I was looking forward to having found an oasis in the heat and humidity of the summer, but alas, it was simply a mirage. Granted the AC in the mall was a relief from the heat, but the overall experience in the mall is what makes this journey all too painful. It was the middle of the afternoon and I was looking for a late lunch spot. I was sure the food court would have something to my liking. After wandering around a bit to find it, I finally found the tables and food area.
I looked around at the different offerings and found something that looked appealing and had some wholesome goodness to it. Sat down and started enjoying my meal. After devouring over half of my food, I needed a refill on my drink. I got up and walked no more than 30 feet from my table to the counter, got my refill and returned back to my table. When I arrived, my food was gone! I had saved the last few morsels of the meal to enjoy with a cold drink to wash it down with. To me, that is pretty much the best part of any meal. I looked around to see if I was at the wrong table, but no. That was my spot.
I glanced to my right and noticed the custodian throwing away my goods. I ran over and said "Nnnnoooooo", but in the trash it went. I told the woman she had just thrown away my food. She smiled and said, "yes"! I repeated again, a little more irate this time, "you just threw away my food". She again smiled, giggled and said, "yes". By now, I was getting more annoyed and upset as it appeared she was mocking my plight. I asked her why she threw away my food and she asked, "Is everything ok", in a very heavy accent. She then proceeded to ask me in spanish if I spoke spanish. DING! This woman couldn't speak a lick of English!
So now what. She tells me in Spanish that she's going to talk to her supervisor. I sit back down at my table without food. I short while later I see them talking in the distance. A mall security officer comes by to speak with them as well. Still waiting, the security officer comes by and says he heard I have a complaint. I told him what had happened and he appologizes on behalf of the mall and offers me a $5 gift card to buy more food. That was another slap in the face as my meal had cost more than twice that much. He said if I wanted to file a complaint, I could do so at guest relations upstairs. Oh joy.
So I went upstairs to the customer relations desk and spoke to a person there. After telling her my plight, she asks me to fill out a piece of paper with my info and what had happened (after I already told it three other times). End result, she doesn't care, but will tell her boss.
The next day, didn't hear back. Two days later, I got a call from the director of marketing. Why, I have no idea. Maybe they need help telling people how good this place is. Anyway, she gives me attitude of "we already gave you $5, so what else do you want..."? Ok, 2 concerns at this point. (1) This woman threw away my food before I was done and (2) she doesn't speak any English! I understand she was doing her job because so many others are walking away from their tables without disposing of their trash. But at least notice where people are going after they leave their tables instead of acting like a robot. Give this woman some English lessons so she can interact with the public since she's out in the middle of the mall EVERY DAY! Instead of acting like everything is grand, smiling and giggling.
What if an emergency happened and she's the only one out on the floor again?
Someone is choking...! "It's ok, yes?" :-/
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