I’ve always heard it’s the people you meet that make traveling great.
Wroclaw is a town that, unless you’re a college student looking to go out, doesn’t have much to offer the casual tourist, such as myself. Beyond the few hours I spent between the Panorama of Raclawicka (very interesting/controversial circular/3D painting) and the national art museum, the few days were made worthwhile because of the people I met, not just travelers, but locals as well (let’s not forget fabulous Paul and his Polish hospitality!).
On my last night in Wroclaw, I met another American name Rebecca – a girl who entranced me with her stories of working in Tanzania and the Galapagos, volunteering and photography and travel writing. With Rebecca, I dined out, which ended being more than just a casual dinner. We searched the square for cheaper places that just don’t seem to exist. It was getting late. I caved and took the easy route.
“Hey, there’s this great Georgian restaurant I ate at in Krakow, a few times, that gives huge plates of food for low cost,” I suggested. “They have one here, too.”
Dinner was fabulous, delicious, excellent, anything we could have asked for – until the bill. It was a mere 31 zloty. Since we both only had large bills, I dropped a 50 bill in the basket and set it on the side of the table, where it sat for a good 10 minutes while our server passed by. Finally, another girl saw the basket and picked it up. Finally, we could go on our merry way.
Rebecca and I talked so much; it took a bit before we realized we hadn’t yet received our 19 zloty in change. She went up to our server, who immediately acted like she didn’t speak English anymore. She was confused. Rebecca returned to the table concerned, only to be angered when yet another girl dropped a basket with only 7 zloty for us. Yeah, 19 and 7 zloty are almost the same.
Rebecca returned yet again to our server explaining this was incorrect, but she played dumb to the point where Rebecca drew it out on a piece of paper. This was her response:
“The girl who took your money went home. I don’t have your bill anymore.”
Uhm… You know what we got, and you printed the ticket off the computer. And, even though some other person took our money (when you had plenty of opportunities to take it) doesn’t mean that WE should have to pay MORE for one meal and a dessert. We asked for a manager.
The manager came and she, too, played dumb! “I no longer have the bill for you.”
What?! So what?! We can tell you what we ordered!
“But, I’ll have your server get your change.”
Server girl came over, gave us the most horrific look and said, “It’s not my fault, but I make enough to pay your dinner,” dropped the money, and stormed off. Absolutely amazing!
I think it was the first time we felt like we were taken advantage of as tourists in Poland. So much for the tiny piece of Polish hospitality I had two days prior!
P.S. I got my Wroclaw photos up here if you are interested.
all that for $5usd? It seems kind of silly, doesn’t it. It is a hard line to walk between protecting yourself from constant fleecing by locals and letting petty money matters overtake all other concerns.
Apparently their parents didn’t teach them any manners growing up. That’s such a crappy thing to do. I can’t imagine doing that to anyone, you really have to have low morals. Well at least you guys got out of there without having to run!! I’ll have to add this to the scam page on my site (if i ever get that page completed. hahaha)
Wroclaw was interesting I thought. Did you happen to go the communist dance club? The waitresses wore CCCP uniforms and the walls were covered with pictures of Stalin and Mao etc. I enjoy reading your blog and am traveling vicariously. Best of luck to you in your travels- I am jealous!
Hey yeah, thanks for following! Yeah didn’t catch that dance club, but honestly when I’m traveling alone I usually don’t go to any clubs unless I meet other people who are doing the same. That probably would have made a big difference to have seen that club there in Wroclaw!