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All I Wanted Was an Ice Cream Sundae? Is That So Hard?

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Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

All I Wanted Was an Ice Cream Sundae?  Is That So Hard?

It was near one-hundred degrees in Northern Virginia today, but felt much worse with the heat index.  Can't tell you what exactly.  I'm pretty sure my brain melted at the door step of my 10:30am appointment in Bristow.  Even my car was little comfort with the A/C blasting over me.  So after a long morning/early afternoon in the car I made a melted brain decision.  ICE CREAM FOR LUNCH.  It's not every day that I get to pass a Friendly ice cream parlor in my travels.  Seems to me there are only two in the tri-county area.  So since my travels took me past Burke, it was time for an ice cold, sweet lunch.

It was about two-thirty when I pulled into the parking lot...and I wasn't at all surprised by the large number of cars in the parking lot.  Summer vacation.  Late lunch.  Record breaking heat.  Of course an ice cream place would be busy.  But so flippin' busy that literally six people looked at me at the carryout window and ignored me?  Not even so much as an, "Someone will be right with you."   You have to think these summer employees are used to rushes brought on by heat and lunch.  Just sayin'.

When lucky number seven finally showed up, he seemed unapologetic for the fact that in ten minutes, six of his fellow employees had ignored me multiple times.  Honestly, I think the only reason I didn't walk out was the fact that 1) I wasn't looking forward to leaving the nice air conditioned environment and 2) I wanted my friggin' ice cream.

I should have just left and picked up a Slurpee for lunch at 7-Eleven.  At least I could have served myself and gotten it right.  I paid for a Reese's Pieces Sundae.  Besides stingy portions of ice cream and whipped cream, you know what was missing?  The Reese's Pieces, of course!  I realized this as I sat in my car and opened it up.  I didn't feel like being ignored for another ten minutes while my ice cream melted, just to get the missing ingredient.

At least I didn't offer to tip the employee that seemingly, against his will, helped me.  The nice lady after me did.  I had to let her know she was nicer than me.  I'm not going to tip someone if they suck or otherwise have a bad attitude. After all, I wouldn't expect referrals from clients who I could barely pay attention to or keep their transactions on track.

 

 

Comments(18)

Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Oh what a bummer Chris Ann, terrible customer service and missing Reese's pieces! I haven't been to Friendly's in awhile and judging by your post, it doesn't sound like I've been missing out on anything! Hang in there .. more brain melting scheduled to happen this weekend but relief is on its way!

Jul 06, 2012 09:48 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Andrea:  It's brutal what Mother Nature is doing to us.  Hate to say this, but I'm already looking forward to fall.

Jul 06, 2012 10:10 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Chris Ann, slurpee vs. a Reese's Pieces Sundae?  Absolutely no contest!  I'd put up with a certain amount of crap for the Reeses!

Jul 06, 2012 11:20 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Hi Chris Ann...

I never understood how these places survive when they are full of people wanting to buy, but not serving them and retaining their business. It doean't make any sense at all.

Jul 06, 2012 12:53 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Sometimes the simplest things in life become such a chore...........I did get a chuckle from your story, but it really isn't funny at all when you get right down to it.

Jul 06, 2012 09:37 PM
Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

I'm sorry.  I'm with Roger.  You did get me to laugh this early morning.   Sorry about the sundae.  Thanks for the giggle.  

Jul 06, 2012 09:54 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Oh, man, these mouth breathers they hire nowadays to serve the public are often pathetic. You kids get offa my lawn!

Jul 07, 2012 12:36 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Geez.  Don't get between a woman and her ice cream craving.  I had a similar experience last night - craving ice cream only to find a smigen left in the freezer.  I asked my hubby to drive me to DQ but he refused.  Some days!!!!!  I've never been to a Friendly Ice Cream parlor, but it certainly doesn't sound very friendly.  If I come across one in my travels, I will keep on driving.

Jul 07, 2012 02:08 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.
Thanks, now I am craving ice cream for lunch...it is even HOTTER today.
Jul 07, 2012 02:23 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Patricia:  Considering you actually got the Reese's part.

Richard:  I think we have just adjusted our expectations so low that we'll deal with anything.

Roger:  There's a larger statement about society there, that's for sure.

Carol Ann:  I'll give it one last shot next time I'm by there.  We'll see if they can get it right.

Jul 07, 2012 03:16 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Elizabeth:  I ought to record myself yelling at the brats that trepass and throw their garbage in my lawn.  I'd have to bleep a lot of it out, but man do I sound like my Mom.

Belinda:  Don't judge all Friendly ice cream joints by this one.  

Susan:  May I suggest a pint of Ben & Jerry's?

Jul 07, 2012 03:18 AM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Chris Ann

Hope you headed home after all this and grabbed the old Chunky Monkey pint out your freezer, put your feet up and AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. cheers cvc

Jul 07, 2012 04:18 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Curtis:  I'm more of a Dublin Mudslide, Mud Pie or Phish Food kind of gal.

Jul 07, 2012 04:22 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Good Afternoon Chris Ann,  I think you have more patiences than me. i agree with no tip for poor service. I think I am going to get some Ice cream now, hopfully i get better service. Have a great Saturday.

Jul 07, 2012 04:44 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Scott:  I don't see how you couldn't get better service than this experience.

Jul 07, 2012 05:19 AM
Alan Gross
PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company, Equal Housing Lender - Bethesda, MD
Loan Consultant

There are a lot fewer Friendly's in the area than there used to be. It's one of my daughter's favorites.  You think there may be a reason for this?

Jul 07, 2012 11:11 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Alan:  I'm sure that the cusomter service is not it, otherwise this one would've been gone a long time ago.  The one in Oakton used to be great.

Jul 08, 2012 02:16 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Chris Ann~ It's 8:50pm in Colorado and I'm enjoying a bowl of ice cream in front of my laptop.  No whip cream and no Reese's pieces, but I'm happy.  No crazy heat and no need for a/c. Thankfully!

Believe it or not, my first REAL job out of high school was working at a Friendly Restaurant in Middletown, New Jersey.  I worked there for 8 years! We don't have any out here in Colorado, only in the New England area and Florida. I don't even have anything similar!

Jul 08, 2012 12:53 PM