Comments on: Dressing For Dinner http://www.foodgal.com/2009/04/dressing-for-dinner/ Musings on food, wine, laughter, and life Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:37:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Smarty pants http://www.foodgal.com/2009/04/dressing-for-dinner/comment-page-1/#comment-3678 Smarty pants Mon, 18 May 2009 17:06:27 +0000 http://www.foodgal.com/?p=2059#comment-3678 One winery in Sonoma used a clever ploy to get its patrons at a special event to wear something nicer than t-shirts and crocs--They had door prize(s) for drawings from attendees who were allowed one entry each, provided that they were wearing shirts with a flower pattern. Maybe restaurants could do this occasionally (free entre' anyone?), but w/ ties or skirts rather than flower-patterns. One winery in Sonoma used a clever ploy to get its patrons at a special event to wear something nicer than t-shirts and crocs–They had door prize(s) for drawings from attendees who were allowed one entry each, provided that they were wearing shirts with a flower pattern. Maybe restaurants could do this occasionally (free entre’ anyone?), but w/ ties or skirts rather than flower-patterns.

]]> By: Pockets http://www.foodgal.com/2009/04/dressing-for-dinner/comment-page-1/#comment-3677 Pockets Sun, 17 May 2009 18:57:38 +0000 http://www.foodgal.com/?p=2059#comment-3677 Good topic, and very timely. I think many may be overlooking the regional aspect to it as well. I'm here in Texas, and we have entirely different views on the subject by region. We've got the older money up in Dallas who have always had the expectation of dressing for dinner and are experiencing the more casual attitudes of this last generation of business casual folks. We've got the perenially nouveau-riche in Houston who have more attitude than common sense about it and strive strenuously to hold the line against this 'slackening of standards' Then you've got places like Austin, where folks look at you like you're crazy if you suggest that someone should NOT be allowed in to a fancy restaurant in shorts and a t-shirt. Austinites were wearing tie-dye and flip-flops to the Opera decades ago and never stopped. Personally, I think it's just a matter of the expectation of the types of guests you get - if your patrons really DO get bothered by casual dress, certainly, a dress code is in order. Don't have a code just to have one, though. It rankles the rest of us just as much or more. Good topic, and very timely. I think many may be overlooking the regional aspect to it as well. I’m here in Texas, and we have entirely different views on the subject by region.

We’ve got the older money up in Dallas who have always had the expectation of dressing for dinner and are experiencing the more casual attitudes of this last generation of business casual folks.

We’ve got the perenially nouveau-riche in Houston who have more attitude than common sense about it and strive strenuously to hold the line against this ’slackening of standards’

Then you’ve got places like Austin, where folks look at you like you’re crazy if you suggest that someone should NOT be allowed in to a fancy restaurant in shorts and a t-shirt. Austinites were wearing tie-dye and flip-flops to the Opera decades ago and never stopped.

Personally, I think it’s just a matter of the expectation of the types of guests you get – if your patrons really DO get bothered by casual dress, certainly, a dress code is in order. Don’t have a code just to have one, though. It rankles the rest of us just as much or more.

]]> By: jen93940 http://www.foodgal.com/2009/04/dressing-for-dinner/comment-page-1/#comment-3304 jen93940 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:46:07 +0000 http://www.foodgal.com/?p=2059#comment-3304 Great topic - and while I think as a rule it is generally reflected that you tend to "act" how you are dressed - ie.in high school, the guys are required to wear a tie on game day (to keep them acting like gentlemen.), there is always someone who will come along and completely bust that example. My experience happened at Fresh Cream in Monterey a few years ago, I am a local, and have always heard such great things, but it is VERY pricey, so we saved up and went for my birthday. Everyone in the restaurant was dressed very well, and the food was great, but we were seated near a table of 6 who brought the definition of obnoxious to a whole new level. Despite the fact they were about 3 tables away, we had to have our waiter repeat the specials several times, and they were so loud we might as well have been at Hooters (Needless to say, have never been back, and probably never will go back). So, I don't think it's the clothes that reflect the behavior. While I agree that there should be a certain level of dress -I think the diner should also be comfortable and not judged by what they are wearing. As far as I am concerned, eating should be an enjoyable experience - If you like to dress up, then that can help you have a better time - on the other hand, I am a more casual girl - an outfit that I am going to have to worry about or be uncomfortable in, takes away from an experience for me (I hate pantyhose!) In my personal opinion (which doesn't mean anything), I think that some people need lessons in how to conduct themselves properly in public, and the proper attire will fall into place. Great topic – and while I think as a rule it is generally reflected that you tend to “act” how you are dressed – ie.in high school, the guys are required to wear a tie on game day (to keep them acting like gentlemen.), there is always someone who will come along and completely bust that example.

My experience happened at Fresh Cream in Monterey a few years ago, I am a local, and have always heard such great things, but it is VERY pricey, so we saved up and went for my birthday.

Everyone in the restaurant was dressed very well, and the food was great, but we were seated near a table of 6 who brought the definition of obnoxious to a whole new level. Despite the fact they were about 3 tables away, we had to have our waiter repeat the specials several times, and they were so loud we might as well have been at Hooters (Needless to say, have never been back, and probably never will go back). So, I don’t think it’s the clothes that reflect the behavior. While I agree that there should be a certain level of dress -I think the diner should also be comfortable and not judged by what they are wearing. As far as I am concerned, eating should be an enjoyable experience – If you like to dress up, then that can help you have a better time – on the other hand, I am a more casual girl – an outfit that I am going to have to worry about or be uncomfortable in, takes away from an experience for me (I hate pantyhose!)

In my personal opinion (which doesn’t mean anything), I think that some people need lessons in how to conduct themselves properly in public, and the proper attire will fall into place.

]]> By: Marvin http://www.foodgal.com/2009/04/dressing-for-dinner/comment-page-1/#comment-3265 Marvin Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:00:44 +0000 http://www.foodgal.com/?p=2059#comment-3265 I never realized that I when I went out to dine that it was up to me to impress those who run the restaurant. I always thought it was up to them to impress me. At any rate, the next time I will wear a tie will be when they bury me. I never realized that I when I went out to dine that it was up to me to impress those who run the restaurant. I always thought it was up to them to impress me.

At any rate, the next time I will wear a tie will be when they bury me.

]]> By: Mrs Ergül http://www.foodgal.com/2009/04/dressing-for-dinner/comment-page-1/#comment-3258 Mrs Ergül Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:54:19 +0000 http://www.foodgal.com/?p=2059#comment-3258 This is a good read! Thank you so much Carolyn! This is a good read! Thank you so much Carolyn!

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