(It’s well past midnight; my partner and I have been travelling for over an hour and we have each had an incredibly long day. There is a well-known fast-food place at the end of my road, and as we’re both starving we decide to go get some food. The place is empty. He just wants a couple of orders of fries but I fancy a burger. They only offer two vegetarian burgers: the spicy vegetarian deluxe and the regular vegetarian deluxe. I go to order.)
Cashier: “Hi, how can I help you today?”
Me: “Hi, I’d like a spicy vegetable deluxe burger.”
Cashier: “Which one?” *this isn’t the first time I’ve ordered the spicy version, so I’m well used to them clarifying the type I want*
Me: “The spicy one.”
Cashier: “The buffalo one?”
Me: “No, the spicy vegetable deluxe burger.”
Cashier: “The Texas one?”
Me: “No, the vegetable deluxe.” *points to it on the menu board*
Cashier: “Oh, you want a wrap?”
Me: “No, a vegetarian burger. Right there.” *I point*
Cashier: *looks confused* “Vegetarian?”
Me: “Made of vegetables? No meat?”
Cashier: *more confused looks*
Me: *seeing this is getting me nowhere* “Forget it. I’ll just get three large fries, to take away, please.”
Cashier: “So just the fries?” *enters one portion into the till*
Me: “Three portions, please.” *hold up three fingers*
Cashier: *looks confused*
(At this point another cashier comes over.)
Cashier #2: “She wants three large fries.”
Cashier: “Oh, okay.” *inputs in the till and I finally pay*
(I always try and be patient with people who are new to the job, or people who may speak English as a second language — I don’t see the point in giving people a hard time if they’re still learning — but this woman wasn’t wearing a trainee badge, and was clearly as English as I am.)
