Recently, I had the pleasure of dining with some former co-workers. While we were waiting for our table, a couple walked in to the restaurant. The man was loudly conversing on his cell phone. It seemed that he wanted everyone to hear his conversation. He was an attorney. No, I’m not a psychic, but he repeated the phrase - “well, as an attorney, I can tell you this” - about a hundred times before he got off of the phone.

When he completed his call, he asked his wife how long the wait would be. Apparently, he wasn’t happy with the fifteen to twenty minute wait because he stormed up to the hostess and demanded to be seated immediately. The hostess asked whether he had a reservation. He didn’t. So, she told him that there was nothing she could do, but she was certain that tables would be available soon. This is when Mr. Esquire figured that he could get a seat faster if he informed the hostess what an important person he was because he was an attorney. This is how the remainder of their conversation went:

Mr. Esquire: Listen, I’m an attorney and I have an important case that I need to get back to. I can’t wait to be seated.

Hostess: Right. I heard you, but like I said before, without a reservation, there’s nothing that I can do. You’ll have to wait like everyone else.

Mr. Esquire: That’s ridiculous! You mean to tell me that there are no exceptions. I’m just supposed to sit here and waste time. I’m an attorney.

At this point, more people were coming into the restaurant and the hostess had to tend to them. She apologized to Mr. Esquire and looked away. Mr. Esquire was not relenting and demanded to see her manager. The manager comes along and Mr. Esquire repeats his argument to him. The manager is trying his best to pacify Mr. Esquire and offers him an appetizer on the house. So one of my co-workers interrupts and asks the manager what would a table of two judges and three attorneys get for waiting so patiently. My co-worker quickly added that he wasn’t being serious. Mr. Esquire looked at us as if he were shocked that he wasn’t the only attorney in the restaurant. He sat down next to his wife and waited. Now, I’m not sure if he stopped his tirade out of shame or perhaps, fear that one of the judges would report his behavior to the ethics board. But, either way, it’s people like him that give our profession a bad reputation. Shame on you, Mr. Esquire!!