it was a groggy morning and i was two steps from "missing the alarm" but i begrudgingly persisted with my morning routine. we were all out of milk this morning (as we will be again tomorrow since i didn't get any) so a stop at quicktrip had to suffice. i scour the many beverage options for something new and there in the smoothie machine is HORCHATA! this is when i realized it would be a good day. i drive to work and manage to show up on time, only to discover that i left my apron (along with bank, book, pens, etc) at home. this wasn't a big deal, just a small damper. we were actually pretty busy and tips were decent. naturally, something had to go wrong.
the kitchen was running behind. three of the five tickets on the screen had gone red, "RUSH", and my table was wondering where on earth their food was. i went to address my table and offer my apologizes. "i'm really sorry. i'm not quite sure why it's taking so long. the ticket is red"... realizing they probably didn't know what that meant i tried to clarify, "i don't know if you've worked in a restaurant but it means your food should be up soon. i'm sorry again." moments later their food was ready and we brought it out.
while i was addressing another table i noticed they had grabbed my manager. i wasn't concerned- it was the kitchen's fault and i'm sure she knew that already. she approaches me. "they didn't seem too happy. i'm taking a good portion of their balance off- 25%. actually closer to 40%. anyway, i need to talk to you in a bit." ...? why?? what did i do? but she didn't seem all that bothered so i wasn't going to let it preoccupy me.
there were conventions and sports teams staying over at the hotel so rotation was pretty constant. for the greater portion of the day, my section was mostly full... much to my surprise. my shift was ending and my manager finally pulled me aside. "they said you asked if they've ever worked at a restaurant." knowing where this was going, i laughed. "biiiiig misunderstanding." i told her what happened and she smiled. i figured it was like that. but you've got to watch what you say. they stopped listening after they heard what they wanted to."
i had my hunch and it proved to be true. go figure it all revolved around someone not actually listening. something tells me they messed up the telephone game a lot in grade school.
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2 comments:
I probably would have pissed in their drinks!
That's kinda crazy. I think they just wanted to pay less so they were looking for a reason to chat up the manager. Glad your manager was cool about it. Nonetheless, it was as stupid thing the customers did.
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