If you want to get your latte with non fat, no problem. But try getting it without attitude. I went to Cafe Trieste, Sausalito, on Christmas with my son home from college.
My macchiato was $2.90. Finding three dollar bills, I put them on the counter.
Apparently that was wrong. I know because the counter man leaned towards me and lectured, "It is rude to throw money at people. Just so you know."
Damn! Thanks for telling me. Somehow I have managed to pay for thousands of items in my lifetime and done it right, but since I now seem to be "throwing" money I certainly need to be chastised by this man.
Here's the scoop, Cafe Trieste: I wasn't "throwing money". I put it on the counter. End of story. What is rude is criticizing me. I wish I had said: "Return the three dollars. I will go to Starbucks where no one tells me how to pay. Ever."
And if this is a "cultural" issue - here's another point: in this culture, putting money on the counter is acceptable. And it is rude to tell people how to pay. You're damned lucky you get paid anything with an attitude like yours.
Never again, Cafe Trieste, Sausalito.
Oh, and if you want to pay for my services, cash or cc. No instructions needed.
