On restraunt manners, remember, many kids NEVER eat at a table at home, so where will they learn table manners? Of course, it's a shame, but it's the truth.
And I also agree about hats. When did it become acceptible to wear them indoors?
susie
My favorite episode of the Sopranos is the one when Tony is eating in an upscale restauraunt and sees a 20s something guy sitting at another table wearing a cap. He walks over and the following conversation takes place:
"They took out the bleachers a few years ago, maybe you didn't notice?"
"Huh?"
"They stopped serving hot dogs here a long time ago."
"Huh?"
"Take the hat off"
"I don't have to take my hat off"
"Take off the hat or I'll take it off for you."
"Screw you, man!"
Evil glare and flaring nostrils while Tony's fists begin to clench and unclench. The young guy slowly reaches up and pulls his hat off and lowers it into his lap. Tony returns to his table, calls the waiter and has him send an expensive bottle of wine to the table where the young guy and his date are talking animatedly while stealing quick glances in Tony's direction.
I actually cheered out loud over that scene.