Amazing things happen at breakfast sometimes...

[NewWaveChick1981]

:) I stopped at a restaurant for breakfast this morning, and this particular restaurant had been a favorite regular place for me and my family when we lived in this area when I was growing up. For the first twelve years of my life, we ate at this place at least once a week. It's always been a hole-in-the-wall diner, which is often the best. :D They served Chick-Fil-A sandwiches back when restaurants were the only places that could sell them---no standalone stores. There were several regular waitresses, and we got to know a couple of them really well. The last time I'd eaten there was in the late 1970s, but it's been around since 1948 and still going strong. The building is new (right beside where the old one was), but the decor's almost exactly the same. I walked in and sat down, and one of the original waitresses we knew waited on me. Mind you, it's been 30-plus years since I last ate there, and I would have been in my mid-teens then. However, as she was taking my order, she looked at me long and hard and said, "My God, it's been such a long time since you were here. Where have you been?" I looked amazed and said, "My family moved to North Carolina in 1975, and the last time I ate here was around 1979 with a friend of mine. How did you remember that?" She said she never, ever forgot a face, and she knew my parents and my sister and brother always ate there with me (she said this today). She said, "You look great!" And she looks very much the same. :D

I talked to her for a little while in between her other duties, and I thanked her before I left. I left her a $3 tip on a $6 check, and I'll eat there again tomorrow. :D

[livetohike]

1. What a great story!

I really admire people who have memories like that. I have CRS and the older I get, the worse it is. I can remember names, but have a hard time recognizing faces :shrug:


It sounds like you've had a great day NWC :hi:.

[NewWaveChick1981]

2. Thanks, livetohike!

:hi: That made my entire day. :D I remember faces pretty well, but I doubt I could recognize someone today who was a teenager 30 years ago. It's names I'm awful with.

I'm sorry you have CRS. :hug:

[livetohike]

4. CRS (Can't Remember Shit) - lol

:hug: back :-)

[NewWaveChick1981]

5. LOL! I know.

:rofl: My mother calls it that too. :P

[skygazer]

3. Isn't that great?

That's community, something that's become a rarity. When you can walk into a place after that long, and people know you. What a nice feeling.

When I go home to Vermont for a visit, it's always wonderful to go to the bank, or the post office, or the little village store. Even if I've been gone 5 or 6 years, the people act like I was in just yesterday - "Hi, Sky, how are you today?" It's such a warm and comfortable feeling. ~sigh~

[NewWaveChick1981]

6. You're exactly right.

There were a ton of regulars in there today too, and all of the staff knew them by name. One lady was celebrating her 91st birthday, and they gave her a little party. :) You're right---that's community.

[Gatchaman]

7. Try getting that kind of service at Olive Garden

sorry, somebody had to say it :)

[NewWaveChick1981]

8. LOL! And Olive Garden wait staff don't get 50% tips from me, either.

:rofl:

[4morewars]

9. Bon Apetit !

Cool story !

[NewWaveChick1981]

10. Thanks!

:hi: I'm still amazed. I'm gonna call my sister shortly and tell her!

[calico1]

11. Wow, that is amazing!

And isn't it nice to have the same waitress you remmeber waiting on you? That is so cool. :)

[NewWaveChick1981]

12. Thanks, calico1!

:hi: It was extremely cool. :woohoo: