Day 23: "My position on cake is pro-eating it"

Gratuitous food porn

I've noticed that a lot of my rejections occur in places to eat. I don't plan it that way, but somehow it works out like that a lot. I guess I like to eat, and Tuesday's rejection was right on schedule. It took place with our recurring character Juan Martin at Loving Hut restaurant.

Juan and I had just gone for a run at Chastain Park. I love that place. It's so picturesque and a couple of laps around the park will give you a good, long workout. The sidewalks can be slim though, so you have to be careful when passing other exercisers.

I was contemplating getting rejected at the park, and Juan suggested I find the coach of a boy's football game that was taking place on a field below and ask him if I could play. I thought that was P-R-I-C-E-L-E-S-S, but I hesitate to do stuff like that. Last thing I need is for some overprotective parent to arrange it so I end up on the evening news. So I passed on that idea. In fact, I shied away from several opportunities for rejection at the park, which was a real shame. So many people, so many possible rejections. I was finding it harder than normal to approach people last week though. Some days are harder than others, and I had a lot of hard days last week.

After our run Juan and I went to eat, where he gave me another idea: give the restaurant manager a sob story about how my boyfriend just left me and I have no furniture in my place, so would they let me take a small table and chairs off their hands? I decided that was the one! Plus, it was getting late and I had to close a deal soon.

After we finished eating I went up to the wait staff and made my plea. I didn't include the boyfriend stuff, just told them I had fallen on some hard times and had little furniture in my apartment, so would they consider donating a set to me? I'd even buy it off of them if they insisted.

The waiter said I'd have to talk to the manager who was not in, but he was pretty sure they didn't donate items from the restaurant. I couldn't take any home with me that night. But he was so super nice about it, he encouraged me to come back later in the week and talk to the manager about my predicament. I thanked him for his kindness and we took off.

One of the reasons I like Loving Hut is not just the food, but even when you are rejected they treat you with kindness and consideration. They may have thought I fell off my swing set, but never once did they treat me with anything less than respect. I love giving places like that my business.