Observer effect

In the past year, I've noticed the observer effect kicking in regarding my restaurant experiences. According to Wikipedia, my source for all things physics-related, "In experimental research, the term observer effect refers to changes that the act of observing will make on the phenomenon being observed."

None of my recent restaurant meals have qualified as phenomenal, but the possibility that I might blog about them makes me observe them differently, almost as if I'm simultaneously verbalizing or notating my impressions, rather than just chowing down.

I'm related to a long line of people who never forgot a single bite of food that ever entered their mouths. I thought that gene had skipped me. But these days I remember meals in great detail. I come across a takeout menu and recall, "That's the place where the fries tasted sort of fishy ..."

And those pet peeves about service that you've all confided to me over the years? I'm noticing them, too. Glancing through the stack of receipts on my desk brings to mind the waiter who didn't break up my change into anything smaller than a 10, perhaps in hopes of a larger tip. Or the waitress who asked if we were done, while we were still chewing, forks hovering over half-full plates. Or the dreaded query, "Do you want change?"

The funny thing is, none of these things have interfered with my enjoyment whatsoever. I don't think the food or service is any better or worse than what I've experienced over the years. I still have a good time and enjoy myself practically every time I go out.

But I do notice things more, and think about what components add up to a positive or negative restaurant experience. And all of those thoughts are bound to end up posted here, sooner or later.