Scenes from last night:
So a few weeks ago, I had a table set up for a large party, but only half of the people were present. When I went over to the table the following happened:
Me: Hi there, I see you’re waiting for the rest of your party, but can I start you with something to drink?
Lady: Turning her head only slightly towards me and in her best New York accent and attitude said, “Go away and don’t come back until everyone is here”.
Now let me tell you, the thoughts that raced through my head in the next second would have gotten me fired if they came out of my mouth, so instead I just turned around and walked away. As I was turning away, the lady (and I use that term loosely), starts asking for something, and, I may not be so proud of this, but I completely ignore her and go over to another table and practice my “Peace in, Joy out” breathing that helps me deal with such asshats.
A little while later, after the rest of the party had arrived and drinks had been ordered and delivered, I was trying to take the dinner orders. Of course, Ms. Asshat was being a pain, and I was not in the mood to be helpful or accommodating to any special requests at this point, but I was still managing to be pleasant and professional.
When she finally gave me her order, I reached out to take her menu, and I kid you not, she moved her hand away from mine and dropped her menu over her shoulder and onto the floor, so I had to bend down to pick it up. She tried to give me a half-assed apology, but I swear I saw a smile on her face. I was seeing stars I was so mad.
I told my co-workers about what happened, and let’s just say, it was lucky she didn’t end up with a pitcher of water ‘accidentally’ (or maybe a glass of red wine) dumped on her lap. But instead, my one co-workers decided to turn it into a game.
The week before, one of our regular customers brought us our yearly King Cake. In the box for the King Cake, was a little bag that contained a bunch of coins and bead necklaces for Mardi Gras. One of coins was sitting by the dessert station and my co-worker grabbed the coin and said, “from now on, whoever has the worst customer, they are getting the green coin under their plate”. I burst out laughing. Then she said, “does she have her food yet”? I shook my head no. “Let me know when it’s ready and I’ll take her plate and put the coin under it”.
And she did. We all laughed so hard. When I picked up the plates at the end, I carefully slid her plate off of the table and as the coin dropped into my hand, all of my anger went away, because 1) my co-workers had my back, 2) I know I never could behave like that woman did, and 3) laughter really is the best medicine.
monkeydish 