Yak Yak Yak: I dine alone

I have always enjoyed eating out and, unlike many, I like to eat out alone. Dining alone offers two benefits. Firstly I can order what I like without fear of being reprimanded for being too greedy or indeed too extravagant. If I want the bloody lobster I have the bloody lobster!
Secondly you can eavesdrop on neighboring diners. Okay, I know it’s rude but hands up those of you who don’t? I thought so, we all do it.
Last night I dined alone at a favourite restaurant, The Chilli Pickle. It’s convenient for getting to the theatre for curtain up too. I ordered my usual delicious supper and relaxed with a beer. At a nearby table three people arrived and chatted until a waiter asked if they were ready to order. They were not and asked for more time. On his return he was faced with a barrage of questions. The menu in this particular restaurant is excellent and offers a wide variety of dining options, deals and the like. But for one diner this was not choice enough and she wanted to take bits from here and there to create her dinner. My heart wept for the poor waiter as he battled to fulfill her needy desires.

The waiter was patient and unphased, he brought samples of two wines for them to choose from and accommodated the difficult diner’s requests with a dignified calm. I know that we are led to believe that the customer is always right, but to what extent? On this occasion I was more convinced that the customer is always right, even when they are wrong! Full marks to the excellent waiter too for not losing his temper.