Your story hit a chord, pun intended.

Saturday nights I, & 4 girlfriends, go to dinner. We live in Manhattan & we make dinner at six-thirty.

The noise level at many neighborhood restaurants is overwhelming.

Three of the women wear hearing aids, one other should really wear one, and I alone hear well.

How many times I have to repeat what is being said around table.

Now they want to go earlier, like at six.

But I don't want to be home by 8. I enjoy drinks, dinner, coffee and conversation.

We usually ask for a quietish corner when making a reservation.

Tipping well sometimes helps...Good Luck!