The last day of a vacation is a weird one.
It's bittersweet, the fantasy is coming to an end, which is sad, but going home is always great. I miss my son. With the roaming fees for cell phones and shaky Internet connections I've had very little communication. It's only been two weeks but that's just me. I enjoy talking with him, getting a hug, having a laugh.
I had a cool moment yesterday. There's been more than that over the trip but this one is standing out in my mind. I had just gotten my daily, much loved, self-served mimosa to my table and promptly knocked it over, smashing the delicate glass it's served in. Sigh, orange juice and glass everywhere. The break was actually quite dainty sounding (not everyone in the restaurant stood up to gawk) but still, I was mortified at the mess I'd made. The woman who was to be our server started busying herself cleaning up the damage as I sincerely apologized (once or seven times), feeling genuinely terrible for causing her so much trouble.
The cool moment was when she touched my arm, looked me directly in the eye and said, in broken English, something like, "it's ok, ok?", with pure sincerity and kindness. As I nodded she gracefully moved to the next table, quickly prepping it for service, and gestured for my husband and I to come to that table. We gratefully moved over and sat down, my husband giving me the old, "there, there, it wasn't so bad my little klutz" as I pondered the possibility of this being an omen for the day ahead. "Are you going to go get another mimosa?", my husband asks. "Are you kidding? Not a freakin' chance", I respond.
We had just settled down and begun eating when there, magically, a brand new, delicious mimosa appeared in front of me, prepared and delivered by the sweetest server I have ever been fortunate to have had.
I will likely remember this woman forever. It's amazing how far-reaching a simple act of kindness can be.
Cheers to servers!
Monday
3 comments:
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I'm so struggling to get back into the swing of things! Glad I'm not the only one with a case of holiday hangover!
ReplyDeleteI used to be a waitress. It's not easy and most people don't treat you very well. So I have a feeling that you apologizing and clearly feeling bad about spilling probably made that woman's day. It would have made mine anyway. Simple kindness...
"The cool moment was when she touched my arm, looked me directly in the eye and said, in broken English, something like, "it's ok, ok?", with pure sincerity and kindness."
ReplyDeleteThat's so lovely. I think I know what you mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwqhdRs4jyA
I'm happy you are going to share a hug with your son soon.
Jenn, I've been a waitress too and, perhaps weirdly to some, I enjoyed it. I actually did some impromptu serving last night at a local sports club, just for fun. Was even hitting the dumb waiter to grab meals and everything lol. You're right it's not an easy job and some people treat servers like shit..which I'll never understand, especially when the server is in total control of what the customer will be shovelling into their mouths.
ReplyDeleteThanks anon, good tune!