Excusing Oneself

I’m working at a very trendy brunch spot. As a result, we have a lot of customers. I’m about to sit a table for six when another customer walks in and waves his hands in my face almost immediately.

Customer: “Table for two.”

Me: “I’m just about to seat these customers; I will be right back with you.”

Customer: “Excuse me?!”

I ignore his ‘outrage’ and sit the table of six. When I come back to the hostess stand, the customer is glaring at me.

Customer: “I need to speak to the manager. Your tone was very unprofessional. I don’t come here to be disrespected.”

Me: “Of course. One moment.”

My manager comes over.

Manager: “Hi there, I’m the manager.”

Customer: “Your hostess has a tone. I don’t like her attitude.”

Manager: “Did she insult you or raise her voice?”

Customer: “Excuse me?! What kind of question is that?”

Manager: “Did she?”

Customer: “No, but she is clearly being passive-aggressive.”

Manager: “This is the best version of her. If she were being passive-aggressive, she would have said, “It’ll just be a moment,” and then gone on break.”

Customer: “Excuse me?!”

Manager: “You’re excused. From the restaurant.”