I’m the customer in this story. My family has lived in Sydney for a couple of years, but we’re moving overseas again. It’s the evening before our flight, all our stuff is already gone, so we decide to go to a restaurant.
My dad found quite a new Indian one just down the road and we decide to check it out.
When we arrive, we see that it’s quite small, only a handful of tables and we’re the only ones there. The servers are really friendly and probably a bit bored, so they chat with us.
Finally we are ready to order. I should mention that we are all white, with a slight German accent. My parents, especially my dad, love spicy food though and my dad often cooks Indian food himself and it can never be spicy enough for him.
Dad: *orders a meal*
Server: Of course. However, that is really spicy. Are you fine with that?
Dad: Oh, sure. I really hope it’s spicy!
Server: Oh yes, this is our spiciest meal. It’s really hot! Are you completely sure you want it?
Dad: Well, it sounds great! Bring it on!
The server leaves to give the kitchen our orders. When he comes back, we again chat for a bit, about where we live (just around the corner), where we’re from (Germany), but my parents don’t like to tell strangers personal things, so we never mention our move.
The food arrives and we dig in, it tastes great. Spicy, but not too bad. However, I understand why „normal“ people might not enjoy it. After some time the server comes to check on us.
Server: So, how is the food? *to my dad* Is it spicy enough?
Dad: Thank you, it’s great! Could actually be a bit spicier, but still tastes good.
The server looks surprised at that.
Even though we are quite full already, we also order dessert. The staff must like us, because they give us some extra ice cream and when we’re about to pay, we are completely stuffed.
When we finally go to the counter to pay, this exchange happens:
Cashier: So, did you enjoy your stay with us?
My parents and me together: Yes!
Cashier: Will you come eat here again?
Us: *without hesitation* No.
Cashier: *weird look* Uhm… may I ask why not?
Dad: We move back to Germany tomorrow.
Cashier: Oh. Okay. Well, how about you give us a like on Facebook?
Dad: Sorry, none of us has Facebook.
Cashier: … oh. Well, anyway, your total is […]
My dad takes his wallet and searches around for money. That’s when I remember that I still have 50 AUD with me, that I hadn’t gotten around to exchange to Euros. I hand them to my dad, so he can use them to pay and simply transfer the amount in seriös to my bank account. I’m also a fifteen year old girl out with her parents and normally girls that age wouldn’t pay the food of the entire family.
My dad takes the money and gives it to the cashier. I can just see his eyes grow bigger and bigger, but he doesn’t say anything. On our way out, he offers us some mouth refreshener.
Me: Ohhh, I love that stuff! *takes a big handful and starts eating it*
We leave and immediately start laughing our heads of at the poor cashier who probably got a good story out of this to tell his colleagues.
A white family comes into the Indian restaurant, criticises that the food isn’t spicy enough, however obviously enjoys it. When asked if they’d return, especially since they live just around the corner, they refuse however, as apparently they move to Europe the next day. They also don’t have Facebook. (The combination of these two facts, both said without hesitation and with a completely straight face, is probably why it sounded a lot like a bad lie.)
The daughter pays the food for her parents even though she’s obviously still quite young. She also really likes the strange taste of mouth refreshener. It really just felt like one plot twist after another.
I’m sure we were good customers, nice and polite, and they were happy to have us, but I have the feeling that they were a bit weirded out about the whole thing.
If I ever return to Sydney, I’d definitely go back though, the food was great and the servers were really nice!
