Today I'd like to introduce what I call the Lemon Test.
I always find it interesting to observe other people and their behavior. One of the most intriquing areas to consider is just how observant people are to their surroundings. For example, one time at an amusement park I watched person after person try to get a line for a water flume ride that was obviously closed. The track and all the pools were completely dry and there were no boats. That didn't seem to stop people from walking right past and up to the start of the line. The park even had to station an employee there to let people know the flume was closed.
So here's the Lemon Test...
I don't like a lemon wedge in my iced tea or Diet Coke. So whenever I order one, I immediately take the lemon out and put it on a napkin or empty plate. Then I wait to see how many rounds it takes the waiter or waitress to bring the ice tea or Diet Coke without the lemon. Only about one of ten will actually start brining the drink without the lemon. And it's even more rare for someone to catch it after the first drink. In a larger sense, it demonstrates whether the server is actually thinking about what they're doing or just on autopilot. If they're just on autopilot, what else are they missing when they bring out your food and drink? I'll just let you imaginations run with that one for a minute...
I also have another version of this test called the Lime Test. The Lime Test is pretty much the same principle, but you substitute Captain and Diet for the beverages above. If you're planning on taking observational notes on the Lime Test, it's best to do so before going too many rounds. An alternative way to run this test is simply to see if the waiter, waitress or bartender figures out to leave out the lime before you pass out.
I always find it interesting to observe other people and their behavior. One of the most intriquing areas to consider is just how observant people are to their surroundings. For example, one time at an amusement park I watched person after person try to get a line for a water flume ride that was obviously closed. The track and all the pools were completely dry and there were no boats. That didn't seem to stop people from walking right past and up to the start of the line. The park even had to station an employee there to let people know the flume was closed.
So here's the Lemon Test...
I don't like a lemon wedge in my iced tea or Diet Coke. So whenever I order one, I immediately take the lemon out and put it on a napkin or empty plate. Then I wait to see how many rounds it takes the waiter or waitress to bring the ice tea or Diet Coke without the lemon. Only about one of ten will actually start brining the drink without the lemon. And it's even more rare for someone to catch it after the first drink. In a larger sense, it demonstrates whether the server is actually thinking about what they're doing or just on autopilot. If they're just on autopilot, what else are they missing when they bring out your food and drink? I'll just let you imaginations run with that one for a minute...
I also have another version of this test called the Lime Test. The Lime Test is pretty much the same principle, but you substitute Captain and Diet for the beverages above. If you're planning on taking observational notes on the Lime Test, it's best to do so before going too many rounds. An alternative way to run this test is simply to see if the waiter, waitress or bartender figures out to leave out the lime before you pass out.
I try to do that occasionally when I'm on a terrace or something. I'll just order "another one" and see if they bring me the right stuff :p