Why are pepper grinders in restaurants so big?!
Answers: I am a former chef and the one young lady had it more in line, it is just a show issue, as for "Piglet" she has been drinking to much coffee or something for her theory to be sound.
You've got far too much time on your hands.
Probably because they have a lot of pepper to grind each day. But it may also be that a bigger grinder works better, it's mechanics at work.
so the staff don't need to keep filling them up all the time
You don`t have to re-fill a large one as many times.It saves time and hassle when you are busy.
To simply awe you with the big flurish..
it might have something to do with them not leaning over the person so much. some restaurants use it for you so its longer so they can use it over your shoulder and not be leaning all over your food.?
Unfortunately it is probably NOT a kind gesture to accommodate little old ladies who have arthritis! However, three good reasons spring to mind:
(a) because they are harder to steal so restaurants do not have a high turnover in pepper mills
(b) because they do not need filling so often
(c) the viagra effect... i.e. big is apparently considered better in all areas of human endeavour!
YMMV as they say!! LOL!