Anonymous wrote:None of them have carpet and tablecloths anymore so all the sound bounces around.

This - and the loud music, and the tables too close together so it's hard to hear the person next to you over the din, the large groups, clanging plates, buzzed people talking louder and louder, restaurants are just loud. Go early if you want a quieter experience.

None of them have carpet and tablecloths anymore so all the sound bounces around.

I think people speak loudly at restaurants because restaurants turn the music up so loud.

Anonymous wrote:Yep. And I will not frequent LOUD restaurants anymore, which is most of them, because I am going to meet with very good friends and actually want to hear what they have to say. Very few restaurants get this anymore. They say "We want you to have the (name restaurant) experience!" No, I don't I want to have mean experience talking to my friends.

They make more money by turning over tables quick, so the goal is actually to make it slightly uncomfortable so you aren't lulled into staying too long. The physical design of most restaurants is aimed at getting you out the door (e.g. striped table clothes? Note that they all slant toward the exit). Limited seating restaurants are cozy and quiet because you are the only ones at that table that night, and they want you to stay and consume as long as possible.

We realized we were officially old the first time we left a restaurant because it was too loud.

Yep. And I will not frequent LOUD restaurants anymore, which is most of them, because I am going to meet with very good friends and actually want to hear what they have to say. Very few restaurants get this anymore. They say "We want you to have the (name restaurant) experience!" No, I don't I want to have mean experience talking to my friends.

Please take a second and look around you
- are others speaking in a LOUD voice at their table?
- are others in the restaurant trying to have conversations?
- ask yourself, do I need to overshare and yell out to my companions?

Thank you!

Signed,
The other diners trying to have a nice meal without hearing you gossip, gripe or overshare.