When we were in Florida we met in the hotel Tiki outdoor bar before we headed out.

It was a cute space.

There were about 20 people in the bar.

There were about 700 employees.

A man who looked like he was born when Eisenhower was in office.

A woman who had the energy of an upside down turtle.

A kid who we didn’t see do any work the two days we were there.

There were seriously about 10 more employees than guests.

There was no service bartender. They all came into the bar to make their own drinks. Everyone was in everyone else’s way.

They all took forever to make their drinks.

They were very NOT busy.

At one point my chef heard an employee say, I’d someone comes in tell them they can’t sit because we are short staffed.

They were not. They were only cocktailing. Hardly any food.

Over the two days it was insane the stuff we saw.

Two employees sitting at the bar bitching about the bar.

I was told I couldn’t get a beer because they didn’t have a glass.

I asked for a corona I got a Blue Moon.

I stood at the bar day two waited 15 minutes because they were all talking and couldn’t be bothered.

A girl chipped a glass. The piece of glass flew over a guests head. She put ice into the glas any way and serves a drink in it.

I could continue.

Adam had lunch with a friend today. He said the server approached the table with a stack of dirty dishes from another table.

This has led me to start putting together a list at work of things servers and bartenders should never do.

If any of my friends would like to share their stories, pet peeves or things they hate, feel free.

I’ll add them to the list.

Stories from McDonald’s.

The soda water saga continues.

Tonight on the way home I stopped for a soda water.

I order and am told it’s $1.08.

I approach the window.

I hand the lady my card.

She turns to process it, then comes back to the window.

She says, can I ask you a question? Do you order this anywhere wise?

Other restaurants or other McDonald’s?

Both?

I look to see if anyone is behind me. There is no one.

I say, funny you should ask.

It doesn’t matter the McDonald’s. It’s always a different price. .22. 1.08. 1.22. Or free. It’s always an adventure.

She says, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t being an asshole for charging you.

I said no. The cup. The lid. The straw. You. The machine. There’s a cost associated with all of it. So I appreciate when it’s free. But I never expect it.

I tell her thank you for not charging me.

And.

Yesterday.

I went to get a soda.

The woman means to give it to me free but inadvertently charges me for the car behind me. She was getting a manager to process the refund and I told her just to tell the car I paid. It was 5 bucks and some change.

I’d never done that before.