the deed of doubt.

Ever since i wrote the post extolling the phrase 'no good deed goes unpunished,' i have been keeping an eye out, ear to the ground, and nose to the grindstone for a good example of said phrase, even if only two of those actions make any sense in this context. (actually, i guess i could have kept my nose to the grindstone in or while looking for a good example; just not for a good example. i digress...)

anyhoo, the example came two nights ago. i had ordered dinner from five spot: specifically, a fried chicken po' boy, a side of rice and beans, and a couple of cokes.

when the delivery guy showed up at my door, he announced my tab: something like $13. thing is, i had been expecting a bill closer to the high teens (like $17), so i asked if i could see the actual receipt for the order, which the dude was holding. i wanted to verify the amount to make sure i wasnt shortchanging the delivery guy and restaurant. i figured the guy might have glanced at the wrong number on the receipt, or possibly had the wrong receipt with him.

as i looked the bill over, it was clear what had happened. i had asked for a large rice and beans, but had been given a small; hence, the price discrepancy.

understanding what had happened, and content to have a small order of rice and beans rather than a large, i handed the receipt back to the deliverer. to which he responded, 'what - did you think i was trying to steal from you?' he did not say this in a joking manner. not at all.

to which i responded, 'no - actually, i thought the bill would be higher.' i handed him payment, including a three-dollar tip, and shut the door, miffed that my desire to not underpay had ended up sparking an uncomfortable, suspicion-laden exchange between a stranger and me. i have a hard enough time making small talk with strangers; i cant help but always feel a little uncomfortable. this exchange, though it lasted no more than ten seconds, was massively uncomfortable. my good deed had gotten its just punishment.

whoomp there it is.

btw, i had actually previously posted about a no good deed... incident in my transit strike diary. (check the 9.03 entry).