Friday, February 19, 2016

No app for that, huh?

Husband and I went to a local restaurant, and as usual, we were given the senior rate.

This round, perhaps, maybe... We deserved it.

We walked to the cashier to order, and she was just bubbling over with excitement. "You came here at just the right time!  We just had a power outage!  It was nearly a half hour long, and we couldn't use the cash registers!  We had to use paper and pencil to figure out meals, and we had to take cash only!!!"

Husband and I managed to have her out of earshot before we laughed.

Having been in this situation when I had been working (ahem) years ago for the Golden Arches Supper Club, it was a given, in a power outage, you just wrote it on a handy napkin or take out bag, until the lights came on...

YES, it was before everything was computerized, but the cash registers were electrical, so they'd lock us out... That was the fun part.  Also, most people used cash at that time, so it wasn't such a big deal.

I was surprised that the back was still able to cook, unless they use gas, or some such.  I know a lot of stores just shut down and lock the doors during a power outage.

When we arrived at the table, I mentioned one item to Husband, "They didn't have one iPhone or equivalent between them, that had a calculator on it?"

He thought about it, and said they probably figured the phone wouldn't work in a power outage, or didn't want to spend the juice/data on said phone.

Guess they don't have an app for power outages yet...



12 comments:

Sharon said...

That would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad. Some places won't even take cash if the power is down, not a restaurant, of course.

Cperz said...

Times have certainly changed. I am surprised that in this day and age that the cell phone wouldn't be the go to plan in a power failure as the cellular system never goes off line unless there isn't a cell tower in the vicinity. Our power rarely goes off but when it does, my iPhone becomes my flashlight until I dig out the battery operated LED lamps. I'm like you...I'd be surprised that no one was using their phone.

There isn't an app for power failures but there are apps that auto dial the local power company and report the outage and the Mophie case will keep your phone powered up without having to plug in a charger. We are all so spoiled with this technology.

stephen Hayes said...

This hasn't happened to me yet, but in time it probably will. Fortunately I usually have cash on hand.

messymimi said...

Heeheehee! It is both funny and sad how they can't imagine life without their electrical support system.

Cat said...

We went to a restaurant one time, where the power was out,and they wouldn't seat us, because they had no stove/oven working, but I don't remember the cash register having a problem, oddly enough... But, I guess they have to do what they have to do...

Cat

Cat said...

I was rather surprised about not using the phone, as well... I personally wonder if some would be having withdrawal symptoms if lacking a phone for any period. I didn't know the phone could do its own dialing, but I guess that shouldn't surprise me... I guess my not so smart phone has some learning to do. Meh...

Cat

Cat said...

I don't have anything but cash or check, so it is a moot point, I suppose, for me.

Cat

Cat said...

Yes, to both!!!

Cat

Cperz said...

Seems like today's phones can do about anything. Kansas City Power and Light have an app that you push to report a power outage but other communities might not have that.

Laughing about the "withdrawal" comment. Isn't that the truth. I am no better. If I forget my phone at home, I feel naked.

Chloe said...

in the future at the restaurants and malls we will see some old school guy near the guard, who will be able to deal with such situations :)

Cat said...

And then there is me, I have to be reminded to take mine, more often than not... :)
Cat

Cat said...

Yay, old school. Uh, oh, crap, that would be me, wouldn't it... Urk!
Cat