Reading Signs Is Not In The Cards

I’m next in line at a concession stand at a somewhat popular event. This stand is located in a barn- or shed-type of building. Customers enter through the doors at either end of the building, the counter is along the back wall, there is a condiment stand, and there are a few picnic tables spread throughout the rest of the building.

The customer ahead of me has ordered a ton of food — multiple hotdogs and burgers, fries, drinks, and some candy. The cashier rings it all in and tells him the price while other people working in the concession stand start gathering his items and bringing them up to the counter.

Cashier: “That’ll be [price], please.”

Customer: “Card.”

Cashier: “Oh, I’m sorry… We don’t take cards at this stand. Only the stand at [Main Building] takes cards.”

Customer: “That’s bogus! Everybody takes cards.”

Cashier: “We don’t. Do you have cash on you?”

Customer: “Are you really happy you made me waste all that time in line, and now my kids can’t eat lunch, all because you don’t have a sign or something saying you don’t accept cards?”

Cashier: “We have signs at the doors at both ends, signs on the walls along the lines, a sign on the menu board, and a sign on the register right here.”

Customer: “Well, then… Are you really going to let my kids go hungry?”

Cashier: “The concession stand in [Main Building] takes cards, or there is an ATM right over there. If you want to use the ATM, I’ll keep a note of your order so we can get it ready as soon as you get back.”

The customer grumbles a bit but does eventually leave the register, and I step up.

Me: *Sheepishly* “Well… I also didn’t read the signs, so I guess I won’t waste anyone’s time putting in an order yet!”

I earned a chuckle from the cashier and made my way to the main building to use that concession stand so I could pay by card.