Making Dinner Memories

Restaurants have been around as long as I can remember being alive. I would even guess that the first caveman had a place to congregate with friends after a hard day of hunting and fishing. Restaurants are a major part of our American culture. You probably can't drive more than a few miles without passing at least one local eatery.

"Restaurants have always served as a social oasis for friends and family to enjoy quality time together over a relaxing and rewarding dining experience," said Steven C. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the National Restaurant Association. "Family time in restaurants is most evident during the month of August, as Americans are traveling and dining out more to enjoy the last bit of rest and relaxation before kids head back to school and everyone resumes their busy schedules after the summer.”

Anderson also mentioned that the restaurant industry is a major part of the travel and vacation industry because everyone dines out on vacation. Restaurants are an important part of our culture because they provide the stage for many of our finest moments. For example, a restaurant can serve as the perfect backdrop for: meeting places, engagement parties, birthday celebrations and business meetings.

Some of the best times of my life were spent in various restaurants with my late grandfather. My grandfather and I were very close until he passed away in 1998. He was a WWII Navy veteran and a former pilot.

I can remember all of the great stories he used to tell me. He lived a full life and I enjoyed hearing about it. I also remember telling him about all of my dreams, goals and disappointments. He lived in another state so we only saw each other a few times a year. I remember that each time he would visit; we would select a local restaurant as our meeting place to catch up on life.  He was truly a wonderful man and I would sacrifice a week of my life to share another cup of coffee with him.

I celebrated four of the most special moments of my life in a restaurant, they were: my wedding anniversary and my graduations from boot camp, high school and college.

While attending college in the 90’s, I spent many years working in several local restaurants as a waiter. It was certainly an education for anyone that was interested in learning about people. It’s funny though, it didn’t seem to matter whether someone was an attorney, physician or an athlete; regardless of appearances or financial stature, people are just people. 

Everyone experiences moments of sadness and joy in their lives. When people experience these moments, they feel a need to share them with family and friends over a cup of coffee and dessert. For some unknown reason, sharing a meal or a drink with a friend or family member is very therapeutic.

Unfortunately, while working as a waiter, I did witness some of life’s more unpleasant moments.  There were families that had just buried a loved one. The families would sit around and share special memories about their late Uncle Harry.

I also witnessed a few dinners that involved the ending of a relationship. I would watch as a man would tell his significant other that the relationship was coming to an end. He had brought his “insignificant” other to a final dinner just so that he could break her heart. I can remember seeing the tears flow like a waterfall.

I didn’t know what to say so I didn’t say anything. I knew that was my cue to bring the check and that there probably wouldn’t be any dessert.

I also had the “opportunity” to even wait on two NBA players. They were both extremely rude and apparently thought that they were better than everyone else. They cut in front of a few people that were waiting for a table and sat themselves in my section. My manager offered to make them leave but I decided to deal with them because I didn’t want to upset anyone or cause a ruckus.

I was forced to hold my tongue and accept the nickels and dimes tossed at me by these multi-millionaires. I guess they thought that I worked for charity.  If they would have given me another dollar, I would have been able to buy myself a Sunday paper and a good cup of coffee.

Restaurants are a great way to celebrate life, family and friendships. So what are you waiting for? Why not take a friend or loved one out for some great conversation and a good meal? Happy Dining and don’t forget to order a dessert.

- Lee Butler

(Photo of happy people eating dessert from www.johnnyjet.com)

Comments

[Becky]

You got that right about some rich people leaving small tips. During my college days, I waited on tables too. I gave really good friendly service to everyone and made few really good tips. I gave it up.

[hard as nails]

dinner memories......remember going to white castle and eating 20 of them - and then throwing up in their parking lot. yes. dinner memories.

[Marilyn]

HAN, yeah and that only after a night of hard drinking!

Out here in the sticks we have a phenomenon known as Hog Roasts. We actually and literally put a pig in the ground and beer on ice and all the rowdy friends come over tonight.

Food has been a universal call to family and friends for as long as people have existed.

[Kevin LeMaster]

Is that Rick Steves?