611 is the name of the cafeteria at Saks. The numbers, taken from the store's address (611 Fifth), give it an aura of sophistication that doesn't exist.
First, its hours don't coincide with the store hours. If you work past 4:30, which everyone does, you need to exit the store to find a place to eat. And on a weekend night, that's not easy.
Second, it's not subsidized. Eating at 611 costs more than picking up something at Agata Valentina, my local gourmet grocer.
Third, the long shared tables are often unclean. Sticky drink remains and crumbs are often scattered on the table tops.
Fourth, many of the diners (all store employees) think it's perfectly okay to watch videos and TV shows on their phones with the volume up. Is there no thought that screams, "Gee, maybe the woman next to me isn't interested in hearing my face-time conversation?"
And finally...
I have accepted the rule that if I want water in a cup I must pay 11¢. The rationale is, "Cups cost money and in the past, people have abused the privilege of free cups. You're not paying for the water or the ice, just the cup."
I don't bring my own cups to work, so I've reluctantly accepted this rule.
Today I buy hot tea; I switch to tea whenever I have a cold.
$2 for a tea bag. So I get two cups of hot water and go to pay.
"That's $2.27."
"How's that?"
"$2 for the tea and 27¢ for the second cup of water."
"But I thought the cost of a cup is 11¢."
"Only if it's cold water. Hot water is more."
"I don't understand. If I'm only paying for the cup, and not the water inside it, what difference does the temperature make?"
"I don't know, but that's what it is."
"Okay, then this is cold water."
I'm charged $2.11.
Stupid rule averted!
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