I’m an MNer, just namechanged (Sistine screamer, softzilla, snapped and farted).
Is it just me who ends up feeling a bit embarrassed and never knows how I’m supposed to react when I’m joked with in the following manner?
I placed an food order today at a local independent food bar via an app. I received a message saying it would be ready at x time.
I arrived, there were about 5 staff there and I think one customer (he was standing around in front of the counter chatting with staff). I said “hello, I’ve come to pick up my order, please. It’s for Jane.”
Dead pan, one of the staff said in quite a haughty tone;
“Yeah, that won’t actually be ready for collection for another 45 minutes to an hour I’m afraid.”
I was quite confused, I’d travelled a fair distance and it would be out of my way to come back, and I got my phone out to check I hadn’t made a mistake. I said,
“I’m really sorry...the app said to come at this time. Just give me a sec, I can show you.”
And he was just staring at me and there was an awkward silence. Then the man I think was a customer said,
“Look love, I know his sense of humour, he’s having you on!”
I looked back up and the man who worked there who made the “joke” wordlessly handed me my meal. It had been right next to him behind the counter the whole time. The other people present laughed. I felt really stupid. A couple of people said “haha your face was a picture” type comments. I kind of wanted the ground to swallow me up. Only one (female perhaps unsurprisingly!) member of staff said “that was weird, what is he like?”
It was only when I got in my car I realised that really it wasn’t actually funny, joke or not and surely the purpose of that kind of joke is just to embarrass the customer rather than actually involve them in something that’s genuinely fun?
I’ve also experienced similar when ordering in restaurants etc
“Please can I have the tomato soup to start with?”
“I’m really sorry we don’t have any.”
“Ok, I’ll have the halloumi then.”
“No halloumi either!”
“Oh...right...erm I’ll just go straight to the main...”
“Haha I’m only joking!!! What is it you want soup or halloumi? Your face was hilarious there!”
And even with friends I’ve have similar experiences through the years. Am I just really humourless or easily embarrassed, or is it actually just about taking the piss out of someone and laughing at their expense?