As I was entering drinks into the computer, an eager and somewhat frazzled lady in her fifties bolted into the restaurant and walked up to me.
She immediately spoke. “I just flew in from the East Coast. I’m looking for a simple protein and vegetable dish. Do you have something like that here? I mean, like… what kind of simple fish dishes do you have? Like with a simple side dish with no seasoning or sauces? Is that possible? Can you do that? Sorry. Are you busy or is there someone else I should ask…?”
Easy there, tiger. Slow down.
I smiled and responded calmly, “We have lots of fish entrees here. They all come with their own side dishes. But you can substitute all veggies instead of rice or potatoes. I'll show you our menu so you can read more.”
I had five or six tables at that moment but decided not to be rude and show her lots of options.
She browsed the menu for a few seconds. Then she asked me if she could order a fish ‘A la carte. I can almost guarantee any other server at our restaurant would have said no… and I should have said no as well. However, being the people-pleasing hospitable person I am, I said yes.
Bad decision.
After she continued on and on with her exhausting amount of questions, she finally decided she wanted to get a table. I told her to see the greeter and she would be more than happy to seat her. The needy woman immediately asked if she could sit in my station.
Of course. I knew I shot myself in the foot on this one.
I greeted her at the table. She smiled and let me know how happy she was to sit in my section. She was over-the-top excited, complementary and kept telling me thank you and how great I was. I should have known at this point it was all a performance. She agreed to order what we'd discussed: a side of Ahi tuna with a side of grilled asparagus with no butter and no seasoning.
After about ten minutes after I put her order in, I walked by her table and she waved me over. “Heidi!!! Umm… so… I like red wine. But I’m on medicine right now and I'm not supposed to drink. Can I just have like a little taste of a dry red wine? Just a taste? Just like a liiiiiiiitttle taste?” Now, fully annoyed with this woman, I said, “We sell wine by the half glass if you’d like.” Again. Not too many servers would have even offered that option. I knew what she was getting at. But I was just trying to get her to spend more money. She followed with, “No. I can't have that much. Can you just give me a little taste of one?” Her smile kept beaming bright up at me. UGH. I’d already gone this far. And she is being nice about it. I might as well give a sip of our house red.
I literally poured a half an ounce. She was ecstatic about it when I brought it to her table. Is she really this happy about a half an ounce of wine? Maybe it’s her “medicine” that’s the driving force behind her over-the-top excitement?
What is this woman taking and where can I get some? Although if she can’t drink wine on this so-called medicine, maybe I don’t want any after all.
She ate her inexpensive side dishes and drank her pointless sip of wine without a complaint. She finished rather quickly - obviously - then asked me for the check. Her bill was just under $20 (a typical dinner at our restaurant will cost between $30 and $40 per person). She kept complimenting me and telling me thank you until the end of her whirlwind stay. When I picked up her check, my heart sank. She didn't even sign her credit card slip.
Zero tip. Stiffed.
Granted her check was low. But I hooked her up royally! And after everything I did for this woman!
Grrrrrrr…. I gave her all of my energy since the moment she walked in the door. I went out of my way to order things exactly as she wanted. I gave her a free sip of wine. I did everything right. What an utter disappointment and complete let down.
Was she really just broke and trying to get out of there as cheap as possible? Was she really taking some kind of medicine that was making her hyper and seem like a crazy person? Perhaps she was using a stolen credit card and was a total con artist. Was her excitability more like nervousness because she knew she was in the middle of a scam?
I guess I will never know.
Regardless, I gave this woman an inch and she took ten miles… It baffles me there continue to be people like this in this wonderful world we live in.
I wish I could say, “I'll never do that again.” But honestly, I know I will.
I want to believe in the good of humanity. I want to believe my kindness and generosity will pay off. Not just financially but for the greater good. I believe in karma and I will continue to live this way.
And this lady’s karma is about to catch up with her… with every free sip of wine along the way.
~ HK ~
