Noise On The Menu

 Dinner out is something special these days. It is far more expensive with burgeoning tips I feel are out of balance, but the fare  is better as is the service. This  might level the balance somewhat. I can't complain about those features, but I want to remark regarding noise levels in popular restaurants.  Recently, visiting one of our special eating venues that offer a view of a sandy beach on a popular swimming bay,  we three, were seated near the open windows that brought us the waftiing sea breeze on a late summer afternoon. Our server was delightful, and the company I sat with, perfect. What was not wanted, was the noise level. Most of the tables were for four in this historic building above the beach. One round table had six or more ladies, possibly a book club group, and they were horrendously loud, almost yelling  hee haws and high pitched screams that caused the entire floor to be forced to raise their voices to be heard amongst their own companions. I'm not deaf but I was deafened.  As the tables filled, others found it necessary to up their voice volumes so they could converse. Gradually, the decibels were sky high to the point where I couldn't hear my table companions. I wanted to stand up and shout, "Quiet!" as had occasionally, my teachers in school. The book clubbers who were paying no attention to their hooting and guffawing, should have been reminded by a staff member that others would like to enjoy their meals in a reasonably quiet environment.  But, of course that didn't happen. It should have, because this noisy gang had no respect at all for others in the room. One of the tables had a lovely little family with mother, father, and children: a young boy and girl. The children were very well mannered and I couldn't help but comment about it, to the mother. She told me that she and her young husband took their children out so that they would learn how to behave properly in restaurants. As we left after our beautiful seafood dinner, I wondered if the family used the loud diners as an example of what-not-to-do. Perhaps the parents pointed out to their youngsters, that while in a restaurant, one must, in courtesy toward others, keep the voice level down so that everyone may enjoy a peaceful meal.