Manners are a double-edged sword.
Whether you’re being polite out of genuine kindness, social obligation, or just because you’re too much of a hopeless introvert to be frank with anyone, there come moments when the polite and realistic halves of your brain get into an internal screaming match about how to handle the sheer audacity of someone’s actions.
Twitter user @LittleCecil2 brought us a riveting story of white-hot public tension surrounding a pastry. It starts great, but wait ’till you get to the twist ending.
so, I’m sat in a busy cafe reading a book with a cup of tea and a pastry and the lady sat opposite me, engrossed in her newspaper has just taken a bite of my pastry. will update
— Little Cecil (@littlececil2) April 18, 2019
Oh boy…
this is tense
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
Once might have been a mistake. But then…
SHE’S TAKEN ANOTHER PIECE. WTF
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
Speaking up is out of the question. It’s time to strategize.
I’m staring at my phone like it’s the only thing that exists.
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
I’m going to take a bite again. and move it closer to me.
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
COUNTERATTACK!
she beat me to it!! she went for a double helping. and I swear she just slid the plate ever so closer to her side. she’s not even blinking
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
Now it’s getting personal.
I’ve just looked her right in the eyes and dragged the plate back to my side. it screeched all the way across the table. she’s looking at me like I’m a disease. send help
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
This is a matter of integrity.
nobody is touching the pastry. there’s about a mouthful left on the plate. I have a bus to catch but out of principle I’m not going anywhere. I need to defend my pastry’s honour
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
I’m going to have to leave soon. I’ll grab the last piece as I go. I PAID FOR IT AFTER ALL
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
🙈 I just grabbed the last piece, stuffing it all in my mouth and said with my mouth full “eNjoy yOur cOfFeE” and as I picked up my newspaper to leave, there it was…. MY PASTRY!!!!
I’VE BEEN EATING A COMPLETE STRANGER’S FOOD @twitter. I WAS THE WEIRDO! 😱
— Little (@LittleCecil2) April 18, 2019
Personally, I think I’d probably move to a new country with a new identity and start a new family after something that embarrassing. Glad he took it so well.
What manners-stand-offs have you had?
Tell us in the comments.