Do you have trouble getting good service in restaurants? Do you think that men get better service than women, or was my experience just a fluke?

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

Answers

I'm just guessing, but you probably were deferred for higher status baboons, er, people.

I suppose, if it was truly an authentic cultural restaurant, that would also reflect in the service -- treatment of women, and/or short people.

However "Getting Serviced" has a different connotation, and in my book almost any degree of service is usually worthwhile.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I'm short too. I think the only major area that my height affects my life (or lack there of) is dating. Females like TALL guys (the first item females mention when stating what qualities they look for in a guy).

As far as restaurant service, I went to eat out alone one time and the hostesseseses were hesitant to seat me at an actual table by suggesting the bar, as if I were not worthy of sitting at a table. I persisted, and got that table damnit!

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I don't like tall guys! Anything over 5'10" is a drawback to me. I just feel weird with someone that tall--it's hard to have a conversation when you're both standing. Also, when a big guy steals your covers in the middle of the night, it's harder to steal them back!

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

Solution: 2 blankets

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I tend to think that preferences in seating at restaurants goes to people who do, in fact, look important. Dressing professional helps, but so does matching the generic sex-appeal blah blah stereotype. You know, tall and skinny and blonde, or built and handsome, dressed trendy... that sort of thing. I rarely get the preferences because I'm overweight- however, I have a loudmouth boyfriend who screams against the injustices everywhere we go. We tip well.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

...it's hard to have a conversation when you're both standing. I'm a firm believer in the little known "Better conversation through lap straddling." technique. Once word gets out about it, mark my words, the divorce rate will plummet.

Also, when a big guy steals your covers in the middle of the night, it's harder to steal them back! Sleep naked and tangled or cheek to cheek.

I will admit kissing while slow dancing in public is a problem.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I'm pretty small, but even so, it's tough for most guys to walk down the street with me straddling their laps.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I don't usually have any problems with that... my experience compared to yours is probably due to gender + size + age (and maybe garments as well since I'm usually wearing a sports jacket and buttondown oxford dress shirt with jeans when I go out to eat on business trips). [And there may have been an added ethnic problem due to gender in your case.] My daughter (college student) and her friends have had difficulty with being ignored and passed over (as with you and your friend) and with getting very poor service (even though she and her friends have all worked in restaurants and tend to leave good tips for good service)

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

Jen Wade. You made me giggle-laugh out loud in the office and I can't stop. I won't soon forget this.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001