A Warmed Over Response

Me: “I’d like a hot tea, please.”

Waiter: “No problem.”

(Two minutes later, he returns with a tray bearing two waters and a tall glass of some dark liquid.)

Waiter: “You had the hot tea?” *offers dark liquid*

Me: “Uh, yes, the tea.”

(I touch the glass. It’s room temperature, and certainly not hot.)

Me: “I uh, wanted hot tea.”

Waiter: “Yes.”

Me: “Hot tea.”

Waiter: “This is the hottest tea we have. This is the only tea we have that isn’t cold.”

Me: “Are you having a problem with the hot water?”

Waiter: “This is the only hot tea we have.”

(I flag down a passing waitress.)

Me: “Uh, are you guys having trouble with the hot water?”

Waitress: “Um, no… why?”

Waiter: “She wanted hot tea. This is the only hot tea we have.” *indicates glass of lukewarm ice tea*

Waitress: “Hot green tea, right?”

Me: “Yes.”

Waitress: “I’ll make that for you right now.”

(Later…)

Waitress: “Sorry, he’s new…”