• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Ranchers.net

Supper time at the USDA Trade Cafe

Waiter: Good evening, Mr. Yamaha. My name is Mike and I'll be your waiter tonight. What can I get you?

Customer: I'd like the Perch, and could you do me a favor and serve it with mustard instead of sauce?

Waiter: I'm sorry, but mustard on fish that makes no sense. There's no sound reason to do that. You'll have to take it with sauce.

Customer: I'd be happy to pay for any trouble it may cause you.

Waiter: No can do. What would putting mustard on your fish say about the rest of the fish we serve without mustard? If I give it to you with mustard, the next thing you know, somebody will want ketchup with theirs. Everybody has to be the same.

Customer: But I'm paying for it. I said I'd pay you for your extra troubles. What kind of restaurant tells their customers how they will take their order?

Waiter: Don't get mouthy with me, Yamaha. I know you do a pretty good business with your store down the street. You'll take your fish the way we say you'll take it and you'll like it or we'll see to it that your business has a few "problems". Now here's your fish, eat it and shut up.

Customer: Ummmm, there's a bone in this fish. I don't think I'll eat here anymore.

NEXT DAY

Waiter: Good Day, Mr Kim, I'm Mike and I'll be your waiter. What can I get you today?

Customer: I think I'll have the shrimp, thank you.

Waiter: I'm sorry, Sir, but we're only serving "catch-of-the-day".

Customer: But I don't want catch-of-the-day. I don't like some of what ends up on the platter. I'd just like the shrimp, please.

Waiter: That's not the way it works around here. You can't specify what you want - you have to take what we give you.

Customer: But I can see a box in the kitchen that says "shrimp" on the side of it. I know you've got exactly what I want - I can see it. If you'll just open that box and serve me some shrimp, I'd be happy.

Waiter: Look, you can't tell us which box to take your supper out of. A box is a box to us, and that means a box is a box to you. We'll take your order out of which ever box we decide and you'll eat whatever it is and you'll like it.

Customer: I don't think I'll be eating here.
Top