Considering that my life has been along the lines Figaro-here-Figaro-there in the last few years, I can pat myself on the shoulder and confirm that I get used to new things and constantly changing life arrangement fairly fast. Like when I buy a gallon of milk in US for my morning coffee I can drink it until the bottle is empty. I always finished the bottle before it wasn't fresh anymore. Usually within three weeks. Maybe it would have been drinkable beyond the three weeks too, but I didn't feel like experimenting too much. Now, in Estonia, I'm forced to buy half-a-liter milks, because otherwise the rest of the milk will be thrown away. Unless I would like to have some buttermilk with a hint of coffee. We also have a shelf full of cheese in US. Blocks for just eating as snacks, grated for quesadillas and parmaggiano for pastas. All can be eaten until finished. Sometimes there are weeks when we don't eat any quesadillas, yet the mozzarella remains mold-free. So, the first week back in Tallinn, I bought several different cheeses and when, 3 days after opening the package, I started to put some grated cheese on my omelet, but had to admit that this omelet will be eaten without cheese. Unless I want to eat it with blue cheese that is not supposed to be blue. So, now I'm getting used to eat everything until there is no mold and they are not old otherwise. Unfortunately that also means throwing away more stuff.
I have voiced my opinion about customer service so much that one would think, I'm obsessed. What I'm still not used to in US, is asking everyone how they are. According to Scott, it's considered greeting. Well, for me "Hi" would be enough for the greeting. In that regard, it's convenient in Estonia that the customer service in shops doesn't care how I am and mostly they don't care, if I find what I'm looking for in the store either.
Since in US, the customers are paying the salary for the waiters (although a developed country should develop itself to the stage, where this obligation shifts from customer to the employer), this also defines the quality of waiting. In Estonia, the service gets their salary from the employer and the extra step is made in very few places (good examples are Rataskaevu 16 and Bliss). Last Friday we had dinner in Da Vinci - 3 adults, one teenager, one 6-year old. After not a particularly short waiting time 4 plates for adults and the teenager arrived with the promise that the chicken for the 6-yr old will be out in a sec too. During the sec that ended up being 6-7 minutes long, the kid had to sit behind empty table, while everyone else already had their food. On Saturday we went to Rukola for dinner. When we arrived, the place was pretty crowded, but while we were waiting, most of the tables emptied. We were starving, so without further dilly-dally we took the first things on the menu that looked good enough and placed the order. Water and juices arrived. 15 minutes later both were finished, but no sign of food, waitress or taps. 40 minutes after placing the order those 2 pizzas and 3 pastas arrived. So far, I've always considered 20 minutes a reasonable waiting time and in my naivety expected even in Estonia to be informed, if it's longer. So that should you have the time and desire to wait 45 minutes for your food, you can at least order some appetizers until the main course arrives. However, in those situations I'm always glad that there is not tipping obligation in Estonia.
All kinds of bonus and voucher systems are still in infancy in Estonia. If born at all. In Da Vinci's menu there was the information that register your ID card to get 10% discount, more information from your waitress. Turned out that the information they didn't manage to fit in the menu and customers got from the waitress, was that you can register your ID card, but enjoy the discount starting your next visit. Few years ago I registered a membership by Apollo Cinemas. They gave me a little brochure, with all the information about all the good things that will happen to me. Like after spending 100 EUR in Apollo (or Apollo Cinema?) I will get a 5 EUR gift card. And after I've went to the cinema there 10 times, I will get one 10 EUR ticket for free. So far so good. But only until one starts to use the gift cards and vouchers. The 5 EUR gift card only applies to minimum purchases of 15 EUR. And the free ticket to a movie was issued the same day I reached the 10th visit to the cinema, with expiry date of one month. Whether you're in Estonia that month or find a movie in the first place, is the least of their worries. They have done their part and showered you with the promised gifts. Just like they could keep my gift card, they can use my free movie voucher now, because within last 2,5 weeks there has been no movie that I haven't seen yet, but would like to. Taxify has the referral system - recommend them to a friend and get a 7 EUR ride for free. Same system also by Lyft in US. Same-same, but different. In US I could use my free credit until it ran out - one, two or even three rides. The 7 EUR from Taxify ran out after using 4 EUR.
On the pic there is my upgraded Da Vinci risotto. Since it was served in huge amount, I had half of it packed to take away. Their chef had been very generous with orange and rather stingy with squid and scallops, so the risotto tasted more like dessert. When heating it up yesterday, I added some chantarelle and green beans from mom's garden. If wished, Da Vinci is welcome to use my tuned recipe.
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