Restaurant Worries

“I bet they are going to tell us where we are going for Family Vacation!” Harper guessed as she put on her shoes. 

“You’re probably right. Why else are we going out to eat?” Harley agreed, excited to be going to a restaurant. This type of outing was rare for their family as they enjoyed the majority of their meals at home. 

From past experiences, going out to eat was when Mom and Dad had an announcement or news to share. 

The twins gave Pickles a pet before tucking him into his crate and joined Mom and Dad in the car. 

Soon they were sitting in a booth at an Italian restaurant. Their server gave them their menus and asked what they would like to drink. 

Harper grew quiet and Harley whispered ‘Shirley Temple’ to Dad for him to order. 

“Kids, our server,” He looked at her name tag, “Beth asked what you want to drink. How about you tell her and not me.”

The twins glanced at each other with their heads lowered and mumbled ‘Shirley Temple’ in a barely audible whisper. 

Dad smiled at Beth, while he and mom ordered their drinks. Once the server left, the kids' heads bounced back up, and they were eager to see if they were right in their guess about finding out the family vacation location. But Dad had other plans…

“Kids, I think you are both mature enough to order for yourselves when we are out at a restaurant. Do you agree?”

Harper clammed up and Harley did not answer.

Mom could sense their hesitation, “You are both polite, understand the menu, and have excellent manners. Why don’t you show Beth this and order what you want for dinner?”

“Why can’t I tell you what I want, and you order for me?” Harper asked. 

“If you know what you want, why don’t you order?” Mom countered. 

“Because…” Harper’s head lowered again. 

“Use your words, please,” Dad said. 

Harley chose to answer for both of them, “We get nervous.”

“I know that we tell you not to talk to strangers, but a server at a restaurant is different. It is okay to talk to them,” offered Dad. 

“Yeah, but…it is scary…” Harper added. 

Mom reached to squeeze both the twin’s hands, “I can understand how speaking to someone you don’t know, especially in a busy restaurant, can be scary, but I also know that you two are fully capable of doing so.” She sat back, “How about this: instead of focusing on the scary part, let’s focus on Beth.” She paused. 

The twins looked at each other in confusion. 

Mom continued, “This is Beth’s job, she makes sure that each of her tables have what they need to enjoy their meal. She doesn’t know you or your likes and dislikes, so she needs your help. Help make Beth’s job a little easier by knowing what you want and telling her with the same politeness that she shows you.”

“Do you mean to be considerate?” Harley questioned, thinking about his mom’s suggestion. Maybe it would help to think about the Server and the job they had to do versus how nervous he became when it was his turn to speak his order.

“Exactly, let’s be considerate of Beth and her time and show her respect by ordering clearly.”

Beth was back after a few moments with their drinks, giving them time to review the menu and work on their courage to speak up. 

“Do you know what you would like, or shall I give you a few more minutes?” Beth asked, her tablet at the ready. 

Mom and Dad nodded reassuringly to the twins. Harley spoke first, “May I,” he cleared his throat, “May I please have the chicken tenders with fries?” he asked shakily.

“Of course,” Beth answered with a smile and looked to Harper next.

“Um…” She fidgeted with her hands, going from Beth’s face to the menu in front of her, she felt hot. 

“You can do it, Harper,” Harley whispered to her. 

She took a breath, looked at Beth, remembering to not focus on her nerves but on the server, “Can I please have the cheeseburger with fruit?”

“Absolutely,” Beth typed in the order, “You both did so well ordering.” She smiled again and took Mom and Dad’s orders. 

After Beth left, Mom and Dad high-fived the twins, “Good job, Guys, it will get easier and easier to order, I promise.” They exchanged winks.

“And you will have a lot of practice, because we will be eating out a lot on our vacation…”

The twins leaned forward in excitement, asking in unison, “Where are we going?”

Dad did a drum roll on the table, and Mom threw her hands up, “Disney World!”