Card Definitely Declined

This story made me think of my own. I’ve always looked young for my age. When I was mid-twenties, people often assumed I was sixteen. This happened a few years before.

In high school, I went to culinary school. In our first year, we focused solely on learning how to cook. In our second year, we got to help out in the restaurant. For half a year, you either cooked or served, and after half a school year, you switched. The restaurant was a lunch restaurant, on the pricier side. Due to its location, it was often used for business lunches and such.

I was serving. We had a very strict dress code, black bottoms (skirt no shorter than the knees, or pants), and a newly pressed white shirt. I think we also had black bow ties, but it was a long time ago, and the memory is a bit foggy on that part.

What I do remember crystal clear is the middle-aged man, eating lunch with an older guy on one of my tables. They gave me no trouble whatsoever, but whenever I passed, I could feel the middle-aged guy staring. Remember, I definitely did not look legal age, and it was well known in the area that the restaurant was run by students.

They never said a word to me, other than ordering. When they had left, there was no tip on the table, which is not uncommon in Sweden, but definitely disappointing for a high school kid. But when I lifted the plates, I could find the middle-aged man’s business card, perfectly placed under his plate.

Worst tip ever.