Barrow, AK 2008: Who would have thought that a bona fide sushi chef would be wheeling and dealing on the beach of the Arctic Ocean? Surely, the food was delectable. But even if it was sub-par, patrons should be on their best and selfless behavior!
From Trent Ling:
Trent Ling shares matters that should be part of the conduct of disciples of Jesus. For a brief explanation of such postings, please see Conduct in God’s Household.
Woe to the able who nonetheless seek special treatment (1 Corinthians 12:24). Should such grubbers ever gather themselves, they would see mountains of Scriptures and directives from Heaven diametrically opposed to their ways. With ever devolving cultures, many now consider it a badge of honor to get over on their neighbors. For that, a brutal comeuppance awaits via the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Get straight today.
Paucity of character is often best revealed and displayed in restaurants where whining, complaining, embellishing, and fabricating diners put on a horrifying act in order to get something for nothing. Though these people should do the world a favor and stay home, here they come again and again. No doubt, restaurants just lump them in as part of the expense budget. What a great condemnation only to amount to that—the cost of someone else doing business!
This insistently lowly and greedy lot has made getting something for nothing such a premeditated and crude art form, that disciples of Jesus should never, ever register a complaint at a restaurant lest such disciples be comingled in anyone’s mind with this saddest of the sorry “gimmie” lots. These derelicts of common decency give any sensible conversation about service or food quality such a bad reputation so as to make it off limits for the disciple.
Recently, my wife received a restaurant meal containing an embedded bolt (yes, a bolt). She wanted to alert the waiter or manager just so they might be aware of such a strange occurrence. But, assuming this to be a one-time event, I insisted that we say nothing lest our “help” be interpreted as us wanting something for nothing. We are disciples of Jesus. We take our lumps, pay full price, tip well, and shall never ever be lumped in with expert takers and their seared consciences.
Anyone who cannot go out to eat, pay for it, hope for the best but endure the worst, and give good gratuities to those serving, should do the earth a favor and stay home.
Asking for ketchup or having a bloody fillet cooked for a bit longer does not necessarily represent complaining. But in these times, the earnestness of such a request must be made perfectly clear to the server so that he or she will not even begin to think that such interaction marks the preamble of an angling for a discount or a freebie.
In situations where restaurants insist on taking something off the bill, that same amount should be added back to the top of the already healthy tip in order once again to reiterate that disciples of Jesus are set apart and join Heaven in protesting against the reprehensible antics of the chronically self-absorbed.
Jesus said, “For who is greater, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:27.
Deal with that!
Become that!
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Way to go, Plum!
My son and I went to Applebee’s tonight for supper, Tina, our server was OK, but she forgot 3 things to bring to the table, now that our son is a server he could relate to her, we both agreed that maybe she was having a bad day today, the couple to the right of us was complainning about Tina’s service, the manager came to the table , we both felt so bad for her, our heart sunk,we saw the look on Tina’s face , we don’t know her situation, she could of lost her job over the people complaining. My son put a nice comment and smiley face on the receipt and we thanked her for her service tonight and left our tip, and some extra. We hope that she had a more encouraging night until the end of her shift. We had both remembered this teaching and talk together about it…
Thank you for the conduct reminder, I have been one to complain in the past and have been guilty just like this couple tonight. We always need to be aware of others , look to encourage others in good and bad times.
I am a fan of this superior example and conduct you set, Om Trent. “Anyone who cannot go out to eat, pay for it, hope for the best but endure the worst, and give good gratuities to those serving, should do the earth a favor and STAY HOME.” I must confess that when I eat with non-disciples, and it is often as I work at an office, I need to follow your example of appealing to people as I will take part in it even when I am not the one complaining or having problem with the service. It hasn’t gone off hands, but things like the bolt example above has happened. Thanks for writing up the noble conduct.
I agree wholeheartedly. I once went out with a fellow chef that was training me and he ordered a Med-Rare burger. It was a few degrees over to medium and he threw a total fit. While throwing the fit, he was “teaching” me how a real Chef should not accept food like this… I was horrifyingly embarrassed to even be at the table with him because of my similar convictions as you outlined.
I felt bad for the entire restaurant.
The world needs a dose of what you shared above.
Trent washed the bolt and gave it to me for a souvenir 🙂 I wanted to let the waitress who served us know, not to get a free meal, but just incase they’re missing a bolt in the kitchen. Well, amen for Trent stopping me, I’m sure they wouldn’t even know where the bolt come from. Anyway, just a few days ago we went to another restaurant, we saw a large family next to our table complained to their waitress that one of them found a hair on her salad. So the waitress said he’ll deduct that from her check, so then another guy complained about something else… then they’re disputing their bills and calling the manager to the table; It was disgusting! I felt bad for the waitress who probably won’t even get tip from them.
DITTO MEME.
I don’t have this. I spent so many years working in the “service” industry that asks for feedback from the “clients” — and we appreciated the input, so it wouldn’t happen again. However, that was also the time when I would take advantage of that and use it as an excuse to make it work for me — free meal? Oh no, no, no . . . . thank you, you shouldn’t have!
Recently I have been patiently counseled and corrected on this and loved it, and have changed “somewhat” — but, in confession, I see how this bolt situation would’ve had me thinking “man, they may need to see this!” And then to stop the “service recovery” (free meal or more) — I’d be specific to let them know I don’t want anything complimentary — but then it becomes “look at me, I don’t need any special treatment and look how I have brought this issue to the attention of the restaurant!” Now it’s a spectacle of me. How gross! And I have done this recently!!! What a horrific example for my family too!
It is so much more redeeming to do as Trent has done is this situation and how wonderful for the server to come back and see the good tip for the work they gave — all of which leaves room for God to work in the situation — and if they return sometime, that server knows who is thoughtful and caring just like God.
A servers heart and action — I recognize it but am not where I need to be in it. Love you.
I love this.