A funny thing happened at the checkout. #7

Cafes are a good place for a first date and ours was no exception. But, the customer service. Well, it was like no other.

When I walked in, my new acquaintance proudly announced to the barista that he and I were there to get to know each other. She smiled and waited patiently for my order.

"May I have a fresh brew with hazelnut?" I asked.

"They will make whatever you want," my date responded, taking a sip of his cappuccino. He had arrived much earlier and was half done with his drink.

"What is this wheel for?" I said, pointing to the counter display. "Is this some kind of game for customers?" I asked her.

"Yeah, but it doesn't make any sense," he replied.

The barista handed me my coffee. While she explained to me that they had a lot of student customers who enjoyed spinning for a chance to win a discount, my date tried to engage her in responses to his comments instead.

She ignored him. He went back to the table and began typing on his laptop. I thanked her and she fixated her eyes to mine without responding.

"I noticed," I grimaced back. His talking over me. His answering for her. The rudeness. The arrogance. And I wonder what more she also observed before I had gotten there.

She pulled up a stool and sat just across the counter from me, playing on her phone. As soon as he and I decided to part ways, she immediately stood up, put the stool away, and continued stocking in the back.

That cafe will always hold a special place in my heart. And it's no surprise that they have exceptional coffee, but the customer service is like no other.

"