Getting outside my comfort zone....and liking it.

Let me start by saying I love food.  Adore food, to be more precise.  Being in NYC for work is.....well, it's cold right now, but besides that......a mecca for good food.  I ate Thai food Wednesday night, met a dear friend for Italian food last night, and went to a Japanese restaurant for lunch today.  Maybe I should also say "Don't hate, but I just don't 'get' Sushi".  I understand that people all over the world are completely passionate about it and I want to like it, I really do, but....no.  
But I saw on the menu that they had Bento Boxes for lunch specials and I thought to myself, "You've just walked all around Central Park in the snow and pretty cold weather" (don't even ask how many layers of clothing I had on to experience this phenomenon).  "Why not try a Bento Box?"  Add to that I was cold and the lunch special said it came with soup.....I'm in!
I walk in, ask for a table for one....so far, so good.  The next trial was to remove 18 layers of clothing (about half) so I could open the menu.  I ordered my Bento Box and a Diet Coke (Make new friends but keep the old, I always say), only to have the gal who waited on me return after a minutes to ask, "Did you really say you wanted the Teriyaki Chicken?"  I nodded but looked around to see if someone might be shaking their head "No, no, no.....must not order that".  No such input.
Miso soup came first.  Perfect.  Okay, really, it was just hot and that, in and of itself, was perfect.  It came with one of those huge white, plastic spoons that makes me question whether or not it will fit in my mouth.  It did---I was highly motivated.
Next came the Bento Box.  Holy Cow!! Let me tell you what all came on this baby:  a salad with ginger dressing, shrimp dumplings, a California roll (I'm not judging---I tried it), white rice and a good portion of Teriyaki Chicken and veggies.  "This looks delicious", I said to the waitress.  Smile.  She walked away when I realized the issue.  "Houston, we have a problem" I thought.  No fork.  Only chopsticks.  Yes, I have tried them.  No, I would rather use a fork.  
So, I had to do the raising the hand of shame.  "Can I please get a fork?" I asked.  A collective sigh emitted from all members of the wait staff (I can't be certain of that last part, but I think that's what happened).  She nodded slowly and went to find a fork (it actually took a few moments.  Yikes! 
I looked around the restaurant----NOBODY was using a fork.  Dangit!!  
After getting over my shame, I must say I truly enjoyed my lunch.  The shrimp dumpling was delectable and the chicken, veggies and rice were excellent.  I even semi-enjoyed the miniscule piece of California roll I put in my mouth.  
A true success, I thought.......until the gal came to remove my plate and.......clang! clank! clang! the wicked fork fell to the floor!  Just like in a movie where the slow motion scene begins, all eyes slowly turned towards me.  
"Shameful" I think I heard a neighboring patron say.  
I, on the other hand, was so proud of myself for stepping outside my comfort zone and enjoying it!!
Don't even ask how long it took me to put those layers back on to tackle the outside again!!

Happy Communicating!!

Shelly

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