Possible complaint because I didn't understand the term she used

[Food Lady]

Actual conversation:

SC: (holding 1/2 cup coffee from somewhere else) "I'm going to put a warmer on this."

Me (confused): What?

SC: A warmer....

Me: What does that mean?

SC: I'm going to fill this up. It shouldn't be more than a small.

I rang in a small, told her the total, and she paid. As I was trying to help the next customer, she asked, "Do you drink coffee?" "Yes, I do." "You've never heard that term before?" "No." "What's your name?"

Now, we all know that means, unless she's very happy, that she wants to complain. I told the FES about it, and he thought it was ridiculous, but when it gets back to my cafe boss, I'm sure I will have had an attitude and have been rude. And this customer is a regular. *sigh*

[computeraide]

I've heard waitresses offer to "warm that up for you", but never heard of refilling a coffee cup as a "warmer". So perhaps it is a regional slang.

[Sheldonrs]

Like they say, Don't post bail until you hear the charges.

Don't worry about it yet. :-)

[sms001]

Once had a customer shove a sandwich from the reach-in in my face and tell me to "Knock da chill off dat."

Took a few seconds (with a wtf on my face no doubt) for me to translate this into: "Would you mind putting this in the microwave oven for a brief period, as cold sandwiches are anathema to me."

And LOVE it when the mumbling, whispering, patois, foreign language, or incoherent muttering is the service person's fault.

[ArcticChicken]

patois

I read this as 'patios'. I was very confused for a moment.

[kibbles]

I have never heard that term before. I heard people ask to "top 'er off" LOL!

[Pixilated]

When I read "warmer" the first thing I thought of was one of those sleeves (usually cardboard) that you put around takeout coffee cups ...

[Food Lady]

That was the second thing I thought of. The first was an electric mug-warmer. She used warmer as a noun, I'm visual, and I work retail. I thought of a product, naturally. I have no idea why she needed to pick a fight after she got what she wanted. She's a bus driver and I will be working mornings for a while, so I'll see her again. Great.

[sylvier]

Too bad the health inspector wasn't around when she decided to top up her coffee-from-god-knows-where

[BrenDAnn]

In that case, Food Lady, kill her with kindness. I mean it. Be ridiculously cheery to her, to the point of creeping her out. "Good morning Ms. (SC)! How are YOU this lovely day? Would you like to put a warmer on that coffee this morning? That's just wonderful! You have a fantastic day now!"

Of course, if that could get you in trouble too, then maybe don't do that. Still, though, it'd be tempting to lay it on like that just to see her reaction.

[Food Lady]

I'm totally going to, as I've been getting complaints for not being cheerful enough. I can be disgustingly cheerful.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

When I read "warmer" the first thing I thought of was one of those sleeves (usually cardboard) that you put around takeout coffee cups ...

I don't use those to keep my coffee warm. I use them to keep my hand from getting too hot from holding the cup.

[Woodcrest Food Lady]

Food Lady, I had a thought to share with you, but I need to go put a warmer on my hot chocolate....

[mharbourgirl]

I'm totally going to, as I've been getting complaints for not being cheerful enough. I can be disgustingly cheerful.

Honey, one day long ago when I was still working at Wal-Mart, I ate chocolate at the start of my shift. This was back when I was still getting a handle on what chocolate does to me, but since the Hubster calls it 'squirrel on acid', you can just imagine how hyper and chirpy and over-the-top cheerful I was.

I got several complaints that I wasn't cheery enough, only one complaint that I was TOO cheerful.

You can't win. Just be yourself, and remember that bus driver lady is making up her own special terms just so she can look down her nose at you because you don't know what she means. That makes HER pretty pathetic, and nothing for you to worry about.

[Food Lady]

Update: So last week I had her in my lane when I was cashiering and she was just chipper and sweet as pie. I've decided she's insane.