You won't believe what a waitress said to a customer...

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networkn

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#183687 26-Oct-2015 20:39

This is a true story, I swear it, I was present.

So we go to a restaurant on the way home from holiday this evening. We are waiting in line for a table, waitress reaches the people in front of me, a mother, her infant, and what I presume was her mother. The mother holding the baby says "Can we please have a table for two, and a high chair"...

I am not kidding... The waitress says .. "for the baby?".

I could NOT help myself. I say to the waitress.. "Actually, no, she just bought a brand new car and thought it would be safer inside than in the carpark".

Not 3 minutes later as we are seated, a couple come in, ask for a table for two, she says, sure, goes away to get two menus, comes back and says "just the two of you then"? I wanted to say "no, actually they changed their mind, in the last 15 seconds, and have arranged for 10 friends to join them.

Good Grief!

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#1414116 26-Oct-2015 20:43

I have to subscribe to this thread because I can see where it is going already...

networkn

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#1414130 26-Oct-2015 20:55

gzt

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#1414131 26-Oct-2015 20:58

If this waitress was on geekzone she could explain exactly why she asked those questions. People have all kinds of expectations and use words and phrases incorrectly when they mean something entrely different.

networkn

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#1414132 26-Oct-2015 21:00

gzt: If this waitress was on geekzone she could explain exactly why she asked those questions. People have all kinds of expectations and use words and phrases incorrectly when they mean something entrely different.

You know what, I usually give people the benefit of the doubt, but what other possible reason could someone have for asking for a HIGH CHAIR, whilst holding a baby?

I got the distinct impression she was either hung over, still drunk, stoned, or otherwise under the influence.

gzt

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#1414134 26-Oct-2015 21:13

For example the restaurant may have a special chair for elderly people.

Bring out the high chair and customer says OH NO! IT'S FOR MY MOTHER I've been coming here years and years AND I'VE NEVER BEEN SO insulted. We never use the BABY CHAIR LALALALALA...

Yes, crazy. Anything in front line service industry is crazy like that. Not all the time but often enough to ask the basic questions.

alasta

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#1414135 26-Oct-2015 21:14

networkn: I got the distinct impression she was either hung over, still drunk, stoned, or otherwise under the influence.

On the other hand, there are perfectly genuine reasons why some people struggle with communication. Anxiety, aspergers, dyspraxia, etc.

Admittedly someone who has difficulty with communication probably shouldn't be in a customer facing role like that, but that doesn't give you the right to be nasty.

Geektastic

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#1414136 26-Oct-2015 21:19

The world is full of these things.

The older I get, the more I understand the phrase 'stop the world, I want to get off!'.

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#1414138 26-Oct-2015 21:20

networkn:
gzt: If this waitress was on geekzone she could explain exactly why she asked those questions. People have all kinds of expectations and use words and phrases incorrectly when they mean something entrely different.

You know what, I usually give people the benefit of the doubt, but what other possible reason could someone have for asking for a HIGH CHAIR, whilst holding a baby?

I got the distinct impression she was either hung over, still drunk, stoned, or otherwise under the influence.

Or - dare I say it - just not terribly bright?

JoshWright

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#1414141 26-Oct-2015 21:24

As a waiter who works in a very busy restaurant/function centre I see where she's coming from. Everyone has their moments like forgetting how many people are at a table/if more are coming etc.. The highchair thing is a bit weird but honestly in a hospitality work environment you need to clarify everything/ask excessive questions.

Had a lady yesterday order an English Breakfast tea which I took to her table 5mins later only for her to ask why I served it with standard milk rather than Trim. Did she ask specifically for Trim? No, she assumed I would just somehow know she preferred trim.

Bottom line is both waiters and customers can be idiots and if a simple question can clear something up then don't be a dick about it. To be quite honest I'm offended you assumed she was under the influence, I'd like to see you try working hospitality! It's tough.

kiwifidget

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#1414142 26-Oct-2015 21:25

I do like Bill Engvall, the whole Blue Collar Comedy team actually.

Some people are of course, just a sandwich or two short of a picnic.
At work a friend mentioned her sister had had twins, a boy and a girl.
I swear, I was there, another colleague asked "oh, are they identical?".

Delete cookies?! Are you insane?!

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#1414143 26-Oct-2015 21:27

"That time Networkn went to Valentines again"

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#1414164 26-Oct-2015 21:56

If they can communicate with perfect linguistics they won't be waitressing.

Mark

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#1414166 26-Oct-2015 22:00

Some people are just on autopilot when talking to customers.

I always get asked if I want a car wash when I buy petrol at my local station ... that's with me standing there, holding a helmet, wearing full bike gear and a motorbike on the forecourt :-)

networkn

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#1414171 26-Oct-2015 22:11

alasta:
networkn: I got the distinct impression she was either hung over, still drunk, stoned, or otherwise under the influence.

On the other hand, there are perfectly genuine reasons why some people struggle with communication. Anxiety, aspergers, dyspraxia, etc.

Admittedly someone who has difficulty with communication probably shouldn't be in a customer facing role like that, but that doesn't give you the right to be nasty.

Give me a break. Nasty? I think not. I did so with a light hearted tone and a smile. If someone isn't 100% or isn't suitable for a customer facing role, they shouldn't be there.

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#1414173 26-Oct-2015 22:15

Twenty or so years ago I saw a guy ask for a "high chair" because he wanted to sit at a window. This was back in the days when people could smoke inside and he wanted to smoke at a window. He got a "high chair" for a baby rather than the bar stool with a higher than usual back on it.

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