Does that headache come on the side?

My former in-laws were the worst people to go to dinner with. Good service, bad service, and everywhere in between they complained. At times it was so obnoxious I lost all joy in dining. So I can't tell you how happy I was when we went to a restaurant that served Foster's beer. Mother in law was Australian and of course she complained the Foster's tap needed to be cleaned etc etc. The next round she ordered the waiter left the beer on a portable table a couple of tables over for a long time before he brought it to the table... when he did he explained it was more authentic to drink the beer warm. I was secretly laughing under my breath.

At Red Lobster in Waikiki we had horrible service compounded with the normal loud behavior from the in-laws. Father in law was a cardiovascular surgeon. This is necessary to understand why I was so amazed. As the mistakes grew the dialog between my in-laws and the staff grew louder and more obnoxious. Finally the manager offered a free meal and my father in law refused. After repeated attempts to convince my father in law to accept my father in law said and I quote, " I intend to pay, if I perform open heart surgery and the patient dies I still expect the family to pay.' The look of horror on the surrounding patrons faces was easily one of the most bizarre things I have ever witnessed.

Got to the point I did not want to be there when they took the family out to eat and suspect neither did any table within two tables of ours.

AND YES... I heard my mother in law more than once utter those legendary words... 'Do you know who I am.' UGH... bad memories... bad bad memories.

i notice! ppl eat out not just to get fed, but for the total experience too, whether it's a takeout counter, a diner or an elegant restaurant. if another table is being treated badly, esp a quiet table that's just taking it glumly, i'll make a mental note, even if i'm being treated well. and by treated badly, i mean intentionally, not bc of a packed dining room or new hires working out kinks.

If I'm really hungry I will notice the poor service if it's taking a long time for my food or the next table has their order and I"m still waiting when I ordered before them. Otherwise, I don't really pay too much attention.

generally I blame the patron, but as a former food service worker, when I see bad service I take note. I may not make a fuss but I'll most likely be reluctant to return.

Interesting question.... I can't recall witnessing someone else receiving bad service. I am sure that if I think about it, some experience(s) will come to mind. I have however noticed when a party that arrived after me/us, is served first...So, maybe I only notice when someone is receiving relatively "better" service than me ...LOL

I hate to admit this. If someone in a restaurant is complaining, within earshot, about poor service , I tend to 'blame the victim' and think they are boorish and self centered because they are complaining. But then this happened; in San Diego, at Casa Guadalajara, in Old Town, on Taylor Street, in the patio. A large family at the table next to my party knew next to nothing about Mexican food. They asked the questions you would expect. The waiter was so ill mannered, disrespectful and rude that the family lost all joy in their gathering and just glumly finished their meal. The waiter? He never even returned to fill their water glasses. Only one table away, my wait person, a nice lady, was the picture of perfection.

I couldn't take it. On my way out I asked for the manager. I described what I saw and literally pulled him by the arm to the middle of the main dining room. 'Him! that's the s.o.b. I'm talking about! and I'll never come back until he is gone'

I'm getting mad all over again, just thinking about it.

I'm a huge people watcher but a social eater so... I think I'd take note if I were there on my own. It would depend on how bad we're talking the experience would be if I'd pass it on.