Your thoughts on restaurants that sing Happy Birthday?

[kaytieeldr]

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

That's the thing. If you don't want the attention, don't mention the celebration.

 

[disneychrista]

That's the thing. If you don't want the attention, don't mention the celebration.

That's the thing. It is not usually the person with the Birthday that mentions it. It is those that they are there with.

 

[China Expat]

Can not stand the racket!

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

I love it! It's great when we go to WDW during Christmas time since DD6 birthday is on the 27th. She gets to celebrate her birthday many times. Most of the places we eat sing. I also like it when they sing to me as we always go out for dinner on my birthday. It's all part of making a birthday dinner a "Birthday Dinner". When a table next to us has a birthday we always sing along and wish them a happy birthday. Loud talkers on cellphones during dinner = annoying. That one obnoxious laugher that sounds like a cackle = annoying. Singing for some ones birthday = not annoying at all. Happy Birthday!

 

[wishesuponastar]

We had them sing it for DH for his 50th at Hooters. They made DH get up and put paper towels under his shirt for hooters lol. And two menu folders under his arms for wings. It was a lot of fun and we got a good video, DH was a good sport.

 

[Twinkling]

How would a restaurant staff know unless someone of the birthday person's party told them? So I'd say it's really on them, not the restaurant, and I think it's a nice option for the adults who DO like it. My dad, for example, absolutely LOVES it when the staff at Olive Garden sings to him on his birthday, and I know he'd be super disappointed if it didn't happen, so I don't care if it's a little awkward to have all the attention on our table for 15 seconds.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

No way, I do not want it done to me. I had it done to me once and it was embarrassing. It wasn't even my birthday, somebody we were with just told them it was for a joke.

 

[TheRAEmanPTTfan]

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?

*cough*

Back in the day at Chuck E. Cheese, it was a lot nicer... but that was during the 70's and 80's... i miss my birthdays there.

 

[anniemae]

For me personally to be on the receiving end, I hate it. I hate attention. No thanks.

For others that enjoy it? Go for it. I will smile and clap along if it's at someone else's table.

One restaurant that is particularly loud with this is Texas Roadhouse. They really get into it. We were there once and they even brought out a saw horse with a saddle on it and had the birthday boy sit on the saddle. Of course it was. a kid, but not sure if they do that for adults. They used to also randomly break out in line dances at Texas Roadhouse too. Not sure if they still do, have not been to one in years. Was fun, but annoying if you needed your server and they were busy dancing. LOL!

 

[Mle8308]

I think it's fine for the staff to acknowledge a birthday, but the clapping and singing is kind of disruptive. I want to eat my food in peace - and I definitely do not want anyone singing and clapping for me. And as other posters have mentioned, a lot of the time it is a joke to embarrass a person. I *may* have done this a time or two when I didn't know any better or was a poor starving college student and wanted a free dessert.... My belated apologies to the other diners in the restaurant!

 

[Moliphino]

How would a restaurant staff know unless someone of the birthday person's party told them? So I'd say it's really on them, not the restaurant, and I think it's a nice option for the adults who DO like it. My dad, for example, absolutely LOVES it when the staff at Olive Garden sings to him on his birthday, and I know he'd be super disappointed if it didn't happen, so I don't care if it's a little awkward to have all the attention on our table for 15 seconds.

Some restaurants have reward programs and give you a free meal or dessert for your birthday. If you want to use that, they will know.

I hate the fuss and the singing, but I do like a free dessert.

 

[fla4fun]

I think it’s a case of needing to read the room sometimes. There are people who enjoy the attention and people who don’t. Personally, I don’t, and wish the floor would just open up and swallow me when I see them approaching.

I don’t mind eating in a restaurant when someone else is celebrating a birthday, but I do prefer just singing to the clapping and other extraneous noise.

 

[Mysterian]

It always seems like the show is for the benefit of someone besides the birthday person. And if the birthday person doesn't care for it, then not tonight, Josephine.

Especially embarrassing if you're in the witness protection program, and Stabs McGee is in town to put the hit out on you, and you're hiding face down your pasta trying not to be seen when the chorus line breaks out.

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

You said it, Auntie. Magicians and clowns are embarrassing for everyone.

 

[Imzadi]

How would a restaurant staff know unless someone of the birthday person's party told them? So I'd say it's really on them, not the restaurant, and I think it's a nice option for the adults who DO like it.

Exactly. Most restaurants, nowadays have a reputation for the kind of restaurants they are. One can certainly do a Yelp search to see what previous guests have said. If it turns out to be a "birthday celebration" type restaurant, and you aren't into that or prefer a more quiet place to talk, then it's up to YOU to stay away. Or not go on your birthday.

This is like saying, "I hate to go to places where kids are running around, screaming and yelling and lots of chaos." Then go to a Chuck E.Cheese. YOU have some accountability for your choices.

And if you didn't know, well, you know not to go there next time.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I always am happy for whoever is out celebrating his or her birthday with loved ones.

 

[JimMIA]

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.

This is us. We applaud others, but never announce one of our own birthdays.

 

[Dan Murphy]

*cough*

Back in the day at Chuck E. Cheese, it was a lot nicer... but that was during the 70's and 80's... i miss my birthdays there.

Chuck E Cheese, Show Biz or Pizza Time Theater?

 

[Allison Joy]

No one in my family likes it, so while we may say it's someone's birthday, we always say, "but please don't sing." We also cringe just a bit when we hear it for other people. But this is only because we are all fairly musical, and they pretty much never all get the octave jump from "happy" to "birth"(day) at the end. You might have one person who gets it, but the rest don't, and so the person who's actually right has to switch keys to the rest of them, and.... yeah. It makes us twitch. Ha! Honestly, it's not an easy song to sing correctly.

 

[slo]

I always am happy for whoever is out celebrating his or her birthday with loved ones.

Me too

 

[evilmommie]

Sing it loud and proud! We always sing along at restaurants with those who are celebrating birthdays and if someone does sings to us while we are out, so be it and bring on the free dessert to share with the table! YUM! Life is short! Celebrate another spin around the sun!!