The struggle is real
We've all had the difficult decision to make. Should I sit down in this coffee shop on an uncomfortable stool, listening to middle of the road 80's tunes whilst a flustered employee frantically sweeps around your feet with a dustpan and brush and asks ... "Is that finished???" whilst pointing at your unopened sandwich?
Or to take away and sit in the park in the rain whilst listening to that loud group of teenagers who have decided to do ridiculous dad dances at 10am whilst dangerously spilling their strongbow everywhere?
Now that most places expect us to pay a cover charge just for the pleasure of a silver tray and maybe a cardboard cup holder, is there an etiquette to this eat in/take away lark?
Yes there is, at least according to EVA BRAUN who served me in Pret this morning!!
EVA: Eat in or take away?
ME: Take away please (pays up and waits for my coconut latte)
Checking my watch I see I don't have to be at the theatre for another 40 minutes
ME: Actually sorry, do you mind If I eat in?
Eva fixes me with a glare that would freeze Elsa herself and starts unpacking the paper bag on to a silver tray.
ME: Really sorry is it extra to sit in?
EVA: YES!!
ME: I really don't mind paying the extra?
EVA: (throwing the coconut latte on to the tray) WELL IT'S DONE NOW!
I tentatively sit down and hastily eat my breakfast whilst feeling the icy glare of Eva on my back with every mouthful. Feeling somewhat unwelcome I disperse into the rain to stroll with my coconut latte. Well ... the cold never bothered me anyway!
ACT 2
So in between shows I decided to take a walk along the strand to pick up one my new favourite snacks. A chorizo burger from Leon (seriously, try it ... but I wouldn't recommend the dry chicken burger!)
Faced with a lovely and helpful girl, I made my order. She explained that if I had fries and a drink It would only be a pound extra! Bargain!
My food was neatly packed in a paper bag and with a cheery 'Have a nice day' I strutted back along the strand to eat in my dressing room. When I got there I excitedly unwrapped my treat like Charlie looking for a golden ticket ........... and out popped .......... A dry chicken burger!!!
Let's try again tomorrow shall we?