Working as a waitress while juggling my studies had always been a challenge, but I managed to keep a smile on my face. That is, until one particular late evening shift when a woman in a striking red dress walked into the restaurant. Her demeanor was haughty, and her presence immediately set me on edge.
“Good evening! I’m Alice. May I take your order, please?” I greeted her with my usual cheer.
“And how do you look? Where is your apron?” she snapped back, scrutinizing my attire with a disgusted look.
I was taken aback, my words stumbling over each other, “M-ma’am, I’mm…”
“I can’t hear you! Do you speak normal English? God, I’ll fire you straight away when I own this shack,” she continued, her voice dripping with disdain.
Before I could recover from the verbal lashing, I heard a familiar voice. It was my dad, his tone cheerful yet unaware of the tension. “Oh, you already met each other, perfect!”
Confused, I turned to see him approaching with a smile, oblivious to the scene his girlfriend had just caused. As he came closer, her face turned a shade paler, her earlier confidence evaporating.
“H-h-honey, what do you mean?!” she stammered, realizing the gravity of her mistake.
“You still didn’t get it? It’s my daughter, Alice!” Dad announced, gesturing between us with a proud smile.
The restaurant seemed to fall silent around us, every word echoing louder than before. I could see the wheels turning in her head as she tried to salvage the situation. Seizing the moment for what it was—a golden opportunity for some well-deserved payback—I let my words drip with icy politeness.
“It seems there was a little misunderstanding. Let me assure you, I speak perfectly clear English, and fortunately, I’m not in charge of firing staff, just serving customers with a smile,” I said, my grin broadening. “Now, may I take your order, or would you prefer to discuss your new ownership plans with my dad?”
The color drained from her face as she realized the implications of her earlier behavior. My dad, catching on late but definitively, gave me a puzzled look but soon grasped the gist of what had happened. His expression shifted from amusement to disappointment as he turned to his girlfriend.
The rest of their meal went by in uncomfortable silence for her, with dad and I making polite conversation over her muted attempts to apologize. After they left, dad stayed back to talk. It was a tough conversation where he expressed his shock and disappointment in her behavior. He assured me that respect was a non-negotiable trait he expected from anyone he was with, especially towards his family.
A few days later, dad informed me that he had ended things with her, deciding that her true colors were not what he wanted in a partner. He thanked me for handling the situation with grace and assured me that integrity and kindness were more important than any relationship.
As for me, the incident reinforced the value of treating everyone with respect, regardless of their job or status. It was a harsh lesson in human behavior for all involved, but in the end, dignity and decency prevailed.