Bayou Blogs

Anyone remember when there was actually some SERVICE involved in the “Service Industry”?  I think I’ve pretty much become accustomed to the “What You Want?!?!” at the drive-through, and the cursory shove of the bag of food out the drive-through window without so much as a “Thanks, Come Again”…but I still get a little irked when I walk into a business - to ACTUALLY MAKE A PURCHASE or PAY FOR A SERVICE - and wait and wait and wait at the counter, while the employees chat away, or talk to God knows who on their cell phone, or best of all…look at you like you’re interrupting their busy day.  I’m a pretty mellow person, and I usually brush off bad service as someone having a bad day - and I always leave a generous tip at restaurants, even if the service - or food - is mediocre.  That’s just the way I am.  But, my last two experiences with a major pizza delivery chain has pushed me over the edge.  Last week, I ordered about $30.00 worth of food my friend and me.  I was told there was a delivery fee.   No problem.   So, an hour or so later, I get a call on my cell phone from the delivery driver…”Come down and get your pizza”.  I live in an apartment with one of those buzz-you-up intercoms at the front door.  One with easy to follow directions printed on it.  But, in case, for whatever reason, he couldn’t read them, I explained the way the it worked…push the button by my name…I’ll buzz you in.  “Can’t you just come down and get it”?  Whatever.  So, I did.  I even tipped the guy.  Last night I ordered from the same place.  This time, the driver called (on my cell phone again)…”I’m around the corner from your building, can you meet me outside?”  WTF?!?!?!?  What’s next?  Pay a delivery fee (and a tip), and drive to the store to pick up my food?!?!?!  I’m done.  No more Mr. Nice Guy.  Screw up my order, fix it or lose my business.  Bad service, no tip.  Ignore me at the counter, I report you to the manager.  And when it happens, don’t look at me like I’m the bad guy.  Ahhhh…I’ll never do it.  I’m just having a bad day.