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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:
NopeNotMe1 · 30/10/2023 15:16

The conservatory was most likely chosen as the dog friendly area as its most out of the way - very sensibly. Imagine you would also complain if the dog area was closest to the kitchen/toilets/entrance/bar.

justalittlesnoel · 30/10/2023 15:16

You asked the manager to remove drinks from your bill? Why would you expect free drinks? They might have comped the other ladies wine because of the inconvenience of making her move (in a dog friendly area!) to suit you. You don't also get free drinks, your "bonus" was having your whims to catered re the dog.

Also you want the premium view area kept dog free? 😂 the less posh bit given over to be the dog area? This comment is so OTT - it's not even your local pub!

BCSurvivor · 30/10/2023 15:16

For goodness sake, you chose to sit in the dog friendly part of the restaurant and complained when someone sat at the next table with a dog.
Then you got miffed when the lady and dog were given a free drink and treats when they chose to move after you made her feel very uncomfortable.
You then thought you shouldn't have to pay for your own drinks.
I don't like dogs in restaurants, but you specifically CHOSE to sit in the dog friendly part of the restaurant and then got offended when there were dogs there.

BitofaStramash · 30/10/2023 15:16

Guide dogs aside - dogs in restaurants are rank

I won't go into any dog friendly places.

margotrose · 30/10/2023 15:19

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!

Because that's their policy! It's irrelevant whether you agree with it or not.

You can't choose to sit in the dog-friendly area and then complain because there was a dog in it 😂

Cannas · 30/10/2023 15:19

You over reacted.
However I hate dogs in restaurants and have stopped going to one of my favourites after being surrounded by dogs at my last meal there.
I didn't complain because it's clear they welcome dogs.

ilovesooty · 30/10/2023 15:20

Apart from the fact that they should have informed you that the conservatory was dog friendly when you booked, I don't think you have any grounds for complaint.

Littlefish · 30/10/2023 15:21

Honestly, you sound like a bit of a twat.

It's a massive non event.

MassiveWordSalad · 30/10/2023 15:22

They probably weren't chatty with you in case they inadvertently offended you, given you'd already complained about something. It's an unfortunate fact that there are people who like to moan about anything and everything, so they may well have been feeling wary. I'm not saying you are one of those people but if I were waiting on a table of people who had complained, I would act in a polite but businesslike manner for the rest of their visit.

CobwebsAndCauldrons · 30/10/2023 15:22

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

My thoughts exactly. But I am becoming very cynical towards many threads on here.

May be time for a break....

Onethingatatime23 · 30/10/2023 15:22

The business has made the decision to make the conservatory for dog lovers and dog owners and also has a dog free dining room.

Their business, their choice. You don't get to stomp your feet and move everyone's dogs.

ZestFest · 30/10/2023 15:23

I don't especially like dogs in pubs and cafes either, but I wouldn't choose to sit in their area and then complain!😂

MassiveWordSalad · 30/10/2023 15:24

Although given they sorted it out for you to sit where you wanted even though it meant moving someone else and you still weren't happy, maybe you are one of those people 🤷🏼‍♀️

Onethingatatime23 · 30/10/2023 15:24

I remember when you were allowed to smoke in restaurants, someone sat in the smoking area and complained when I lit up.

Greenpolkadot · 30/10/2023 15:25

No wonder they laughed at you,

Greycottage · 30/10/2023 15:25

God this subject is done to death on mumsnet recently. Your post sounds so lacking in self-awareness I’m guessing it’s a reverse. But just in case it’s not:

  • It’s a PUB rather than a restaurant. Pubs are almost always dog-friendly
  • The other customer got free drinks for being inconvenienced (moving her table, when she didn’t have to, as she was in a dog-free area)
  • YOU were not inconvenienced in any way, as the woman immediately moved
  • I can’t believe you had the cheek to ASK for free drinks. That’s not how it works.
Barneysma2 · 30/10/2023 15:27

Doesn't like dogs...subsequently books a table in dog friendly pub

BMW6 · 30/10/2023 15:28

Oh OP I'm really not surprised you were laughed at.

You wanted the best view AND a dog free area.

You could have either but not both, and you don't get to choose which area is dog free. That's up to the owner of the establishment.

The dog owner was kind to move as far away as she did and she deserved her free drink.

Greycottage · 30/10/2023 15:29

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.

You were immediately being a pain in the arse. That’s why you got perfunctory service. When the waitress offered the dining room as a dog-free alternative, you should have moved there, or if on balance you preferred the view, stayed in the conservatory. Or you could have moved to a further away table in the conservatory. Why should the other customer have to move? And yet they did anyway, for your sake. And you are STILL complaining about it!

Toottooot · 30/10/2023 15:30

Hilarious - peer dug.

BMW6 · 30/10/2023 15:30

BitofaStramash · 30/10/2023 15:16

Guide dogs aside - dogs in restaurants are rank

I won't go into any dog friendly places.

Exactly what the OP should be doing!

VintageDiamonds · 30/10/2023 15:30

It would’ve been easier just to move into the dog free area of the restaurant. I think that’s probably why they didn’t want to refund you.

BayandBlonde · 30/10/2023 15:32

You rank yourself pretty high don't you, only you should sit in the 'premium area' 🙄but people with dogs are some kind of grim that should be banished to a dark dingy corner. Thankfully for the pub and the LADY with the dog, you are unlikely to be dining there again. You sure won't be missed!!

BMW6 · 30/10/2023 15:35

Did the conservatory area have carpeted floor or solid?

Wondering if flooring is reason for being dog friendly area - or hotelier just prefers dog friendly people and dogs..........

Autumnvibes23 · 30/10/2023 15:35

I think you're getting a hard time on here!

When you booked the table to specifically requested not to be near dogs. At that point they should have made their policy clear so you could choose to go there or not.

However the dog was moved away. So I don't think I would have asked for free drinks. But it isn't nice to be made to feel uncomfortable.