I was out at a restaurant with friends the other night in a resort area and watched, with discomfort, a happy couple trying to enjoy what appeared to be a celebratory evening together – could have been an important wedding anniversary, a night out without the kids – but it was a celebration.

And, I could see the couple absolutely enjoying each other’s company.  They were dressed up and elegant, and very obviously in love.  All of us at our table watched a bit and talked quietly about how great it would be for all of us to have a great and lasting relationship – we’re single and divorced and tired of being “hit on” by men who are only out for the hit.

Around the time the couple’s meals arrived, a group of about a dozen men came into the restaurant like a hurricane.  It was clear they were on a business trip; all middle aged and trying to be hip in their un-tucked long sleeved shirts or Ed Hardy T-Shirts.  Only a couple of them wore wedding bands. 

The restaurant staff looked worried and sat the group as far away as possible from the rest of the diners. 

Then they ordered drinks, and more drinks and they got louder and started recounting exploits on the golf course and in bars that sounded like they offered more than drinks.  My friends and I were uncomfortable and didn’t want to walk by them to go to the restroom.

The happy couple?  Their expressions turned grim and it was sad.  They ate most of the meal in quiet horror, trying not to look in the direction of the table, asked for their check, did not order desert, did not finish their bottle of wine, got up and left.

When they passed us, we all shared our expressions – it wasn’t anger, just sadness and slight fear.

The restaurant did nothing to quiet the group down as it got worse with forced laughter at immature volumes.  The men at that table with wedding bands on were off on one end and looked like the couple that just left.

We didn’t finish our food or wine, didn’t order desert, paid the bill and left.

What a stupid restaurant – we won’t remember anything good about it.