I have to agree with the writer's demographic observations: <40
think bribing for a better table is wrong and >40 consider it
part of doing business.

http://www.gourmet.com/magazine/2000...?currentPage=1

I won't bribe to get seated but will calmly ask for a different
table if I find I don't like where we're headed. My moral code
just doesn't allow me to "grease" the wheel.

My gahdmother's 80-yo boyfriend doesn't think twice about
calmly palming a bill to the maître d'. He's so smooth that if
you didn't know what was going on, you'd miss it completely.
He's very subtle (and artist) and has never been turned away
from any restaurant.

Would you bribe your way in to a high-caliber restaurant?

The Ranger