I Was “Sie Gweilo” For A Day
We went with a bunch of friends to dim sum in Vancouver yesterday and we got the royal Gweilo treatment. First, we got seated at the back corner of the restaurant - next to the bathroom and the waiter’s prep station. This wouldn’t have mattered much except that at dim sum, it is best to have a table in the middle of the restaurant, the high-traffic area. You want to have a line-up of food carts coming by your way instead of having to wait 15 minutes for the next cart. We also had to ask for soy and chili sauce instead of having it on the table. When they did bring it out, it was one little dish for all six of us to share. Nobody came to take drink orders and when we asked for water and extra napkins, the waiters would disappear for a long time before coming back emptyhanded. The bathrooms were in appalling condition. The table had sheets of plastic for tablecloths. Oh, but what I wouldn’t give for har gow and nor mai gai again… I love authentic Chinese cuisine but I hate having to sacrifice service, atmosphere and (let’s hope this last one is all in my head) hygiene for it.
