Nicer Restaurants

Valerie100 · Post by **Valerie100** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 3:34 am

I will never understand why to some people eating in a nicer restaurant is like a status-thing or having a piece of steak or good seafood is something really special. I know to be grateful for these things, but to me, they're not like a status-type thing or anything out of the ordinary from how I was raised.

I guess I must have grown up as a spoiled brat, because my family dined at these kinds of places all the time. My father refused to take us to fast-food joints. He said he had to eat at those places during his workday for lunch, and he, I guess, didn't think that they were good enough for his family. I was deprived of "Happy Meals" growing up, which I used to complain about then, but now I can see just how totally awesome my father was. Looking back on things, I appreciate the way he was even more now.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:06 am

If you want to spend $5.00 you will get a $5.00 meal. If your willing to spend $20.00 you will get a tender, juicy cut of meat cooked to order with a pleasent server to cater you. Its the event, atmosphere and occasion of spending time with the ones you care for. And quite frankly happy meals suck. :p

Valerie100 · Post by **Valerie100** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:15 am

I agree with you on the Happy Meal thing. I sure did want a Happy Meal, though, when I was a young kid. I used to hear my little friends talking about them and showing me the toys that they got from them.

I do remember as a teenager going into a McDonald's with some friends and ordering a Happy Meal, just because I never had the chance to as a young kid.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:24 am

Honey you need to put this whole happy meal business behind you, just let it go. Like a balloon drifting upwards into the blue skies, going...going...going...poof gone.

The toys are inferior anyhoo. Ive been disappointed too many times to mention. They suck you in with their glossy cardboard cutouts with the big happy clown smiling those big red lips at you. You think hes smiling at you dont you ? Well hes not sis its a scam. That sob will give it up for anyone, hes a friggin hamburger slut thats what he is. Cheap crappy plastic toys that fall apart before you can get out of the parking lot ! I have more on this but right now I need to go kick the cat !

Valerie100 · Post by **Valerie100** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 5:44 am

But I grewup deprived of a Happy Meal. :yh_cry

Sometimes when I do decide to go into a McDonald's or even drive passed one, I can't help but to think -- would my life be any better now if I had had Happy Meals like my friends when I was a youngster? I missed out on so much with those shiny and wonderful toy surprises.

Ronald wasn't the character for me. I was a Grimace gal -- maybe, it had to do with the color purple. Where does Grimace, or even the Burglar, fit into the Ronald sham scenario?

I will try to move on and get on with my life now. It's been difficult trying to live down all of the years of Happy Meal neglect and deprivation.

At least, I haven't done a Senfield and ran down the street after someone to nab a loaf of rye (insert Happy Meal here) from an unsuspecting person. I can be proud of that. It hasn't forced me into a life of crime.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:07 am

There are 'posh' places, Family places and Macdonalds. There's room for all.

Posh ones for special occasions, Family places for regular eating out (when you can afford it) and Macdonalds for when you're in a rush and need something quick. I don't like the burgers, but don't mind a chicken sandwich. The coffees nice...pity about the container though....Haven't tried the salads and healthier stuff...has anyone else ?

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:16 am

With 2 teenagers, it's just as expensive to eat at a decent steakhouse as it is McDonalds. Give me the steak any day!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:21 am

SnoozeControl wrote: Not at McDonalds, but the salads at BurgerKing are very good. I recommend the shrimp garden salad.

What makes them think its ok to put little buggy crustaceans on lettuce ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:53 am

Ha-you don't like those little shrimps, do you Nomad? Think crab cakes instead! That sounds yummy, with Old Bay on them too.....................

pennyforyourthoughts · Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:59 am

Nomad wrote: I have more on this but right now I need to go kick the cat !
I most certainly hope you didn't ...... Damon!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:15 am

If I actually did that (which I wouldnt unless she was eating my dinner when I wasnt looking because shes got her own food and you dont see me down on all fours licking her bowl do ya ?) Id be in very big trouble. I didnt just fall off a parsnip truck.

robinseggs · Post by **robinseggs** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:20 am

Valerie100 wrote: I will never understand why to some people eating in a nicer restaurant is like a status-thing or having a piece of steak or good seafood is something really special. I know to be grateful for these things, but to me, they're not like a status-type thing or anything out of the ordinary from how I was raised.

I guess I must have grown up as a spoiled brat, because my family dined at these kinds of places all the time. My father refused to take us to fast-food joints. He said he had to eat at those places during his workday for lunch, and he, I guess, didn't think that they were good enough for his family. I was deprived of "Happy Meals" growing up, which I used to complain about then, but now I can see just how totally awesome my father was. Looking back on things, I appreciate the way he was even more now.

Wow Valerie, my dad was the same way.My parents took us all over the place and NEVER fast food. Well-occasionally. But I probably tried every food there is before I was 10. My mom made wonderful meals and on steak night, every kid had their own steak all to themselves on the plate! I never liked McDonalds as a kid but my sister did and she always whined to go. Drove me nuts. My suggestion to you is to go get all the happy meals you desire and even gush over the cute little toys a bit. You will cleanse your system of this hang-up!! I feel the same way you do...a "special" place would have to be 5 star or higher. When traveling on a car trip my dad would always pull off at an exit to eat and while us kids looked out the window as we passed all the fast food places, he would pull into something of more local flavor. I look back now and cant thank him enough. I am raising my own kids the same way.....

Today we are taking our kids out to lunch and then to pumpkin patch. You can bet we will eat somewhere where we will all sit down, get waited on and eat good nutritious food. NOT fast food!!!

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 12:28 pm

Valerie100 wrote: I will never understand why to some people eating in a nicer restaurant is like a status-thing or having a piece of steak or good seafood is something really special. I know to be grateful for these things, but to me, they're not like a status-type thing or anything out of the ordinary from how I was raised.

I guess I must have grown up as a spoiled brat, because my family dined at these kinds of places all the time. My father refused to take us to fast-food joints. He said he had to eat at those places during his workday for lunch, and he, I guess, didn't think that they were good enough for his family. I was deprived of "Happy Meals" growing up, which I used to complain about then, but now I can see just how totally awesome my father was. Looking back on things, I appreciate the way he was even more now.

Well Val, to many people it really is not a status-thing, people just feel eating in a fine restaurant is more like treating themselves good. Having a fine meal & not having to slave over it, & or clean up the mess, is a treat. As far as the "Happy Meals" thing goes, I guess your father could have broken down once or twice & gotten you them. Then you would not have your "Happy Meal" fetish!! :-2

booradley · Post by **booradley** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 3:34 pm

the whole thing in the states of "eating out" didn't travel accross the water for years. You lot get good value for money and it's only recently us Englanders do it as a more than once a year treat.

Personally, I prefer to cook at home and have my family all here. I know my hands are clean when I cook, we won't be rushed away from the table and the kids get to learn table manners.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:20 am

We went out to diner last night to a nice restaurant, & the meals were excellent, the service was great, & the ambiance was warm & welcoming !

It was very enjoyable! (Oh yeah, & we ate fairly healthy meals, Shrimp cocktail, cup of asparagus soup, steak, & seafood, with just extra veggies, instead of potatos & or rice. No bread or rolls either) Glass of water, & nice glass of rose'.

(Best part, all the cooking, mess, & cleanup was left there!!!)

robinseggs · Post by **robinseggs** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:28 am

booradley wrote: the whole thing in the states of "eating out" didn't travel accross the water for years. You lot get good value for money and it's only recently us Englanders do it as a more than once a year treat.

Personally, I prefer to cook at home and have my family all here. I know my hands are clean when I cook, we won't be rushed away from the table and the kids get to learn table manners.

Kids can still learn good table manners at a nice restaurant. It is actually the opposite for us eating at home--the kids are more apt to want to rush through the meal and be excused so they can go play. But out to eat, we have the nicest time with them. We never let the waiter deliver the kids food earlier than ours (as is often done to keep kids quiet and I think is improper), and all 3 of my kids will sit through an entire meal. I do love to cook too though, and I agree Americans eat out WAY too often. My own parents eat every meal OUT!