I got told off in a café at lunch and I’m not sure I know why.

“Pie, chips and beans,” I said to the man in the café. "And a tea, please."

“Pie, chips and beans is on offer,” he said. “Four-sixty please.”

Fair enough, I think, and I pay him the money, saving thirty pence. He returns to my table with pie, chips and peas. “Did you order peas or beans?” he asks.

“Beans.”

There is an awkward pause.

“I canhave the peas if it saves you throwing them out…?”

He puts the plate on my table. “The peas aren’t on offer, only the beans are on offer.”

“That’s fine, just tell me how much do I owe you?”

“It doesn’t matter now,” he says angrily. “It’s too late.”

“In fairness," I say, "I did order the beans.”

“I don’t want your money."

“Okay.”

“…it’s just the principle of it, that’s all.”

Posted By: tim berry, Sep 27, 13:23:37