Ask Amy: Daughter-in-law doesn’t want to forgive adultery
After we ordered, three dads with a total of five pre-teen boys were seated nearby. The dads sat at one table, and the “boys” at another.
Immediately the boys became very animated, screaming and laughing continuously.
We glanced at the parents and boys several times, with no resulting effort by the parents to quiet their boys.
Our server apologized, but did not make any effort to quiet the boys.
Near the end of our meal, the manager offered to move us into the bar section, but it was too late.
I gave the server a generous tip, but the server and manager should have done more to make our dining enjoyable.
What was our best option?
— Distressed Diner
Dear Distressed: Your server does not have the authority to shush a neighboring table. I imagine the manager is also reluctant to discipline a table crowded with young patrons when their parents are right there; this is why you were offered the option to move.
Instead of trying to control the situation with glances, you could have approached these fathers and said, dad-to-dad: “I know your boys are having a great time, but would you mind asking them to lower the volume? We’re having trouble hearing each other.” A thoughtful parent would then take up the task and ask the boys to pipe down.
Dear Amy: You provided a fun and thoughtful answer to “Not From Wales,” who objected to her husband speaking in Welsh to family members on the phone.
You missed an important point, however: He was talking on the phone. She was eavesdropping. He could talk in Martian if he wanted; it’s his conversation!
— Not from Mars
Dear Mars: Great point.
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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
