I was stuck in an airport for an extended layover and the nine dollar slice of pizza was the lesser of all airport food evils.
I wait in line for a while…which was ok because I still have hours to burn at this point…and finally make it to the counter and choose my flavor from the pizzas sitting under the glass before me. I order.
On the pepperoni pizza tray there are three very big pieces and one that is MUCH smaller. Probably half the size. The bored, uninspired worker on the other side of the counter grabs the single serving pizza box, grabs the pizza server tool thing and heads straight for the significantly smaller piece of pepperoni pizza.
I notice this. I see what’s about to happen. I’m about to get half a piece of pizza for nine bucks. I don’t like this at all. Am I going to say something? Of course I’m going to say something! I’ve got the time! I still have hours before my plane boards and this is likely the most interesting situation I’m going to stumble upon.
“Hey could I have one of the big pieces?”
(Yes, I’m reliving the pettiness of my request as I’m typing this.)
My dude’s reply…
“All the pieces are the same size.”
I look at him. He looks at me. I look at the pizza. He looks at the pizza. Then our eyes meet again. I raise a brow and turn my head slightly toward the now indefensible discrepancy.
He puts the half slice down and boxes up one of the big pieces.
We never speak again.
(The pizza is cold and terrible but I find that to be more my fault…a natural consequence for getting in the airport pizza line to begin with.)
Here’s the thing…
If pizza server guy always serves up the biggest piece available then nobody can ever complain about getting a small one…more importantly, everyone will be happy and thrilled that he served the biggest one currently on the tray. The best thing about the best available is that it’s available. So serve it up.
Your best might not always be the exact same in every situation but it’s better to aim to serve the best of what you have rather than the half slice.
