(My parents and I are eating out at a restaurant with my mom’s best friend. Everyone here is from Louisiana.)

Friend: “I’ve always loved Creole gumbos.”

Dad: *a born and raised Cajun* “So, you’ve never actually had gumbo, then?”

(Due to the wet humidity in the South, the locks for the rooms tend to malfunction quite a lot. On this particular day a guest comes up and complains that his key isn’t working. I ask him the necessary questions like: “Where there any lights on the lock?”, “Did you have your key by anything electronic such as cell phones or credit cards?”, “Is there anyone else in the room?” After answering the necessary questions and reading his key to make sure the key didn’t expire, I came to the conclusion that it was the lock itself. I was working alone on a Saturday morning. Maintenance usually doesn’t get here till around 10AM and the managers are off on the weekends, but if it’s an emergency, like a guest is locked out, one of my managers live within 5 miles of the hotel. I called him up and told him the situation.)

Manager: Okay I’ll be on my way just give me 5 minutes and I’ll be there.

Me: Okay no problem. I’ll let the guest know. *To Guest* I’m very sorry Mr [Insert last name] the manager is aware of the situation and is on his way here right now to come fix it for you. It should only be 5 minutes. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Please enjoy some complimentary coffee, tea, and breakfast in the meantime. It should be fixed by the time you finish.

Guest: *in a serious tone and look on his face* So i’m locked out of my room till he gets here?

Me: *Facepalm*

I’ve just rung up a mother and her young daughter, including tying the bags closed with twist-ties. The daughter doesn’t notice the twist-tie on her bag and quickly becomes upset that she can’t open it.

Daughter: *distraught* “It’s broken! Mommy, it’s broken!”

The mother assured her that the candy wasn’t “broken” as they left, but I’m not sure she believed it…

(A customer pays for her items and heads for the door. I realize immediately that she’s left her bagged items at the register.)

Me: “Ma’am, you forgot your items!”

(The store isn’t loud, and the registers are close to the doors, but she doesn’t seem to hear me. She walks at a fast clip through the doors.)

Me: *to people in line* “Excuse me a moment.”

(I grab the plastic shopping bag and jog after the woman. She keeps up her fast clip across the sidewalk and into the parking lot. Other employees are sitting in front of the store on their cigarette breaks.)

Me: “Ma’am! Wait! You’re walking off without your purchase! Excuse me! Lady with the red shirt!”

Coworker: “Ma’am! Ma’am!”

Coworker #2: “Ma’am! You forgot your stuff!”

(She didn’t slow down or look back. She entered a van which was facing the store. I waved, trying to get her attention, but she never once looked up as she focused on turning on the engine and putting the car in reverse. She looked behind her as she backed up, still giving no sign she’d seen or heard us. She was out of the parking lot in seconds, and I was left holding the shopping bag. As far as I know, she never came back for her purchase. I’ve rarely seen anyone move so fast!)

I’ve been waiting tables for 10 years. Unlike most experienced waiters, I refuse to profile my tables. I give everyone the same level of service regardless of race, gender, age, disability, national origin, etc.

Black patron pays and leaves 5 on 30, which is less than I’m accustomed to.

I bring a bag to put their boxes in, bag it up, and they leave.

As I’m at the wait station the lady walks up to me.

Customer: My husband said to give you this because no one has ever bagged up our Togo items. *hands me 5 more dollars* (that’s now 10 on 30, a very nice tip)

Don’t judge people