Tonight we went out for a "quick" meal and there was nothing quick about it and after not finding any parking spaces at our intended restaurant we parked in the Oracle shopping center. I forgot that in England you have limited street parking as we don't have this issue in South Africa. Restaurants have their own parking bays with security guards so driving up and down a road multiple times looking for a parking spot very rarely happens.
We eventually thought about Nando's, but again could not justify the 40 minute wait for a table and the menu prices were outrageous. I kid you not they are 3 x more expensive than SA's menu and why they were given the big skip. I would pay 8.50 GBP for a full chicken and sides etc compared to 26 GBP here and I have never known this as a shared menu item. What was shocking was the place was full plus the estimated 40 minute wait for a table. Hard to believe I was trying to get the 3rd Nando's franchise way back in 1998 and was only allowed franchises above Birmingham.
After a quick walk around we settled on an Indian Tandoori which was a great choice. What fascinated me was no one was on their phones and people were actually talking. The sound of laughter and the loud noise generated from people talking is not something you hear very much these days. Normally restaurants play loudish music as generally very few people speak and the music sub consciously makes you eat faster so tables can be turned faster.
The difference was these were tables full of football supporters on their way back form watching their side win and were not date night couples. Sadly if this was date night everyone would be looking at their phones as at s what we have come to expect from the younger generation.
On the way back to the car park we must have passed a good half a dozen restaurants and the difference was night and day. People were not talking and you could see the phones out which was actually quite sad. Just by looking how the ladies were dressed I would say single and dating and it just looked not right. Having just come from a happy atmosphere and walking past what looked like people who have lost the art of communication by speakng.
Why is it when guys are out together they do not worry about the phone, but add a women to the equation and they cannot communicate properly anymore. I just do not get it as you partner for life should be your best friend and you should be able to chat or are these dates all doomed to failure? I don't know anymore because if I was out on a date and a women was on her phone more than she was talking to me I would find it insulting and rude.
I think it is weird how you notice these things and this was never a problem when dating 30 years ago. You would not make a 2nd date if you were not fun and entertaining and I would guess most would fail miserably and the phone is the main culprit.
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