their immediate
behavior by telling the waitperson (as you are being served) that you'd
rather not be disturbed while eating, and that you'll let them know if
you need anything during the meal.

Wayne