Ok here’s one of my favorite faux pax moments in my former life as an engineer.
For ten years I worked for a manufaturer of high tech security devices here in the states. I traveled all over the US, Canada and Western Europe managing large projects and training other engineers and end users on our products.
We had many Enterprise and governmental clients in the UK and I was heavily involved in supporting our products within that country. During the course of business I often took our clients to lunch or dinner. These guests tended to be high ranking executives or government officials. All care was taken by our staff to present a serious and professional image as we were responsible for the handling and securing of sensitive materials.
So thats that sort of group I was with one day when we went out for lunch. We chose a very nice Indian restaurant as curries are very popular in the UK and I love Indian food myself. During lunch the waitor non chalantly placed a plate of what appeared to be green beans on the table next to me. I glanced at them and assumed they were indeed french style string beans so I placed a spoonful of them on my plate.
Lunch progressed and I was chatting it up with the clients when I pick up three or four of these “beans” and threw them in my mouth and began to chew. Turns out they were the hottest peppers I had ever tasted and I was in serious trouble. I didn’t want to make a scene or spit them out in front of the clients so I ate them! My lips felt like they were on fire and I was having difficulty even breathing. Sweat was pouring down my face, but through all of this I tried to act like nothing was wrong. I ate bread, I drank water, I ordered a Mango Lassi and nothing seemed to help, the agony continued.
I would imagine my guests noticed something was wrong, but since they didnt want to embarras me they played it off as nothing unusual was going on. I went to the gents and washed out my mouth and even used soap as I was so desperate for the pain to go. That helped a little. Over time the flames did die down, but I mas terribly embarassed. Thank heavans no one mentioned a thing.
That’s my moment. Embarassing and Painful. Something must be wrong with me as when I look back on it now I find the whole thing humorus in a Monthy Python sort of way.
:3eyes: