My flight from Huidspruit arrived in Johannesburg more than five hours before my flight to Paris was scheduled to leave. Lots of time, and no relatives to share it with. So I decided to have a nice leisurely lunch.
The airport at Johannesburg is large and modern--lots of fast food restaurants. But I was looking for one where I could enjoy a sit-down and a drink. I found a place called Kegs and Aviators--sounded just fine.
When I walked in, a loud roar arose from a crowd. Obviously, I was startled, not expecting quite so enthusiastic a greeting. The guys at the door laughed and explained that two of the most popular football teams in South Africa were playing each other, and one of them had just scored a goal.
The patrons at the bar seemed to be pretty much equally divided among the two teams, and the histrionics of both the staff and the patrons was exciting. I was confused by this drone going on while the game was on. Sounded like distant mosquitoes--and lots of them--but I gathered it's some sort of horn that is blown pretty much continuously during African football games.
Well, it was by the far the happeningest place I've ever seen in an airport! Maybe people are not restricted from entering airport bars like they are in the US, but these were undoubtedly FANS, certainly little different from Packer fans at their most rabid.
Scott often scoffs at my method of ordering at a restaurant. By habit I always ask, "Could I have a xxxxxx, please?" Scott thinks that is ridiculously deferential; it is, after all, an establishment that is the business of serving its customers FOOD!
But when I ordered at this restaurant, the waitress firmly said "no." I smiled and said something to the effect, "Oh, you're out of that?" And she said "No, it's not NICE." When I looked puzzled, she repeated, more firmly this time, "It's not nice!" I relented and ordered what she agreed I could have. She was right-- it WAS nice!
Please forgive me... An xxxxxx would be ...? I know it's not food and I probably have heard you ask for it in person, but I presently find myself at a loss as to it's meaning... And what was it that you did recieve that was in fact "nice" ?
ReplyDeleteWell, at the airport I wanted to order a traditional African lamb stew, but the waitress was adamant that it was "not nice." She did, however, allow me to order grilled lamb CHOPS, and they were very nice. It was my impression that she had had perhaps unpleasat experiences with foreigners being less than pleased with traditional dishes.
ReplyDeleteBut as far as "xxxxx" goes, I have somehow acquired the habit of ALWAYS saying, no matter WHAT I order, "Could I have . . . ."
There are worse habits...can I get a witness ?
ReplyDelete