A few weeks ago my family went out to dinner after picking up my sister from the airport. When we arrived to the restaurant it was very busy due to homecoming. The only available seating was outside. It was a chillier evening so sitting outside was a little more uncomfortable than we would have liked but we were all hungry and that's where the available seats were.
When our food came to the table Stew, my husband, noticed that there wasn't something right about Isaac's food. He had ordered a gluten free cheeseburger and what showed up to the table was a gluten filled cheese burger.
Isaac, my youngest child, has celiac disease. He must have a strict gluten free diet. Any amount of gluten ingested by him makes him very ill.
The mistake made by the restaurant made could have made Isaac very ill and sick. The server apologized for the mistake and sent back the burger for the correct one.
The general manager came out with the correct order and also apologized about the mistake. He also said that we wouldn't be paying for Isaac's hamburger.
When the general manager came out we said that we understand that mistakes happen.
Time passed and Isaac had eaten some of his hamburger. The general manager came out again to see how Isaac was doing with his hamburger and how everyone was enjoying their meal. The manager also apologized again for the mistake.
We said we understand mistakes happen. We know you're really busy tonight and mistakes happen.
The general manager right then and there said busyness is blessing not an excuse. I appreciate your patience tonight with everything I'm going to take care of the table's meal and bring Isaac our gluten free chocolate cake.
I tell you this story tonight because being courteous and kind made this a very positive experience.
Our time at the restaurant would have gone very differently if we had used anger and harsh language with the folks working at the restaurant.
The next time you're in a situation where you want to use harsh words and language, pause and think about how you can in that moment live up to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
A scout is kind.
A scout is courteous.