So Sue Me !
Saturday, January 7th, 2006 -- J. DoeToday I went into a bar and asked for 2 coffees.
The cashier rang up my order and said to me, “That will be 1 Euro and 60 cents.”
I shuffled through my wallet and came up with a handful of change. There was a line behind me so I quickly counted out what looked like 1.60 and handed it to the cashier.
“Look!” she demanded. THIS isn’t 1.60!”
So of course I looked. (and so did everyone else within earshot) By mistake instead of giving her a 50 cent coin I gave her a 20 cent coin. Therefore the amount of money I actually gave to her was 1.20. OOPS!
Those familiar with Euros will know that while the 50 cent coin is bigger than the 20 cent coin, they are the same color, and in a hurried situation can easily be mistaken for each other.
I said to her. “I’m sorry.”, and handed her 3 ten cent coins.
She took the 3 coins without a word but glared at me.
I wanted to say “Truthfully lady, I wasn’t trying to rob your fine establishment of 30 cents.” But I didn’t. Perhaps if the barista already prepared the coffee and I drank it already I would have.
Honest mistakes do happen all the time.
Give the client the benefit of the doubt.
I always said customer service in Italy sucks, and every day they prove me right.
P.S. Did I mention that I used to be a regular customer?
I’d agree they certainly don’t need your service when they treat you like that! I’m glad you are a has been and hope you find somewhere else that appreciates your business!
There are many bars that serve coffee. If one gives bad service, I’ll just go to another.
Hey J. Doe,
Welcome to our lair. I’ve been all over Italy. Venice, Brindisi, Naples, Rome etc.
In Italy, I’ve never experienced rudness there except from one A*hole who was a hotel manager in Venice. Accusing me of making noise in the middle of the night. I was sleeping and the bastard wakes me up and threatens to kick me out if I don’t keep quiet. I told him that I was sleeping and he woke me up.
To make a long story short, the next day when I came back from a business meeting, he had removed all my stuff from my room and had it waiting for me at the front desk and asked me to leave.
I was shocked, but left gratefully and found a more nicer (albeit expensive) hotel. Lesson learned…..
But, your cafe experience wow. I found especially in Brindisi they were real cool to me since I don’t speak much Italian. In fact, they would call me “Hey Americano” (I think) and have my double dopio capucho waiting for me at the little place near my hotel. And that was after two weeks of styaing there, I felt like family at that cafe.
Oh well, Greece is different. They can get quite nasty in a hurry if their patience grows thin. (plus I answered your comment on Devious Diva blog)
la mia solidarieta’ j.doe. dall’australia.
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Grazie aa, da parte di J.Doe, ti auguro un’ottima vacanza.