Happy Wife, Happy Life: Avoiding Restaurant Pet Peeves

Dining out with my wife is usually a pleasure, but over the years, I’ve identified a specific set of restaurant grievances that can quickly escalate the evening. Let’s just say a happy wife definitely contributes to a happy dining experience for everyone involved.

So, in the interest of harmonious meals, I’m sharing a few of the triggers that really get under my wife’s skin when we’re eating out:

• The Forgotten First Sip: The clock starts ticking the moment we’re seated. If our server doesn’t promptly inquire about drink orders, a storm cloud begins to gather. By the time we’re ready to order our food, a drink request had better be on the table (pun intended!), or we’re heading for trouble.

• The Second Sip Slight: Once those initial drinks are done, the attentiveness needs to continue. It’s a major faux pas if the waitstaff only offers a refill to me or another diner at the table, completely overlooking my wife. Is a second drink not her prerogative?

• The Unequal Pour Pout: When it comes to beverages, especially wine, equal distribution is key. A stingy pour for her, or noticeably different levels when we both order the same thing, is a surefire way to raise eyebrows and dampen spirits.

• The Side-Stepped Sides & Undiscussed Preferences: If a dish comes with side options, my wife expects to hear them! The server shouldn’t unilaterally decide what accompanies her meal. Similarly, for dishes like steak or burgers with preparation preferences, asking how she’d like it cooked is not optional – it’s a fundamental part of good service.

• The Dessert Dismissal: At the end of the meal, even if we don’t always indulge, the polite inquiry about dessert or anything else we might desire is expected. A complete oversight feels like a premature end to the dining experience.

• The Traffic Table Trauma: Location, location, location! Being seated in a high-traffic zone, where servers are constantly squeezing past our table, bumping our chairs, or threatening a spill, is a major annoyance. Our dining space should feel like a haven, not a highway.

When even one of these pet peeves surfaces, it can significantly detract from my wife’s enjoyment of the meal, and let’s be honest, that rarely leads to a delightful dinner for me either.

Now I’m curious, what are the seemingly small things that can really bother you when you’re dining out and potentially ruin your meal? Share your restaurant pet peeves in the comments below!

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