Society seems to frown on certain social behaviors, several of which I enjoy (such as really enjoying Kid Rock’s music). But the one I was reminded of tonight was eating alone in public at a restaurant. Now that it is warm again a certain dining alone dilemma has again reared its ugly head. Let me explain…

Tonight at Cici’s Pizza, a fine Italian restaurant featuring an exquisite buffet of delectable treats, I had an unfortunate incident happen. After finishing a plate of food I returned to the buffet for more. However the line was quite long and people were annoyingly slow. By the time I had gotten to my food and returned to my table my tray, plate and cup had been cleared away. Thus forcing me the shame of going to the counter and having to ask for another cup. 

When it’s cold this isn’t a problem at all, as you can leave a coat to “hold your table”, to show the table-clearers that the table is indeed spoken for and hasnt been abandoned. But now that it’s 80 degrees outside I had no coat, didn’t want to leave a cell phone or other valuable, and thus had to risk it.

A similar situation occurs at sit-down and order restaurants. After enjoying a meal (but usually before the bill has arrived) I often want to get up and use the restroom. But I fear that if the server returns to an empty table and sees no “place-keeper” such as a coat they will think “that weird goateed guy dined and dashed!”. Thus I often will not go to the restroom, which is in itself a problem as you can imagine.

I suggest restaurants start offering some sort of “Dining Alone, don’t take my cup or think I’m a cheapskate” placard for people such as myself. It would help us all.

Wisdom for the people, out.