I have griped about being called “sweetie” and “honey” by waitresses and even at the McDonald’s drive-thru. But today, Pam got called “sweetie” twice–once by the nurse at the doctor’s office, the other at IHOP.

Pam’s checkup went fine, following her surgery for a frozen shoulder on Wednesday. Just need to keep exercising that shoulder, and mostly-full motion should return eventually.

We then went to IHOP for breakfast. I’m pretty positive I saw a woman pull a scam on the restaurant.

The heavy-set woman at the next booth complained that it took too long for her food to come. She wouldn’t be able to eat it there, and would be late for work. Plus, even while waiting, she said, she couldn’t drink the coffee, because it was way too strong, undrinkable. She would need a box to take her food, and would like a pitcher of coffee to take home–which wouldn’t be the same, she said, because she would have to put it in the refrigerator.

The woman manager was very professional and courteous. I’m pretty sure she gave her the breakfast free, and maybe even threw in a $5 gift card (I couldn’t tell for sure). I suspect the manager knew they were getting scammed, but what could she do? It would only cost the restaurant a few bucks to make the lady happy and get her out of there.

When Pam and I left, the lady was still sitting there, eating from her box, taking her time. Apparently not concerned about being late for work.

The IHOP staff, I noticed, did not call her “sweetie.”