Wine, women and restaurants

[Jerry D Mead]

Twenty-five years ago, my ex-wife and I had a routine for such establishments/personnel.

Things were even stodgier and stuffier then, and we sometimes went into the routine just to see how the waiter would handle it (we were writing a restaurant column called "Two For Dinner" at the time).

In a restaurant where we weren't known, when they brought a single wine list, I'd hand it to her.

When the waiter returned he'd invariably ask what I wanted to order even though she was holding the list. I'd play really dumb and say I didn't know anything about that stuff and defer to her.

Sometimes they would catch on at this point, but others were just butt-stupid and would still offer the taste to me.

The savvy ones, or the ones who caught on quickly received good service reviews...the dolts we nailed in print.

Funny thing back then, the fancier the restaurant, the more steeped in tradition with white tablecloth and tuxedoed waitstaff...the more likely to offend.

The inexperienced waiter was willing to do whatever was asked of him...proof that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

For this situation today, especially when it's your husband or a regular friend...he should probably just say (firmly) "Present the wine to the lady, she's the one who ordered." Or simply slide the glass to you and take your empty in its stead.