When They Wear Their Sunday Best, Expect The Sunday Worst, Part 3
Our family is on a long road trip, and we still have the rest of Sunday night ahead of us before we reach home. It’s about 3 PM and we’re at the first decently-sized town in hours so we decide to stop for a late Sunday lunch.
We pull up to a large restaurant and as we’re walking up, my son shouts back to us from their front door.
Son: “They’re closed!”
Me: “Huh? I wonder what their opening times are.”
Son: “Says they open 4 PM on Sundays.”
I am now at the door, and I can confirm the restaurant is open from midday every day except Sunday when they open at 4 PM.
Me: “Ah, that’s an hour from now. I don’t want to wait that long; I guess we’re getting a drive-thru somewhere.”
As I am talking, I see someone in the restaurant. He slowly walks over to us, as if assessing who we are.
Me: *Shouting through the door.* “Sorry, we didn’t realize you were closed! We’re leaving now!”
The guy opens up the door and introduces himself as the manager.
Manager: “Technically we don’t open until four, but the cook and I are here, and we’ve set up early. If you like I can get you and your family some food if you don’t mind sitting at the booth in the back so other customers can’t see you.”
Me: “Are you sure?”
Manager: “Of course! You all look hungry!”
We step inside and head to our booth, which as the manager said is out of view from any potential customers outside.
Me: “I have to ask, why do you open so late on a Sunday? I would have thought Sunday lunchtime would be your most profitable time!”
Manager: “And deal with the after-church crowd? No, thank you! All the money in the world isn’t enough to deal with those people. We open late on Sundays for that very reason.”
Me: “Oh, wow. How did you know we weren’t part of your church crowd?”
Manager: “You apologized and were willing to leave when you realized we were closed. If you’d been from our local church there would have been a risk of the door being broken in. Anyway, what can I get you to drink?”
Related:
When They Wear Their Sunday Best Expect The Sunday Worst, Part 2
When They Wear Their Sunday Best Expect The Sunday Worst
