I have come under the scourge of the witness curse.
The witness curse is a made up term of mine to describe when you go to a restaurant, store or other venue and the experience is just fantastic. When you take someone else to show them how great the food, service, concept is…everything goes sideways. It is as if the universe has played you. You built this whole experience based on what happened to you only to be crushed and when sharing it with others.
For instance, I used one of those shopping services at the grocery store. It was amazing when the stuff I ordered was magically transported to my car and placed in the trunk. No more standing in line with surly cashiers, or having the person behind you ram you with their cart in an immobile checkout line like that will really get things moving. No more having virtual arguments with self check out while the next person in line nudges you along with their cart. No one is even near me with a cart! It was an smooth and awesome experience that everyone should take advantage of…just not on my pick up days.
I was so thrilled that with my next order, I took my friend to show her this 8th wonder of the world. We were chatting in my car while I was expecting the text that said my order was ready. The text never came. As the deadline for my pickup time loomed close, I called the store to ask what had happened. I was told that my order was almost done and they were running a little behind. I told my friend that this was not something that had happened the first time. We went to the store and waited while my order was shopped for and eventually brought to the car almost an hour late. Needless to say, she was not as excited about the service but was pleased that her ankle was safe from other carts.
Another time when the universe decided to yank my chain was at a fairly new eatery in my area. My first trip there was great! Good service, piping hot food served perfectly at our table. I was with a group and all of our entrees arrived hot and quickly.
I took my friend and we were the only two in the restaurant. Our server was new and a bit ditsy. She was not familiar with the food and did not know the menu. Once we thought that we got our order placed with reasonable accuracy, she came back and asked several questions about sides that didn’t come with the order according to the menu. The food arrived and was placed before us wrong. Two people in the place and our entrees were swapped. The sides were not gonna show and the avocado on my friend’s dish was not to be found. Several trips were needed to assure the server that we did not get sides but wanted the avocado. The food was just warm, but the plates were hot when we swapped the dishes. Needless to say, my friend was not impressed.
Another time, I took my son to an eatery only to have half the dinner served after waiting forever for the food. At least the main part of the entrée was delicious so it wasn’t all bad.
Luckily, more often than not, things happen the way they are supposed to happen. Friends are impressed and life is good. The witness curse will follow me until I am no longer on this mortal coil I am sure. It is nature’s way of being entertaining at my expense.
You never know when the goblins are going to attack.
Hey, do you want to go try this new place for dinner? It was wonderful when I was there.
Wear protective gear.