A Class Actor
I’ve only just begun working at a local community centre as a barista/front desk host. Among other things, our building houses a Dutch language class for immigrants. They get free coffee or tea during their breaks. The classes do have new people joining regularly, and since I’m fairly new, I always check with the customer if I’m not sure.
Also worthy of noting is that our U-shaped bar has the coffee machine on one side and the till on the far end.
I’m working near the coffee machine when a lady approaches.
Customer: *In a mixture of broken Dutch and English.* “Hot water. Is free, yes?”
Me: “Depends. Are you with [Language Class]?”
Customer: *Somehow looks appalled by the idea alone.* “Noo! No! I no in class. Why you even ask?”
Me: “In that case, I have to ring up your hot water as a tea. The till is on the other side, where my coworker will help you.”
Customer: “But is only water! Is free for me, yes?”
Me: “If you are not in [Class], then you must pay for your tea, ma’am.”
She continues to try to point out that water should be free, and she is ordering that, and not tea specifically. We serve our tea as just hot water, and people can select the flavour they want from the tea box a couple of steps to the right.
She keeps pointing at the coffee machine, repeating ‘hot water’ with an expectant smile, not making any move towards the till.
Feeling a little lost, I call for my coworker. Once the customer notices that, she tries another approach.
Customer: *In the most kiss-a**y tone possible.* “If I really have to, I will pay! I no thief. I have money, of course I pay!”
My coworker comes to rescue me, resolutely rings up the tea at the till, and summons the woman to pay. I look away for a second, and when I pay attention again, the woman is gone. I spot her at a table where she had already settled herself, and only there retrieves her wallet as slowly as possible, all the while shooting glances towards us.
When she finally comes back to the till, she huffs and puffs all throughout the transaction, obviously reluctant about it all but also boasting.
Customer: “See? I said I can pay!”
I go on with my duties and forget about it.
A little later, I have to use the bathroom. On my way there, I pass the classroom for the Dutch lessons, and to my surprise, Miss “Noo! I no in class!” is sitting there.
When I come back, I ask my coworker about it.
Coworker: “Well, now you know our most difficult customer. She thinks she can get away with free drinks before and after class, which they are not entitled to, and always shows up late for the lessons. Sometimes she even makes her way behind the bar to help herself. She thought she could trick you since you were new. Glad you didn’t fall for it.”
