Modest bragging and a good restaurant story

Here's a fun fact:

I like to share stories. Part of the reason I have a blog and all. I especially like to share my work stories, which is why I am proud to announce my Guest Post over at The Bitchy Waiter, and you can find my post here! 

It's not everyday I get to share my story to such a wide audience, so I AM PUMPED UP!

And even though that story has more to do with the idiots in the world (seriously, I inventory my bar every week and I am positive I know what I have in stock) I witnessed an act of beauty while on vacation.

Sometimes faith in humanity gets restored. And after spending some quality time with annoying tourists, I needed a healthy dose of friendliness.

This time it came in the form of a man named Mark. He owns his own bakery on Mackinac Island, and I had the pleasure of hearing his story about why he actively chooses to remain "off the line" and not have a credit card machine in his store.

Mackinac Island is a big spot for sailors, they are the finish point for a few amazing races every year. This year we were up there for the Bayview to Mack race and stopped in Mark's bakery for coffee one morning.

He told us that three years ago, a bunch of sailors came in and wanted to buy $90 worth of stuff with a credit card. Mark was trusting enough to allow the men to take the stuff and asked them to send him payment when they returned home. His accountant and bookkeeper were annoyed, thinking he had lost out on $90. A week later, Mark received a letter from a Chicago law firm with the money, plus an extra tip.

To this day, if someone wants to use a credit card, he hands them an envelope and asks them to send cash when they get home. He said he always ends up with his money back and usually a little extra.

As a member of the food industry, this story blows my mind. Having that much trust in people? With food? AT A TOURIST DESTINATION?!

Mark has guts.

I wish I had that kind of faith in the general public, but speaking from the restaurant world perspective, it's not worth it to fight idiots. They always win, even when they're wrong about everything.

My point? Having trust and faith in people is awesome. We should try and use it more. But it's still ok to get mad, because let's face it, people suck.