think carrie, think!

Yesterday at lunch, I made myself yet another salad from the salad bar in the cafeteria. My salads are getting boring, due to the fact that the options at the salad bar never really change beyond the occasional switch from parmesan to cheddar. But 1: the salads are way cheaper than anything else in the caf, 2: the salads taste way better than anything else in the caf, and 3: salads are generally good for you. So salad it was. But then I realized what ingredient was missing from the salad bar that would make my lunches so much better: avocado.

A member of the cafeteria staff came out to refill something at the hot bar. I realized this opportunity, and with a huge smile, went up and asked him if he had any avocados.

“I’m sorry, what?” he says.
“Avocados,” I replied, “for the salad bar.”
“Ohh. No, I don’t think so. But we have some in the back, I can get some for you.”
“No, it’s okay, if it’s too much trouble…”
“Of course not, let me run back and get some”.

He grabbed a bowl and headed back to the kitchen. A minute later, he reappears, half an avocado sliced and presented neatly in the bowl. “Avocado!” He smiles. I smile. And after thanking him a thousand times, I go on my merry way to eating my (yummy) lunch.

Now today, when I was making my salad for lunch, the same kitchen staff member came out to fix something at the hot bar… so naturally I asked him again if he had any of those avocados out back. He laughed and said of course, grabbed a bowl, and went back to the kitchen.

He reappeared with the bowl, this time with an entire avocado, still in shell, sitting in the bowl. He hands it to me, and says “One dollar. You still want it?” I laughed and took it. I wonder if he’ll give me an entire avocado tree tomorrow. More likely he won’t even be there tomorrow.

[in case anyone was wondering: avocado in Chinese translates literally to 'butter fruit']

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 and is filed under food, randomness, work.