Today, I experienced one of the most embarrassing and disappointing moments I've ever had in a café.
I arrived at the place at around 1:45 p.m., waiting for a friend -- we're both locals and had planned to catch up. As I waited, I politely asked the lady at the counter for some tap water because I was genuinely very thirsty. She replied, "We don't normally serve tap water here."
I was surprised and asked why. She said it's because the place is usually busy. I pointed out that there were only two customers -- myself and one other -- and kindly asked again, explaining the weather was hot and I really needed some water. Reluctantly, she handed me a very small glass. I drank it immediately and asked for a refill so I wouldn't have to disturb her again. To be fair, she did give it to me.
I then ordered a black coffee and asked about their dessert menu, intending to order once my friend arrived. I also asked if the café had WiFi, and she replied, "No," explaining it interferes with their card machine -- which I found odd, but didn't push further.
While waiting, I opened my laptop and realised I couldn't find my notebook. Since I was the only customer, I placed my bag on the adjacent table briefly so I could search for it.
That's when things took an unexpected turn.
Out of nowhere, the lady told me, "You can't sit on all the tables -- you should be thankful I let you sit at a table for four when you're only two."
I was completely taken aback. I wasn't even sitting at multiple tables -- I was simply standing and looking for my notebook. The place was completely empty, so I asked her calmly, "Why are you doing this?" and explained I was just trying to find something before my meeting.
I told her directly that she was making me feel extremely uncomfortable, and if my coffee hadn't already been served, I would have left right away.
What happened next was even more shocking.
She said, "No, never mind -- please leave."
I was stunned. I quietly began packing my things -- my laptop and charger -- and as I did, an elderly lady (possibly one of the owners) approached and kindly tried to apologise, asking me to stay. I appreciated her gesture but told her I didn't feel comfortable anymore and preferred to leave.
Then, in front of the older lady and with no regard for decency, the woman shouted:
"NO -- LEAVE!"
"GET OUT!"
It was an absolutely humiliating experience -- all for asking for water, setting up my laptop, and searching for my notebook while the café was empty.
I left deeply embarrassed and genuinely shocked that such hostility was even possible in a local business. read more
