Stick It To The (Business) Man
(My family are visiting my mother’s hometown in China. We are at a noodle shop for breakfast, where I am buying a stick of fried dough. I am a 12-year-old American-born-Chinese, so I can speak Chinese relatively well.)
Me: “Hello, can I get a—”
(A businessman barges in front of me, cutting me off mid-sentence.)
Businessman: “I need two sticks, hurry!”
(The man behind the stall looks shocked, but still takes the man’s money before reaching to get the fried dough sticks.)
Me: “Excuse me, I was in front of you. You cut in front of me.”
Businessman: “No, you weren’t! You were still walking over here when I was ordering! You should respect your elders! Kids these days!”
(He continues berating me until the man gives him his fried dough sticks. I glare at the businessman as he walks away, before turning to the man at the stall.)
Man: “Wow, you must be so brave to stick up like that! That guy has been bothering me for ages! He’s always acting like that.”
Me: “You’re welcome. So, could I please have a stick of fried dough?”
(The man happily gives me my stick of fried dough, smiling the whole time. He said that I made his day!)
This story was included in our Chinese Restaurant Roundup.
Question of the Week
Tell us your story about a customer who couldn't understand the most simple concept.
