A Most Disturbing Lunch
First, let me say, I have enjoyed your restaurants in our area, and up until yesterday, highly recommended it. I particularly enjoy the Des Moines site, and frequent it weekly. No more..
I am single, gray haired, and easy to get along with. I try to be as uncritical of the younger generation as possible, having four grown sons and grandchildren... but yesterday was just too much for me. I was seated in the rear of the restaurant in the side-by-side tables. It was in the afternoon and I appreciate there were very few booths in use, with about nine patrons in the place. And all of the other booths and tables empty. I was enjoying my salad, (which I will miss), when three young people were seated beside me. Eighteen inches away from me - almost in my lap. So far, no problem, as I understood the circumstances... what the problem became was the language. Those young men had the filthiest mouths imaginable, and on a cell phone constantly. I was trapped and could not get out. I finished my salad and as I left I told the two young women who had seated and served me what had happened. I did not raise my voice but explained that my meal had been ruined by the gross behavior of that trio (may I say, they were both black and white, and nothing racist implied).
The young women explained that they could do nothing about the behaviour of the guests... What? Is this what eating out is coming to? The rude is acceptable and nothing can be done about it... their behaviour is OK, and I have no alternative but to not return? Don't you hire adults anymore? Nothing had to be said to those kids, just a hovering adult would have done the job. I won't ever go back there, if that is the attitude of Red Robin, you don't need me, just let the young servers wait on the rowdies, I'm sure they all wonder what the problem was. My problem is I like to eat in peace without foul language eighteen inches from me. Is that too much to ask?    [04 Sep 2002 11:05:32]

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