TGI Lie Days...

SteamWake · 04-19-10, 04:58 PM

A gripping drama.... heh actually its pretty good about that thing that annoys us all, the public resteraunt birthday celebration.

#!

Sailor Steve · 04-20-10, 10:46 AM

Oh yeah, I hate those. That was funny.

frau kaleun · 04-20-10, 12:14 PM

One of my favorite memories of my previous job... I worked in a vet clinic, where we had two receptionists and two techs (all female) in addition to the docs. Every year we sold dog licenses as a convenience to our patrons and other folks who didn't want to go to whatever the official local office was and stand in line just for that. In addition to the license fee (which went to the appropriate gubmint agency) we were allowed to charge a small service fee, which we kept. It wasn't much, but it added up.

Since it was us ladies who did all the associated work, the docs considered that extra money ours, and we just set it aside and then once a year the four of us would have a "girls' night out" with it. This usually involved a very leisurely dinner at some local establishment and many, MANY drinks. As many as we could pay for with our earnings, lol.

So one year we went out as usual and at some point when we'd all just about finished dinner I excused myself to use the bathroom. I wobbled myself there and did my business and wobbled myself back to the table only to find my coworkers trying very hard to avoid eye contact and at the same time suppress what looked like three imminent cases of the giggles. Just when I was about to demand what the hell was going on, out comes several of the waitstaff from the kitchen carrying a small chocolate cake, a big bunch of helium balloons and other celebratory accoutrements, and singing their version of the "family restaurant" Happy Birthday song. Much to my surprise it soon became obvious that they were heading right for our table.

One of my coworkers leaned over to me and whispered something like, "we wanted cake, just go with it." Turns out that while I was in the restroom they'd informed our waiter that it was my birthday, only I would never say anything myself because I was too shy, however it would please me no end if they would make a big deal about it.

AAAAAAARGGH! Of course they didn't just want cake, we had plenty of money for dessert. But what could I do but sit there with the stupid hat on my head and let them clap and sing and tie the balloons to the back of my chair? It was either that or rat out my friends.

By far my most cherished memory of that evening is of me trying to get what seemed at the time like a huge bunch of helium-filled balloons into the trunk of my car and make them stay there long enough to get it closed. Hey, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Did I mention there were many, MANY drinks involved?

SteamWake · 04-20-10, 12:30 PM

Sooo... they dident ask for ID?

frau kaleun · 04-20-10, 12:45 PM

Nope, no "proof" that it was indeed anyone's birthday.

They came marching out of the kitchen and I'm like, "oh look it's somebody's birthday, har" and next thing I know they're heading right for ME.

My friends said the look on my face when I realized it was my "birthday" they were coming to celebrate was priceless.

But you know, at that point, I don't think the waitstaff cared. For all I know they might have been in on the joke. We'd been there for hours, we'd told them going in that we were not in a hurry so please put us in some nice out of the way spot and take their time with our service, and as long as we got what we ordered and it was good and the drinks kept coming and nobody tried to rush us in and out with the regular dinner crowd we'd be very happy AND grateful. So they did just that and were probably expecting a big tip which they certainly got, not least of which because I was in charge of the money and felt a little guilty about the free cake.

SteamWake · 04-20-10, 03:48 PM

I assume proper compensation was in order (not to mention on their minds)

frau kaleun · 04-20-10, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

I assume proper compensation was in order (not to mention on their minds)

Honestly? Given how many drinks we'd been through, I might've done the same thing if someone else had gone to the bathroom instead.

Weiss Pinguin · 04-20-10, 04:24 PM

For my last birthday we all went to Chili's with some friends, and had a great time. When they brought out the cake, though, they thought my friend (Who's a few months younger than me) was the one having the birthday. I guess I won't mind looking a little younger than I am when I'm older, but when you're turning 17 it's so embarrassing it's funny, except not really

04-19-10, 04:58 PM	#1
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	TGI Lie Days... A gripping drama.... heh actually its pretty good about that thing that annoys us all, the public resteraunt birthday celebration. #! __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

04-20-10, 10:46 AM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Oh yeah, I hate those. That was funny. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-20-10, 12:30 PM	#4
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Sooo... they dident ask for ID? __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

04-20-10, 03:48 PM	#6
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I assume proper compensation was in order (not to mention on their minds) __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

04-20-10, 04:24 PM	#8
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	For my last birthday we all went to Chili's with some friends, and had a great time. When they brought out the cake, though, they thought my friend (Who's a few months younger than me) was the one having the birthday. I guess I won't mind looking a little younger than I am when I'm older, but when you're turning 17 it's so embarrassing it's funny, except not really __________________

04-20-10, 12:14 PM	#3
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	One of my favorite memories of my previous job... I worked in a vet clinic, where we had two receptionists and two techs (all female) in addition to the docs. Every year we sold dog licenses as a convenience to our patrons and other folks who didn't want to go to whatever the official local office was and stand in line just for that. In addition to the license fee (which went to the appropriate gubmint agency) we were allowed to charge a small service fee, which we kept. It wasn't much, but it added up. Since it was us ladies who did all the associated work, the docs considered that extra money ours, and we just set it aside and then once a year the four of us would have a "girls' night out" with it. This usually involved a very leisurely dinner at some local establishment and many, MANY drinks. As many as we could pay for with our earnings, lol. So one year we went out as usual and at some point when we'd all just about finished dinner I excused myself to use the bathroom. I wobbled myself there and did my business and wobbled myself back to the table only to find my coworkers trying very hard to avoid eye contact and at the same time suppress what looked like three imminent cases of the giggles. Just when I was about to demand what the hell was going on, out comes several of the waitstaff from the kitchen carrying a small chocolate cake, a big bunch of helium balloons and other celebratory accoutrements, and singing their version of the "family restaurant" Happy Birthday song. Much to my surprise it soon became obvious that they were heading right for our table. One of my coworkers leaned over to me and whispered something like, "we wanted cake, just go with it." Turns out that while I was in the restroom they'd informed our waiter that it was my birthday, only I would never say anything myself because I was too shy, however it would please me no end if they would make a big deal about it. AAAAAAARGGH! Of course they didn't just want cake, we had plenty of money for dessert. But what could I do but sit there with the stupid hat on my head and let them clap and sing and tie the balloons to the back of my chair? It was either that or rat out my friends. By far my most cherished memory of that evening is of me trying to get what seemed at the time like a huge bunch of helium-filled balloons into the trunk of my car and make them stay there long enough to get it closed. Hey, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Did I mention there were many, MANY drinks involved?

04-20-10, 12:45 PM	#5
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Nope, no "proof" that it was indeed anyone's birthday. They came marching out of the kitchen and I'm like, "oh look it's somebody's birthday, har" and next thing I know they're heading right for ME. My friends said the look on my face when I realized it was my "birthday" they were coming to celebrate was priceless. But you know, at that point, I don't think the waitstaff cared. For all I know they might have been in on the joke. We'd been there for hours, we'd told them going in that we were not in a hurry so please put us in some nice out of the way spot and take their time with our service, and as long as we got what we ordered and it was good and the drinks kept coming and nobody tried to rush us in and out with the regular dinner crowd we'd be very happy AND grateful. So they did just that and were probably expecting a big tip which they certainly got, not least of which because I was in charge of the money and felt a little guilty about the free cake.