A funny thing happened on the way to the entree!
Jun 20th 2003, 3:21 pm
#1
Pagan Sex God
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Location: Living in Oblivion
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A funny thing happened on the way to the entree!
OK, this is slightly embarrasing but we are all freinds here so I know you will treat me with respect and dignity like you always do.
We went out to O'Charleys last night for supper (tea) and the server (God forbid you call someone who waits on you a waitress!) went through the types of sides we could have with the entree (main course to us brits). So she says "Baked potato, smashed potato, veggies......"
So I say back "Smashed potatoes, you really shouldn't give alcohol to potatoes you know!".
Anyroadup, 2 minutes later the manager comes over wanting to know what I had said as the waitress (I have demoted her) made a complaint. So my wife explains it was a joke and what I had said and he went away happy(?). Needless to say we got another server for the rest of meal.
I understand how on this forum (black and white) someone can take something the wrong way but when I sat there with my best village idiot smile it should come over more as a joke surely! Does this happen to anyone else, is it the english humour, I know americans take everything literally but is she that dumb?
This came about 3 hours after I tried to order a regular coffee and french cruller at Dunkin Donuts and got a regular coffee and French Vanilla coffee and it took 5 minutes to sort it out - the girl at the end of it said "I like the way you talk" pity she couldn't understand it!
Patrick
We went out to O'Charleys last night for supper (tea) and the server (God forbid you call someone who waits on you a waitress!) went through the types of sides we could have with the entree (main course to us brits). So she says "Baked potato, smashed potato, veggies......"
So I say back "Smashed potatoes, you really shouldn't give alcohol to potatoes you know!".
Anyroadup, 2 minutes later the manager comes over wanting to know what I had said as the waitress (I have demoted her) made a complaint. So my wife explains it was a joke and what I had said and he went away happy(?). Needless to say we got another server for the rest of meal.
I understand how on this forum (black and white) someone can take something the wrong way but when I sat there with my best village idiot smile it should come over more as a joke surely! Does this happen to anyone else, is it the english humour, I know americans take everything literally but is she that dumb?
This came about 3 hours after I tried to order a regular coffee and french cruller at Dunkin Donuts and got a regular coffee and French Vanilla coffee and it took 5 minutes to sort it out - the girl at the end of it said "I like the way you talk" pity she couldn't understand it!
Patrick
Jun 20th 2003, 3:31 pm
#2
Banned
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,933
Re: A funny thing happened on the way to the entree!
Originally posted by Patrick
So I say back "Smashed potatoes, you really shouldn't give alcohol to potatoes you know!".
So I say back "Smashed potatoes, you really shouldn't give alcohol to potatoes you know!".
Jun 20th 2003, 3:36 pm
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
Too funny!! And embarrassing I bet!
I have lost count of the amount of times i have been misunderstood! I now refuse to order pizza over the phone! At least in person you can repeat yourself 50 times, then check your order before you leave the restaurant!
The funniest misunderstanding i have had so far was with my boss. I had received a call from a home owner, who's heating had broken down. I called my boss to explain the situation and mentioned that the resident had plenty of 'blankets' to keep him warm over night. She went dead silent and then asked where all the 'black kids' had come from and why were they at his house!!!
I have discovered that my sense of humour (plenty of sarcasm) is received pretty well. I can get away with so many sarcastic comments because it sounds so 'cute' in my accent. As you can imagine I take full advantage!
Lisa
I have lost count of the amount of times i have been misunderstood! I now refuse to order pizza over the phone! At least in person you can repeat yourself 50 times, then check your order before you leave the restaurant!
The funniest misunderstanding i have had so far was with my boss. I had received a call from a home owner, who's heating had broken down. I called my boss to explain the situation and mentioned that the resident had plenty of 'blankets' to keep him warm over night. She went dead silent and then asked where all the 'black kids' had come from and why were they at his house!!!
I have discovered that my sense of humour (plenty of sarcasm) is received pretty well. I can get away with so many sarcastic comments because it sounds so 'cute' in my accent. As you can imagine I take full advantage!
Lisa
Jun 20th 2003, 4:01 pm
#4
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: A funny thing happened on the way to the entree!
Originally posted by Patrick
<<snip>>
We went out to O'Charleys last night for supper (tea) and the server (God forbid you call someone who waits on you a waitress!) went through the types of sides we could have with the entree (main course to us brits). So she says "Baked potato, smashed potato, veggies......"
So I say back "Smashed potatoes, you really shouldn't give alcohol to potatoes you know!".
Anyroadup, 2 minutes later the manager comes over wanting to know what I had said as the waitress (I have demoted her) made a complaint. So my wife explains it was a joke and what I had said and he went away happy(?). Needless to say we got another server for the rest of meal.
<<snip>>
Patrick
<<snip>>
We went out to O'Charleys last night for supper (tea) and the server (God forbid you call someone who waits on you a waitress!) went through the types of sides we could have with the entree (main course to us brits). So she says "Baked potato, smashed potato, veggies......"
So I say back "Smashed potatoes, you really shouldn't give alcohol to potatoes you know!".
Anyroadup, 2 minutes later the manager comes over wanting to know what I had said as the waitress (I have demoted her) made a complaint. So my wife explains it was a joke and what I had said and he went away happy(?). Needless to say we got another server for the rest of meal.
<<snip>>
Patrick
One: perhaps she didn't understand your accent (it's regional) and thought you were making a rude joke.
Two: she failed to understand the nuance of the joke and didn't get it.
Three: she took the words you said literally and thought you were accusing her of putting alcohol in the potatoes!
I think Patrick's experience highlights the difference in humour between Brits and Americans. I don't tend to make jokes with Americans I don't know well or have just met because they may fail to see the humour or worse still, take it the "wrong way".
On the other hand, there's been occasions in restaurants and shops when the staff crack a joke and I don't understand, usually because of their Southern accent.
NC Penguin
Jun 20th 2003, 5:00 pm
#5
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Joined: May 2002
Location: Living in Oblivion
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Re: A funny thing happened on the way to the entree!
I can't answer that! The manager came over and said "I have been told you have a problem with the potatoes". The starter was already on the table (we ordered it with our drinks) so we where in no mood to have a discussion with him (fat people must eat!)
Patrick
Patrick
Originally posted by NC Penguin
These are my thoughts about why the waitress made the complaint about your joke.
One: perhaps she didn't understand your accent (it's regional) and thought you were making a rude joke.
Two: she failed to understand the nuance of the joke and didn't get it.
Three: she took the words you said literally and thought you were accusing her of putting alcohol in the potatoes!
I think Patrick's experience highlights the difference in humour between Brits and Americans. I don't tend to make jokes with Americans I don't know well or have just met because they may fail to see the humour or worse still, take it the "wrong way".
On the other hand, there's been occasions in restaurants and shops when the staff crack a joke and I don't understand, usually because of their Southern accent.
NC Penguin
These are my thoughts about why the waitress made the complaint about your joke.
One: perhaps she didn't understand your accent (it's regional) and thought you were making a rude joke.
Two: she failed to understand the nuance of the joke and didn't get it.
Three: she took the words you said literally and thought you were accusing her of putting alcohol in the potatoes!
I think Patrick's experience highlights the difference in humour between Brits and Americans. I don't tend to make jokes with Americans I don't know well or have just met because they may fail to see the humour or worse still, take it the "wrong way".
On the other hand, there's been occasions in restaurants and shops when the staff crack a joke and I don't understand, usually because of their Southern accent.
NC Penguin
Jun 20th 2003, 5:05 pm
#6
Maltesers, Flake, Mars
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Yorkshire to Sarasota
Posts: 251
My husband and I were staying at The Poconos Resort and he did not have any cutlery. He asked the waitress (server) for some and she did not understand. He tried several times and then said "some tools to eat with" two minutes later she returned with a huge set of tongs and placed them next to his plate!!! We nearly fell off our chairs laughing. She on the other hand did not know what we were laughing at.
Jun 20th 2003, 7:13 pm
#7
Corpsicle
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 648
I'm lost for words why she'd be so offended by that to make a complaint. 
You're losing your touch Patrick, that was too mild. You can be more acerbic than that, we know.
You're losing your touch Patrick, that was too mild. You can be more acerbic than that, we know.
Jun 21st 2003, 2:23 am
#8
Banned
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,933
Re: A funny thing happened on the way to the entree!
Originally posted by Patrick
I can't answer that! The manager came over and said "I have been told you have a problem with the potatoes". The starter was already on the table (we ordered it with our drinks) so we where in no mood to have a discussion with him (fat people must eat!)
Patrick
I can't answer that! The manager came over and said "I have been told you have a problem with the potatoes". The starter was already on the table (we ordered it with our drinks) so we where in no mood to have a discussion with him (fat people must eat!)
Patrick
Jun 21st 2003, 12:17 pm
#9
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Originally posted by nathan barley
You can be more acerbic than that, we know.
You can be more acerbic than that, we know.
Rob
Jun 21st 2003, 8:23 pm
#10
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Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Melbourne Fl
Posts: 458
Just thank god that Macdonalds, etc. now have a screen at the drive through, so you can check the accuracy of the order, when ordering, my wife, from manchester, ordered a large coke, at a Burger King drive thru, when she got to the pick up window,she was given 2 burgers and 3 fries, how do you get that out of a large coke, Dominos and Papa Johns, now have online ordering, so at least the pizza is delivered, somewhat close to what we ordered.
Jun 22nd 2003, 1:44 pm
#11
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Location: Harbor Springs, Michigan *again*
Posts: 2,340
Lololol @ Patrick but then again Arrrrrrrghhh this whole accent thing makes me soooo mad !!! After a brief stint at Wal-Mart ( i couldnt be brainwashed saw thru the whole charade so left) and having dealt with mcdonalds/wendies/arbies drivethru halfwits, I have now come to an opinion that the only people that dont understand me are the folks that arent really listening in the first place. The rather nice 'happy' chappy at burger king undestood me, the lady at AT&T understood me ($300 phone bill - end of international calls), the ? spaniard at our local pizza delivery understands me, everyone at my new workplace understands me.
I dont have a very strong regional accent, I lived 10 years in Scotland and 10 years in Cumbria so have a slight northern lilt but nothing soo bad.
So i've come to conclusion, if they dont understand me it probably means they arent listening properly and dont want my custom !! so i go elsewhere ... or hubby goes in and complains :\
Jan
oh ... the nice server at the brewpub we visited last night started talking with a kind of English accent after talking to me for a few minutes, very funny it was too.
I dont have a very strong regional accent, I lived 10 years in Scotland and 10 years in Cumbria so have a slight northern lilt but nothing soo bad.
So i've come to conclusion, if they dont understand me it probably means they arent listening properly and dont want my custom !! so i go elsewhere ... or hubby goes in and complains :\
Jan
oh ... the nice server at the brewpub we visited last night started talking with a kind of English accent after talking to me for a few minutes, very funny it was too.
Jun 23rd 2003, 12:23 pm
#12
Go RedSox!
Joined: Feb 2003
Location: London
Posts: 681
Re: A funny thing happened on the way to the entree!
Originally posted by Patrick
OK, this is slightly embarrasing but we are all freinds here so I know you will treat me with respect and dignity like you always do.
We went out to O'Charleys last night for supper (tea) and the server (God forbid you call someone who waits on you a waitress!) went through the types of sides we could have with the entree (main course to us brits). So she says "Baked potato, smashed potato, veggies......"
So I say back "Smashed potatoes, you really shouldn't give alcohol to potatoes you know!".
Anyroadup, 2 minutes later the manager comes over wanting to know what I had said as the waitress (I have demoted her) made a complaint. So my wife explains it was a joke and what I had said and he went away happy(?). Needless to say we got another server for the rest of meal.
I understand how on this forum (black and white) someone can take something the wrong way but when I sat there with my best village idiot smile it should come over more as a joke surely! Does this happen to anyone else, is it the english humour, I know americans take everything literally but is she that dumb?
This came about 3 hours after I tried to order a regular coffee and french cruller at Dunkin Donuts and got a regular coffee and French Vanilla coffee and it took 5 minutes to sort it out - the girl at the end of it said "I like the way you talk" pity she couldn't understand it!
Patrick
OK, this is slightly embarrasing but we are all freinds here so I know you will treat me with respect and dignity like you always do.
We went out to O'Charleys last night for supper (tea) and the server (God forbid you call someone who waits on you a waitress!) went through the types of sides we could have with the entree (main course to us brits). So she says "Baked potato, smashed potato, veggies......"
So I say back "Smashed potatoes, you really shouldn't give alcohol to potatoes you know!".
Anyroadup, 2 minutes later the manager comes over wanting to know what I had said as the waitress (I have demoted her) made a complaint. So my wife explains it was a joke and what I had said and he went away happy(?). Needless to say we got another server for the rest of meal.
I understand how on this forum (black and white) someone can take something the wrong way but when I sat there with my best village idiot smile it should come over more as a joke surely! Does this happen to anyone else, is it the english humour, I know americans take everything literally but is she that dumb?
This came about 3 hours after I tried to order a regular coffee and french cruller at Dunkin Donuts and got a regular coffee and French Vanilla coffee and it took 5 minutes to sort it out - the girl at the end of it said "I like the way you talk" pity she couldn't understand it!
Patrick
Jun 23rd 2003, 12:59 pm
#13
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Re: A funny thing happened on the way to the entree!
Originally posted by MrsLondon
You're gonna think I'm really thick, but what is a French cruller??
You're gonna think I'm really thick, but what is a French cruller??
Patrick
Jun 24th 2003, 1:41 am
#14
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Location: Florida
Posts: 1,296
Originally posted by jan_michigan
Lololol @ Patrick but then again Arrrrrrrghhh this whole accent thing makes me soooo mad !!! After a brief stint at Wal-Mart ( i couldnt be brainwashed saw thru the whole charade so left) and having dealt with mcdonalds/wendies/arbies drivethru halfwits, I have now come to an opinion that the only people that dont understand me are the folks that arent really listening in the first place. The rather nice 'happy' chappy at burger king undestood me, the lady at AT&T understood me ($300 phone bill - end of international calls), the ? spaniard at our local pizza delivery understands me, everyone at my new workplace understands me.
I dont have a very strong regional accent, I lived 10 years in Scotland and 10 years in Cumbria so have a slight northern lilt but nothing soo bad.
So i've come to conclusion, if they dont understand me it probably means they arent listening properly and dont want my custom !! so i go elsewhere ... or hubby goes in and complains :\
Jan
oh ... the nice server at the brewpub we visited last night started talking with a kind of English accent after talking to me for a few minutes, very funny it was too.
Lololol @ Patrick but then again Arrrrrrrghhh this whole accent thing makes me soooo mad !!! After a brief stint at Wal-Mart ( i couldnt be brainwashed saw thru the whole charade so left) and having dealt with mcdonalds/wendies/arbies drivethru halfwits, I have now come to an opinion that the only people that dont understand me are the folks that arent really listening in the first place. The rather nice 'happy' chappy at burger king undestood me, the lady at AT&T understood me ($300 phone bill - end of international calls), the ? spaniard at our local pizza delivery understands me, everyone at my new workplace understands me.
I dont have a very strong regional accent, I lived 10 years in Scotland and 10 years in Cumbria so have a slight northern lilt but nothing soo bad.
So i've come to conclusion, if they dont understand me it probably means they arent listening properly and dont want my custom !! so i go elsewhere ... or hubby goes in and complains :\
Jan
oh ... the nice server at the brewpub we visited last night started talking with a kind of English accent after talking to me for a few minutes, very funny it was too.
Jun 25th 2003, 5:56 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Plymouth Devon UK
Posts: 45
my fiance who is a "relocated redneck" (his words not mine) is from Florida living in Oregon..
apparently to him and his family i sound like Mary Poppins.. which in some ways is very sweet and flattering...
what scares me is that he assures me when we finally all get together one drunken night in the future i will have to put up with all of his friends imploring him.
"Make her say it agin"
Bee