Source: bing.comIntroduction
Going out for a meal is often seen as a romantic way to spend time with your significant other. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned and you end up in a situation where you feel uncomfortable or disrespected. This is exactly what happened to me and my girlfriend recently, and it led to me walking out of the restaurant we were dining at. But, was I in the wrong?
The Context
My girlfriend and I had been looking forward to our dinner reservation for weeks. We had both been busy with work and other commitments, so it was nice to finally have some time to ourselves. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who showed us to our table. The restaurant was busy, but not overly so, and we were seated near the back.
At first, everything seemed fine. We ordered drinks and perused the menu. However, as our meal progressed, things started to go downhill.
The Issue
My girlfriend had ordered a steak, but when it arrived it was overcooked and tough. She called the waiter over and politely asked if it could be cooked a little more. The waiter seemed annoyed by the request and took the steak back to the kitchen. When it was returned, it was still overcooked and my girlfriend was visibly upset.
On top of this, our waiter seemed disinterested in us as customers. He barely smiled or made eye contact, and when we asked for recommendations he seemed annoyed. I could tell my girlfriend was getting upset and frustrated, but I didn’t want to make a scene.
My Decision
However, things reached a boiling point when the bill arrived. The restaurant had added a 20% gratuity charge to our bill, which is not usual in our country. I pointed this out to our waiter and asked why it was added without our consent. He simply shrugged and said it was the restaurant’s policy.
At this point, I had had enough. I got up from the table and told my girlfriend that we were leaving. She was surprised and questioned my decision, but I explained that I didn’t feel comfortable or respected in the restaurant. We left without paying the gratuity charge, which I felt was unjustified.
The Aftermath
My girlfriend was upset with me for walking out of the restaurant, and we argued about it on the way home. She felt that I had overreacted and embarrassed her. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we had been treated unfairly and that I had stood up for us in the only way I knew how.
Conclusion
In hindsight, I’m not sure if my decision to walk out of the restaurant was the right one. On the one hand, I felt that we were being mistreated and disrespected, and I didn’t want to give the restaurant our business. On the other hand, I understand that my girlfriend may have felt uncomfortable and embarrassed by the situation.
Ultimately, I think it’s important to stand up for yourself and your beliefs, but to also consider the feelings of those around you. Going out for a meal with your significant other should be a fun and enjoyable experience, not one filled with tension and conflict.