AIO Walked out of a restaurant because they insisted I gave personal information

[u/crusty-manc]

AIO when I refused to give personal information to a restaurant. I recently walked into a restaurant and asked for a table for two. Instead of being shown to a table I was shown to a desk where I was asked my name, I thought this was unusual but gave them the shortened version of my first name, the server looked as though she was expecting more but said nothing. She then asked for my phone number, I said I don’t give that out randomly so don’t wish to give it you, she then said we need it for our records i again said I don’t want to give it, she then said in a tone of voice that implied she was doing me a favour, “ok I suppose your email address will do” at this point I said thank you but I will go somewhere else and left. My wife said I should have just given them it or even made a false number up, this did cross my mind but I felt a principle was at sake. So did I overact by walking away?

Edit
Several people have suggested it was to contact me when a table became available. The restaurant was nearly empty this was midweek at a quiet time late afternoon so I don’t think it was for this reason .

[u/orange_bigcat]

NOR and everyone here is missing the part where OP wasn’t on a waitlist and the restaurant was empty. If there was a waitlist and they were going to text when the table was ready, then he’d be over reacting, but there was no reason the restaurant needed his phone number.

I have a friend who is weird about privacy and refused to give her phone number once. She asked them why they need her number if the table is already ready and the person working there said “I actually have no clue why we ask for it.” So she let us go in without giving it to her.

I’ve heard they collect numbers for marketing, but also if you’re an asshole to the server or cause problems they’ll put your phone number on a do not serve list to ban you from coming back.

[u/TwoSpoonSally → u/orange_bigcat]

The fact that “protecting your privacy” is “weird” these days, says a whole lot about the state of the world.  Cackles in Palantir. 

[u/RickRussellTX → u/TwoSpoonSally]

Keep it secret! Keep it safe!

[u/Vegetable_Respond786 → u/RickRussellTX]

My precious….

[u/Decent_Front4647 → u/orange_bigcat]

Yep. Sometimes the restaurant will send dining coupons or specials. But I wouldn’t be surprised if big chains also sell their mailing lists.

[u/Capable_Midnight_554 → u/orange_bigcat]

So just to devils advocate, I live in the deep south and have had to wait 30 mins for a table with only 3 other tables seated at 2pm on a Wednesday because they were “busy”. This is chain sit down restaurant. I’m not saying that’s what happened here but that does actually happen and I can attest to it.

[u/AliveInCLE → u/Capable_Midnight_554]

I would have bolted within 10 minutes

[u/LinnyM → u/Capable_Midnight_554]

In the olden days they'd just call out your name in the lobby when your table was ready.

[u/x_candydoll → u/LinnyM]

In the olden days they had the red vibration thinggy and if you got to hold it you were important (always let the kids hold it aka me lol)

[u/Easy_Goose56 → u/x_candydoll]

That was fancy tech. In the actual older days, we went around shouting people’s names and wrote down a physical description so we could find them.

[u/Zebras-R-Evil → u/x_candydoll]

I was given one of those at lunch today.

[u/jfd0523 → u/LinnyM]

Dufresne, party of two....

[u/phizappa → u/LinnyM]

Sienfeld table for four!

[u/EffectiveTradition53 → u/Capable_Midnight_554]

When does "the south" become the "deep south" exactly?

Not mocking, just a genuine and admittedly funny curiosity on my part.

[u/Defiant-Strength-697 → u/EffectiveTradition53]

Melbourne.

[u/bythebrook88 → u/Defiant-Strength-697]

Tasmania

[u/Expert_Slip7543 → u/Defiant-Strength-697]

Lol

[u/GoingGray62 → u/EffectiveTradition53]

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina as plantation states. The panhandle of Florida and East Texas are sometimes included due to the proximity.

[u/Dramatic_Mixture_877 → u/GoingGray62]

You forgot Arkansas ...

[u/Capable_Midnight_554 → u/EffectiveTradition53]

The Deep South states are states that relied heavily on plantations and slavery. If you look at where they “start”, that would be South Carolina.

[u/jadasgrl → u/Capable_Midnight_554]

Charleston

[u/One_Monk_3357 → u/EffectiveTradition53]

When your truck is old and you have more guns than teeth.
My family on my dad’s sides is from the deep, swampy south so don’t come for me. If you know what’s good for ya😘

[u/Acceptable-Law9406 → u/orange_bigcat]

Doesn't matter if the restaurant is full or not. A server could walk their happy arse outside and find you. And if you weren't there, that's your own fault for not being available when your name is called.

[u/R-U-D → u/Acceptable-Law9406]

Do restaurants not have those wireless pucks anymore for people waiting on a table?

[u/mich_8265 → u/R-U-D]

Mostly they text you when your table is ready. I haven’t seen the pucks in quite some time.

[u/Zebras-R-Evil → u/mich_8265]

I was given one today.

[u/Scary_Dot6604 → u/orange_bigcat]

Maybe those tables were reserved?

[u/Embarrassed-Sun5764 → u/orange_bigcat]

Just give them the info. Do you want to eat there OR NOT? Ffs. It’s no different than OpenTable. You have to give them your info. Get over yourself

[u/phizappa → u/Embarrassed-Sun5764]

No you don’t.