A memorable dinner

I had an interesting experience today. I went out to dinner at a restaurant, alone. My friends usually go with me to this one, so the hostess/ waiters know me by now. As I entered the restaurant, the lady asked me if I was alone. I nodded, yes. She seated me to a table in the corner and saved the booth for people in larger groups or couples. Fair enough, I say to myself. There were a lot of people, and they had just started this buffet special in the evenings, so they were extremely busy. They ask me if I want the buffet. I say no, I know what I want, and I decide to order a la carte, without even looking at the menu. After what seems like forever, my food arrives, but they take it to the wrong table. Strike one. I also did not have the drink that I had ordered, so I gently remind them to please bring me my coke. After realizing her mistake, the waitress returns to me, serves me the food, and exclaims, "Oh, I did not realize that you were actually going to sit here alone and eat! I thought you would order to-go" Whatever, I begin eating, and they never bring me my coke. Strike two. Then, two couples walk into the crowded restaurant. The waitress, without bothering to ask me, seats them at my table- because I'm a single lady out to dinner by myself, and I have not right to a table . This makes me not want to eat anymore at this table. This is the third strike, and the food doesn't taste as good tonight, I think to myself. I need to see a play that my friends are a part of tonight in Hollywood, and I need to be there in an hour. I had better leave now. I ask for the to-go boxes and the check. After waiting a good 10 minutes for the check, it arrives. I decide to tip fairly. I was only mildly annoyed and highly amused by their behavior today. I understand that if I go out to do things alone, I should expect this sort of thing to happen, but I do this all the time. I go to bars alone to relax and have a beer, I go walk on the beach alone at night, I go out to eat alone- because a lot of times, that is just what I need. I wonder what her motivation was to give me such cold treatment, I smile and think to myself. Has this occurred to me a few months ago, I would have probably made a sarcastic remark or two (I usually try to keep my sharp sarcasm under wraps, lest I offend someone). However, today, I just sat their patiently, and tried to learn a thing or two by observing them.

I won't be going back there anytime soon, but all said and done, it was a memorable dinner.