Some life lessons learned dining in restaurants

I have always enjoyed dining out in restaurants, and recently, I've come to realize there are some valiable lessons to be learned from a typical dining experience.

Lessons in a restaurant

I. Going alone isn't always best-

Have you ever gone to a sit-down restaurant all by yourself? It makes for a very different dining experience. Yes, it may be quicker and easier to get a table, but the server is less likely to give you their full attention, because they figure their tip won't be so great from a solitary diner.
Additionally, not having anyone to talk with makes the time between courses seem longer than it is, because you have very little to occupy your time. Every once in a while a server will take pity on you, and try to spark up a conversation with you, but them you are pitiful in their eyes, which can feel bad as well.
Dining out is a social function, so it is better when you have company.

II. Just because it's on the menu, doesn't mean it's good -

I know this should seem obvious, but I have had experiences ordering items that looked like they would be good on the menu, but when they arrived at my table, I didn't like them very much.
Restaurants try to cater to a lot of different people's interests, so chances are very good that you will not like something on the menu. Usually, you can figure out you won't like something, but the menu description doesn't always help.
As a corrollary to this, I should add, "Just because it's on the buffet/ looks good, doesn't mean it's actually good." I frequent an asian buffet, and they sometimes have roast beef. It usually looks good, but every time I've tried it, I've almost spat it out, because it was close to inedible. Now every time I see it, I have to remind myself I don't like it there. It's okay, because they have some other items on the same buffet that I love.

III.The best things are not always obvious -

This is sort of the opposite of the previous point. There have been times I've not been interested in an item by its menu description, but I let the server convince me to try it only to find it was delicious and I LOVED it! There are many things in life that are not obviously good.

IV. Try new things -

Because of the previous point, I say you have to try new things. Be bold, be daring. Discover what you might have otherwise missed out on, and if you don't like it, chalk it up to life experience.

V. If you want something, you have to speak up -

How many times have you been dining in a restaurant, and wanted something, but didn't get it, so to be polite, you just said it didn't matter?
I'm notoriously guilty of this. A server will bring me the wrong beverage, and I'll just drink whatever they brought me. Or worse yet, I'll want to get dessert, and the server decides not to ask if we want dessert, so I'll just go without it telling myself I didn't need dessert anyway.
The lesson here is that if you want something, you have to make it known. I've asked for the server to fix something for my friends who were dining with me, because they mentioned they wanted something different. Make it known!

VI. Too much of a good thing can be bad -

Anyone who has ever overindulged while dining out knows what I'm talking about here. (Especially at buffets) More than once, I've liked something so well that I thought I just couldn't get enough of it, so I had more than I should, and felt horrible afterwards.

VII. There is a price to be paid -

This is another one that seems obvious, but here's the point. If you order something, there is a bill to be paid. If your meal was comped due to poor service, and you ate free, the price paid was bad service. If you are given a free meal in the hopes you'll tell your friends, the price is telling your friends. If someone treats you to a business luncheon, the price is your business. If you go out for a meal on a date, the price is your affection. If a friend takes you out to eat, the price is your friendship.

Those are the main life lessons I learned simply from dining out. Sure, there are many more that your mom taught you like behaving in public, eating with your utensils, not talking with your mouth full, etc. But, the ones I listed above carry over into other aspects of life.

Lessons in life

I. Going alone isn't always best-

In business, you'll fail if you try to do everything for yourself. If you don't fail, you'll be really tired at the end of the day. Solitary confinement is a punishment in prison. Humans are social animal, we need each other and each other's help.

II. Just because it's on the menu, doesn't mean it's good -

There are things in this life that are available to us, but they are not good for us. Pornography and illegal substances are obvious examples, but houses out of your price range or cars out of your price range would also qualify. The list goes on and on.

III.The best things are not always obvious -

Dark chocolate has antioxidants and in moderation is good for you, so is wine. Two small examples that something can be good for you without being obvious. Be aware of what's available to you.

IV. Try new things -

How can you know what you like or dislike if you don't try anything? If you don't take any risks, you'll never have or do more than you currently have or do, and that is a recipe for boredom and malcontent. As Dr. Phil says, "If you continue to do what you've always done, you'll continue to get what you've always got." Try something new!

V. If you want something, you have to speak up -

If you share your hopes and dreams with your friends and family, you'll be that much more commited to achieving your goals. If you want something, say something, most people are not mind readers. You have to make your desires known.

VI. Too much of a good thing can be bad -

Even too much money can be a bad thing. The scripture says, "Love of money is the root of all evil", which can mean that if you are so infatuated with money, you'll probably compromise your values for it. Some people get so much money, that they get paranoid about someone stealing it, and they become prisoners of sorts to protecting their money.
Too much alcohol leads to hangovers. Way too much alcohol leads to liver transplants. 'Nuf said.

VII. There is a price to be paid -

No matter what it is you want in life, there is some form of price to be paid. Though there is always a price to be paid, it doesn't necessarily mean you are not willing to pay the price. Know the cost before you commit to it or you may be sorry.

I hope this has helped you gain a little insight into a life-changing experience we all take for granted. Realize there are many more every-day, life-changing experiences if you keep your eyes and ears open.

Learn from life!