Sir, – The very first “greetings” that I am now subjected to when either booking over the phone or entering a restaurant are, “You will have to leave by . . . ”, or “You can have the table until . . . ”.
All these restaurants are normally not underpriced, and serve good food in nice surroundings. The owners of all restaurants will tell you that they are not just selling you the meal, but the whole experience and ambience.
Apologies, owners, but telling someone to leave before they are even seated is not hospitable – it is just rude. If we wanted to have a quick meal we would go to the “restaurant” with the yellow arches. Proper training and better treatment are required.
So if you are asked to leave, eat and pay – just leave. – Yours, etc,
GERRY CAMPION,
Marino,
Dublin 9.