RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31016, 23 March 1966, Page 34

RANDOM REMINDER

TRAVELLER’S TALE

New Zealanders have seldom been accused of servility, and rugged independence remains a national characteristic. It appears particularly in those whose business affairs bring them into direct contact with the public and even, at times, in the young ladies who wait table in the nation’s hotel dining rooms. A delicious example of this healthy attitude was offered in a Dunedin hotel the other day. Our informant was seated at the breakfast table, sharing it with a woman from Wellington who ordered nectarines followed by por-

ridge and bacon and eggs. The young waitress seemed to be slightly confused by this brief recital, and dropped a rack of toast into the breakfast of a third diner at the table. And when she came back to the woman, she brought a plate of porridge, in which sat several nectarines, looking a little sad and distinctly out of place. The woman said she had wanted the nectarines and the porridge separately. The waitress considered this briefly, and then came up with an engaging smile and the information that it didn't matter did it, really because they all went down the same way. The man who told us

about this was thus reminded of a visit he paid some years ago to a West Coast hotel, where he was asked by the sole waitress what he wanted for breakfast. The conversation went on these lines.— “What do you want?” “Well. I really don't know until I see the menu” “There isn't a menu" “Well what is there for breakfast?” “Fried sausages and braised sausages.” “That's all?” “Take it or leave it.” “I’ll try the braised sausages.’’ “Braised sausages are off.”