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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:
Ssme92 · 30/10/2023 15:36

Just to add to everyone else's comments about how unreasonable you are being.....

You don't know she got free wine. She could've been thanking them for the dog treats.

The absolute cheek of you to ask for free drinks. They done you a favour by moving the dog away from you, when they really didn't have to!

Dogs are more hygienic than some people 👀

Maddy70 · 30/10/2023 15:37

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!

They are noticeably chatty with the other tables as they are locals, they know them. You are tourists who were difficult and a massive pain in the arse. They gave the other lady a bottle of wine for her Inconvenience at being asked to move you refused. They would have done the same for you had you done so

These dog owners are their regulars that bring I'm their profits not you are a mini break

Antst · 30/10/2023 15:37

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.

Omigod. The smoking and non-smoking areas were usually right next to each other. I wouldn't set foot in a restaurant if that still went on. If people wanted it, it would still go on.

UnderwaterSpaceCadet · 30/10/2023 15:39

I’ve complained in the past when there have been dogs in a designated dog-free area, but YABU to complain about dogs being in the dogs-allowed bit. I’m impressed a pub had a dog-free option available, tbh.

Maverickess · 30/10/2023 15:41

An increasing number of people like you is the reason working in hospitality is so difficult.

You were offered a solution and didn't take it, someone else was inconvenienced and got free drinks from the pub because of your decision to refuse the solution offered because you think they should have changed everything to suit you, so you've already cost them that and then wanted more because you feel you weren't pandered to enough? Deferred to enough? They didn't bow and scrape enough to you?

You caused all of these issues, the pub is already out of pocket because of it but you want something free because someone else got it even though you weren't inconvenienced and everyone had to change to accommodate your demands.

Take some responsibility for yourself and make sure somewhere suits your needs rather than demanding they change for you and then get free stuff because you need to feel oh so important.

Lampzade · 30/10/2023 15:44

I had this exact same conversation yesterday
I went out with dcs to a nice restaurant for Sunday brunch.
To my chagrin we were placed next to a couple who had a dog with them. The dog was wagging its tail and jumping up on the owner’s table.
I wanted to move, but the restaurant was extremely busy and there weren’t any other tables.
I was pissed off but stayed.
I know that in some places in Europe that this is quite common but when did it become a thing in the UK?
It’s is disgusting
.

Aylestone · 30/10/2023 15:45

Are you honestly too thick to understand why the woman received a complimentary drink? She got kicked out of the ‘premium’ dog friendly area because you didn’t like her dog. Your snobbery and entitlement is astounding. Were you very spoiled as a child?

CarlosDisagrees · 30/10/2023 15:47

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!

You can’t demand that a pub makes a dog friendly area into a dog free area just because you have arrived.

How entitled can you be, to think that a business should change the way it is set up because you want nice views for a couple of hours?

At least you gave the staff a good laugh and the woman and dog got wine and dog biscuits out of it.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 30/10/2023 15:50

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!

Exactly this.

KimberleyClark · 30/10/2023 15:52

You had a bit of a nerve sitting in the designated dog friendly area and insisting that the lady and dog sitting there were moved!

Shade17 · 30/10/2023 15:52

Que more laughter

Manuel?

Floofydawg · 30/10/2023 15:54

The landlady of my local would kick you out on your arse for that kind of behaviour.

Riola · 30/10/2023 15:56

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!

I appreciate the discomfort Op as I’m not keen on dogs but if they made it known it was the dog friendly area it is what it is.

Next time avoid that kind of place or when you see a dog come up next to you cancel the order if it’s not already been made/came out. But it’s a bit risky. Dogs in restaurants put me off so I’d rather just swerve those places altogether.

Leave a factual review (not necessarily a bad one Alerting people who want views they’ll struggle to enjoy that if they don’t want dogs around.

I nearly chose a dog friendly restaurant by accident once and it was thanks to a review on trip advisor complaining about dogs dancing on the tables that I was forewarned and chose to go somewhere else ! 😂 the reason I missed it was the website doesn’t mention it’s dog friendly and I wasn’t on their social media.

tiggergoesbounce · 30/10/2023 15:57

You do sound quite ridiculous though, so thats probably why they were laughing.

Why do you think the way they run their business should change, Just because you walk in the door.
You to a dog friendly pub, sit in the dog friendly area, then ask for a customer with a dog to be moved 🤣. Then you expect all the staff to be lovely (to the pain in the arse customer) and get comped drinks.

Im sorry but wether you agree with dogs in a food place is irrelevant, thats the place you chose to eat knowing that and then acted ridiculously.

We went on a UK holiday somewhere that is very dog friendly, they are allowed and welcomed everywhere. It was lovely, had i not liked dogs around me dinning, i would not have chosen to go there .

Jewelspun · 30/10/2023 15:58

Person books table in dog friendly restaurant and then complains when there are dogs inside!

UnderwaterSpaceCadet · 30/10/2023 15:59

I nearly chose a dog friendly restaurant by accident once and it was thanks to a review on trip advisor complaining about dogs dancing on the tables that I was forewarned and chose to go somewhere else !

TBF I wouldn’t expect dogs dancing on the tables in a restaurant even if it was dog-friendly!

Riola · 30/10/2023 16:00

Lampzade · 30/10/2023 15:44

I had this exact same conversation yesterday
I went out with dcs to a nice restaurant for Sunday brunch.
To my chagrin we were placed next to a couple who had a dog with them. The dog was wagging its tail and jumping up on the owner’s table.
I wanted to move, but the restaurant was extremely busy and there weren’t any other tables.
I was pissed off but stayed.
I know that in some places in Europe that this is quite common but when did it become a thing in the UK?
It’s is disgusting
.

I first seen a dog in a restaurant a few years ago. It was Bills in Brighton so nota fancy restaurant but I was still surprised. The dog wasn’t happy about it and made it known it wanted out 😂 so thankfully the owners took it back to their car /house or wherever
and came back without it. Not sure when the trend started though

I agree though - I don’t enjoy having dogs in restaurants or even cafes. If I’m booking dinner in advance, I’ve taken to calling the restaurant and asking if they allow dogs or not as it’s not always clear from website .

That said if you choose to go into a dog friendly establishment, that’s the risk you choose so best to avoid if you’re not keen.

threecupsofteaminimum · 30/10/2023 16:00

You sound very entitled!

It's a dog not a pig!

Sorry but it's almost written as if a definition of Karen behaviour and I loathe that moniker,

Feraldogmum · 30/10/2023 16:00

Often restaurants will have a specific place where dog owners can take their dogs so they don't bother others, if you are in a holiday area then restaurants are more likely to be dog friendly. The dog friendly place in this circumstance was the conservatory , should they have rearranged their entire working practices for you?
The only thing they did wrong was perhaps not to explain that the conservatory was dog friendly ,but did you ask to be seated in the conservatory when you booked or was this something you mentioned on arrival?
In the end this dog lady moved to accommodate you and to apologise for her embarrassment at your antipathy, and out of gratitude to her,they made light of the situation and possibly rewarded her with some plonk.
Your response at being accommodated was not to say thank you,but to complain. The woman had done nothing wrong,what you should have done was turn and say " thank you I hope you don't mind but I have an allergy,fear etc" but you didn't you escalated the situation, no doubt embarrassing her and the staff.
That you expected to be rewarded after this is incredulous,

BellaVita · 30/10/2023 16:01

Really? 🙄

It’s your own fault.

Jewelspun · 30/10/2023 16:01

I don't like tattoos or beards.

I might ask the Maitre d' to move anyone that offends me the next time I'm dining out and someone with a beard and tattoos has the utter nerve to sit at a table near me.

Tinytigertail · 30/10/2023 16:02

I dislike dogs in restaurants almost as much as I dislike whiney chancers.

Riola · 30/10/2023 16:02

TBF I wouldn’t expect dogs dancing on the tables in a restaurant even if it was dog-friendly!

Lol exactly, and if I remember correctly the reviewer said the staff were looking on while it was happening but yet didn’t clean the table before the next customers sat down.

WhateverMate · 30/10/2023 16:04

Oh you are funny OP! 😂😂

But the anti-dog threads have been done to death over the last 2 months so you're very late to the bandwagon.

I believe it's the turn of anti-police threads at the moment, so you might want to try a thread getting outraged about them?

NutellaRose · 30/10/2023 16:06

W|hat, wait....you didn't want to pay the whole bill because you felt the staff weren't chatty enough with you?

I've heard it all now 😂