Dear brothers and sisters,

There is an area near my home where many Koreans live, but some Vietnamese open restaurants selling Vietnamese food there too. Last night, my friend and I went to eat pho there.

When the waiter, about 19, brought out our 2 bowls of pho, he held each bowl with his index fingers and thumbs of both hands, by the rim of the bowl – the two thumbs inside the rim, the two index fingers outside the rim, to lift the bowl from a tray, and put the bowl down on the table in front of us. He did the same when he lifted the two coconuts. He pressed his thumbs against the drinking hole of the coconuts.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this scene. Even at luxurious restaurants in District 1, District 3 or District 7, waiters often do the same. So, after tipping the waiter, my friend told the waiter: “I have something to tell you.” The waiter bent down a little to listen. My friend said, “Don’t put your fingers inside the bowl. The customers don’t like it. Hold the like this, with all your fingers outside the bowl.” And my friend held the bowl up to demonstrate for him how. “That’s it. Don’t let your hands touch the inside of the bowl. Contact only the outside.”

The waiter bowed down a litte to thank.

Vietnam may have many delicious dishes, but customer service requires a lot of learning.

Share with you.

Have a nice day.

Phạm Thu Hương