On Sunday evening things got a little quieter – only my mom, dad and aunt & uncle were still around. My dad made clear that only horses eat standing. So eating at the Christmas market was not an option. We ended up at a brew house for dinner. The waiter wasn’t exactly good cheer that evening and halfway through the evening he told us he ran of wine.
So my dad decided for Whisky and my uncle for beer and I was talking so much that he was gone before I managed to order. I went to the counter and guess what – I got a glass of wine.
By that time the waiter had lost all his credit with my mother. She did not want to give him any tip at all :-) I must say in Germany it is not like in the US were waiters make a living of their tips. Here normally they get an ok salary and do not expect to get much extra. Yet I general like to tip. Even small gestures can be meaningful and this time I thought I really ought to tip him and say a few words to go along with it.
So whilst we are talking about being a waiter in stressful times he actually starts to share a little bit of his past few days. Clearly he was a good guy, just had a bad day and wasn’t even supposed to be working that evening. He was filling in for someone that was sick and had just worked straight for too many hours.
In the end he even had a smile on his face again and even though he was no less tired I think he was capable again to get through the rest of the evening. So when a waiter is not friendly to you. Rather than being unfriendly as well just ask them why – nicely of course :-). And you may both end up smiling again.
People that smile just look so much prettier…and when they smile because of you that is joint favour.
