Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
suitsyoumissus · 30/10/2023 16:07

I think this is the relevant part of your post Op, and a lot of people seem to be missing it:

'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.'

As soon as they got your request the restaurant should have contacted you, explained that the conservatory was their 'dog friendly' area and offered you an alternative. On the day how were you being unreasonable asking for what you had booked? They were bloody rude, I'd probably have walked out, but I can be a bit volatile about good service.

Ssme92 · 30/10/2023 16:07

why would you have the nice area where the animals are

Maybe the dog likes to eat with a nice view too

MrsKeats · 30/10/2023 16:09

You sound a laugh a minute Confused

Autumnvibes23 · 30/10/2023 16:10

But surely when the OP asked to book a table without dogs around they should have told her that the table would have to be in the dining room if they wanted it guaranteed to be dog free.

threecupsofteaminimum · 30/10/2023 16:10

I really need to know what a voice from a Jilly Cooper book sounds like.

PixieLaLar · 30/10/2023 16:10

why would you have the nice area where the animals are, and the less posh bit reserved for just people!

To be honest the more you post the worse you sound. I would also have laughed at you and would not want you back as a customer.

Ssme92 · 30/10/2023 16:12

@suitsyoumissus the woman with the dog seated herself, not the restaurant staff. The woman moved away from the OP. The situation was dealt with! OP also has no idea what the woman was laughing about with the staff.

Riola · 30/10/2023 16:13

suitsyoumissus · 30/10/2023 16:07

I think this is the relevant part of your post Op, and a lot of people seem to be missing it:

'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.'

As soon as they got your request the restaurant should have contacted you, explained that the conservatory was their 'dog friendly' area and offered you an alternative. On the day how were you being unreasonable asking for what you had booked? They were bloody rude, I'd probably have walked out, but I can be a bit volatile about good service.

This is a very good point.
If they couldn’t accommodate this request they should’ve said before @whyaredogseverywhere arrived.

Autumnvibes23 · 30/10/2023 16:13

threecupsofteaminimum · 30/10/2023 16:10

I really need to know what a voice from a Jilly Cooper book sounds like.

I imagined it being someone speaking in Jilly Cooper's voice!

Everanewbie · 30/10/2023 16:14

No one likes being talked about and laughed at. If you hate it so much don't be quite so ridiculously unreasonable. I am so glad I don't work in hospitality.

Tereseta · 30/10/2023 16:21

I hate the way dogs are allowed in resteraunts and pubs serving food. YABU for knowing it allowed dogs and sitting in the dog friendly bit, but are not unreasonable to be annoyed at the shitty service you had after complaining. Wish we could rewind to no dogs except service dogs allowed.

threecupsofteaminimum · 30/10/2023 16:21

@Autumnvibes23 that's helpful!

UsingChangeofName · 30/10/2023 16:22

The only thing that could, perhaps should have happened differently is, when you made the original booking, whoever you spoke to (if you did speak to someone, rather than fill in a google form or something) should have explained that the conservatory is the part of the pub where dogs are allowed, so they couldn't guarantee it would be dog free at the time you were there.
Presumably though, they thought that it might still happen to be dog free, and, if it weren't, they knew they could still offer you a dog free table elsewhere in the pub, so you still had choices.

I'm not keen on animals being where I am eating either, BUT YABVU with this post - more so as the thread goes on.

Screamingabdabz · 30/10/2023 16:22

It’s actually disgusting to let dogs in where they serve food. I hope it swings the other way at some point because it’s getting ridiculous. People like my husband who is allergic to dog fur (and inconsiderate owners) have no choices anymore.

I saw one slobbery big dog on the floor of a pharmacy the other day and I just wondered what mentality of person thinks that’s ok. I’d expect medicines, ointments and dressings etc to be kept in a fairly sterile environment - leave the fucking thing outside ffs!

Jessforless · 30/10/2023 16:22

I love dogs being allowed in restaurants, but let’s be honest, there are tonnes of options if you don’t like it. It doesn’t have to be such a huge deal.

threecupsofteaminimum · 30/10/2023 16:25

Just looked up a JC interview, I'm with you now Grin

UnderwaterSpaceCadet · 30/10/2023 16:25

Jessforless · 30/10/2023 16:22

I love dogs being allowed in restaurants, but let’s be honest, there are tonnes of options if you don’t like it. It doesn’t have to be such a huge deal.

That depends where you are, though - I can’t think of anywhere in my local area that doesn’t allow dogs, other than a couple of garden centres with small dog-free areas

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 30/10/2023 16:27

items are usually taken off the bill when something goes wrong and or a customer’s reasonable request can’t be fulfilled.
but they did accommodate you. So why should they offer you free drinks?

A customer who is especially pleasant, easygoing and especially if they’re a regular will have a much higher chance of getting free drinks.
it sounds like you are neither.

Dinglewoop · 30/10/2023 16:27

Hehe your post gave me a chuckle.

I think the only leg you have to stand on is that the restaurant should of warned you that the conservatory was the dog friendly section when you booked. Other than that I think YABU.

They could of been joking about anything if this lady was a regular. You are also not entitled to fun chit chat and laughs, only prompt, polite service which it sounds like you got.

I don't understand the no dogs in restaurants myself but if you feel that strongly check that it's not dog friendly in future.

Everanewbie · 30/10/2023 16:28

The other thing that annoyed me about this post, and to be fair it isn't just OP, but any minor inconvenience or small disappointment seems to leave people "seething", "furious" and "fuming" and that small annoyances "ruin the whole day".

PrincessHoneysuckle · 30/10/2023 16:29

The business had chosen the conservatory for the dog friendly part of the pub,that's up to them.

If anything they should have told you that unfortunately dogs were allowed in the conservatory when you said you wanted to be dog free AND sit in the conservatory.

AnotherForumUser · 30/10/2023 16:29

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.

This in spades.

OP Who do you think you are demanding the pub changes its dogfree/dog friendly seating to suit you? The lady with the dog moved although she DIDN'T have to. You are then whinging and whining that you got perfunctory treatment while the regular customer-that lady with a dog-got friendly treatment. She helped them you just whined and complained more. Comped drinks???? Are you seriously so deluded and so up your own arse to think they should have comped your drinks? Not surprised they laughed about you. It would either be laugh or chuck out the entitled tourists, I know which option I'd have chosen if that was my pub. Count your self lucky you got the dog lady to move and could enjoy your view. I am surprised the reflection of pouty sulky whining faces didn't cause you indigestion.

Fr00tL00ps · 30/10/2023 16:30

Why is it disgusting?

Unless a dog came over and licked your plate there is literally no problem. Kids carry more germs.

I think dogs and children should be treated the same. Any unruly behaviour and both should be taken out or be asked to leave.Can’t stand noisy badly behaved children when I’ve paid for a meal. Equally I’d have issues with a barking dog.

BCCoach · 30/10/2023 16:31

Country pubs have dogs in them. They always have and always will. I’m not sure why this comes as a surprise to tourists.

paintingvenice · 30/10/2023 16:32

I feel so sorry for staff in restaurants. Often when people have complaints they aren’t really legitimate or looking for things to be put right- they are actually after a freebie.

Im sure they thought that your complaint was fishing to get money off rather than a real concern. Sad that you had to drag another member of the public into it.