Your thoughts on restaurants that sing Happy Birthday?

[Skywalker]

To adults I mean. I'll give kids a pass. We went out for dinner Friday to one of those places where the whole staff comes out with the cake and sings and claps Happy Birthday. The "birthday girl" looked like she wanted to be swallowed up by a hole and die. Half the staff looked pretty checked out while doing it. We had to stop our conversation because the commotion was so loud. Now, this wasn't fine dining but it wasn't Chuck E Cheese.

Just wondering other people's thoughts on this. Do you actually enjoy this if it is done for you? Do you clap and sing along when it happens to a stranger? (The people beside us were).

I don't hate it, just personally as someone who hates to be the centre of attention I think I would get up and walk out. Can't they bring out a piece of cake with a candle in it, without the production?

 

[Ellie008]

I have been in restaurants and heard the happy birthday ordeal 3+ times during one meal. Once, ok, whatever. Twice... Three times it gets really old. I don't want to hear it anymore.
My kids sometimes like it. I do not want it for me.

 

[mjkacmom]

I don’t mind it for others, and I think part of the fun is the embarrassment (I’ve had it done to me, I was embarrassed of course). However, it’s up to the birthday guest, know your audience. My friend literally stopped speaking to some women because of this.

 

[lorimay]

Nope, we don't do that to adults in a restaurant.
I have no issues when it happens around us, but no thank you for me!

 

[pryncess527]

I have only ever known one adult who liked it. I would hate it

Can’t remember the last time I saw it done though

 

[Diznygrl]

I think it's obnoxious. I also feel sorry for the servers who have to come out and sing. It's time for this practice to just die already!

When I am out for a birthday dinner I will not let anyone in my party give the slightest hint that it is my birthday because I don't want the big production number. I wish they would just bring me the free dessert and leave, LOL.

 

[Disneylover99]

I don’t mind it when others do it at neighbouring tables. I’ll sing along and clap.

I don’t like it for myself though, but I generally don’t go out for my birthday so it’s a non-issue.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

No thank you. Me no likie.

 

[RedAngie]

I don't mind when it happens at other tables, but I don't join in nor clap at the end.

DDs once embarrassed me by pulling that stunt at a Chili's-type chain restaurant. I wanted to kill them at the time.

Yeah, I can tell that some servers probably hate it but it's part of their job.

 

[fly girl]

Any other person, knock yourself out. Happy Birthday to YOU!!

Me, no, no, no! Whomever concocted this horrid arrangement is dead to me after I eat my free dessert.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I've been known to order my free dessert "without the singing" and the waitress looked relieved that she and her crew didn't have to perform. Often times their singing is badly off key -- what's the point?

 

[amcnj]

I don’t mind it, but also don’t need it. I know some who really enjoy the attention, and others who don’t want any such public displays.

There was an old Bob Newhart show that included one of those ice cream places where certain desserts came out to much fanfare from the staff. Bob noticed this going on, was obviously uncomfortable with it all, so when his turn came to order just asked for a single scoop of vanilla. Well of course the big fanfare starts up and it is for him, and as his ice cream is delivered the staff loudly chants, “single scooper, single scooper, this guy is a party pooper”. Sometimes you just can’t win!

 

[E&Cmom]

Doesn’t bother me either way.

 

[AuntieMe3]

I clap and sing along but wouldn't want them to do it for me.

My daughter refuses to go to dinner anytime near her birthday because she's afraid someone will say its her birthday and they will sing to her. Once we were visiting my sister and BIL on her birthday and they wanted to go to dinner. BIL and husband said it at the exact same time to the waitress while my sister and I said NO....lol My daughters face said it all and the server said by the look on your face, you probably don't want us to sing so I'll just bring out a dessert instead.

 

[Boopuff]

I like nice restaurants that just slip in a “free desert” without fanfare. Singing gets old especially if multiple groups are involved.

 

[disneychrista]

Just give me the free cake or sundae. I don't need/want the fanfare.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think it's obnoxious to do it to someone unless you know they want it. Purposely causing embarrassment is just mean.

 

[PollyannaMom]

DH knows better than to tell any of those places that it's my birthday!

 

[hereyago]

No that's embarrassing. I'll get flamed but I also can't stand when the balloon guy comes around at Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse. One I don't like balloons and i.am also getting my food on.

 

[AuntieMe3]

No that's embarrassing. I'll get flamed but I also can't stand when the balloon guy comes around at Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse. One I don't like balloons and i.am also getting my food on.

I went to a pizza place in Vegas that had a magician watching around. OMG I was like, go away!