Stefano Marinelli on Nostr: Rainy day, client meeting out of town, a short lunch break, and I’m starving. I ...
Rainy day, client meeting out of town, a short lunch break, and I’m starving. I stop at a local restaurant chain where everything is perfectly organized: menus displayed, friendly staff, and a simple system to place orders. Easy, right? And yet…
I park and notice three people – two adults and a child – approaching. One of the adults rushes ahead as if it’s a race. Tough competition, but I’m not in that much of a hurry: I let them go ahead, since I already know what I want to order. When we get to the counter, the unexpected happens. They completely bypass the menus and head straight to the register, only to... pull out their smartphones and begin an extensive, meditative gastronomic analysis.
The cashier looks at me, likely thinking, "Hang in there, not all heroes wear capes." I wait patiently for two minutes, but when it’s clear that this G20 summit on Italian cuisine is still ongoing, I decide to place my order.
Just as I’m finishing up, the explosion happens: "You cut in front of us!" I turn around, startled, and apologize. I explain that I didn’t mean to be rude, but I noticed they were busy consulting digital menus while the cashier was free.
I even offer to treat them to dessert as a gesture of peace. But no, peace isn’t on the menu: one of the adults launches into a tirade worthy of a dramatic film, complete with insults and accusations of rudeness.
At that point, I abandon my inner “calm barista” and calmly but firmly point out that perhaps a little more organization on their part would have helped. The cashier backs me up, confirming that I had already finished my order before they had even decided between tagliatelle and lasagna. I pay for my meal, without including any “complimentary” desserts.
Meanwhile, the theater continues: as their turn finally arrives, I hear the fateful question: "What are you getting?" followed by, "I don’t know, let me look at the menu." Yep, still at it.
Meanwhile, I enjoy my lunch and reflect: sometimes taking a step back can help avoid pointless, harmful arguments. But other times, there’s just no winning. On the bright side, I saved myself three desserts. And the kid? He looked at me with a kind of friendly disappointment – probably hoping for that dessert I offered.
#EverydayStories #LunchBreak
I park and notice three people – two adults and a child – approaching. One of the adults rushes ahead as if it’s a race. Tough competition, but I’m not in that much of a hurry: I let them go ahead, since I already know what I want to order. When we get to the counter, the unexpected happens. They completely bypass the menus and head straight to the register, only to... pull out their smartphones and begin an extensive, meditative gastronomic analysis.
The cashier looks at me, likely thinking, "Hang in there, not all heroes wear capes." I wait patiently for two minutes, but when it’s clear that this G20 summit on Italian cuisine is still ongoing, I decide to place my order.
Just as I’m finishing up, the explosion happens: "You cut in front of us!" I turn around, startled, and apologize. I explain that I didn’t mean to be rude, but I noticed they were busy consulting digital menus while the cashier was free.
I even offer to treat them to dessert as a gesture of peace. But no, peace isn’t on the menu: one of the adults launches into a tirade worthy of a dramatic film, complete with insults and accusations of rudeness.
At that point, I abandon my inner “calm barista” and calmly but firmly point out that perhaps a little more organization on their part would have helped. The cashier backs me up, confirming that I had already finished my order before they had even decided between tagliatelle and lasagna. I pay for my meal, without including any “complimentary” desserts.
Meanwhile, the theater continues: as their turn finally arrives, I hear the fateful question: "What are you getting?" followed by, "I don’t know, let me look at the menu." Yep, still at it.
Meanwhile, I enjoy my lunch and reflect: sometimes taking a step back can help avoid pointless, harmful arguments. But other times, there’s just no winning. On the bright side, I saved myself three desserts. And the kid? He looked at me with a kind of friendly disappointment – probably hoping for that dessert I offered.
#EverydayStories #LunchBreak