It really isn't fair to bring women into this, because almost ALL women welcome an opportunity to get dressed up. We have no problem wearing high heels and dresses to dinner.
We have no problem with the Prospect of having to BUY a dress for dining out.
So back to the guy that has a problem with dressing as well as his wife (companion)..:)

"I have never eaten a worthwhile meal at a restaurant with a dress code."

"Same here, flanneruk. I've had plenty of great meals in Europe at restaurants that don't have dress codes."

Maybe I'm particularly stupid today, but can anyone suggest what one statemtent above has to do with the other? Saying that you've never had a decent meal in a restaurant WITH a dress code, doesn't mean you couldn't have had a decent meal in a restaurant WITHOUT one. In fact, if you've ever had a decent meal and it wasn't in a restaurant that had a dress code, then in fact it would HAVE HAD to have been in a restaurant that didn't have one. Right?

&quot;<i>it's about why some guys find wearing a jacket at a restaurant such a big deal.</i>&quot;

Why do some women find walking in heels such a big deal when other women apparently don't? Why do some many women choose to wear pants instead of dresses? Why is a gentleman defined as one who wears a jacket a dinner? Why isn't a gentleman defined as one who wears a jacket AND tie at dinner? Or a suit?

Everyone has values comfort vs. looks/fashion differently; is that hard to understand?

Where oh where is m_kingdom2 when you need &quot;that person&quot; :)
We have travelled a lot and my husband has never taken a dinner jacket with him. We have eaten at some pretty wonderful restaurants and I don't think he's ever felt under-dressed nor do I think we were treated poorly. Quite the opposite in fact. Part of it is having to pack the jacket and the other part is when we travel, we really seek out the local establishments for our meals. I think there is a big difference between wearing shorts and sneakers to dinner and wearing a nice pair of chinos and a golf shirt. If it's cool out, he wears a nice jacket but not a &quot;sports jacket&quot;.

&quot;Gentlemen wear jackets when dining in public.&quot;

So YOU'RE the guy I saw in McDonald's the other day! I thought it was so sweet when you laid your jacket over the ketchup spill so the lady could pass!

So funny the first two responses would be from the unreasonable extremes. I doubt I'd enjoy dining with either the caveman or Lord Fauntelroy.

Hi TorontoSteven

&gt;...always to be in a position to loan it to my beautiful wife if she is feeling chilly...&lt;

When we were in Naples last Sept, my Lady Wife allowed me to go out to one of the local cafes sans jacket.

We were outside. The temp dropped. I was without a jacket. Fortunately there was a souvenir standclose by.

I bought a large &quot;Naples&quot; banner for her to put over her shoulders.

Hi canuckuphereathome

&gt;...my husband has never taken a dinner jacket with him.&lt;

We are not talking about dinner jackets. That would be much too formal. A sports jacket is quite sufficient.

Hi sundown

&gt; &quot;Gentlemen wear jackets when dining in public.&quot;

So YOU'RE the guy I saw in McDonald's the other day! &lt;

Sorry, I do not consider eating at &quot;fast food&quot; establishments to be dining.

Hello Ira,

My wife need only look at my jacket and I know she is cold. I love it when people say men do not understand women.

Ira, I would tremendously enjoy watching the reactions of all the stylish Italians, Frenchmen, etc. I've seen dining in restaurants sans jackets when you inform them that they're not gentlemen.

Since they're not gentlemen, Ira will not have to worry about their whipping out a glove, striking him across the face, and challenging him to a duel. But in the unlikely event that should happen, I'd put my money on Ira!

If they are not wearing jackets, from whence will they whip out a glove?

Not to mention that it is unlikely that they will have gloves. :)

Last night my Lady Wife and I attended a charity reception at a place called &quot;Cowboys in the Country&quot;.

It is just the place for those persons who can't be bothered with &quot;formal wear&quot; at dinner. The general dress code was jeans and tee shirts.

&quot;All you can eat&quot; overcooked Low Country Boil, cheap beer and wine at high prices. Very loud &quot;music&quot;.

I did not wear a jacket, as it would have been inappropriate.