When we decided to buy an inn, I had no idea we’d see or hear so many really unusual, weird and scary things. On several occasions I’ve found myself saying, “now I’ve seen it all,” only to realize that I was in fact mistaken. Just about the time I think it can’t get any weirder, sure enough, it does.
Today I’m going to share with you a few more totally weird things that have happened recently here at Casa Baer. Let’s start with the parking lot situation shall we? After all, that is the first thing people encounter when they arrive, although it shouldn’t be as complicated as people make it.
Now, some people park on the street in front of the house and come in through the front door, which is totally understandable. Others drive down the driveway and park in the back of the house, which is where our off-street private parking lot is located. Allow me to show you how this parking lot is set up. It looks a little something like this:
We rent 7 rooms and we have 7, clearly marked, parking spots. One spot for every room unless you drive an extremely large vehicle, then you’ll have to park in the public lot across the street. However, there is nothing unusual or complicated about my parking lot. It’s pretty straightforward. Or so one would think. A couple of weeks ago I looked outside my kitchen window and saw something similar to this:
What in the world? Who does this and why? The lines are clearly indicating where each car should park! Seriously?
And then there’s the very confusing part of the morning where guests get coffee. Let me explain how this process looks: coffee pot, creamers, sugar packets, and spoons are on the sideboard directly in front of you. Behind you is the table set for breakfast, with water glasses, silverware, napkins and coffee cups on saucers. To your right is another sideboard with wine glasses, rocks glasses, paper napkins, coasters, and a wine opener. This is a help yourself type of coffee set-up. What to do, what to do?
Now I realize that it is morning and guests are probably not completely awake yet, especially since they haven’t had their coffee, but, there are really only 2 choices here, take a cup from the already set table, or take a piece of glassware clearly not meant for use with coffee. Now I don’t know about you, but I’d choose the cup every single time. But, one fine Wednesday morning a couple of weeks ago, not one, not two, not three, but four guests poured their coffee into a wine glass.
People!!! I would never serve coffee in a wine glass!! Just like I would never serve wine in a coffee cup!! What is wrong with you people? You have 2 choices and you choose the wine glass? Really? I asked one lady why she didn’t just use a cup from the table and she said – and I kid you not – “I didn’t think those were supposed to be used?” Lady, what in the hell do you think those are for? If the set table is for decoration, where does she think she’s eating her breakfast? Here’s some information people, I don’t set the table because it’s a fun chore to do every day. And – no – I am not putting out extra cups on the sideboard with the coffee because then I’ll have twice as many cups to wash each morning. Just take a cup – a coffee CUP from the table. Nobody has ever heard of, or developed, a long-stemmed coffee GLASS. They are called WINE glasses for a reason. Sheesh.
Maybe I’m just a snob. Yeah, that’s probably it.
But the absolute wildest thing I heard, just last week in fact, came courtesy of some guests from Australia. Let me set the scene: I served breakfast and told the guests what was on their plate, as I do every morning. I said, “this morning we have eggs fantastic (which is an egg casserole thing that’s delicious), link sausage, some fresh fruit, and a blueberry scone.”
A short while later I returned to the dining room and asked if everything was okay for everyone and the gentleman from Australia asked me what kind of sausage was on his plate. I told him it was link sausage. He asked me to repeat it again. He said he’d never heard of link sausage. I explained that it was just like sausage patties, but I preferred the links. He asked, “what kind of meat is it?” I said that it was pork.
A look of understanding washed over his reddening face. When I continued to stare at him in confusion he finally admitted that he thought a “link” was some kind of a small animal that we hunted and made into sausage.
Ummm, no. But I did laugh right out loud, same as you’re probably doing right now. I kid you not people. I cannot make this stuff up.
God bless the Aussies!
So that’s if for this episode of Adventures in Innkeeping. Now I’m off to hunt link.
What unusual stuff have you seen while in a hotel or restaurant or some other public place that made you shake your head or laugh out loud? Surely I am not the only person who has these amazing stories of weirdness to share.
Word of the day: Tachygraphy
Fun fact about me: I actually have drunk wine from a coffee cup, so call me a hypocrite. Hey, when it comes to wine you do what you have to do.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, July 2019. Images by Google Images and giphy.com.
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You hypocrite! I’m not normally that rude, but you did ask me to do that.
What you didn’t think about when you went into the Inn business was this: all the kids that got participation trophies and went to schools where everybody passes are now adults. They are now descending on the Baer House. My advice: get a labeler for the wine glasses and cups. Also, buy a stuffed animal, put it on the hearth, call it a Link and tell everyone that’s where link sausage comes from. Although for the life of me I can’t imagine why someone named Patricia wouldn’t make sausage patties.
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Al, I’m pretty sure no matter what I do, someone will find some obscure and wacky way to thwart its purpose. I’m doomed no matter what. But, hey, at least the idiots give me good fodder for my blog right?
Thanks for visiting and adding your commentary to the post. It’s always nice to see your take on the story. (wink)
Have a great week.
Patricia
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I guess people who stay at the Red Roof Inn in Knoxville aren’t that interesting, or maybe I’m just not very observant, because I can’t think of anything weird I’ve seen. But LOL at coffee in wine glasses! Maybe instead of putting the coffee cups on the table, stack them on the sideboard near the coffee pot? Then it will really take someone clueless to miss that (though they still might). Go shoot some links, and have a great week!
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Jennette, I think a lot of people who stay here are just intimidated. They’ve probably never stayed at a B & B before, or never sat at a table that’s been formally set for a meal, and so they just don’t know how to “act.” I guess it’s their upbringing or something. Not exposed to any sort of “culture.” Or maybe we’re just weirdo magnets. Who knows.
As always, thanks for visiting. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Patricia
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OMG! The parking and the wine glass. They’re lucky the glass didn’t break!! I’m gonna go out huntin’ some of them thar links after I repark the car.
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Susie – I literally banged my head against the doorpost when I looked outside and saw the park job. And then I didn’t know how to tactfully tell them that they were taking up 3 parking spaces. The whole thing was so odd.
And I thought the same thing – they’re lucky the wine glasses didn’t break when the hot coffee was poured in. I seriously don’t know how anyone thought this would be the utensil they were supposed to drink coffee from. And 3 other people followed suit. THREE!!! Unbelievable.
Thanks for visiting today and sharing a guffaw. At least I have some good stories to tell.
Have a great week.
Patricia
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You too!
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And now I want to find me some links to hunt down! That’s so funny, but I get it. If it’s something you’ve never seen before, the imagination has a tendency to take over. And I know all about the parking issue – we have a martial arts studio and while it’s a gravel lot without painted spots, generally people understand how to park. Then there’s that one person who literally parks in the middle of the lot. All I know is that some people didn’t inherit the same smarts as others. AND I think you should invent the wineglass-coffee mug…elegant enough for evening, but made for the morning. 🙂
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Oh Coleen, if I had the time and the energy, I would work on a one-glass-for-everything glass/cup/mug/stein thing. “Elegant enough for evening, but made for morning,” as you suggest. Sort of like the little black dress of glassware. Dress it up with wine, or dress it down with coffee. And still suitable for milk, juice, lemonade, or soda. (Bang head on desk.)
I guess we’re not the only state where parking is hard. Those lines are surely just suggestions or a great way to use up extra white paint. Silly to think anything else.
Have a great week my friend and try to steer clear of the elusive and rare link.
Patricia
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Al is correct about the people who grew up getting participation trophies. How can anyone expect them to know anything?
Although I’ve never been an innkeeper or restauranteur, I experienced a very weird thing one day in a restaurant where I eat breakfast frequently. Like many who frequent a particular restaurant, I have a favorite table, and since I usually get there when they first open, I always get it. I put my Nook, extra napkins, and silverware on my table (I get there before the guy who puts out the silverware) and then go visit with some friends over coffee until the waitress is ready to take food orders. Then I return to my table and open my Nook to read while I eat. One day, while I was visiting with my friends, a lady who eats there fairly regularly with her husband, came in, picked up my stuff, moved it to another table, and seated herself at my table. Neither I, my friends, nor the manager had ever seen anything as blatantly rude as that.
BTW, my normal handwriting is frequently mistaken for tachygraphy.
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Wow – someone moving you from your “usual” table is a bit odd when you’ve already staked your claim. People are just so weird. But, we all know that this world is filling up fast with the next generation who believe that everything is always about them so therefore, they can just take what they want, including a table where someone else is already planning on sitting.
Thanks for stopping by and contributing to the discussion. Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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I have drunk wine from a coffee mug, but never coffee form a wine glass, I’ll have to try it, and I am quite sure that the Aussie’s do frequently make sausage from small animals they hunt or pick up off the road.
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Morgan, I believe you’re right about Aussie mystery meat. Maybe that’s why they asked. They really liked it and wanted to know if they had “link” in their country.
Here’s to the coffee cup wine sippers!! We’re the last of a dying breed.
Patricia
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As an Aussie, I’m still confused about what a ‘link sausage’ really is! Can you explain please? I also don’t know what you mean by a ‘sausage pattie’ – is that like a hamburger patty? I think we must have a different name for them. When we buy sausages here they’re described by what type of meat they are, so you might go to the butcher and buy beef sausages or pork sausages (or, if you’re buying the mystery meat ones from the supermarket, they’re just ‘sausages’!).
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Hi Bec: Thanks for adding to the discussion. Yes, sausage patties are just like hamburger patties. They’re ground up pork (usually pork anyway) and smashed down into a patty. Link sausage (or sausage links) are the same ground meat (again usually pork) shaped into “links” like hot dogs.
I guess I should just say “sausage” and not add the shape to avoid confusion. Or pork sausage to be very specific.
I’m sure I’d be the same way if I were to visit Australia. Someone there would undoubtedly have a good laugh about my perception. It’s fun getting to know how people in other parts of the world do and say things. It’s truly a learning experience.
Thanks for visiting. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Patricia
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P.S. The picture above, of the meat on the grill, is a picture of “link” sausages or sausage links.
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Hehehe I think I have drank wine out of a coffee cup too, I mean if that is the only clean cup available, you do what you’ve gotta do! 😉
That parking is pretty amazing! did you have to tell the driver to park more normally?
I didn’t know what a link sausagae is either, but it’s always nice to learn new things. Btw, your breakfasts sound really tasty!
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Josy, I agree, when it comes to wine, you do what you gotta do. Heck I’ve had wine straight from the bottle before.
Yes, I did have to ask the guest to re-park their car. I just explained that there were other guests who hadn’t arrived yet and that if he moved the other way there’d be more room for everyone. Hopefully he figured it out.
And, lesson learned about the sausage, don’t use the word “link.” I just assumed everyone knew what that term meant. Shame on me.
Thanks for visiting today. I hope you’re off on another adventure this weekend. I look forward to your posts.
Patricia
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