Obviously she's not read the internet/email blurb which states that margarine is, chemically speaking, one molecule away from being plastic. I believe the same article states that margarine, if left at room temperature indefinitely, will never deteriorate, decay or fall victim to any insects. Keep the Saran Wrap handy just in case she darkens your doorstep again. You can create a lovely display on a plate so she can season her food with it, or you can use wrap the entire length of it around her head until you can no longer hear her. I vote for the latter.

I always hated that. That thing those idiots do in thinking that is's a grocery store just because the product sold is food and beverage.
"Sure Ma'am, I'll just trot down aisle 9 and fetch some for you. And on my way back, shall I detour to aisle 7 and get you some Midol while I'm at it? (bitch)."
But you know, you/we can't blame it entirely on the jack ass customers. There was a time when you went to a restaurant it was understood that the menu was what they had to offer, if it didn't suit your purpose then you went elsewhere--like another restaurant or the grocery store. Somewhere someone decided that ultimate service was the key: "Anything you want you can have, and if we don't have it, we'll get it." (Probably to get an edge on sales.) Combine that w/the overrun of poorly raised snotbags whose Mothers evidently were a fan of Dr. Spock, and we have this entitlement mess that we have today.
And although I'm not a huge fan of Texas, that saying they have is just too apt too many times: "He needed killin'".

Margarine lady needs to get a clue and keep up on medical literature. And grow some manners. You shoulda shoved her face in the potato, it might have shut her up. (Though your response is certainly better for business.)

Long live butter! I put it on everything. (And my cholesterol is 120.) I just freaking love the idea of 'good fat'.

Ha-Ha-I was thinking the same thing about shoving her face in something and then you wrote it-nice touch. Maybe the IHOP offers margarine. I love butter and my cholesterol is 180.

Who eats Margarine?

I bet the same people that like Miracle Whip and Cool Whip.

Probably better for business not to have said it but you could have said.."But Madam, we do offer customers a choice. Buttered or plain baked potato. (assmunch)."

When will people learn that it only makes sense that something as natural butter is soooooo much better for you (and much better tasting) than margarine....which is waxy, tasteless and just plain nasty! Who wouldn't want butter over margarine? (Only a freaking wierdo!)

(hope this doesn't post twice)

Welcome back FW - we missed you - great post as usual!

I have to agree with all the comments on here - since when is margarine considered healthier than butter? If you have to justify the use of butter over margarine [b/c marg. isn't available] then take half as much...
If she is chosing marg. over butter b/c of taste than she has NO business eating in FW's restaurant and should WEEBLE her way over to the Waffle Hut, where I think they still serve Oleo (with your own mix in food color...heehee)

What I want to know is: What was her entree of choice and how many extra sides of mayonnaise based dressing did she order to suffocate her salad? hmmmmmmm....?

Maybe next time you can say, "I'm so sorry, but we have a 'no trans-fat' policy."

LOL

What a schmuck.

I must say, she's probably the kind of customer that you don't want. Ugh.

I would have had to enter a debate over the nutritional substance in margerine and remind the lady that the stuff is only one molecule off from plastic. It is currently one of the only substances that humans eat regularly that has so little nutritional value that flies won't even bother to land on it.

You did exactly the right thing. No-one in their right mind would ask for margarine - I'll back you all the way!!

Welsh girl

Yummy...rancid vegetable oil with water and hydrogenated to all it's trans-fatty glory.

Yuck. At least I could make butter without a factory and a lab.

What a crazy B.

I was married to a Londoner for ten years (but no more!), and in England, the government had actually told people margarine was healthier. And the people actually listened-- so back in the '80s when I first visited, butter was cheaper because it was so unpopular. Then they started hemming and hawing about whether it was truly better for you. I was just amazed at the sheep mentality of all the people who would just do as they were told without questioning or doing any research of their own!

I don't think I've voluntarily put margarine on anything since I was like 6 when there was a tv commercial (by a local margarine company) about how putting margarine in your rice (ugh yes, very common in the philippines) will help you grow taller. I tried it once, and couldn't stand the oily texture it left in my mouth.

I was going to mention the plastic thing too, but someone else already did.

And, honestly, does she trust scientists over cows? At least the cows get it honestly.

Butter tastes much better. And it scares me that margarine never deteriorates. I mean, can you imagine that in your body? Arteries? Geez.

But I'm biased. It was a big deal to me when I was growing up (pre-Mom's Return To Butter) to use REAL butter at my grandparents' house or at a restaurant.

(sigh) Been there done that. I do quantity cooking as part of my hobby (medieval reenacting) and just finished doing a five course dinner for 150, all from original recipes. Given that we were working from 14th century French recipes, bread went out, but no butter. Bread in that particular cuisine sops up your sauces or get sprinkled with salt and eaten plain (which is good!) Inevitably we get one or two people getting all huffy at us because there's no butter for the bread! So they send a server to ask for it. There is none in the kitchen, of course, because (big shock) we aren't using any, so no one brought any. (rolls eyes) This is not home, nor are we a short order grill, get over yourself.

Your smile and walk away position is good from a hospitality standpoint.
Your customer's ignorance of transfats and good flavor aside are also an indication her parents failed to teach her proper manners.
That said and at the risk of offending your fellow bloggers, you missed a great opportunity. I do not know where your restaurant is located but truly great hospitality would have dictated your sending out for margerine. If there is a location, you missed the opportunity to make a customer for life. She would have told anyone who would listen just how incredible the service is at your establishment. A good lesson though.