Is basic human decency unexpected?
Today, on my way to buy some ducks (alive ones, as you do), I stopped at a burger joint I've been meaning to try for a while. I was there early for Spanish standards so they were just opening up. I ordered an Oklahoma burger (with onions, my favourite) and because the computer was starting up the guy told me to pay later. Ate my burger, double smash pattys, very saucy, it was great. By the time I finished the place was busy. I cleared my table and went to the bar to pay, told them the burger was great but the guys just said adiós to me. I could tell they had forgotten. I told them I hadn't paid yet and their reaction was like I saved their dog from a fire. They were extremely grateful and even offered to make me a discount next time I came. I said it was unnecessary, that I would be a sociopath if I told them the burger was great and then I just left without paying. They told me I wouldn't be the first, we laughed about it.
Am I humblebragging about my honesty? Is humblebragging still a thing or just a 2012 fad? Anyways, that wasn't my intention. This was a weird interaction to me because it felt completely normal on my end and completely weird on theirs. It made me sad because I realise someone stealing a burger from this place probably has worse consequences for the guy than being €14 down (he wasn't the owner) and because basic human decency seems to be unexpected. At the same time I had a friendly chat with them, a much more human and enjoyable interaction than if I had just paid upfront.
I don't think I have a point to make. This is just a weird thing that happened.
PS: Now that I remember, once I did leave a coffee shop without paying (because I started talking to the barista and we got distracted), I felt horrible all morning (thinking they'd think I did it on purpose), went back and they laughed it off saying they hadn't realised. Maybe the moral of the story is that I'm a terrible thief?