Photo by Diane Krauthamer
“Dear PoPville,
My question is: Is it a restaurant’s responsibility to manage unwanted harassment of guests at patio tables? I’m asking because I was out with a group of four girlfriends and a man who was clearly under the influence kept coming to our table to try and talk to us. First over the restaurant’s patio barrier and eventually he walked right into the patio to hover over our table. We were friendly and polite the first 5 times (despite pretty lewd comments and gestures) and I got a bit more firm in asking him not to come over anymore the next few times.
All while this was happening, restaurant staff did nothing, just watched and stood back. Would wait until we coaxed the man away before approaching the table, even. It was making us and other guests pretty uncomfortable. Definitely not trying to name names or get anyone in trouble, would be curious to hear others’ thoughts here.”