Went out to dinner for the first time in 3 1/2 months last night

[dafischer]

The Gov. of PA allowed indoor dining to resume on Friday, at a 75% capacity. Our favorite restaurant is just across the Delaware from us, and I was able to get a reservation for us last night. Very low stress visit. Severs, bartender, and kitchen staff all masked. Tables in the bar area where we usually sit were suitably spaced, and number of bar stools was greatly reduced. 1 table out of 3 in the bar was occupied when we got there, and there were two people on the far side of the bar. The other table left shortly after we got there, as did the people at the bar. We had the whole room to ourselves. We each had a wonderful twin lobster tail dinner, and it was pleasant not having to clean up a mess. All in all a great evening out, and we did our part to support a small business. First Ketel and tonic that I didn't make since mid March.

[Sooner or later]

Good for you.

Be sure to tip large. Obscene type levels. At lower capacity their nightly tips will be on the low side.

[Bill Douglas]

Excellent. Sounds like a great evening.

[pwd72s]

Cindy & I ate at a restaurant last night too. I tipped 40%, knowing these people have been out of work a long time.

It's time to start living again...even if it kills me.

[look 171]

I had lunch three weeks ago with a friend when things opened up. The waitress was a bit pissed and there was no one there but us. She came fully face masked and was btiching about the opening and the spread of CV19. We had to call her several time to bring us a simple thing like ketchup for my friend's burger. She brought one little cafe style tiny bag, like the ones from burger stands. When we asked her for a bottle, she refused and said we have to throw it out after we touched it. She put on gloves to pick up our glasses to refill our water. She came by only twice and that was to bring us our food. The second was the ketchup and refill our water. We were disappointed. So we decided to only give her 10%. She barked at us to keep out mask on until we were seated. I hope this btich starve one day. Other then that, I feel pretty damn good eating out again.

[Bigtoe32067]

Dang 10%? I wouldn’t have given her squat and I’d tell her why before I left.
Tony

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by look 171

I had lunch three weeks ago with a friend when things opened up. The waitress was a bit pissed and there was no one there but us. She came fully face masked and was btiching about the opening and the spread of CV19. We had to call her several time to bring us a simple thing like ketchup for my friend's burger. She brought one little cafe style tiny bag, like the ones from burger stands. When we asked her for a bottle, she refused and said we have to throw it out after we touched it. She put on gloves to pick up our glasses to refill our water. She came by only twice and that was to bring us our food. The second was the ketchup and refill our water. We were disappointed. So we decided to only give her 10%. She barked at us to keep out mask on until we were seated. I hope this btich starve one day. Other then that, I feel pretty damn good eating out again.

Agreed. We never ate out much b4 CV and now 3 trips out and service staff on 1 of 3 were rude. Like we were putting them out. Back to 2x week takeout we go.

[!pse203]

Bird and I rode silly two strokes to the waffle house this morning after she hiked and I watched soccer. We've been going there for years and love the regular staff. Tipped bigly - though I wonder how much it helps since their traffic is down 50% +.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Agreed. We never ate out much b4 CV and now 3 trips out and service staff on 1 of 3 were rude. Like we were putting them out. Back to 2x week takeout we go.

Some people are just pissed off at the world. I found them to be younger, urban folks/ punks. They just don't understand there will be no job for them is the econmy goes south no matter how much they protest or kick and scream.

When things were still closed, the 5 of us start our ride at a yogurt / coffee place in So Pasadena. After the ride, food was the utmost important. There's seating outside and I got talking to the owner about the future of her business after cv19 for a bit. We buy few cups of coffee and drop off 30 bucks jsut because she smiles at us even though things are not going well for her but always nice and easy to deal with. She offer us to sit out there as long we practice distancing. So three times a week, we had Baja Fresh after the ride on her outside seating area. It was great. All of us are supporting her store and we take our kids there for ice cream once or twice a week. The Jamba Juice dude screamed at my friend to get out because he didn't have a mask on. Well, we aren't going back there. I drive 5 miles out of the way to get jamba Juice when my kids want it. People just don't think anymore.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by look 171

I had lunch three weeks ago with a friend when things opened up. The waitress was a bit pissed and there was no one there but us. She came fully face masked and was btiching about the opening and the spread of CV19. We had to call her several time to bring us a simple thing like ketchup for my friend's burger. She brought one little cafe style tiny bag, like the ones from burger stands. When we asked her for a bottle, she refused and said we have to throw it out after we touched it. She put on gloves to pick up our glasses to refill our water. She came by only twice and that was to bring us our food. The second was the ketchup and refill our water. We were disappointed. So we decided to only give her 10%. She barked at us to keep out mask on until we were seated. I hope this btich starve one day. Other then that, I feel pretty damn good eating out again.

Imaging that you were told to come into work, knowing that you'd get paid 1/5th your normal rate. Also, some dude in the state capitol said that you had to do an extra 15 minutes of work for EVERY table that you seat, for free. Oh, you also have to do an extra hour or two for opening, and an extra hour or two at closing, for free, above and beyond what you're doing now. All, while having to explain that the menu is 20% higher right now between recovering some of the costs, and the fact that beef has doubled on the market. Oh...all of that while trying to do your job while having to wear a crappy mask 100% of the time that you're in the building, AND those crappy gloves, AND the customers don't need to...and then someone decides to be a btich and only tip 10 percent.

She was following orders because being a "btich" and annoying customers was still better than breaking the rules, getting the place shut down, and being completely jobless.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Imaging that you were told to come into work, knowing that you'd get paid 1/5th your normal rate. Also, some dude in the state capitol said that you had to do an extra 15 minutes of work for EVERY table that you seat, for free. Oh, you also have to do an extra hour or two for opening, and an extra hour or two at closing, for free, above and beyond what you're doing now. All, while having to explain that the menu is 20% higher right now between recovering some of the costs, and the fact that beef has doubled on the market. Oh...all of that while trying to do your job while having to wear a crappy mask 100% of the time that you're in the building, AND those crappy gloves, AND the customers don't need to...and then someone decides to be a btich and only tip 10 percent.

She was following orders because being a "btich" and annoying customers was still better than breaking the rules, getting the place shut down, and being completely jobless.

Mike, remember when you were in school, teachers told you to do what feels good no matter the career? We ALL had to learn to do something we dislike to make a living. We ALL had to work extra hours and take it in the shorts. It all in the attitude no matter how bad, I and many out there try with chin up and keep up the smile. She can always quit and go back to live in mom's house. I am sure she's already doing that. Suck it up and learn your lesson. She's lucky I gave her 10%. My friend was really pissed because she brought one bag of ketchup and didn't not want to tip her. Tip is reward for excellence service. A smile goes a long way. Stop making excuses for these entitled little whiny young people. BTW, her hourly rate hasn't changed. It still the same as before CV19.

[WPOZZZ]

The gf and I would eat out about 5 or 6 times a week pre-covid. Since then, we do about the same, but get takeout and eat in the patio. Our restaurants opened up about 3 weeks ago and we ate out 3 times. Since then, takeout only. It was unnerving to her to have many people sitting near us laughing, yelling and coughing.

[look 171]

I have been riding and drafting off each other within our little group of 5 people. This involve heaving breathing and getting within a foot or two or each other. Ok you get your minds off the gutter. No large group rides yet but other guys are doing it weekly with 30 or more going down the road. I am not convinced and will take that chance yet. Eating out, that's no big deal.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by look 171

Mike, remember when you were in school, teachers told you to do what feels good no matter the career? We ALL had to learn to do something we dislike to make a living. We ALL had to work extra hours and take it in the shorts. It all in the attitude no matter how bad, I and many out there try with chin up and keep up the smile. She can always quit and go back to live in mom's house. I am sure she's already doing that. Suck it up and learn your lesson. She's lucky I gave her 10%. My friend was really pissed because she brought one bag of ketchup and didn't not want to tip her. Tip is reward for excellence service. A smile goes a long way. Stop making excuses for these entitled little whiny young people. BTW, her hourly rate hasn't changed. It still the same as before CV19.

I'm going to have to agree to disagree. I forget that you pay your wait staff better than many states, which makes some difference, but they are still working about twice as hard right now for the same dollar as they were 5 months ago, with the spectre of being laid off at any time right behind them.

[look 171]

There wasn't any other people sitting in the restaurant. The owner was there in the front counter. Many take outs too, so what's the story here? She just dislike her job or it is that she dislike having to out dealing with people that may be infected with CV19? Again, she can always quit and do something else. She getting 14 bucks an hour.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

The gf and I would eat out about 5 or 6 times a week pre-covid. Since then, we do about the same, but get takeout and eat in the patio. Our restaurants opened up about 3 weeks ago and we ate out 3 times. Since then, takeout only. It was unnerving to her to have many people sitting near us laughing, yelling and coughing.

This was what took place around here (DFW area) when the restaurants opened back up - packed house, indoor dining orgies, with people seemingly totally unconcerned; maybe that contributed to the current situation here and in other large Texass cities?

dafischer's experience sounds way more reasonable at least.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by look 171

There wasn't any other people sitting in the restaurant. The owner was there in the front counter. Many take outs too, so what's the story here? She just dislike her job or it is that she dislike having to out dealing with people that may be infected with CV19? Again, she can always quit and do something else. She getting 14 bucks an hour.

The first restaurant we went to was like that. There were only 2 other tables being used in the large restaurant and my gf felt safe. A couple days later we were at the restaurant with the people next to us having a party with 8 of them at a table. They were laughing it up, screaming hysterically and were quite loud. They were finished with their meal when we came in and they stayed until we were about ready to leave. Another restaurant looked like nothing changed from pre-covid days and my gf looked in and walked backed to the car.

Today, I went to get some stuff from a bakery and there was a food court with a bar next door. They were dining and drinking outside and a group of 8 younguns, were elbow to elbow, having a grand old time. Right next to them was a group of 6 late middle aged ladies talking story. No real separation between the groups. Also today, we had a new bunch of covid cases, and 17 of them were the result of attending a funeral.

[look 171]

My family hadn't been to a restaurant yet except for myself and a couple of friends. I am still not taking chances if the resaurant is packed. I only go into them if they are at less then 50% capacity. Outside seating is even better. There are plenty of careless people out there but hey, you gotta to live and not be afraid. Be educated and with caution is what will save you from getting sick.

[Embraer]

We went to our fantastic local Thai restaurant. First time eating out since we came back from India at the end of March. $40 bill....gave the girl a $40 tip. Considering how much I've saved on not eating out over the last few months....I had no problems with an $80 dinner for the two of us. I normally tip 30-40%, so the 100% didn't seem out of line. The girl was in disbelief. If one little act made her day better, then that's all that matters.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Embraer

We went to our fantastic local Thai restaurant. First time eating out since we came back from India at the end of March. $40 bill....gave the girl a $40 tip. Considering how much I've saved on not eating out over the last few months....I had no problems with an $80 dinner for the two of us. I normally tip 30-40%, so the 100% didn't seem out of line. The girl was in disbelief. If one little act made her day better, then that's all that matters.

That's what life is all about.

Still haven't eaten out. Looking forward to it. MA apparently has the lowest CV transmission rate in the country so a completely normal dinner may be around the corner.