I recently stopped at a small town café. Lovely food, but they had a sign up on their menu board saying “No shared meals – thanks”. This really annoyed me because if I pay for a meal I feeI I can do what I like with it.
The fact of the matter is that restaurants can make whatever rules they like, however their rules cannot be racist, sexist or ageist. Nor can they breach standard consumer law, such as the Fair Trading Act or the Consumer Guarantees Act.
I’m afraid if a restaurant doesn’t want you to share a meal, then as long as they make it clear that’s the rule, then that’s the rule. Of course, you as the consumer can decide if you want to patronise the café.
I can’t stand restaurants that have little signs on the wall telling patrons what they can and can’t do. It puts me in the wrong frame of mind to enjoy a meal out. You have to decide if you want to forego the “lovely food” on a point of principle.
If you live nearby and you’re likely to want to eat at this place again, why not raise your concerns with the owners? Their reaction will, I’m sure, help you decide whether you go back again.
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