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Original poster

How many of you have been eating inside at restaurants now?

226 replies

Lovelydaybut · 30/05/2021 22:51

We ended up needing to eat today in a city we were visiting (long story).
Tried lots of outdoor places but no tables free so we went into a huge fairly empty restaurant.
Bit by bit, it filled up and they ended up seating people quite closely together.

I have had both vaccines - second one was around 10 days ago.

Nobody except the waiters had masks on.

OP posts:
Lippy333 · 01/06/2021 21:34

This reply has been deleted

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

Againstmachine · 01/06/2021 21:37

Once. It was an unfun rule-fest of an experience. They can keep it and go bust for all I care

So they are following rules bit you want them to go bust, what a piece of work you are.

MRex · 01/06/2021 21:51

I wish pubs would keep table service as an option long-term though, I've always liked that in Germany. Fair enough to let people go up for beer tasting, but it's much nicer as a group to book through the app and drinks show up.

Original poster
Lovelydaybut · 01/06/2021 21:52

@Againstmachine

I think the comments are fair OP you have made this thread about something else.

And you come across as one of those who goes out once a year then complains that the place you went to has now shut.

Lol You are so funny. I was answering people’s questions as to why I felt uncomfortable about what had happened. At the time, I didn’t really think too much about it, just when I got home and I realised that the restaurant had crowded everyone into a small area and left a whole outside are free. The conversation moved on- I notice that you haven’t criticised the people who were talking about the research on the second wave (was it eat out to help out or people coming back from Spain?).

I don’t know what drives you to behave the way you do, and tbh I’m sure you can’t really feel you know why I do what I do.

And to the poster who says that I go out once a year and complain... do you actually know that? Or are you just deciding that’s who I am because it suits your narrative?

OP posts:
Againstmachine · 01/06/2021 21:54

You have so gone off and a tangent from your original post and yes you are the sort who goes out then complains it's in your OP

Original poster
Lovelydaybut · 01/06/2021 22:23

@Againstmachine

You have so gone off and a tangent from your original post and yes you are the sort who goes out then complains it's in your OP
I’ve responded to people’s questions and comments tbf. And I went out and didn’t complain- quite specifically, I didn’t complain at all. The restaurant broke the social distancing guidelines and I didn’t complain. When we arrived, the restaurant was pretty empty - it wasn’t ‘a crowded place’ as one poster says. It got busy and they seated people too closely together as time went by.

Later, I came on here to find out what people thought.
Ive not complained to anyone about it.

I’ve answered questions as to why I think there is a problem with what happened - the thread has moved along related to the questions and in my replies explaining why there are issues.
If you can’t keep up with the thread, then please reread and work out why one thing led to another and the issue changed.

It’s crazy that you think I am a ‘type’ of person who does something of other without having ever met me or had any other contact with me. Bonkers Biscuit

OP posts:
shewalkslikerihanna · 01/06/2021 22:32

Had two fabulous visits to Wagamama’s in york
All pretty normal
We ate inside but when nice we prefer to eat outside if possible

Mahrezis · 01/06/2021 23:05

On holiday currently and the restaurants are packed inside and out. Queues to get in them.

WalkthisWayUK · 02/06/2021 00:38

Indoor dining is pretty high risk.

Cleaning tables, keeping them apart, doesn’t really do much. If one person is spreading covid then you could be sitting 2 metres apart from them in a wiped down seat and it won’t matter.

Having said that, it’s people’s own decisions and own choice. Just don’t think it’s safer than being outdoors. It is much less safe for those who are unvaccinated.

Vaccinated though - should be fine to be honest.

FromEden · 02/06/2021 00:57

Been eating inside restaurants for over a year now with no problems or illness (not in the UK). Now we have no masks or social distancing either. I think you'll be fine

NannyAndJohn · 02/06/2021 01:11

@FromEden

Been eating inside restaurants for over a year now with no problems or illness (not in the UK). Now we have no masks or social distancing either. I think you'll be fine
Do you have the Indian Variant where you are?
FromEden · 02/06/2021 01:17

Do you have the Indian Variant where you are?

Yes. It has been detected here. Cases are still dropping and the positivity rate is the lowest its been since the start of the pandemic. Guess the vaccines work.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 02/06/2021 06:26

I don't understand what you wanted from this thread OP. I've eaten out quite a lot since it was allowed. I had no qualms about it.

StuffyHead · 02/06/2021 06:37

@BatshitCrazyWoman

I don't understand what you wanted from this thread OP. I've eaten out quite a lot since it was allowed. I had no qualms about it.
Me neither.

I think OP wanted lots to agree that it was unsafe but when most didn't then decided that actually they were valid in their thinking anyway as it's so unsafe Hmm

Original poster
Lovelydaybut · 02/06/2021 08:20

Nope,
That’s not it.
I wanted to hear about what people were doing- like the post above.
Just to hear what trips eating out and where they’d been etc.
I wasn’t expecting to be questioned on my mental health or to be told I’m a specific type of person etc.
I just wanted to hear how people had been doing this next bit of opening up and how they felt about it.

I answered all the questions and then apparently that means I have a specific agenda- lol.

Anyway, it’s lovely to hear that people have been put and about and have been enjoying their meals out without incident.
Thanks for sharing!

OP posts:
Original poster
Lovelydaybut · 02/06/2021 08:22

And yes, bunching everyone together in the middle of the room is more unsafe than spreading people out.

That’s why I felt a bit worried when I thought about it later.
And then I had to explain why.

But let’s keep to the trips out you’ve had. That all made me feel a lot better about it -)))

OP posts:
Intercity225 · 02/06/2021 09:26

Yes, we ate in a brasserie last Monday, although it was massive and there were only about 6 customers. We ate in KFC on Friday - there was only one other customer! Sunday, we ate at lunchtime in a massive Chinese, which was packed!

Three out of the four are fully vaccinated and one, in their 20s is far more exposed at work, has had Covid and refused vaccination!

Intercity225 · 02/06/2021 09:28

No, actually 4 out of 5 are vaccinated!

hilarymantlepiece · 02/06/2021 09:33

UsedUpUsername

Well quite, if you don’t feel comfortable, which is a perfectly legitimate feeling, just don’t? We won’t be going until our youngest is also vaccinated, out of respect for him and all he’s sacrificed for us this past year

“If he’s young and healthy, why wait if the rest of you are already fully vaccinated? I just don’t understand.“

He has asthma. He should be fine but for the sake of another few weeks (where we live, 24 year olds are being invited already) we’d just rather hang on a bit longer and be certain.

99victoria · 02/06/2021 09:44

I had a big birthday a couple of weeks ago so ended up eating out for about 8 out of 10 days. One of our meals out was part of a visit to London to go to the theatre. It was our first visit to London in 18 months and first time on a train for over a year and it was a bit of a culture shock! We live in a city in the south of England but SD is still very much being practised here but we realised that in London it just isn't possible to SD because there are just so many people everywhere. The restaurant we ate in was very busy - they had some outside seats but it was cold so we chose to eat inside and the tables certainly weren't 2 metres apart but it was just so lovely to experience the noise and chatter of people enjoying themselves and the servers were so friendly and upbeat, it was a fantastic experience.

Some of the meals out were quieter and more distanced but after a while I stopped noticing as I got used to the whole 'eating out and being among other people again' thing.

Because of the change in the weather over the last week I was even able to have a couple of dozen friends over for a birthday party. We were mostly in the garden but people wandered into the house for food and drink and perhaps stayed to chat in small groups. Everyone seemed very relaxed about it all. My OH has had both his jabs, I have had my first. All my friends at the party have had at least one.

It's 12 days since our London outing and we're fine so guessing we haven't suffered any consequences. I think we will all get more comfortable (not the same as complacent!) the more we start to do normal life again

Leonardsgirl · 02/06/2021 10:07

I live in London. Central London is like a ghost town compared to how it would be normally in May/June. My experience is that social distancing is practised here, in restaurants and elsewhere, the same as it is anywhere else. This is my experience in both central London bars and restaurants and in the suburban borough where I live.

ILookAtTheFloor · 02/06/2021 10:32

We've booked Prezzo for tonight, I have tesco vouchers and I'm buzzing for it! So excited.

I'm fully vaccinated, DH has had 1 jab but even if I wasn't I'd have no issues and never would have had an issue with it.

HelloMissus · 02/06/2021 10:58

I’ve just had breakfast out and as the weather’s lush a lot of folk must have had the same idea - plus half term.
It felt gloriously normal. And my eggs Benedict were mint.

Original poster
Lovelydaybut · 02/06/2021 12:24

Lovely to hear all your stories of great meals out without serious consequences.
Thanks!

OP posts:
TooManyPlatesInMotion · 02/06/2021 17:31

@Leonardsgirl

I live in London. Central London is like a ghost town compared to how it would be normally in May/June. My experience is that social distancing is practised here, in restaurants and elsewhere, the same as it is anywhere else. This is my experience in both central London bars and restaurants and in the suburban borough where I live.
This has been my experience to date too.