Salmon to the Moon

My dear daughter pulled me to the mall to have brunch there. Our feet led us to the pizza house as I craved for a pizza pie. She had just finished her lunch so she wanted some desserts but what she ordered was not available, so she asked the staff if she could buy some sweets and coffee outside and consume there, then she would order extra foods. The staff was polite in saying, "I am sorry but no outside food or beverage is allowed inside."

We transferred to the opposite dining place, Fish & Co, and was warmly greeted by a lady with two (2) dimples in yellow uniform. We asked her the same, and the answer was affirmative. She even volunteered to assist in placing an order herself with the coffee shop, Gloria Jean's Coffee, nearby. I ordered salmon (cajun) with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli plus fresh orange juice. She was honest to tell me that the rest of their juices were bottle-preserved. Later the pizza house staff came maybe to exchange notes with lower denomination with the Fish & Co. staff. He smiled when he saw our table.

I do not know if there is a local ruling or health code requiring consumers to eat foods and drinks only from the same restaurant in which they sit. I think it is an in-house rule because Fish & Co allowed us to. We could feel how the staff cared for the company to generate revenue by being warm, hospitable and responsive to the needs of the customers. She always smiled despite her being alone serving some customers one at a time. My daughter got coffee and a piece of bread from GJ. We enjoyed our bonding moments.

This reminds me of the news on SM cinemas in the Philippines which removes the ban on outside food and draws line at rice and pasta. Movie lovers want to watch movies on big screens, and usually, they are with families and/or friends. If they can just bring their own foods and beverages, they can save a lot and they can watch more movies in the future. Besides they can bring healthy foods of their choice because what the movie houses normally offer at their food counters are junk foods and softdrinks.

I understand that businesses want to generate increased revenues in terms of enforcing 'no outside food and beverage allowed inside' policy. But as John Winkle Wong asked, "This 'No Outside Food' policy is just s***** and greedy. Seriously what's the point?" 

Whatever, I think it was an air blow from behind. I really love salmon, steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, and orange juice. Yes, Geoffrey Neighor is right when he said,

Good food ends with good talk.

Yes, good food ends with good talk and -- good scents!  My daughter gifted me with perfume. She also bought one (1) for herself. The saleslady's persuasive marketing worked.

Later my thoughtful child sent me a message, "I hope you enjoyed it." Of course, I did, beyond measure!

I passionately mark this day, 8 June 2019, as my Salmon to the Moon Day with my daughter. Neil Armstrong once remarked,

I think we're going to the moon because it's in the nature of human beings to face challenges. It's by nature of his deep inner soul... we're required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream. 

 Swim upstream, baby.


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Photo credits:  Pixabay