do you say Grace when you are at a restaurant?

[mt2]

We went out to eat for DH birthday at Zio's (Italian). When our food came we said Grace before we ate just as if we were home. Dinner was fine and we needed to leave. DH took all three kids while I made sure we didn't leave anything behind. I also have to push in all the chairs. Habit and a pet peeve of mine. All chairs belong under the table.

Anyway, When we were in the car leaving DH asks if I saw the older gentleman grab his arm as he left. I told him no. DH then tells me that this gentleman (mid to late 60's and his 2 female companions) wanted to thank us for saying Grace. It is not normal to see families do this anymore especially in restaurants. He then said we were doing a fine job of raising our family. Our children were very well behaved and respectful.

It made me feel good but a little strange. They watched us thru our entire meal. I must not have done anything embrassing that day.


Do you say Grace when your out?


Happy Thoughts to all,

mt2

 

[LScot]

Never did as a child growing up (well, when I was a teen I would but not my parents who BTW are Christians).

But now that I'm married and have a DD we do. DH is the initiator more so than myself.

On Monday, my parents and I took my niece and nephew out for lunch and there was a table of 3 men who looked liked construction workers who all bowed their heads and one said the blessing. My dad called attention to it. It spoke volumes to him.

Not why we say the blessing but it is definitely an positive action in a Christian's (or other religion) life, no?

 

[Crankyshank]

We don't, but my in-laws insist on it whenever we are out with them. I have to say I am quite embarrassed and uncomfortable when we do it

 

[binny]

yes we always try to say Grace at each meal whether we are out or not

 

[robinb]

Never. Of course, I don't say it at home either!

 

[Kim&Chris]

I don't say a traditional 'grace', but I do thank God for my meal, and take a second to remember those who aren't as fortunate.

 

[Annette_VA]

Only when out w/ the IL's.

 

[LScot]

Originally posted by Crankyshank
We don't, but my in-laws insist on it whenever we are out with them. I have to say I am quite embarrassed and uncomfortable when we do it

I'm sure it would be uncomfortable in your situation. I suppose we have been out with people who might not say it or just say it at home and would be embarrassed also.

I remember in school, my 6th grade teacher always bowed his head and closed his eyes to thank God for a meal. He always got a lot of stares for doing that.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Nope, we don't.

I remember wanting to crawl under a table when my great aunt and uncle did at a Mcdonalds while splitting a quarter pounder with cheese value meal between 4 people.

 

[Celluloidgal]

We do.

My DH & I are in our thirties and we have 4 kidos. We say a blessing before every meal (at home with just a few of us, or when we are out to eat). It is a second to sit back and be grateful for what we are blessed with and to acknowledge The One who gave it to us.

If I am with a group of people that I think might be uncomfortable with me praying, I just close my eyes, bow my head slightly and say a prayer in my head.

BTW...when we do, as a family, say grace out loud at a resturant, we have (on more than one occassion) been told by elderly people how much they appreciate seeing our family's faith demonstrated in such a way.

 

[gigi1313]

we usually do... although, like so many others, we are often caught up on our own "stuff" and forget...

my kids used to be embarrassed by saying grace in public, but once we went out to dinner w/another family and the teen daughter led the grace... and well, if grace is good (and cool!) enough for a teenager, then it's cool enough for my 7&9 yos! LOL!

 

[monkeyboy]

not as a rule, but if someone next to us is, we remain silent

 

[G&J's Mom]

It is usually, Grace sit down, Grace eat your vegtables, Grace quit picking on your brother...... Grace is my dd's name

Seriously, no we don't. Should say it more than we do at home too.

Denise

 

[dizagain]

No, our family doesn't..I guess it's because neither DH's family or mine did as we were growing up. We do say grace at dinner at home. I say grace when I'm out with others who choose to, and it doesn't bother me, but I know it would bother DH. I guess in public or private, I prefer to pray silently whenever I feel the need to pray, and I've always taught my girls that they may pray whenever they wish - it needn't be a formal affair. Along the same line, I don't like leading prayers aloud at all except with my girls. I just prefer to do it on my own.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We don't when we are out, and sometimes forget (not that I'm proud of it) at home unless the whole family eats together.
However, on our recent family cruise we prayed every time we ate dinner. My sister and BIL do grace every meal whereever, and since they were with us we did it as well. They also went to church on Sunday morning on the ship. I sometimes I wish I was as devout as they are.
Robin M.

 

[inaminute]

We don't. But, I've been to lunches where a co-worker has. She silently says grace, the rest of us usually just quietly begin our meal, or wait for her.

For those who might be embarrassed--please don't be. I think most people wouldn't think twice about it.

 

[helenabear]

I do it just as often when I go out as I do when I eat at home. I try to remember every time. A lot of it won't be terribly noticable (just me closing my eyes and lowering my head a moment as I say it) but whether I make the food myself or someone else does, I am blessed to have it at all.

 

[Beth76]

We don't say grace at home, so we don't do it while out either. My in-laws do and we all have to hold hands---I completely ABHOR that practice. The holding hands, not the grace. I am very uncomfortable when we have to do it out in public.

Growing up, we said grace at our house, but not when we were out. And, we didn't have to hold hands.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

We say it at home most of the time and we have started saying it even more when we go out. The kids have really pushed it. I'm glad they have gotten us to say it more.

 

[mt2]

I'm glad to see that others do too. We don't hold hands but try to say our Grace softly so we don't bother other tables around us.

The first time I said Grace in a restaurant was before we had children and it was a going away dinner for me (moving). The husband led us in prayer and the waiter came over to ask if everything was OK. He stopped his question and quietly joined in.

I was uncomfortable then but I am more comfortable now with myself and my faith. It probably has to do with age also.

mt2