Is going out the new ‘ joyless fuck’?

[Dowser]

Been in all day so about 5-30 pm we had a drive to a picturesque N Yorks market town,
Thinking we might find somewhere not too busy for a quiet drink.
We eventually found somewhere that although busy -ish had a table . It had been an old coaching inn and nice inside but omg was like a drs waiting room.
We literally felt we’d walked into someone’s parlour . It was so quiet with about 3-4 tables occupied and no one was saying a word.

We ordered drinks and every few minutes could hear the greeter trilling away, wear your masks until you get to your table and then you can take them off.
This was, literally every few minutes as people were herded about and all seems so pointless.

We drank our over priced drinks and got out of there as fast as possible.

If that’s what the new going out is going to be like, we won’t be bothering.
I’d rather watch paint dry.

@MakeOfThatWhatYouWill

Please bear in mind that the staff who are "snapping" or "barking orders" at you are probably just trying to do their job. A job, which quite frankly is shit now. They are stressed, overworked and burdened, and often spend all day placating angry customers who don't understand that it's not them making the intolerable rules. I have been lunged at (seriously, his family had to hold him back), sworn at, called stupid, had something thrown at me, and threatened with my manager.. All in the space of an hour or so on one memorable day. So much so that I was shaking with fear/panic, at which point I pulled down my mask to get some better air, only for my security and risk officer to walk past and give me a row for not having it pulled up. All for minimum wage, day after day. It is soul destroying, and not just for you the customer, believe me.

Honestly I entirely get that, it must be awful got them. But you must be able to see that it will just lead to people not going? There are three reasons I won’t be going to a pub or restaurant again until probably next spring.

1. The stressed atmosphere and rules that are often barked/snapped at you.
2. The risk of having to isolate for 14 days due to being sat close to someone who tests positive.
3. The fact that in the upcoming financial shit storm the money will be better off in my pocket that someone else’s.

Number 2 is the biggest reason, for me.

I think it depends where you go

I'm loving walking in, being seated , being waited on, no one has barked orders at me, I'm happy to wear a mask when walking to the loo, the prices haven't increased and I haven't been seated near any strangers , just on a table with those I've gone in with

@bigchris Yes but as I'm the one paying it is tough. I'm pretty sure how I feel is how many people feel, the shops, for example, in my city have more staff in them than customers.

We have got plenty of outdoor clothing and are focusing on activities where masks aren't required and hosting their friends and vice versa.

It was a bit odd tonight actually, as we went out for a meal in the end and I had to write down my name and phone number before ordering.

Went out for lunch today with friends few wines lovely time and barely thought twice about the masks, table ordering or the like
It really doesn’t need to ruin anything

We rarely go out drinking or for meals due to the cost. Have had a few visits to Wetherspoons lately while dropping DD off at uni we popped in for cheap breakfast one day and lunch another and it was fine. I agree the general atmosphere is quite joyless out there and the high streets look very sad - already lots of boarded up shops in our home town. Shopping is definitely not a leisure activity anymore.

I am still going out to eat fairly regularly but reading this thread is making me wonder why exactly as everything that has been said is absolutely true. I suppose I just live in hope of the next time being better.

We went out once with family during the summer, sat outside and all was well. Also have met a friend for coffee and cake a few times, again all was ok.

Would be a bit worried now though about eating out with cases rising and a stressful, non relaxed atmosphere in most places, also not being able to sit outside now the weather has changed.

Shame but we probably won't be eating out for some time yet.

So YANBU.

I've been out to eat twice this week and live in an area with increased restrictions. Had a lovely time on both occasions. Had to wear a mask to go to the loo but that's hardly a massive inconvenience.
Had lovely food and drink, was served by lovely staff and both places were full and the atmosphere was the same as ever.
I am sad I can't sit and eat a meal or have a drink with friends at the moment though - we aren't allowed to mix households at all. Hopefully that won't be for too long.

My friend went for a hair cut and they really suddenly 'zapped' her forehead for her temperature without any warning - scared the life out of her!

Really? This is how life is now! People just need to get used to it. Masks, temperature checking, leaving your contact details... this ain't going away soon!

Really? This is how life is now! People just need to get used to it. Masks, temperature checking, leaving your contact details... this ain't going away soon!

A simple ‘I’m just going to take your temperature now’ would be nice though, eh?

These apps are all very well as long as they work. We visited a pub which is part of a chain with its own app this afternoon and we couldn't get their app to work. Fortunately there were lovely waitresses on hand to take orders.

@exiledfromcornwall be fair, it's not like there has been a lot of prep time, and hospitality as a whole is desperately short of money - neither of those contribute well for expensive technology that requires huge amounts of work behind the scenes.
Stock has to be added, removed and edited frequently. Table service is new to many places. I really don't think people realise the amount of effort that has gone in to re-opening from both owners / managers & staff. It's been a mammoth task.
Technology will always have glitches, patience and kindness from customers goes a long way at the moment.
We have suffered some truly horrible and stupid customers this summer. We have been totally depressed by some of their nonsense; it is so appreciated when customers are considerate.

Where did I say we weren't patient or kind? I have every sympathy for the businesses and their staff. But I stand by my view that one thing this pandemic has highlighted is the perils of overdependence on technology.