In this edition of The Gripe Report, we delve into the frustrations and pet peeves that plague our dining and shopping experiences. From the perplexing trend of "deconstructed" dishes to the unsavory realities of shopping cart hygiene, our writer navigates the culinary and consumer landscapes with a keen eye for the absurd and a penchant for voicing their grievances.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Deconstructed Cuisine

One of the writer's primary gripes centers around the growing popularity of "deconstructed" dishes in restaurants. They express a strong aversion to any food item that doesn't arrive at the table in its fully assembled form. The writer laments the concept of a "Deconstructed BLT," where the components are presented separately, forcing the diner to engage in a culinary arts and crafts project before they can even take a bite.The writer's distaste for deconstructed dishes extends to other menu items, such as fajitas. They find it particularly vexing that while tacos can be neatly assembled in the kitchen, fajitas are often served with the various ingredients scattered across multiple plates, requiring the diner to construct their own meal. The writer questions the rationale behind this inconsistency, arguing that fajitas and tacos are essentially permutations of the same ingredients.Furthermore, the writer takes issue with establishments that require diners to cook their own food, such as those with built-in grills or boiling pots of broth. They contend that the primary purpose of dining out is to avoid the hassle of cooking, and they see no logic in paying someone to bring them raw ingredients that they must then prepare themselves. The writer suggests that if one wants to grill their own steak, it would be more practical to do so at home.

The Perils of Unsanitary Shopping Carts

Shifting gears, the writer delves into another pet peeve: the unsanitary practices of placing children in shopping carts. They recount a reader's complaint about the potential contamination of food items when children, with their shoes or even diapers, occupy the cart's child seat. The writer acknowledges that this is a concern they had not previously considered but now find themselves unable to ignore.The writer expresses discomfort at the thought of their own groceries being placed in a cart that has been exposed to the various germs and dirt that children may have tracked in. They also extend this concern to the use of suitcases, noting that the wheels of these luggage items are often exposed to a myriad of unsavory substances, making it unwise to place them on one's bed or other surfaces where food may be prepared.

The Cacophony of Oversharing at Restaurants

Returning to the topic of dining, the writer addresses another gripe shared by a reader: the excessive and inappropriate sharing of personal medical information by other patrons in restaurants. The writer agrees that the loud discussions of ailments, procedures, and other graphic details can be highly disruptive and unappetizing for those simply trying to enjoy a meal.The writer suggests that the root of this issue may lie in the hearing difficulties often experienced by older diners, which leads them to speak at elevated volumes. They also note that the more severe or unsavory the medical condition, the more compelled some individuals seem to be to share the gory details with their dining companions.The writer proposes that teaching the elderly population to utilize text-based communication methods, such as messaging or email, could help alleviate this problem, allowing them to share their health updates without disrupting the dining experiences of others.