Plenty of new money, but no manners

By Linda Parri
From: The Sunday Times
November 28, 2010 12:37AM
Source: news.com.au

A NEW breed of diners are cashed up but lack etiquette, says Perth restaurateur of almost 20 years Albassio La Pegna.
"They conduct themselves in a way that is clearly not elegant," he said. "I see people order an $800 bottle of wine and then they don't even know how to hold the glass properly."
Mr La Pegna, born in Italy, owns Rialtos in Subiaco and Rudy's in Claremont. He also created Bellissimo and Pronto in Claremont, Funtastico in Subiaco and Zafferano Restaurant at the Old Swan Brewery.
Mr La Pegna said many diners with "new money" had no manners. "The corporate market has been replaced by under-30s, since the global financial crisis," he said. "Some of them don't know how to order, how to stay at the table or how to conduct themselves.
"Some people who made money five years ago, in the boom, don't know how to deal with fine-dining and haven't read the book of manners.

"They don't order in an orthodox manner.
"They don't order entrees, main and dessert.
"There were a lot more people with old money in the old days.
"Some of the people with new money don't even know which fork to use. It makes you wonder what level Perth is at on an international scale."
Mr La Pegna said young people didn't want to go to restaurants any more and opted for tapas bars.
"Young people go to tapas bars because they think they are getting a cheap night out, but they are picking on finger food and getting charged a lot."
Mr La Pegna has also noticed the appearance of Perth diners has changed dramatically.
"When I arrived in Perth in 1981, I was amazed at how people didn't have any fashion sense," he said.
"Now every girl dresses like a model and men dress like gangsters with jeans, T-shirts and tattoos because that's what attracts the girls.
"All of them are getting pissed and out of control and spending everything they make.
"They don't eat regularly, that's why they get so drunk."

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