And That’s How The Wrong Cookie Crumbles

(After eating lunch at a popular fast food chain, I decide to go to their in-store coffee shop to order something to go before going back to school.)

Me: “Hi, can I have a small iced vanilla frappe and a chocolate cookie?”

(Both items together would come up to four euros/dollars, but the screen shows only 3 euros. I’m incredibly shy, so I don’t say anything even though I’m confused. The barista, after asking a coworker how to do a frappe, disappears to fetch ice. I watch him add it to the mixer, then pour a brown, chocolaty powder over it. I decide to intervene.)

Me: “Ex- excuse me? I ordered a vanilla frappe.”

(The barista wordlessly grabs a new container and makes my frappe. I relax, hoping I’ll get my order soon. Once finished, the barista turns to me.)

Barista: “So that was a vanilla frappe with chocolate over it, right?”

Me: “No, just vanilla, please. And a chocolate cookie.”

(The barista gives me my frappe, but doesn’t make a move to get a cookie. I try it again.)

Me: “I also ordered a cookie…”

Barista: “Excuse me?”

Me: “Chocolate cookie?”

(He continues to stare at me in confusion. Note that he has a strong accent, so I assume he has problems understanding me.)

Me: “Chocolate cookie?” *gestures to the cookie display*

Barista: *confused stare*

Me: *repeats myself in English* “Chocolate cookie.” *points at cookies again*

(Finally, after I and the other customers in line pointed at the cookie jars a few times more, he moved. He charged me a euro for the cookie and gave me a bag. It’s not until I’m back at school that I realise he didn’t give me a chocolate, but a pecan nut cookie. Even though I cannot eat it, being allergic to nuts, I don’t go back. I don’t think I could have made him understand anyway.)