Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
attention, slip in that earlier question. Her face may now
brighten with the answer. If she really doesn't have it, she
will at least tell you where else in the neighbourhood to look.
Often you will discover she had exactly what you wanted
all along. Why did it take her so long to admit it? Well, she
was probably intimidated by having to deal with you. Once
you established a relationship with a conversation, that
made you equals and less threatening. Your poor French
and her poor English have brought you both past that point
of awkwardness that keeps the French in their shell. It could
have been she was afraid of being embarrassed by her poor
English. It could have been she doesn't know the inventory
The Rudeness Game
The waiter's position is, “I am feeling (choose any
or all) tired/insecure/pressured/bored and here
is this stranger at my table. Groan! I have plenty
of other regular customers to take care of today.
This lady probably doesn't even speak French. I
wish she would just leave my restaurant and go
somewhere else.” You can respond one of
several ways:
Lose
.
You can take it personally, feel uncomfortable and
decide to leave, tail between your legs. Ha! The
Weakest Link. You lose.
Draw
You can respond with: “You may feel tired/insecure/
pressured/bored but I am here to get a little service,
darn it. I demand to have this, this and this.” With
that, you must snap your demands, in good French,
and never make eye contact. Usually, the waiter/
clerk will stonily i ll the order, but he won't get any
friendlier. That's a draw. It requires excellent French
and lots of energy on your part. The refusal to make
eye contact can become a contest itself. I've seen
Search WWH ::
Custom Search