I’m Drawing A Blanc, Part 3
I’m a barback in a busy upscale restaurant, so my responsibilities are basically running drinks, clearing tables and resetting them, stocking booze when we run out mid-service, etc. I run a drink over to a lady wearing pearls, a designer dress, etc., and she is shocked to see it.
Customer: “What the h*** is this?”
Me: “Your drink, Miss.”
Customer: “Well, I thought I ordered a white Chianti.”
Me: “Umm…”
Customer: “Take it back right now! I didn’t order this! I wanted a white Chianti.”
I’m thinking, “Dear God, how do I tell this stupid person that there is no such thing?” Usually, when this happens, I just bow my head and run back to the bar to let the bartenders sort it out — in other words, comp this dumb diner’s fifteen-dollar, perfectly fine Chianti and pour her an eight-dollar Pinot Grigio). For some reason, instead, I decide to educate.
Me: “I’m terribly sorry, Miss, but I should let you know that there is no such thing as a white Chianti. Chianti is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape, which is a red grape, and Chianti is always a red wine. This one, in particular, is pretty fruity and has a light to medium body, so you might actually like it.”
Customer: “No! I want a white wine!“
I brought it back to the bar, downed it, and asked the bartender for the worst white wine that was cheapest by the glass, which I took to the customer. It’s the little victories that matter in the service industry.
Question of the Week
Tell us about a customer who got caught in a lie!
