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AIBU?

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Original poster

Dogs in Restaurants

187 replies

whyaredogseverywhere · 30/10/2023 14:51

I'm so annoyed still. We are on holiday at the moment and asked the cottage owner for a recommendation on where to go for lunch. They recommended a pub, but said to see if we could we should sit in the conservatory for the best views of the bay.

I subsequently booked a table for Sunday lunch and asked to be in the conservatory by the window, but mentioned that we don't like dogs so could they make sure there were none on the surrounding tables. It wasn't mentioned at this point it would be a problem.

Anyway we were sat at our table, drinks arrived and then a woman came in by herself (wasnt shown in or anything) and sat at the next door table with a labrador or something. Not nice when you are going to eat! Anyway I mentioned to the waitress that I had specifically said we hadn't wanted dogs nearby, and could they be moved. I was told that the consevatory was dog friendly, and we could have a table in the main dining room, but we had specifically come for the views so I said that wasnt going to work.

I then asked to speak with the manager, who basically told me the same thing. Anyway Dog-lady then calls the manger over, they exchange a few words laughing and she moves to a table down the other end of the room.

A few minutes later our waitress comes in with a cup of biscuits for the dog and a bottle of wine for the lady, I think they knew each other. Que more laughter and her saying in a braying voice (like something out of a Jilly Cooper book) that it wasn't needed and basically making a big song and dance out of how kind they were.

They all made us feel really awkward through the whole meal and like we were the butt of a big joke. We hurried our meal, and when the bill came I asked the manager to take off our drinks for the disruption we'd had at the start. He refused- even though I'd seen him give drinks to the other table.

It's really ruined the rest of my afternoon and morning today. We spent a lot of money with them, and were treated with less hospitality than a dog! I'm just sick of dogs being given better treatment than people all the damn time.

OP posts:
billyt · 30/10/2023 14:53

Dogs shouldn't be anywhere food is served.

And I love dogs.

Jessforless · 30/10/2023 14:53

You are obviously the problem here. If it were my restaurant I’d ask you not to return.

AhBiscuits · 30/10/2023 14:54

This reply has been deleted

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paintingvenice · 30/10/2023 14:55

So you sat in a dog friendly area of a restaurant, when their is a dog free zone; and then when the owner saw they were making you uncomfortable they moved and you still weren’t happy?

The lady sounds like a regular as well, so they most likely want to keep her happy.

FuckingHellAdele · 30/10/2023 14:56

What a win for her, free wine!

Floofydawg · 30/10/2023 14:58

paintingvenice · 30/10/2023 14:55

So you sat in a dog friendly area of a restaurant, when their is a dog free zone; and then when the owner saw they were making you uncomfortable they moved and you still weren’t happy?

The lady sounds like a regular as well, so they most likely want to keep her happy.

Yep, this.

TheFlis · 30/10/2023 14:59

So you went to a pub, sat in the dog friendly area, complained when there was a dog in it, but refused to move to an area with no dogs, and you think it’s their fault? No wonder they laughed at you.

Antst · 30/10/2023 15:00

This reply has been deleted

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PixieLaLar · 30/10/2023 15:00

You sat in the dog friendly part of the restaurant, complained about a Lady and Dog being near you, they moved and you then had the nerve to ask for free drinks?!

YOU are the problem.

snoreb · 30/10/2023 15:01

Yeah you are the issue

MonaDaVinci · 30/10/2023 15:03

She did move, but you still want the free drinks....

Next.

fancyfrogs · 30/10/2023 15:04

Yep this is a you problem. No wonder they laughed at you

KatBurglar · 30/10/2023 15:05

You're definitely the unreasonable one. You can't sit in a dog-friendly area and complain about dogs.

User0000009 · 30/10/2023 15:07

Went to a pub Friday night and had to navigate all the dog bowls laid out everywhere. Wtf

Original poster
whyaredogseverywhere · 30/10/2023 15:07

If she'd just moved it would've been fine. It was the laughing and joking that upset me, making it seem like I was being silly and it was for our whole meal- we couldn't relax. We got really perfunctory service through the meal, no real chat or interaction from the staff (the kind of thing you expect), whereas they were noticibly chatty with the other tables- that's why I wasn't happy to pay the whole bill. The fact that I'd seen them give someone else free drinks made me aware they 'could' do it, they were just choosing not to with us.

I know we chose the dog area, but it had much nicer views and atmosphere and it feels wrong to reserve this area for those with dogs, they could sit in the less premium area for example- why would you have the nice area where the animals are, and the less posh bit reserved for just people!

OP posts:
ManchesterLu · 30/10/2023 15:07

You need to ask in future if dogs are allowed in the building, if this makes you feel so strongly. If the answer is yes, go somewhere else.

rosie1959 · 30/10/2023 15:08

You sat in the dog friendly area of a restaurant then complained there was a dog present. Not quite sure how this could ruin the afternoon and the next morning ?
You were offered an alternative to the dog friendly area but chose not to take it.
They were not going to change their rules just to please you.
They should have told you the conservatory was dog friendly but apart from this sounds a bit of a drama over nothing.

FranticHare · 30/10/2023 15:09

YABVU. For all the reasons already given!

I'm sorry you dislike dogs that much, but you were offered a seat on the no dog area, and turned it down. The dog and their owner moved across the restaurant (presumably away from these wonderful views that you refused to be moved from) without drama - and you are still not happy?

You would not be welcome back!!

newnamethanks · 30/10/2023 15:10

I went to the pub. I sat in the dog area and refused to move when offered. Guess what? There were dogs there! IABU to whinge and moan on MN?

vodkaredbullgirl · 30/10/2023 15:10

Shame 😔

Maddy70 · 30/10/2023 15:11

You wanted a best view ...they gave you one

It's a dog friendly pub most are ...

You asked to move another person...I would have told you to leave.

They offered you another table .... you refused

You are the problem here

Soubriquet · 30/10/2023 15:12

Yabu.

You sat in a dog friendly area. You was offered the chance to move and you refused.

margotrose · 30/10/2023 15:14

Don't go to a dog-friendly pub if you don't want to deal with dogs.

YABVU.

Mrsttcno1 · 30/10/2023 15:15

Surely this isn’t a real post? OP you chose to sit in the dog friendly area, you don’t get to then dictate where other people move to, and frankly I’d have laughed at your absolute cheek if you’d made this request as well! They offered you a solution to your dog issue which was a table in the dog free area, you turned that down. That’s your problem, you choose to sit in the dog friendly area- you choose to sit with dogs.

Keepingthingsinteresting · 30/10/2023 15:15

whyaredogseverywhere · 30/10/2023 15:07

If she'd just moved it would've been fine. It was the laughing and joking that upset me, making it seem like I was being silly and it was for our whole meal- we couldn't relax. We got really perfunctory service through the meal, no real chat or interaction from the staff (the kind of thing you expect), whereas they were noticibly chatty with the other tables- that's why I wasn't happy to pay the whole bill. The fact that I'd seen them give someone else free drinks made me aware they 'could' do it, they were just choosing not to with us.

I know we chose the dog area, but it had much nicer views and atmosphere and it feels wrong to reserve this area for those with dogs, they could sit in the less premium area for example- why would you have the nice area where the animals are, and the less posh bit reserved for just people!

These are your criteria,not the restaurant’s. It’s very common for dogs to be allowed on the patio/in the conservatory/in the bar. If you fell that strongly, don’t go there.

in relation to the free drinks, the other women was put to inconvenience and you got what you wanted, so unsurprising that they didn’t comp you anything. Bet you didn’t leave a tip either.

In summary, you brought this on yourself.