Do you think this is rude????

bluesapphire

Today we went out to lunch with my mom. She invited some friends of hers without telling us. We thought it was going to be just her and her husband and my brother and his wife. Anyway, we wanted to pay for her meal but when we saw seven extra people asked for our own check instead.

Anyway, that's not the rude part. When we all ordered obviously some people's food came before others. Well, the 7 extra people sat there and waited for everyone's food to come. I had the baby on my lap and knew that it would only be about 5-7 minutes before I he was going to fuss and I would have to stand up. So I started eating right away. The rest of my family did the same, following my qieu.

Well, when everyone's food finally came, the man of the other family states out loud, "Do you mind if we pray?!" Only he wasn't asking, he was ordering. Suddenly they all grabbed hands and grabbed ours too. Well, my food was already half way gone. And his prayer was just like a dub prayer only he's Catholic.

I thought it was rude. Why can't people pray if they want to and not pray if they don't want to. What if I was Muslim or Budhist or Atheist? What if I just didn't like his prayer. Why such a display in a restaurant. Fine if he wants to pray, then pray. But goddammit! I never pray and I resent being put on the spot.

Am I overreacting? It ruined my time. And the baby started fussing right after the long prayer.

Reborn2002

Grabbing your hand and forcing you to participate in their prayer was rude IMHO. That is no worse than the Jehovah's Witnesses attempting to infringe on your right to choose and instead peddle magazines so as to force themselves on you.

Another example of why I find religion so disturbing and destructive.

Yes, it was rude, and I would have said something directly to his face about it. He disrespected your beliefs by trying to force his own on you.

bluesapphire

Yeah, Jason, that's what I thought too. It felt just like an elder. I spit on elders!!!! And I wanted to spit at this "Christian" man too. Why do I hate Christian men so much? I guess it's cuz I'm an "ex-jw".

JudasCain

Making such a scene with public praying is rude. I was always embarassed by the "spiritual towers" of men who felt the need to pray for the whole group when we would go out to eat after the conventions. Anyone have suggestions of what to say to help these fools realize they are offensive?

Judas

DJ

Blue eyes...lol,

Most jw men and this Catholic man are not exhibiting Christian behavior. love, dj

bluesapphire

DJ "blue eyes" L.O.L. Inside joke I guess.

That's a good point. Let's think of what to say in this situation. I was at a loss and usually I'm outspoken but my face turned red and hot, I stared into space and that's about all I did.

gcc2k

Your mom was at fault for not asking if she could bring other people. But, it sounds like you made the best of it.

A snappy comeback would have been, as you were leaving, to quietly tell the zealot "Since you're a religious person, I'm sure you would enjoy reading <scripture>, be sure to look it up when you get home".

<scripture> being the one where Jesus instructed his followers how to pray, with an example of not being like this guy.

(How pitiful am I, I can't even remember the basis scriptures at this point. Grr).

bluesapphire

I guess now that I am over it, he was just doing what he usually does at home. And otherwise, my mom says he's a nice man, good dad, husband, etc. I still think it's rude but can overlook his ignorance. Most people who haven't had the JW experience wouldn't be so sensitive to something like this. In fact, most (women anyway) would find it endearing.

Just when I think I'm not an "ex-jw" anymore LOL.

Prisca

Yes, I think it was rude of him (and his friends) to expect you to share in his group prayer. He should have said something along the lines of "My family and I are about to give a prayer, you're welcome to share in if you like." That would have given you the option of declining gracefully.

I see very few pepople praying in restaurants these days. It's unusual to see a whole group praying before a meal at a restaurant.

Guest 77

Rude, rude, rude!

Guest 77

Do you think this is rude????

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