I was in a restaurant over the weekend and happened to be seated by two ladies sharing a light meal and conversation. When the waitress asked them if they wanted one check or two, I heard the woman sitting diagonally from me offer to pay the pay the bill. “Give it all to me,” she said, “I’ll take care of it.”
About two seconds later, I hear one of them mention they would like to have a refill on their beverage. The chick paying the bill immediately said, “Is it free? No? It’s not free. Don’t order a refill if it isn’t free.”
I’m pretty sure my mouth hit the table. Seriously. If someone else is paying the bill, I don’t intentionally order the most expensive thing on the menu, but I do order whatever I would get if I was paying for it myself. And if I am thirsty, I’ll have a refill. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s rude to offer to treat someone… but then limit them to what they can order.
I didn’t mean to be eavesdropping — but evidently the display was loud enough for anyone to notice because Ben and Perry heard it too. We talked about it right after the nice, (albeit thirsty) lady let us know in her country someone at the table would share their food with a child as opposed to allowing them to have a separate meal. Maybe that’s why she didn’t complain about not getting more to drink. She grew up eating scrapings of other people’s food! Thai food is spicy — and I wouldn’t dream of giving Coco some off my plate instead of ordering her something not quite as zesty hot.
Maybe it’s just me. I must be crazy weird! I picked up the dinner tab for Ben’s post birthday meal, we all got a refill, and no one had to eat off of someone else’s plate. And then, we walked outside and noticed people standing on top of a billboard. What a weekend, you guys!
