Recently I called my favorite small town pizza shop and heard a pleasant but unfamiliar voice. The new young lady answering the telephone was trying to help me but was having difficulty talking to me since she was preoccupied with other conversations. Apparently she was waiting on a customer at the counter, answering a co-workers question, and also attempting to take my order. After three attempts to place my order I felt only marginally confident that my order would be correct.
Twenty-five minutes later I arrived at the pizza shop and was greeted by the new employee; standing beside her was the young lady that typically provides service. As I approached the counter she politely asked if she could help me and proceeded to get my pizza and enter it into the cash register. After a moment she looked at me and said “$19.07.” In response I quickly handed her a twenty dollar bill. Taking the bill from my hand she paused, looked at me and said “Do you have change or do you want me to count it out for you?” Stunned, I paused for a moment, smiled, and then replied with, “you can put the change in your tip jar.” Exchanging a glance with the other young lady I noticed a slight eye roll, then a smile, and a sincere “thank you.”
I walked away happy – I was very hungry.
