Screaming at Food

I recently went to dinner for a high school banquet with my classmates.  From the curls cascading over our shoulders to the colorful dresses that fit us like gloves, we were dressed to impress.  After we were seated, the first appetizer was placed at the table.  Yum – calamari.  Before I was even passed the large plate, a scream from the table in front of me pierced my ears.  “Ew! What is that?” someone screeched to the waiter.  I was mortified to find it was one of my classmates.  I admit that squid doesn’t look too appetizing if you’ve never had it before, but perhaps it would be best to bite your tongue before detonating such outbursts?

I’m sure my classmate didn’t intend to come across as rude but hasn’t everyone learned from a young age about “using your inside voice”?  Teenagers often abandon the little words of wisdom parents enstill in them throughout their lifetimes, which sometimes can lead to them looking bad in situations like the one presented.  To me, screaming at a restaurant is just inappropriate.

To put the cherry on top, she was not the only one terrorrized by the squid, someone at my table was fascinated by the tentacles and displayed his amusement by picking them up and dangling them in front of people’s faces.  The chaos was overwhelmingly embarrassing.

I honestly do love all of my classmates, and I know that my manners are far from perfect, but I feel that we need to be more aware of how we present ourselves in public.  That’s not to say “act like a robot” but simply to be aware of those around you.  Manners aren’t to make us look good, they’re to promote general welfare and to respect others.  Other patrons at the restaurant must have been less than thrilled to hear all that screaming and squealing from the lungs of teenage girls and I doubt the waiters were amused.

Although not ideal, this experience was edifying.  It taught me to be more aware of how I present myself in public.  I admit there have been times I’ve been in a public place and was too loud or simply wasn’t using the best of manners.  I know now that I need to be attentive to those around me, and conscious of how I act.

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