The guard dog

The "guard dog" at a neighbourhood restaurant

Today my friend Gabrielle and I had lunch at Studio 38, which is "guarded" by a very large dog. As the dog sleeps directly in front of the doorway, one literally has to step over the dog to enter the restaurant. But the food is nice and the atmosphere genial - except for the diner seated on my left. She had finished her meal and blew smoke over ours, while we were eating. This is France, after all. Lots of smokers here; I should be used to it by now.

Last night my husband and I had dinner at La Blanchisserie, a combination art gallery, jazz club and restaurant/cantine. La Banchisserie was once a French laundry and retains the beautiful original building, tall chimney tower, cobblestoned courtyard and beautiful brick walls. We were seated outdoors, with the only light from votives flickering on the tables and a small ground-level lighting system.

At a table nearby, an elegantly-dressed woman was sitting with her four-or-five-year-old daughter. During the first part of the meal, the woman talked incessantly on her cell phone, ignoring her daughter. In the child's bid to get her mother's attention, she wandered around the courtyard, rearranging glasses and table arrangements, running around the empty tables and plugging and unplugging the ground-level lights.

The woman completely ignored her child, until she unplugged the lights. Finally she stopped talking on the phone, insisted her daughter sit down and then chatted with her. The little girl was still loud, but stayed in her chair and ate her dinner - all she'd wanted was her mother's attention.

Comments

[Linda]

I am getting so crabby about misbehaving children and their parents who ignore them that I will often request another table when I see that we will be sitting near children.

[kristen]

That story about the elegant woman and her child made me really sad. As an only child mama, I know that my girl deserves more of my attention even when I'm tapped at the end of the day and just want to be an adult. I don't know about the guard dog though. (=

[Catherine]

Fortunately smoking is not allowed in public places in New Zealand. It made such a difference to the atmosphere in pubs and cafes. Many protested, however it is a matter of the responsibility of the employer to the staff, who could use occupational health and safety regulations against him/her.
I have been reading Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Small Island". At one point he does a hilarious send-up of someone in his railway carriage who chattered incessantly on a cell phone.

[Rosa]

That's a beautiful dog. Doesn't quite look French though. I love the way there are always dogs in the little restuarants there. I once snuck a puppy into one (in VA) in my purse and was politely asked to leave. What a pain! Poor little girl. It's sad when you see parents like that. I'm glad she finally got her mother's attention, probably at the expense of getting everyone elses, right!

[Becca]

Perhaps the guard dog should be inside the restaurant, policing the rude patrons??

[AscenderRisesAbove]

so sad about that little girl; it appears she has had to keep herself busy on many other occassions. And mom sounded completely oblivious of everyone's glances in her direction.

re: smokers... when my oldest was about four or five years old and she saw people smoke in restaurants she would ask them if they didn't know that smoking was turning thier bones black?

on weekends in our local downtown here in the Bay Area; the sidewalks are lined with people who walk thier dogs and have coffee and lunch on the sidewalks; the streets are lined with all sorts of dogs laying down. It is a sign of prestige I think as most dogs are purebred; there are very few mixed breeds in this area.

[Paris Parfait]

Actually Terri, I thought of your Mr. Bear as soon as I saw the dog. But I wasn't sure it was the same breed, so didn't comment. Yes, I like the idea of Mr. Bear being in Paris to learn the restaurant business.

[tinker]

This may seem a rather personal comment that's not pertinent to anyone else, but I have to tell you, seen at a distance such as this photo, this looks like my Mr. Bear. You may not realize, but this post was like a gift for me - now instead of just thinking he's gone - I think I'm going to view the situation as he's gone to Paris to learn the restaurant business. He'd have liked that. Thank you.

[ally bean]

Pity they didn't name the cafe for the dog. The Sleeping Dog has a certain ring to it. [In French, of course.]

[Britt-Arnhild]

Afraid of dogs as I am I would never dare to step over him..... I think I prefere The Blue Café

[giggles]

I’ve noticed that many people just don’t seem to have any cell phone etiquette. I once rode in the car with a person who talked on the phone to another friend the whole way. I was fuming. I certainly wouldn’t invite a friend over and then chat on the phone while she was there. It's just plain rude. Why would anyone think it was okay to do that on a cell? Poor child, I suspect she’s not exactly a priority!

[Tammy]

We have a book store with a huge guard dog :) That second resturant sounds heavenly and you won't find that in the sticks! Dave is taking me too a huge winery for a poetry book reading on Saturday night. The poetry is about the beautiful Motherlode (Our area). I hope I get a copy:) Art and photography shown too!

[Amber]

I love that dog laying there, like that! Ha! I wish we were a more dog friendly country, here in the States. I think dogs are great! I was going to get one for my birthday, actually (and thanks for your birthday wishes!), but it didn't work out.
:( I want a Cavalier King Charles... Someday!

oxox :)

[Deborah]

That always saddens me when I observe situations such as this one between mother and daughter ... if people only could step outside of themselves and see what they're missing at a moment like that.

I love the pic of the "guard" dog!

[AnnieElf]

Also - love the dog. Soooo threatening. I would feel very safe there. LOL And the dinner setting sounds devine. I hope you enjoy it often.

[AnnieElf]

well, Tara, at least she didn't start yelling at the child and berating her for HER "bad" public behavior. AND she started talking with her. Thank goodness. I always considered my children a privilege and a gift. They were also a big responsibility with much guidance required or rot would set it. Rot! Isn't that just the greatest word sometimes?