Customer service?

‘Hello’ I said, as the mobile rang. It was clearly Partner asking me whether I wanted two or three potatoes. Yes, I had sent him shopping again.

There was just a loud burble. Or babble to be more precise. I see. In a bar. I turned it off.

An hour or two later, it rang again.

‘Hello’ I snapped. Only to be answered by a stranger. Uh?

‘Do you speak Spanish?’

I don’t even know why I continued, but I said yes.

Then, ‘habla español?’

‘Si.’

So the conversation continued in Spanish.

‘Who owns this phone?’

‘Well, me obviously, that’s why I’m answering it.’

Duh.

Then, I looked at the number. Wait, why was some stranger ringing me on Partner’s phone?

Realisation dawned. Ding, drop of Gibraltarian penny. Not my phone they were asking about. The one they are ringing from.

‘Ah, it’s my husband’s.’

‘OK,’ conversation reverted to English, as happens in Gib, ‘please tell him to collect it from the Roxy.’

‘Vale. Gracias. Thank you very much.’

So, the idiot had gone to the Roxy for coffee and left his mobile.

On his return, complete with four potatoes, I informed him of his missing mobile.

‘Oh, it’s this jacket,’ he said. Nothing to do with the idiot in charge of the mobile, obviously.

Off he went back to the Roxy to collect it.

The Roxy, the Splendid and the Toby are owned by a Moroccan family. They don’t attract a large gathering of Brits, but do get Gibbos, Spaniards and Portuguese. And Moroccans, obviously.

Partner first went to the Toby with another Moroccan. The firm Partner was working for were refurbishing M’s bar. Some of his British co-workers lacked respect for M and were blatantly racist. But one morning, at breakfast time, M invited Partner for coffee. So off they went to the Toby.

Like a lot of bars they all use coffee from the local firm, Sacarellos. Unlike a lot of bars, they only charge a quid for a coffee. Most of the others are £1.50 upwards.

They are also extremely honest, as this anecdote shows. Highly recommended, and not just for their coffee, which can’t be beaten in Gibraltar. Oh, and if you want a shot of anis with your morning coffee, it’s not measured on the optic either.

Meanwhile from the cheapest coffee in Gibraltar to one of Gib’s rather more expensive restaurants, La Sala, based on the floating hotel at Ocean Village, the Sunborn.

I received, as did another Gib blogger, an email saying they would like me to review their restaurant.

Very nice, methinks, although I suspected Podencos might not be allowed. However that wasn’t my biggest issue.

I explained that we are vegetarian/vegan, and for the benefit of the dull ones, I mentioned animal rennet and free-range eggs. I then pointed out that I didn’t want veg lasagna, veg stir-fry, or veg curry. Seriously, I’m not prepared to go out for a free meal for something I can do better at home.

Did they send a swift, no problem, reply? I’m still waiting.

How many days does it take to come up with vegetarian/vegan options?

La Sala. In terms of customer service, take a lesson from the Roxy.

Gib at night, just down from the Splendid bar. Busy Saturday night …