It took awhile to finish this. My family visited and my thoughts were elsewhere. So here it is!

I started cashing the passengers out. Right away I’m met with resistance. “That’s free. We only had one coffee each. It’s free”.

Sometimes by the end of a long day, passengers forget what they had first thing in the morning. Then they chat and one spouse remembers. We laugh a little. They pay. I move on.

Not this day. The first people were adamant that they only had one coffee. This was not correct but I chose to let it go.

On to the next guest. Two more guests and I’m faced with the same questions again.

I love free stuff as much as anyone. I don’t love people taking advantage of it. And this is happening.

I get to a particular guest and I start reading off what they had. She won’t even look at me. He looks at me with disgust. “We never got it. We ORDERED it but never GOT it”. I apologize and move on to the next item. They said they didn’t get that either.

Occasionally this happens. When people are yelling drink orders and it gets chaotic, I do at times forget to deliver an order.

I don’t understand waiting all day to say something. I would politely remind the server. But that’s me.

I start to read off the next few items and it just goes south quick. I’m tired. I’m stressed. I’m grieving, which is not easy, and I feel taken advantage of by people trying to get more free stuff.

I hand the payment device to the man and say, “I’m sorry. I’m doing the best I can. I lost my daughter in June and I’m having a tough day”.

And this is where I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anything so mean.

The man says to me, “We didn’t ask for an explanation”. He looks at me, hits the skip button on the tip and hands it back.

Wow.

I get that people have things going on in life. I’m one of them. We still owe people respect. The statement was so cold and mean that I left the dome and went downstairs.

I tried to get the onboard manager to finish cashing people out. But he wasn’t one that likes to really do a job.

I had to go back upstairs. And I did. I am a strong individual.

People were very kind. I guess the karma is that it was a tour group and people were aware of the interaction. Everyone except the mean couple were so kind.

Somehow we expect people to wrap grief up quickly in a two-three week time. Move on with life. Don’t bring it up. Be yourself.

This isn’t possible.

I lost a part of me. Unexpectedly and tragically. We all have our breaking points. Yes. I can take as much time off as I need. But that doesn’t pay the bills.

I use this as a means to come back stronger. I will not allow this disrespect from people. Especially when I’m breaking my back to serve them.

I do a fabulous job too. I’m attentive and funny. Kind. Make delicious drinks. I’m one of those people that don’t hear the good stuff. People don’t fill out cards about how nice I am. They tell me. And that’s enough.

On subsequent runs, I state that I will come down the aisle to take orders. I will then repeat that throughout the day. Gaining control of the situation.

Today, be extra kind to people. Actually see them as people and treat them with respect. We seem to have gotten away from that. Sadly.