Bad and Unreasoning Waiter

On 3rd June, I was scolded by a Filipino waiter while dining in Ipoh Town Kopitiam, a famous cafe in Kuching.It is housed in Tun Jugah Plaza.

What made him scold me?

Before the incident happened, I was enjoying a mug of iced coffee. An effeminate Bidayuh waiter seemed to take an interest in me. He sashayed over to my table and inquired where I came from. Politely, I satisfied his curiosity despite my reluctance. Then, he asked me if there were any cafes like Ipoh Town Kopitiam in my hometown. I nodded yes and he went on asking if they were halal ones. In an uncertain tone, I said:"I am not sure. But I heard that pork is served in some of them."

The Filipino , obviously a head waiter in his singularly different coloured uniform, overheard our conversation. When the Bidayuh waiter left me, he came up to me and accused me of tarnishing the reputation of Ipoh Town Kopitiam as a halal eatery.

Calmly, I told him he had misconstrued what I had said. However, my explanation did not sink in.

" Believe me, I did not say anything that defames your cafe," said I earnestly.
For no reason at all, the waiter gave me a startled look and said," Why did you say 'damn' to me?"
Flabbergasted and hurt by his misinterpretation of the word 'defames', I said:" I did not insult you with the word 'damn'. I used the word 'defames'. Do you know what it means?"
"I know what it means," retorted the ninny with finality, " it is a foul word!"

I was very angry. Politeness is a sine qua non for sustenance of good service in any cafe and restaurant . The head waiter totally ignored it with his hard-hardheadedness. When I reminded him that he should show civility to me, he told me in a sneering voice that he prioritized Muslim customers and that he would not mind losing a customer like me.

Unable to bear his unsavoury attitude, I stormed out of the cafe.

I returned to my hotel and searched for the website of Ipoh Town Kopitiam online. When I found it, I left my complaint on its customer feedback page. After two hours, the manageress of the cafe telephoned me and apologized on behalf of the waiter. She wanted to treat me to a cup of coffee but I declined it. I did not want to go back to that darn place again.

I am still aggrieved by the incident. Once bitten, twice shy!