When we go to the pub she orders angostura bitters and tonic. The glass looks like it's got any anonymous spirit, and doesn't raise any eyebrows or questions. Except from the barstaff. Apparently, when you’re in a pub (especially a festively unquiet one) and ask for angostura bitters you get a very blank look, particularly when the barstaff is not native English-speaking.
Last night I went to the bar to get us both drinks. I got a gin and tonic for me, and, for her, an angostura bitter and tonic. It went something like this:
Me: A Gin and Tonic, and an angostura bitters and tonic.
Barman: (With an eastern European accent) Ok. (goes about pouring the G&T)
At this point I’m relieved and think it'll be easy.
Barman: What was the other drink?
Me: Angostura bitters and tonic.
Barman: (points to a beer tap) Bitter with tonic?
Me: No angostura bitters
Barman: What?
Me: (furiously scans behind the bar for a bottle of angostura bitters) ummm…. (more awkward silence). There! (points to the pepper shakers below the rack of spirits) behind the pepper. Angostura bitters.
Barman: Um. (more awkward silence while he just looks at me and and the beer taps. Specifically does not look behind the pepper shakers)
Barman: Um. (goes and gets manager)
Me: Can I have an angostura bitters and tonic.
Manager: Ok. (pours a tonic and adds a few drops of angostura bitters)
Sigh. My hardcoded be-nice-to-woman-carrying-my-child can only take me so far. She needs to find another non-alcoholic drink of choice.
Where did she come up with that drink? Has she been reading 1950's New Yorker's ads?
ReplyDeleteBesides, that interaction did not appear to be particularly difficult.
I drank bitters and tonic during both my pregnancies. I had forgotten.
ReplyDelete