Heading to your favorite restaurant to enjoy your go-to feel-good meal is always a treat but what happens when you’re met with a long line and a frenzied owner? Some might just pick a different to place to eat while some would willingly sit and wait. But then there are those who bring the spirit of camaraderie alive through their thoughtful gestures.
It’s one thing to respond graciously to setbacks, but it’s another to get up and lend a hand.
Last October 9 in New Zealand, popular restaurant Thai Food Huntly was packed with customers. Regulars realized the delays in service were due to the place being understaffed.
They responded quite unexpectedly. Emily Puhi of New Zealand shares how the customers worked together to help the chef on one of his busiest nights.
“The tables were filled, people lined up waiting to pay, to order or to pick up. The chef was by himself cooking so he couldn’t wait the tables and be at the counter. Found out that his staff didn’t turn up.”
Instead of grumbling and complaining, the customers sprang into action when they realized the chef’s staff didn’t show up.
“The lady waiting to pay started waiting tables for him, and the other lady that works at the real estate shop beside the Thai place, worked the register with his permission and also waited tables.”
As one customer immediately jumped in and started taking orders, others followed suit. Some began helping with the payments while others took charge of bringing food to tables.
From a one-man restaurant to a fully operational one, the evening unfolded wonderfully.
Emily recalls how the turn of events showed a beautiful sense of community spirit.
“It was worth customers jumping in to help out because the food is absolutely incredible. Huntly gets such a bad rap in the media, but situations like this just prove what a beautiful community we have. What an awesome place to live in.”
That same night, Thai Food Huntly issued an apology on social media.
The restaurant’s spokesperson also told the New Zealand Herald how grateful they were for having generous customers who showed nothing but kindness and compassion.
“Someone helped on the register, another was waiting tables while a third person helped in the kitchen running the food to tables and doing the dishes as they began to pile up. Someone even stayed to help us close down at the end of the night. It was really cool to see them help, especially since there was a family emergency that impacted the majority of our staff members.”
Those who were able to witness the team effort eagerly shared positive reviews on social media, with some emphasizing just how wonderful Huntly locals truly are.
Emily describes how heartwarming it all was.
“We could easily feel the sense of community all around the place. Frowns turned to smiles and grumpy waiting turned to patiently waiting. It was beautiful to witness. What an awesome place to live in.”
You don’t have to mirror the exact actions of the customers of Thai Food Huntly, but you can draw inspiration from the compassion they extended towards the owner.
Kudos to the locals of Huntly, New Zealand!
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Source: Good News Network, NZ Herald
