Polite, but not encouraging

[indigo_rose99]

My domestic flight to Atlanta today was delayed, but not enough for me to miss my flight to Ireland.  My (originally 3) 2 hour layover even gave me time for dinner.  And (yay) this Delta flight left late enough that I didn't have too hard a time convincing my body it was time to sleep.  The fact that most of the rest of the passengers missed the flight (making it more than half empty) really helped.  I stretched out on a row of 3 seats and slept really well for about 6 hours.  YES!  This is pretty much As Good As It Gets for an international flight.  Even the seven (7!?!?!  Where do they COME from?!) small children surrounding me could not spoil it completely.

So when I arrived, my body thought it was morning, though a bit early.  I checked into my hotel, wandered downtown a bit, studied for work tomorrow, and finally went to have a solo dinner at the Indian place just down from my hotel. I love Indian food (outside of India).  I go to this place pretty much every time I come to Ireland.  They always treat me a bit strange... I'm the only solo eater I've ever seen in the restaurant.  I think they just don't know how to treat people eating alone.  Strange, but it is not the only place in Ireland that seems to have this problem.

But this evening, the waiter-guy (who looked familiar) seemed to recognize me.  He said it had been a while, and it didn't feel like a line. Now, my ability to understand Indian accents gets me about 70% of what they say (I get about 80% of Irish accents, 65% of Scottish), so I'm sure I was missing some critical bits of his side of the conversation.  I sat, ordered dinner. He commented that he had seen me walking around downtown today. (um.  creepy.  But, ok.)  He asked if I had brought a book.  Since I always bring a book, he clearly remembered me.  I must be a strange customer.   Anyway, I ordered dinner and ate quickly.  After dinner he offered coffee or wine or after dinner drink.  I declined, saying I need to get some sleep.  I asked for the check.  He said it was early and went away.  Lots of time passed.  A different wait person arrived with coffee.  I declined, citing coffee as keeping me up.  The original guy and said, "But it is early!"  He made it clear the coffee was on the house.  I was firm.  At least I thought I was.  The coffee went away but still my bill did not arrive.  In the end, I went and stood by the exit.  I was trying to say, "I'm going to leave without paying my bill if you don't let me pay it!"  He let me, but made some comments about the coffee... Dinner....  Him getting off at 11pm...  Ack!  Accents! I couldn't tell if he was asking me out or offering me dinner or just being a really polite host.

I don't want to be rude if there is nothing to be rude about.  I just want to be polite, but not encouraging!  

I think I'm going to have to hide in my hotel room the rest of the week.  *sigh*  Going to bed now.  

Comments

[fraeuleinchen.livejournal.com]

That was certainly very strange behavior; I find it difficult to consider his behavior polite, though, since it sounds as if the length of your visit was extended without your consent, and you were a paying customer! Hope you got some good sleep!

[pamwheatfree.livejournal.com]

I don't understand his behavior either. Do you always sit in the same place? Usually restaurants have zones for wait staff so they will not take someone else's customers. If you always sit in the same place you might be indicating a preference for that waiter.

[mr-efficient.livejournal.com]

I'd assume that this is what passes for awkward but well-intentioned flirtation in Indian-Irish culture. Next time, just say, "Thanks, but I really need to get back to my hotel room to call my husband. He has a cage fighting match tonight and I want to wish him luck."

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

*snort/laugh* Cage fighting. Good one. I may try that.

I took two (large, male) students back with me tonight. He fed us free dessert. Well, them. I didn't eat any. Perhaps it was just a polite host thing.