Was I singled out because I was flying solo, middle-aged or a woman?
Friday night was eye opening.
I was meeting my husband way the hell downtown at a new restaurant, Le Coucou.
I was unable to make a reservation, but it was a Friday night during the summer.
Le Coucou is a new upscale dining establishment from Chef Daniel Rose whose Spring Restaurant in Paris was quite the hit.
It was raining when I arrived.
I approached the hostess stand and already I knew I was in trouble.
The twenty-something’s fangs were showing.
“Yes, what can I do for you.”
I said I did not have a reservation…was anything available.
“NO!”
My follow up was could I wait at the bar. “We have a bar, but you cannot eat there.”
I hesitated because I had made the 30 minute subway ride, it was raining and I had plans to meet my husband at Le Coucou.
While cogitating, the bitch said, “Move over someone is behind you.”
Would she have treated a gentleman or couple that way?
Just throwing it out there.
I departed and realized that Pasquale Jones was close by.
They remembered me and were lovely, but, alas, I could not be seated if my party was not complete.
There is no room to wait so the hostess suggested, La Compagnie des Vins Surnatls, a wine bar on Centre Street, a few blocks away.
I arrived and the forty-something host looked me up and down and said I could not sit alone at a table.
“They are only for two or more.”
I said that was fine I’ll just sit at the bar. He said there was no room.
The french piggy commanded me to wait even though there was space.
Usually I head for the door, but it was pouring and this was not my ‘hood.
I stood and stared. After 15 minutes of inattention, a woman approached.
“Can I help you?!”
I told her what had transpired and she said that was ridiculous and immediately sat me at the bar.
The bartender gave me 5 seconds of attention and I sat and waited for my male validation.
Listen, I am anything, but insecure.
I am an smart, attractive woman who looks a lot younger than my chronological age.
I can make a tree talk yet I was invisible.
The minute my knight in shining armor arrived on his yellow medallion stallion, the bartender was all over us.
I was indignant so I called my daughter and vented.
Maybe I was being oversensitive because the world is so fucked up right now, rampant with prejudice, entitlement and insensitivity.
But, no.
You don’t have to Put A Ring On It or have the girls on display to be relevant.
Cheers.