A waitress in a little-known English cafe has become famous after failing to recognise Prime Minister David Cameron and refusing to serve him saying she was too busy serving other customers.
Mr. Cameron was on his way to the Armed Forces Day celebrations in the English coastal city of Plymouth when he popped into a wayside joint called the Sandwich Box Plus café only to be told by Sheila Thomas that he would have to take his turn in the queue as she was in the middle of serving someone, The Daily Mail reported. The Prime Minister and his retinue of officials cooled their heels for about 10 minutes and when Ms. Thomas still paid no attention they trooped out — and into a next door bakery where they were treated like royal guests, though it seems Mr. Cameron only had a coffee and a bite of a jam doughnut.
An embarrassed Ms. Thomas said: “I didn’t realise it was him at first. I was in the middle of serving a customer so I was running around trying to do something and didn’t take too much notice to be honest. He asked if we served takeaway coffee and I said, ‘Yes but I’m in the middle of serving somebody’ and he said, ‘I’m so sorry’. It was only afterwards somebody told me it was the Prime Minister. He came back in afterwards and I told him off for not getting a coffee here. He shook hands and was very pleasant.”
It was the second time that a waitress failed to recognise Mr. Cameron. On a previous occasion, a waitress in Italy refused to serve him and his wife Samantha saying she was too busy. What’s it about the Tory Prime Minister that waitresses don’t notice him?
Keywords: David Cameron, Sandwich Box Plus café
I have heard lot of praise for the waitress. May be she deserves.
But it is also possible that she did this for publicity and to get
her 10 minutes of fame. Probably she knew how famous her counter
part in Italy became famous. So when Cameroon walked in, she might
have thought of making good use of the situation.
If this happens again at a couple of more places, then the PM may
start acting like the Indian Politicians to whom everything is
served by the personal assistants.
Truly said that Indian waitress would have faced dismissal and cafe license cancelled!
Must learn to respect dutiful workers and accept defeat - be it airport checking staff or counter clerk in bank etc NOT Done in India; Pity indeed !
Hats off to the modest British Prime Minister. He has set an example
as to how one should be modest no matter whatever his position.
I sincerely hope everybody holding office from a junior to senior level,
be it in Government or elsewhere emulate his example. May his tribe
increase .
Why are we even comparing this with Indian polticians and what is there to learn. I am sure there are polticians in the whole world who make their own coffee.... what is big deal about this news..for all you know this could be an incident which never happened..
In India unnecessary importance is given to politicians and
government officials. They think that they are above GOD whenever they
travel in a convoy of cars followed by their henchmen and sycophants.
Even a municipal councillor wants a special treatment and if there is
any security check for him at the airport then there will be a big
fight with the airport security staff. Even officials in India think
that they are superior to common man. Official cars with siren are
used for household work. I am unable to imagine what would have
happened to the waitress and the small cafe if it had happened in
Tamil Nadu or any Indian state. It is not the case in any of the
western countries. Nobody is above law. Everybody in India should
realize this and change his/her attitude.
HATS OFF TO MR.CAMERON FOR HIS SIMPLICITY,ENTERING CAFETERIA WITHOUT ANY
BIG FUSS.THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT MAKING HIM HERO FOR ME IN INDIA.OUR
POLITICIANS SHOULD LEARN FROM HIM.
In a democracy people are above anyone, people make leaders. All are equal. Hence it is very normal of such happenings in the west to the leaders or cine/sports stars. Hero worship is shunned. Democracy in USA and the west are out of peoples evolution and want. The same does not apply to India. Recognition does not matter at all. Unfortunately in india we don't understand that people matter and are above all. On this side of globe today this would sound uneasy. Or on those ancient days the kings of india would pass by happy and merrily that the people are doing their duty well. With such news, Will our leaders and people cut the ego and become humble, down to earth?
If these would have happend in India,forget about the cafe her whole generation would have been wiped out.
Imagine someone even doing this to Indian Prime Minister's driver's mother in law. The shop would be history.
Now I know why in India, politicians have long convoys with huge
security guards surrounding them, to let people know that they are
coming and be ready to worship them!!!! Such a shame!!
Just saw Dr. Kalam's photo, where he is in a roadside tea shop,
sipping on his tea and biting samosa, not only he went there on his
own choice, he also applauded the shop owner's entrepreneurship and
said the taste couldn't match anywhere around the world. Does any
Indian politicians have the guts to do this or even think about it??
Well, living in London from last 5 years what I have learned is that every one is equal in UK.
Think of this happening with a wife of a very very junior politician-say
at pancayat level, the very existence of such a cafe wold be over next
day. That's my India.
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