-=> JOE MACKEY wrote to MIKE POWELL <=-

 JM>    With me Thanksgiving/Christmas are movable feast days, and generally
 JM> celebrated a day before or after.

 My wife and I stopped going out on Valentine's day. Much better to go
 out a day before or after.

 Last Valentine's day my wife and I went out on the day,  we had
 reservations at a restaurant we liked. I'd requested a booth and
 instead ended up with a high-top table situated in the bar, with
 people standing over the table, holding beers and talking loudly.
 What kind of guy goes to a bar with his friends on Valentine's day?
 These guys. Loud, boorish talkers.

 We asked to be reseated, and the hostess blamed Opentable for them
 not honoring my request, reminded me that the request is just that,
 and went on. We suggested that we'd wait for a booth and were told
 that wouldn't be fair to the people that were getting a booth.

 We left, and by this time the restaurant I'd thought about as a
 second option had later seating available. Went to a wine bar nearby
 for a drink and had a wonderful dinner.

 I understand the desire to make as much money as possible, but
 when restaurants pack people in on an occasion that is more about
 intimacy and being with your party than any other, it's time to
 lighten up.



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