All dressed up, heading out to eat or out for drinks. One last look at the mirror and it lets you know you look good. Smelling like a million dollars, stepping out in a nice shirt, dress or shoes and making it count. You’ve been indoors for so long, it’s time to be seen.
You arrive at the restaurant you’ve been dreaming about all this while. Excited to try something new on the menu, experience the new scene or catch up at the regular. There you are, walking towards the door like you’re on a runway. Then suddenly, the person at the entrance rudely stops the music playing in your head.
“Sir, you can’t go in with slippers and shorts.”
“Madam, you can’t go in dressed like that.”
Restaurants in Lagos will dish out constant reminders that your outfit is not on the menu. Every restaurant has a certain clientele it caters to. Some have the vibe of a bar or club scene, whilst others, like cafes, are more low key business and family-oriented. The Management, on one hand, may have laid out the rules, the person at the door will interpret it based on their personal bias.
Where do we draw the line?
Who do we blame?
It’s rude to turn back a paying customer when your business is set up to cater to and attract paying customers. It’s also out of place to be dressed provocatively to a family restaurant. Restaurant owners should educate their staff on the best ways to handle the situation so that the restaurant doesn’t end up having a terrible reputation.
