So I am sitting in Panera this morning...

[David Fairchild]

...with my friend Ed (who is a financial planner, but not mine) and we are talking economics, which I can bloviate on about for hours.

Anyway, we got there at 7 a.m. and we were among the only persons in the place them. Then about 7:45 some guy picks the table immediately behind me to sit and bumps me pretty good when he sits down. He mumbled something, but I am not sure if he was saying sorry or was expressing annoyance that he thought my chair may have been too far out from my table. I didn't think much about it other than think for a moment, "dude, there are like 30 other open tables here."

Then about 8:30 a.m. the place had filled up a bit more (maybe half) and I was on a roll talking econ. I guess I was being a bit loud. I've been told I tend to do that sometimes unknowingly when I am deep in conversions, especially if the ambient volume is up.

Anyway, the guy grabs me on the shoulder and says, ""You can talk but you need to be quieter, you are bothering us." I said, "Oh, I apologize." And then a lady who I guess is his wife across his table from him (they were both reading physical newspapers of all things) says sternly, "You are shouting!"  And again I said, "I apologize," and then just carried on my conversation with Ed in a lower voice and much more self conscience. We left about 10 minutes later.

I just can't stop thinking about this bizarre encounter. Yes, I was being loud, and had the man said hey would you mind please speaking a little quieter, I don't think this would still be bothering me hours later knowing I do have tendency to become loud in conversation sometime. 

But holy crap the abruptness and death look the lady gave me. I don't get it. They sat next to us in a nearly empty restaurant, and I guess they expect a more library like environment at a Panera. I wonder if they are regulars at that location and have a preferred table.

Thanks for listening. I mean, THANKS FOR LISTENING.

 

[Brian Kegerreis]

You were a lot nicer than I would have been. I can't imagine any scenario where it's acceptable to lay hands on someone and tell them to be quiet in a restaurant. Which Panera was it?

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[David Fairchild]

Thanks, BKK. 119th and Black Bob. Yeah, I just think they were genuinely offended by me, and my content was anything but objectionable - other than my volume, I guess. 

[Brian Kegerreis]

I honestly don't know how I would have reacted. I'm sure it would have included purposefully talking louder. 

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[kan...@aol.com]

Dave, there are two descriptive words for them: entitled and assholes. The man had ZERO right to touch. BK was right. Of course you're not as imposing as BK. 

I was recently out with my spouse at West Side Local (highly recommended). People were LOUD. But it never occurred to ask people to pipe down. 

And the whole thing about sitting next to you and bumping you in an empty place was just over the top. 

If you have the time and inclination, you should go back and try to repeat the scenario. Talk louder; and make it about something less benign than econ. Talk about  your last colonoscopy for instance. 

I talk plenty loud; my kid is even louder. Take us. 

[kan...@aol.com]

I had my son in law and another pseudo son in law (blended family) over tonight. The consensus was that you acted way more polite than that couple deserved. 

She was a Karen; I don't know what they call entitled male Karens; but he was one. If that had been a pub, it would have called for something more physical. 

What an asshole. 

[GMoney]

On Fri, Jun 21, 2024 at 1:43 PM Brian Kegerreis <bkege...@gmail.com> wrote:

I honestly don't know how I would have reacted. I'm sure it would have included purposefully talking louder. 

Would have depended on my mood at the time.  Lately i've been dealing with assholes by being sarcastically polite:

"Hey you are right, i was talking WAY too loudly. Really appreciate you pointing that out. You have a great breakfast and a terrific day...you've earned it!"

Tends to piss them off even more but there's little they can do about it.

[Brian Kegerreis]

Haha good one

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