Where Customer Service Takes On A Whole New Meaning
This morning, I ducked into the Cafe Metro near my office to grab a bagel before work this morning. I would normally wait in line at the coffee cart on the corner, but given the fact that it was already 90 DEGREES AT 9AM, I decided that waiting in air-conditioned comfort would be preferable this morning.
I should’ve known better, of course. I’ve had problems with this place before, but I’m willing to tolerate them, since Cafe Metro is providing me with a comfortable respite on my walk to work. The tourist couple in front of me ordered two bagels and a smoothie. Of course, the bagel guy doesn’t do smoothies, so he told the couple to order that from the cashier. Meanwhile, the bagel guy started to complete my order - a relatively simple order. He managed to screw it up by walking the bagel up to the toaster (even though I specifically said untoasted) and then putting plain cream cheese on it (even though I specifically said scallion cream cheese). Once the kinks were worked out, he handed me my bagel.
At this point, the tourist couple was still at the cashier, who was struggling to concoct the smoothie. She and the bagel guy started to work together to gather the ingredients. When it became apparent that they were missing something, the bagel guy motioned to the customer behind me in line, and pointed to a fruit basket across the store.
“Hey, buddy,” the bagel guy shouted. “Can you grab me two bananas from over there?”
HE ASKED THE CUSTOMER TO DO HIS JOB FOR HIM. This boggled my mind. It also boggled the mind of that customer behind me. “Huh?”
“Get me two bananas and I’ll make you your bagel,” the bagel guy yelled over the counter. The customer, obviously hungry, went across the room, grabbed two bananas, and handed them to the bagel guy, who handed them to the cashier making the smoothie. I guess he was hungry enough to act on the threat: no bananas, no bagel!
At Cafe Metro, the customer services the staff. I don’t think that’s what they had in mind in the staff orientation when they talked about customer service.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 at 11:14 am and is filed under Food and Booze, General stupidity. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Todd says:There’s a “servicing the staff” joke just waiting to be told.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Porter says:Oh man, someone beat me to the “servicing” joke. What the hell…I’d like to get serviced at my bagel place (Jewish boy’s wet dream).
June 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am
ANimal says:I am disgusted by you again.
It’s not a big deal if the bagel guy is busy and asks the guy to grab a couple bananas instead of going all the way around. And that’s what NY is like before cargo shorts n sandals douchebags like you!!
Furthermore, your uneducated decision to say “untoasted” is confusing during the morning rush hour. It sounds like toasted. Nobody fuckin asks for untoasted, that’s a given, and your fault for being confusing, you animal.
June 11th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
lozo says:ha. you animal!
June 11th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Todd says:*look down at himself*
Yup, I’m totally a ‘cargo shorts n sandals douchebag’. I also have a full-time job serving the public, I don’t do drugs, I pay lots of taxes that support this city, I very rarely break any laws, and I even pick up other people’s trash from time to time.
Yeah, us ‘cargo shorts n sandals douchebags’ are horrible for this city.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
ANimal says:I wasn’t talking to you Todd, you selfish pig.
Clearly I was referring to the article written by one Christopher Carrara.
But since you butted your ugly nose in, yes you are bad for any city cause you’re boring and typical and corny and selfish and entitled and in the way.
Also, die.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Todd says:Thanks Animal! You sound like a positive and terrific person too! Even your name is cool! Man I wish I could be as cool as you.