Category: Etiquette

Etiquette Interruptus

February 2, 2010 by Taran Rampersad

I don't know exactly what it is about Trinbagonians and the concept of etiquette, but I've been dealt some interesting experiences from the deck of life recently - both happening while ordering food this week. Both happened in Gulf City's food court.

Scenario 1

A few days ago, I was about to order a gyro - I'd stood in line patiently, I'm at the regular cashier who pretty much knows my order by heart. A woman sticks some wares past me, peddling belts and other things at the cashier. The cashier looks at the wares as I look on, waiting to place my order. After carefully looking over the wares, the cashier decides she doesn't want anything being peddled and says.

I look at the woman hustling business at the cost of my hunger and ask, "Is it OK with you if I order now?"

"Yes, you can go ahead now."

'Boldfaced' immediately came to mind. Brazen. No sense of propriety. I shrugged her off, I'd made my point. The cashier made a funny face. I consciously decided not to ask her the same, made my order and left.

Scenario 2

Today, I dropped by Dominos and was in the process of ordering when a trio of young males - I disdain calling them men - were giving the cashier a hard time. One was standing behind me, trying to be cool by interrupting my order with double entendres where the first part were tastelessly silent.

I turned on him and braced him in front of his two friends, telling him that I was hungry and that if he didn't mind, I'd like to place my order without being interrupted. Basically, I was telling him in a humorous way to STFU - but he didn't get that. Instead, he decided to raise his voice to draw attention in an attempt to embarass me into silence.

Wrong person. {Read more}