[sam_paine]

You can’t play on pretty much any golf course without a collar.

Cmon, guys. Get it together. Tshirts and ball caps are good for Hooters, not a nice dinner place.

Why do expensive restaurants exist in the first place? To have a special experience, not just a casual Chili’s or Applebee’s thing.

Would these guys have ever considered going to such a place in their skivvies while they were still in the service?

I remember when a man felt naked without at least a sportcoat in a nice place.

[luvbach1]

I agree that, in general, nice restaurants are within bounds to have dress codes.

[TexasPatriot1]

Dude, really?
In these economic times?
If I owned a high-end resturant, I would suspend dress codes
and if someone came in with money to spend, I would gladly accept it.
Now, being a vet myself, I would bend over backwards to make
sure all vets were treated with the upmost respect.
NO MATTER HOW THEY WERE DRESSED!!!
That is disrespectful.

[utahagen]

I agree. And what does their being vets have to do with anything? They weren't dressed appropriately. This story reminds me of all those news stories about “grandmothers” whose credit card interest rates went up when they missed a payment. What the devil does it matter that such women were “grandmothers”? If any restaurant has a dress code you don't feel like going along with, pick another restaurant.

[jiminycricket000]

"Would these guys have ever considered going to such a place in their skivvies while they were still in the service? I remember when a man felt naked without at least a sportcoat in a nice place."

Ahem, they made a small sacrifice for you and I at Pearl Harbor, Normandy, Bataan, Peleliu, Iwo jima, the Coral Sea. Maybe we can find it in our great big hearts somewhere to let these greatest of all American heros have what is perhaps a last horah for some of them at a nice restaurant. I know it's hard to see these toothless, tieless, 92 year old geezers sitting right next to our clean, expensive table, but if we really struggle we could find a place in our hearts to accomodate the unfathomable sacrifices they made for us while they still breathe.

[Frantzie]

Agreed. Muni golf courses will not let you on without a collar. T-shirts and ball caps at a decent restaurant look terrible. A gentleman takes his hat off in a restaurant.

[End Times Sentinel]

Glad to see I'm not the only one taking the unpopular stance here.

I agree with both of you, it's just no appropriate to show up to (what I'm led to believe is) a fine dining restaurant wearing shorts, t-shirts, and baseball caps.

I've seen folks eat at Mortons wearing jeans and t-shirts, I've seen folks attend Mass wearing cut offs and a Flyers jersey.

Is it really that difficult to put on a pair of khakis and a shirt with a collar on it if you're going to an expensive restaurant?

Conducting yourself in an appropriate manner is a sign of civility and respect for others.

[Michael.SF.]

In many ways you are right, but in one way you need to reconsider:

There is an old saying in the restaurant business:

"If somebody likes a place, they will tell a friend, if they don't, they will tell ten."

I agree on the dress code, in general, but this is a case where an exception should have been made to avoid all the negative publicity.

[Mountain Bike Vomit Carnage]

I am with you, Sam. I don’t care who you are, places have a dress code for a reason. It is reasonable to dress appropriately for the occasion or venue.