[merylsilverburg]

Originally Posted by Redpyramidhead

I DO NOT see why in the original article, parents became upset at a simple sign with a very simple request on it, BUT I CAN see why parents who actually do put in the effort to try and control their children and a lot of the time to no avail, might be frustrated.

Uh...well if the parents actually do discipline their kids and their kids act proper and respectful, then why would the parents get so upset then? These parents with such great kids wouldn't and shouldn't get so angry at a sign like that if their kids act well-behaved anyway, am I right?

Originally Posted by Redpyramidhead

I do not feel that my playing with chopsticks is in any way offensive to any culture in particular as I also make it a point to play with forks, knives, and spoons as well.

Originally Posted by Redpyramidhead

I am pretty sure I am not a huge nuisance when I go out to eat, even with the occasional drumming lightly with the chopsticks, etc. Now I wish you had realized that I was trying to be funny earlier, so I wouldnt have to explain myself.

Ooh, so not only do you play and "lightly drum" chopsticks when you dine, but you also play with your forks and knives and spoons too? Oh wow! That completely justifies the fact that you're being one of those really irritating customers that I just absolutely love!

Look, I don't care if you play with your forks or spoons or chopsticks or whatever...doing so is just plain annoying and this behavior really burns me up. And guess what? The whole "drumming lightly on the table with the chopsticks" thing is the one thing, out of all the stupid things customers do, that drives me f*cking crazy, alright? Not only have I seen this stupid retarded behavior everytime ever since I was, oh, ten years old and it hits a nerve everytime I see and hear it, but it's also just rude to me (both in the behavioral sense and culture sense). And if you said this to be "funny", well, like Panuru said, I don't find it very funny. It's annoying. It's rude. It's irritating. It's immature as hell. And you know what? If you were to come into the restaurant and do that, I would've put you on my "Hated Customers" list straight off the bat.

Originally Posted by Redpyramidhead

and I certainly would NOT have fun exploiting their work for my own juvenile purposes because I do NOT believe in making other people's lives miserable at an already difficult job.

Originally Posted by Redpyramidhead

I admire your adamant stance on being respectful to others and I almost completely agree, but life is too short to worry about stepping on other people's toes 24/7 until one can't breathe anymore.

But wait, aren't you being contradictory? You say you try and do not make a mess when you eat so as not to make waiters and waitresses' lives miserable or more difficult, but then you say "life is too short to worry about stepping on other people's toes 24/7." Well then, why do you even bother trying to be "concerned" about waiter/waitresses' well-being? Why don't you just make a mess and do whatever you like if you think it's not worth worrying about other's irks and pet-peeves? Oh wait, you already do...you drum your chopsticks on the table.

EDIT: In my rage, I've forgotten to thank Mena and Panuru for your excellent comments and thoughts and your consideration for those in the restaurant business as well as other customers. I agree with everything you guys said so I feel no need to repeat what you both have articulately stated.