Blacklisted at the Pizza Company
To preface this story, you need to understand that across the board, customer service in Thailand is impeccable. They are so much more attentive and focused on the customer than employees in America. Usually at the Pizza Company, you'll see two or three employees scanning the room, waiting for you to make a move to indicate that you want something. They are very prompt at taking your order, filling your drinks, and bringing your food.
Angela and I went to the Pizza Company for dinner last night, and they had a sign up about some new combo deals, with a small pizza, drink, and side order. We were excited about that. So we tried to order, but they told us we could only get it with Super Deluxe or Seafood pizzas. Yuck! Seriously, shrimp and squid do not belong on pizza. We asked again because the sign didn't specify a certain type of pizza, and I had ordered something different with the combo the previous week. Our waitress left abruptly. We thought she was getting someone different, or maybe someone who understood more English. Nope. No one came back. We sat there for a good 15-20 minutes. And servers were coming to the tables next to ours, but wouldn't look at us. We contemplated moving to another table, or leaving and coming back in.
Finally, one of the store managers came over and took our order. She wouldn't give us the combo deal either, but at that point, we just wanted some food. Our food came out shortly after, along with the check (which is normal). When we were done, we wanted to pack up the leftovers and take them with us. Once again, we couldn't get anyone's attention. Even when we made eye contact with them, which usually means they're definitely on their way. We were ready to just take the plates with us when we paid. Finally, we got some guy who had just come on for his shift and probably didn't know that we were the naughty customers.
Our theory was that Thais are too polite to actually kick people out of the restaurant, so this is the cultural equivalent. It was so surreal, because we've never had anything like that happen here! We got a good laugh out of the whole thing!
Angela and I went to the Pizza Company for dinner last night, and they had a sign up about some new combo deals, with a small pizza, drink, and side order. We were excited about that. So we tried to order, but they told us we could only get it with Super Deluxe or Seafood pizzas. Yuck! Seriously, shrimp and squid do not belong on pizza. We asked again because the sign didn't specify a certain type of pizza, and I had ordered something different with the combo the previous week. Our waitress left abruptly. We thought she was getting someone different, or maybe someone who understood more English. Nope. No one came back. We sat there for a good 15-20 minutes. And servers were coming to the tables next to ours, but wouldn't look at us. We contemplated moving to another table, or leaving and coming back in.
Finally, one of the store managers came over and took our order. She wouldn't give us the combo deal either, but at that point, we just wanted some food. Our food came out shortly after, along with the check (which is normal). When we were done, we wanted to pack up the leftovers and take them with us. Once again, we couldn't get anyone's attention. Even when we made eye contact with them, which usually means they're definitely on their way. We were ready to just take the plates with us when we paid. Finally, we got some guy who had just come on for his shift and probably didn't know that we were the naughty customers.
Our theory was that Thais are too polite to actually kick people out of the restaurant, so this is the cultural equivalent. It was so surreal, because we've never had anything like that happen here! We got a good laugh out of the whole thing!
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Comment by abcdefg — June 20, 2007 @ 16:09 — Reply