In article >, Wayne Boatwright
> writes:

>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.


Then perhaps one should choose dining at a cafeteria... or choose a high end
multi-star restaurant... at these establishments one will never be interupted.
But if anyone expects no interaction with the hired help at a typical
family-style establishmet then they are nutso.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
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"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."