India, Oct. 16 -- Are the trendy new restaurants of today in the business of hospitality or hostility? Well, judging by recent events involving members of my own family, I am inclining towards the latter.

A few weeks ago, my niece and her husband booked themselves into a so-called hip and happening place in Gurgaon (I'm not going to name and shame them, but you know who you are) for her birthday dinner. They were attending a concert before dinner so my niece was dressed casually - but decently - in loose-fitting trousers and a red T-shirt, with matching red sneakers. Imagine their surprise then when the staff at the door would not allow them in because she was dressed in - wait for it - sportswear.

An argument ensued, and while it was g...