It’s Matthew story time!
So today I strolled into the Merchandise Mart food court. For those of you who aren’t in the know, the Merchandise Mart is home to a ton of businesses, merchants, expos, and a complete lack of that 20-something Nintendo blogger demographic.
After trying to figure out a place to eat, I decided upon a Panda Express rip-off joint that was tucked away in the corner, Lai Lai Oriental Express. The menu was your standard Chinese fare, yet it didn’t matter because everything looked the same. Before making a $7 commitment (nobody likes to waste their money on bad Chinese food. Nobody), I wanted to ask if I could try a sample of the schezwan chicken. When I asked to try the chicken, the woman started to pile the rice in a bowl, to which I quickly asked to “try the chicken.” She nodded as if she understood, and then continued to pile more rice in the bowl. Patiently, I asked if I could “just try a sample,” to which the woman switched from English to her native language and said something. I will never know what was said (and I don’t think I want to know), but it got a huge laugh from the other two women behind the counter.
The nice woman then proceeded to whip out her handy toothpick as she dug around for the smallest possible piece of chicken to give me as my “sample.” She emerged from the chicken tub with a piece of chicken that was no larger than the Home button on the Wii remote. No joke.
After putting the chicken in my mouth, we stared at each other in obvious disgust for the remainder of my sampling time. There was absolutely no way that I would give this woman $7 for schezwan chicken served with a side of humiliation, but I asked how much a side of white rice was just out of sheer curiosity. After turning down the $2 side of rice, she asked (in yet another degrading voice) if it was “too much?! hahahaha.”
So kids, the next time you go into a restaurant and you aren’t degraded in a foreign language and made to feel extremely insignificant, make sure to thank the staff on your way out. Oh, and never go to Lai Lai Oriental Express.
What are some of your worst customer service experiences?
News and Information
Smash Bros. site updates with Zero Suit Samus’ Special Moves
Revised Manhunt 2 still rejected by BBFC
Nintendo Australia apologizes for delays on Wii games
Available this week at retail: October 8, 2007
Eat some fries, save money on games at Toys “R” Us.
Nintendo is crowned King of Games
Rockstar will continue to appeal Manhunt 2 ban
More information on mysterious new Wii SKU
Reggie crowned Grand Marketer of the Year for 2007
Press Releases
North American Virtual Console – October 8, 2007
Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast official press release
Nintendo confirms ‘Galaxy’ pre-order bonus
FFXII: Revenant Wings on track for Europe in early ‘08
Society and Culture
Super Paper Mario: The Movie?
Maybe they thought it was a toaster?
