When "Close Enough" Isn’t Good Enough: Lessons in Programming from a Tray Dinner

I recently saw this image and story on LinkedIn, and I couldn’t stop laughing—not just because of the hilarity of the situation, but because it so perfectly highlights a lesson in communication, common sense, and drawing on experience.

Let me set the scene. This guy was staying at a certain well-known (and purple-themed) hotel chain that doesn’t offer room service. Not wanting to sit in the bar, he politely asked if he could have his dinner "on a tray" so he could take it back to his room. What he meant was: “Please put my meal on plates, and then put those plates on a tray for easy carrying.” What he got? The dinner served directly on the tray—no plates, no finesse. Just meat, chips, eggs, and peas scattered like an edible mosaic.

Now, this might seem like a funny (and slightly tragic) customer service mishap, but it reminded me of a programming challenge many teams face—what we expect of experienced programmers versus what sometimes gets delivered.

Connecting the Dots: When "Tray Programming" Happens

In programming, just like in customer service, there are times when you need to interpret the request and make informed decisions to deliver what’s actually needed. When developers fail to use common sense or draw on their experience, you end up with the software equivalent of food on a tray: technically correct, but wildly off the mark.

This often happens when:

• Requirements Are Ambiguous: The task description may not spell out every single detail, leaving room for interpretation.
• Common Sense Isn’t Applied: An experienced developer should know what makes sense within the system and question things that don’t.
• Experience Goes Unused: Developers fail to leverage their knowledge of the system or domain to guide their decisions.
• Questions Aren’t Asked: Instead of seeking clarification when unsure, assumptions are made that lead to misaligned outcomes.

The result? Code that meets the bare minimum but fails to address the actual intent, creating frustration and extra work for the team.

The Problem with "Tray Thinking"

Much like the waiter who delivered dinner directly on a tray, "tray thinking" in programming demonstrates a lack of:

• Common Sense: Knowing that dinner should include plates shouldn’t need to be spelled out. Similarly, developers should think critically about whether a task’s implementation aligns with its purpose.
• Context Awareness: Understanding why a task is needed and how it fits into the larger system often provides the answers to ambiguous requirements.
• Ownership: Taking the initiative to clarify, research, or problem-solve beyond the exact words in a ticket is key to delivering high-quality results.

Without these skills, the team ends up with work that ticks the box technically but misses the mark entirely.

How to Avoid Serving "Tray Code"

Here are the lessons we, as developers, can take from this scenario:

1. Use Common Sense

Before implementing anything, take a moment to think: Does this make sense? If the answer is no, stop and reconsider. Ask yourself:

• Does this approach align with the system’s design?
• Does it meet the intended purpose of the task?
• Is it what a user or stakeholder would reasonably expect?

2. Draw on Your Experience

Experienced developers bring more than technical skills to the table. They have an understanding of the system, the domain, and what has worked in the past. Use that knowledge to guide your decisions and anticipate potential pitfalls.

3. Review Your Work Through the Customer’s Eyes

Before you ship a feature—or dinner—take a step back and ask: If I were the customer, is this what I would expect? Spotting obvious issues before they reach the user can save a lot of cleanup later.

4. Ask When Unsure

If you’re not sure about the requirements, don’t guess. Asking clarifying questions shows professionalism and a commitment to quality. It’s always better to pause and confirm than to deliver the wrong solution.

What We Expect of Experienced Programmers

Experienced developers are expected to go beyond just writing code. They’re expected to:

• Apply Critical Thinking: Interpreting requirements, questioning assumptions, and using logic to fill in the gaps.
• Leverage Their Knowledge: Drawing on system familiarity and domain expertise to make informed decisions.
• Own Their Work: Taking responsibility for delivering quality solutions, even when the task isn’t perfectly defined.
• Collaborate When Needed: Knowing when to ask questions or seek input from teammates or stakeholders.

These traits are what separate competent programmers from truly effective ones, and they’re critical for ensuring that the end product meets its goals.

Conclusion: Think Beyond the Tray

The picture of the "tray dinner" is funny, but it’s also a reminder of how small oversights and a lack of critical thinking can lead to significant impacts on customer experience—or team productivity. As developers, we have a responsibility to deliver work that’s not just technically correct but aligned with the real needs of the team and users.

So, next time you’re tempted to "serve it on a tray," take a moment to use your common sense, draw on your experience, and ask for clarification if needed. Because whether it’s food or code, no one wants to clean up after assumptions gone wrong.