Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

People lack table manners, so can dogs be any worse?

By Joanne Schoch
Published August 16, 2006

 Dogs are lovable, but not when dining out, Aug. 8 guest column:

I enjoyed the guest column by Georgi Davis and her recollection of the dogs in her life. It is no surprise that I love reading about pets of all kinds. At the risk of making a few enemies here, I must say I disagree with Ms. Davis' opinion about dining out with dogs. I should first clarify that I am expressing my personal opinion here and not speaking as executive director of the Humane Society of the Nature Coast.

My husband and I enjoy dining out. It is a rare treat that we look forward to with great anticipation. It is a time to relax and catch up, to enjoy good food without the burden of preparation or cleanup, to sit in an atmosphere where I am not surrounded by daily reminders of what needs to be done next on the home front.

But sometimes this can prove to be a challenge. Like all couples, we are seated among other families dining out for the evening and have little control over their behavior.

We have been seated next to folks who had a bit too much to drink and became loud or profane.

We have been seated next to folks who spent their time on cell phones, and we have been unwilling participants in conversations we would rather not hear.

We have been seated next to couples who argued loudly throughout the entire meal.

We have been seated next to parties who were more boisterous than we had expected for our evening out.

We have been seated next to crying babies, whose parents never thought to take them for a brief walk, diaper change or whatever it was that their little one was trying to communicate a need for.

We were seated once (thank goodness, only once!) next to a mother who changed a diaper at the table!

And we have been seated next to families with children (we have all met them) who have not been taught how to behave in a restaurant. They run around our table, they scream, they throw things and generally ruin a lovely meal out.

Now, I am not suggesting that any of these guests not be allowed to eat at a restaurant. I always have the right, and many a time have exercised that right, to ask to be moved to another table in a quieter area. What I am suggesting is that we cannot mandate good manners, as much as we might like to.

Dogs, like people and children, are taught behavior. Throughout my years of travel, the number of poorly behaved dogs that I have encountered at an outdoor restaurant has been zero. That is not to say it may not happen from time to time, but I find families with pets to be much more conscientious of where it is appropriate to take their pet, based on behavior, than the many people I have encountered at restaurants.

I look forward to taking my dog, Cleo, to dinner with my husband. She is well-mannered and is great company. I have always found her to be welcomed everywhere she goes. My other dog, Cesar, will remain at home. To my embarrassment, he has poor manners in public. We hope he will eventually catch on, but if not, it is my responsibility to exercise good judgment.

If only we could legislate good judgment and good manners.

Joanne Schoch lives in Spring Hill. Guest columnists write their own views on subjects they choose, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

[Last modified August 16, 2006, 06:57:50]