Keeping my Christian Testimony

Today my husband and I along with a another couple went to lunch after church like we usually do on Sunday afternoon. The husband had a great idea to go to a place in Punta Gorda at Fisherman's village that we don't drive to very often.

It seemed like a great idea. The place was crowded with people as usual this time of year. We went into the restaurant and was told that we if wanted to sit in the dining area there would be a wait of 10 - 15 minutes. The hostess sweetly said we could sit in the bar area and be served there.

We decided to do that and had proceeded to push two tiny tables together to make room for four.

Our waiter came to the table and just grunted at us basically asking what we wanted to drink. So, we gave him our drink order. Right from the get-go he had the attitude that we were putting him out just by being there!

He came back but went over to another couple that came in after us and took their food order. Finally, he came over and started to take our food order. You would think that if you saw two couples together that there would be two separate tickets? He didn't bother to ask and when we told him so, he took our menu's and threw them down saying he'd have to start over and this wouldn't work! We couldn't believe it!!! A grown man having a temper tantrum right in front of us???

At that point we were ready to walk out....but where would we go at this point? That whole plaza was packed with people a week before Easter.

Now mind you, we've eaten there many times and we live in the area. We are not seasonal folks....you treat us right and we'll come back in the summer when you really need us and our business.

While we were waiting for our food order, he brought us two pitchers of soda. That's always a "red flag" Don't bother me for refills. Help yourself! When he brought one of the pitchers to our table, he about knocked my husband over leaning over him to pour my drink and missed....soda poured all over my pants and down over my shoes onto the floor.

I was polite and said, "Sir" you poured soda all over me. Thank God the table had slates instead or it would have all ended up in my lap. He did bring me napkins to clean up.

He didn't apologize or help clean up the mess he'd made. I have to say at that point...I wondered... what do you do? Get mad? Tell him off? I decided to pray for him.

It gets worse...finally, our food arrived and I have to tell you that on top of our waiter's sorry attitude I found two hairs in my food. One was in my new potatoes and the other in the hush puppies we ordered. I didn't say a word. Why bother at this point?

The food was actually very good and believe it or not, the hairs didn't bother me as much as this man's horrible behavior to us.

He didn't get our tickets right and it took FOREVER for him to bring them back.

You might wonder if we left him a tip?? Yes, we did....not the 20% or more we give wait staff at times. We decided not to award his bad job....but we were very polite and kind in spite of the way he treated us.

This probably was the worst dining experience I can remember in a long time. Makes you wonder why is he waiting tables? Surely, with our economy...there are more capable and willing people to do this that enjoy it!

I did call the restaurant to speak with a manager. The woman I spoke with was not the manager but did proceed to tell me that they've had complaints before.....I was nice....promise! She really was no help, but said she'd relay my message to the owners.

Sometimes you have to take the high road and we did. We treated him more kindly than he treated us. If I see him in there next time, you can bet I won't let him wait on us again! We did the right thing regardless...

Hugs,
LaDonna