maybe I would have kicked him somewhere a little bit more personal than the knee!

It sounds like 'Rude Randy' goes around just looking for a fight! He must be one of those people who get some kind of perverse pleasure by creating irritation for other people.

Obviously, when somebody does decide to put him in his place, when it comes right down to it, he doesn't have the balls to confront ANYBODY and instead slithers off with his tail between his legs.

Somebody needs to crack him upside the head one of these days!

Holy Hannah! What a jerk! I love your idea about the break from the Space-Time Continuum. There have been times (maaaaaany) when I wished for that.

Do they even MAKE steel-toed crocs?

I use my most saccharine voice: "I'm sorry I keep getting in your way, but I really need to get my work done here..."

If they don't get the hint, I start asking them for help. "Can you please help me carry this?" "Can you please do me a teensy little favor, and grab the other side of this here heavy messy thing?"

As soon as you suggest you would put that annoying someone to work, they disappear. (works with my clients' kids, and it works with adults who act like kids, too!!)

Yep. Yep. Yep. This is the glamorous side of the job that the random person will refer to as "fun" when you mention you're a caterer. "Oh! I've always wanted to be a caterer/baker/cook, it seems like it would be so much fun!"

What's with these people? I often get the same thing when I'm catering in someone's home. There's frequently the one guy who, even when asked politely to stay out of the kitchen, INSISTS on coming through. I've even tried to block access with equipment boxes, only to have people squeeze through. Then there's the one party where one of the guests kept coming through the kitchen and stealing food off of the pans coming out of the oven. GRRRR.

Ah - thanks for the memories!

Thank god the Rude Randy's of this world somehow always manage to have at least one nice friend.

Yep. He was most definitely looking for a fight. He must have a small...well, you know. I hope there was a Lemon Drop at the end of that evening. You earned it!

Bravo to Rude Randy's friend!!!

I cater only tea parties. At one gig in a home, the ladies continued to stand in the middle of the entry arch from the kitchen to the rest of the house. After a few "excuse mes" and their sighs, I finally had to say something obvious like "sorry ladies but this IS the only way out, perhaps you can stand over THERE and continue chatting." You are a much bigger person than me and much more gracious, not saying anything to Rude Randy all night....I would've had to say something to the jerk just for the gratification of stating the obvious.

so, today was the 5 year old's birthday. such a mess of pinkness will never be seen again. had the den all set up for crafts. had the kitchen blocked by a table full of refreshments. and where did they all congregate? the kitchen. WHY?????????
stay out of the kitchen/pathways!!! not that hard, people. I am getting a cattle prod.

"There's always that person - the person who's rudeness and austerity inflicts upon our job."

Always? Say it isn't so! This guy sounds unbelievable. But I'd marry his friend in a minute. If I were single, I mean. :o)

Gee whiz. Maybe that guy was trying to get some attention or something. Few screws loose upstairs... Maybe he was neglected as a kid... You must be congratulated on your patience and professionalism.

I'm sorry you had to deal with such an annoyance, but bravo to you for dealing with your RudeRandy with such panache and professionalism.

I'm sure his kind friend wasn't the only one who noticed -- and in everyone's eyes, you came out the winner.

I don't mean that to sound like a boring platitude. (I've worked catering--I can relate to the story.) What I mean is, you very likely made an exceptional impression on a number of people and are that much more likely to get good business referrals out of the situation. Good on yah!

Thanks for sharing your stories. As always, you show great professionalism.

Thank goodness that for every weenie, there's a decent person or two out there.

You have the patience of a saint!

I can't believe that you were able to resist 'accidentally' dropping something heavy on his foot or pouring scalding hot coffee on his shirt or down his pants.

You should have received a double tip!

Good for you for not letting Rude Randy provoke you! But you're a pro, so I'm sure it wasn't all that hard. Sometimes, I cannot believe how people act. He probably only bugged you because his only friends at the party know full well what an obstinate ass he is...loser.