Today was a perfect summer day.

The patio was hopping.

At 5:30 a couple and their small child approach me at the host stand on the patio.

I say hello. Ask them if they have a reservation.

They give me their name. I find it. It’s for 5:45.

I tell them that I’ll get them seated a little closer to 5:45.

They walk away. Land at the singing sofa/day bed we have.

Three minutes later the husband approaches me to ask if they can have the table next to to the swing. I explain that’s where they are scheduled to go.

He asks if they can be seated.

I say I’ll get them seated a little closer to 5:45.

He says you won’t seat me.

I Will seat you. At 5:45.

So we can sit next to the table but not at the table.

I say yes.

He stares at me.

I hold his gaze.

He stares.

He says are you being serious.

I reply yes.

He glares some more.

He finally walks away.

The back story.

We were short a server on the patio tonight. One of them rolled their ankle.

30 seconds before this family arrived his server was flat sat 3 tables. She was hustling. There was no way to give her a fourth table and not gave service suffer.

The only reason I was on the patio was because I’d realized he wasn’t holding people the way he should.

Yes they could have been sat. But once they are seated the clock starts. They’ll say they’ll be patient. But can they get water while they wait? Can they get a cocktail…while they wait. Which is essentially being waited on.

They didn’t acknowledge me when they left although I energetically said thank you and wished them a good night.