So You Think You Want A Job In The Hospitality Industry?

Zion National Park in southern Utah is an area of majestic peaks and shear sandstone cliffs. The canyons were named Zion by early settlers; a place for peaceful meditation. Although our visit took place during the busy summer season, we found our hikes to hanging gardens and emerald pools calming to the spirit. However, last Wednesday evening, while sitting on a bench outside Zion Lodge grooving on the pending sunset, we were witness to the following scene:

Older couple walking out of the lodge. The woman is carrying a glass of white wine.
Restaurant worker (so identified by her name badge) tears out of the lodge, her hair on fire.

Restaurant Worker: "Madam! Please wait!"
 
The couple stops and turns around.

Restaurant Worker: "Please, you cannot take the wine out of the restaurant."

Madam: "But I want to take this wine to my room."

Restaurant Worker: "Utah state law prohibits alcohol being taken from a restaurant. You may drink this wine on our outside deck."

Herr: "We do not want to drink on the deck! We want to drink this wine in our room!"

Restaurant Worker: "Sir, please. You must return to the lodge." Herr then grabs wine from Madam, spilling some, and proceeds to begin walking to their room.

Madam to Herr (in a quiet tone): "We can drink this on the deck."

Herr to Madam (loudly): "I am taking the wine to our room." 

Restaurant Worker: "Well! I have no choice but to report you to a park ranger." Restaurant worker spins around and runs back inside the lodge.

Madam to Restaurant Worker: "I will return the wine glass later. I promise."

Herr walks back to the room trailed 50 feet behind by Madam who is seemingly not happy about drinking her wine in the presence of Herr.

Although no ranger answered the call, I imagine there was no "peaceful meditation" occurring in that room Wednesday night. However, 40 minutes later, Madam returned with the wine glass, and I am happy to report, apologized to Restaurant Worker.

Peace is restored to Zion.