In the service industry, you will have to deal with a lot of ‘stupid’ questions. The diner had the perfect solution but charges extra for every ‘stupid’ question asked. When you work in the service or fast food industries, you must be ready to answer all kinds of questions, more specifically ‘stupid’ ones. And you have to do it with a smile.
This Diner has had enough of customers’ queries and has decided to turn it into another stream of income.
The next time you eat at Tom’s Diner, make sure to have some spare change at hand because every stupid question might cost you 38 cents extra.
The diner which has been open for 20 years is a hot spot where the locals are used to the tongue in cheek style of the fast-food joint.
Hunter Landry, the manager said, “It’s meant to be playful. It’s good to keep things light in today’s world.”
Their secret little charge came to the world’s attention when one Reddit user decided to post their menu online and rather than being annoyed, people actually loved the idea.
The original owner, Tom Messina, charged 48 cents for stupid questions way back in 1999.
It is not just that the price has declined because waiters are urged not to charge well-intentioned genuine questions.
Hunter Landry says that when a fun table engages with us or when they ask about the charge, it’s always fun to add it on.
It has now become a gimmick for patrons who try to ask the dumbest question possible to incur the charge.
Landry’s favorite question is, “Does the ice have any water in it?”
One previous employee revealed on Reddit that people would often be disappointed if they weren’t charged. “they’d ask and a server would add it. The ultimate stupid question? ‘Why didn’t you charge me more money?'”
“The majority of people really get where we’re coming from and understand it’s meant to be playful. Over the years, maybe a few people have been perturbed but the response is generally positive.”, says Landry
The jokes however don’t end there. The menu also has ‘walk home’ listed under the healthy options along with ‘Skip your next meal’.
Landry revealed that they’re also considering the addition of ‘Love each other’ and ‘Don’t take yourself too seriously’.
The diner’s décor also contains funny little snippets like, “Practice safe eating…please use your condiments!”
Landry says, “It’s all about not taking yourself too seriously. We’re not here for a long time, so let’s enjoy ourselves and try to make the most of this life.”
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