The Cost

“I have an ethical question for you.”

Mussels for lunch, and an ethical question for dessert.  Why not?

“We didn’t order fries with the mussels, but the waitress brought them anyway.  Remember?  She was very smooth about it.  She admitted that she had selected the ‘mussels/fries’ combo by mistake and ‘though we’d like to try them.’  I almost thought she was giving them to us at no charge, but no, here it is on the check- three dollars more than we would have otherwise paid.”

I had already decided what I was going to do, but in the split second before I opened my wallet it occurred to me that it might be interesting to pose the dilemma to my daughter Amber, whose quirky 19 year old brain often comes up with refreshing perspectives.  A fresh perspective would go well with the fresh ocean breezes and bright sunshine of the Old Port section of Portland, Maine where we sat on an outdoor patio after having enjoyed a noonday repast.

“I was thinking of reducing her tip by three dollars.” I said.  “What do you think?”

“Well...” said Amber cautiously, “...you did eat some of the fries.”

“True.” I conceded, “But I didn’t want them.  Fries have no place in my dietary plan.  So maybe I shouldn’t subtract the entire three dollars.  What do you think? Two dollars?  One dollar?”

“Well...” said Amber thoughtfully, “...she did say it was a mistake.”

She’s so childlike.  Not childish, mind you, but childlike.  She’s trusting.  And generous.  Why not be childlike, trusting and generous on a beautiful afternoon? 

It only costs three dollars.
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