The Double Scoop Impasse
I guess I could talk about the colourful, family-friendly attractions, which is what drew in our group of 8 adults and 4 kids in the first place, but unfortunately, the entire visit was marred by a display of atrocious customer service on the part of the man and woman running/managing the establishment.
Now, let's discuss ice cream... A single scoop was $3.50, a double scoop was $4.00. My sister ordered a double scoop for two people to share, and asked for an extra cone - not an unreasonable request by any stretch, at least not in our opinion. Here was the lady's response, complete with raised eyebrows and a tone reminiscent of a headmistress reprimanding an unruly student: "No, you have to pay for two single scoops - you're trying to get two ice creams for the price of one. I just did this for you, and I'm not doing it again."
Please indulge me as I break down and pick apart her response:
"No, you have to pay for two single scoops - you're trying to get two ice creams for the price of one" - OK, I get that you're a business, and that you're out to make a profit. But we've already brought you our business; we're virtually your only customers on an otherwise slow day, and we've already spent a decent chunk of money on your attractions. Would it really hurt you to say yes to this tiny request, just to keep your customers happy? Her reasoning: "I have to charge you what it costs me" Hmmmm.... OK - I'll leave that one to you readers. Now regardless, even if you do insist on having a split charge or no-sharing policy, as some places do, there are nicer ways of saying it. The moment I heard the belittling tone in her voice directed at a member of my family, I knew I would have words to say.
"I just did this for you, and I'm not doing it again" - She was confusing this sister with my other sister, despite the fact that they look nothing alike. Both Asian women, yes, but the common features end there. I WILL play the race card here, much as I hate doing it. I guess, to the eyes of this person, we are all interchangeable lookalikes, worth only what we're willing to spend.
After an increasingly heated exchange that did nothing to break the impasse, my sister, the gentle, non-confrontational soul that she is, simply replied, "Fine, can I please just have an extra spoon?" "Watch out," I warned sarcastically, "they might charge you for the second spoon." The other owner/manager, a man who had been observing the whole thing unfold, found this an appropriate time to interject, with the most smug and condescending tone he could muster: "Yes, you SHOULD charge for the extra spoon... I would!"
My biggest regret is that my 6-year old nephew had to witness this maddening display, and didn't get the ice cream that I had promised him. In fact, I felt so bad that I ended up buying an entire tub of ice cream at the grocery store for him and my other nephews. And guess what we discovered, to no-one's surprise? The difference in "cost" between two scoops in a single cone and two scoops split into two cones was just a matter of a few nickels - go figure. read more