(I’m the customer in this one. It’s Valentine’s Day, and although is not a really celebrated holiday in my country, the company is American. I have already ordered and I’m about to pay when the cashier smiles at me and makes me a question.)
Cashier: “Are you in love?”
(I was rejected by my crush two weeks ago, so the question doesn’t make me happy at all.)
Me: “No, not really…”
Cashier: *bummed* “…I’ll give you the discount anyway. I hate having to ask that.”
(It’s Valentine’s day and my husband of 2.5 years decides to take me out for dinner. We are randomly talking and holding hands over the table when an excitable older gentleman approaches us.)
Man: “Congratulations!” *pats my husband on the back* “Good on you, and on Valentine’s day!” *giggles and walks off*
(Later, as my husband is getting knives and forks for our meal the man whispers to him:)
Man: “Are you winning?”
Husband: *holds up his wedding ring and grins* “I won years ago.”
(I work at an upscale, very romantic restaurant. Valentine’s Day is our biggest night of the year; we’re booked solid for weeks in advance. It’s not uncommon for people to propose, so I’m not surprised when I see another waiter putting an engagement ring in a cake. A few moments later, I hear the woman shrieking “yes!” and clapping. Another couple flags me down.)
Male Customer: “What’s happening over there?”
Me: “I think it was a proposal.”
Female Customer: “Oh, that is so romantic!”
Male Customer: *frowns at me* “You’d better cancel the champagne, then.”
Me: “Sir?”
Male Customer: *stabs at his plate* “You can forget the champagne and the strawberries. You’ve ruined the surprise now.”
(The female customer and I exchange looks.)
Me: “Sir?”
Male Customer: “You let that guy propose. I can’t propose now. I’ll look like I’m copying him!”
Female Customer: “Propose?!”
Male Customer: “Not anymore. These idiots ruined it! How could you let someone else propose!”
Me: “Sir, I had no idea you were going to propose.”
Male Customer: “Well, how are you going to compensate me for your mistake?”
Me: “Sir?”
Female Customer: “Honey, it’s not her fault.”
Male Customer: “They ruined our evening. This should have been magical. I demand to see the manager!”
(I go and get the manager. The couple are whispering back and forth and don’t look happy. Other customers and giving them anxious glances.)
Manager: “Sir, is there a problem?”
Male Customer: “Yes! You ruined my evening by letting that man propose!”
Manager: “Sir, we are not responsible for guest’s proposals.”
Male Customer: “Yes, you are! You knew I was going to propose and your staff let him do it first! And I can’t propose after him!”
Manager: “Sir, I don’t know what we could have done to prevent this. Our staff cannot tell people not to propose.”
Male Customer: *yelling* “Yes, you can! I reserved a proposal!”
(By now a lot of guests are staring.)
Manager: “Sir, please keep your voice down.”
Male Customer: “No! I will not be treated like this. You ruined my entire evening and now you’re acting like I’m the bad guy!”
Manager: “Sir, if you do not calm down I will ask to you leave.”
(The man begins yelling, “Ruined!” over and over again, and starts throwing his food on the floor. We end up calling the police to get him out. Throughout all of this his companion silently watches. As the police drag him out, still screaming she opens her purse and puts a wad of cash on the table.)
Female Customer: “That’s for saving me from a terrible marriage. Have a good evening.”
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(My husband and I have had a normal meal so far with the food and service being fine. Everything is going well until we hand the server money for our bill.)
Me: “The gift card has $25 on it so the $20 is to cover the rest of our tab.”
(On top of the $20 bill and the gift card, I had put the 43 cents that was the change due on our bill. The server picks everything up and cups her hand so the change doesn’t spill and walks away. A few minutes later she returns with our change.)
Server: “Okay, guys, here is your change for today. After the gift card and the cash, you are left with $12.57. Is there anything else I can do for you today?”
(My husband and I look at each other since we should not be getting any change back. We gave exact change for our bill.)
Me: “Um, there shouldn’t be any change back to us. We had the 43 cents on top of the gift card and the $20 for you.”
Server: “Really?”
Me: “Yes. It was the $20 bill, the gift card then the change sitting on that.”
Server: “Oh, I really don’t like dealing with change.”
Me: “Well, we still gave you change.”
Husband: “Yeah, we needed to break the $20. We should be getting $13 back.”
Server: “Fine.”
(In a huff, she grabs the change that she gave back to us off the table and lays down another dollar.)
Server: *with attitude* “Anything else now?”
Me: “We’re good. Thanks.”
(After the server walks away.)
Husband: *confused* “She doesn’t like dealing with change but she gave us change back?”
Me: “I’m not going to try to figure that one out. You ready to go?”
(Usually when the drive-thru gets busy we send an order-taker outside with a tablet to get orders in faster. Around winter time, the temperature drops lower than Californians are used to and on one particular day, it drops below 50°F. They send me out to take orders and I think it isn’t that cold so I just have my short sleeve uniform shirt and pants.)
Me: “Hi! How are you today?”
Customer: “I’m okay, but isn’t it really cold for you?”
Me: “I’m actually not that cold. What can I get for you today?”
(I take her order, give her the total, and direct her to the first window for payment.)
Me: “All right, have a great day!”
Customer: “You, too! Are you sure you aren’t cold? You can take my jacket!”
Me: “Oh, no, please don’t. I’m fine! Thank you anyway!”
(A few minutes later, I see my manager walk outside towards me with a jacket.)
Manager: “Some lady in the drive thru demanded that I give you a jacket and said it was abuse for making you take orders outside.”
Me: “She tried to give me her own, too. At least she cares more than some of the other customers here.”
