I was in my third year at the University when I had another unforgettable experience. A situation when I experienced how it is to be suspected of being a possible “run-away-eater”. There was by then, a restaurant just below Xandra Hotel known for its famous delicacies. Having been accustomed to going to first class restaurants which I imbibed from my father, I went there one time to have an early lunch.
That was about ten thirty in the morning when no customer was eating yet. Sporting a bull cap worn backwards and rugged jeans, I went inside and started ordering. A waitress came to my side and started to look at me quite in a suspicious manner. Whenever I make a choice, she would blurt out its price in such a way that it seemed I was being warned that it's expensive and that I shouldn't be naughty or something, in case I was just messing around with them. I couldn't blame her any way, I was just 18 years old and those who usually dine there were professionals. The area where it was located in fact was the busiest street in the City where most Law Offices in town were also located. Soon enough, I had three courses ordered and a bottle of beer.
As usual, they were all served fresh from the kitchen. Quite amusing though, all the while I was eating, the waitress with a tiger look stood just about three feet from me as if ready to grab me by the neck in case I make any wrong move after eating. A little later, group of twos and more, came in succession. Most of them were in nice suits or in Barong Tagalog. As I observed her, she was becoming uneasy as I was finishing my food. Finally at last, her moment came. I was through. She stared at me sharply and said, “Now, can I have the payment please?”
I made one last gulp of my beer and put out a One Thousand peso Bill. Coincidentally, it was the very day I received the total reimbursement of my matriculation which was accumulated for two semesters from the University having been granted a full scholarship just a week earlier. A sigh of relief came from her as she received the money. She never realized though that her ordeal had just started; the cashier had no smaller bills for my change. The amount I had to pay was only Three Hundred and Fifty pesos. She came back to me and for the first time, addressed me politely. She asked if I could give her the exact amount or if I could probably give a smaller bill. I said I had none. She went back to the cashier and was told she has to do something about it. Probably she believed I have smaller bills, perhaps she saw me put out my wallet. I kept on denying however, and added more pressure when I said, I have an important business to attend to very soon.
Three times she came to me complaining that they do not have enough cash for my change. So asserted, “Madam, neither do I have smaller bills to give you. I had paid my food, it is your duty now to give me my change!” The lady stepped back crossed over the other side of the road and came back sweating after a couple of minutes. She exchanged my money for some smaller bills somewhere. Truth is, I had Four Hundred pesos in my pocket. Well, I just wanted to remind them, “You don't judge your customer by his cover”.
