PW and I just returned from a honeymoon trip to Quebec City. We stayed outside the wall in the old city in a really nice hotel. Everything was in walking distance and we also drove to places like the Bee Museum, Montmorency Chute, and the Il d'Orleans where I enjoyed a nice pint of fresh strawberries as we drove around the scenic island.
We had dinner at a place we had checked out several times while walking to and from our hotel, Resto L'Echaude. We were attracted to the unique menu and ate there our last night in Quebec.
We were enjoying our appetizers when I heard a choking sound coming from the table behind us. I looked around and saw a man getting to his feet and then his wife, unsuccessfully, trying to perform the Heimlich maneuver on him. I got to my feet and when the man saw me stand he motioned his wife out of the way as he gasped for air.
A performed the maneuver twice and finally he gacked a half-chewed piece of steak up on the restaurant floor. They said thank you and I returned shakily to my seat. Our waiter walked by and gave me the thumbs up sign and I asked him for another drink. PW was almost in tears because of the whole thing and we resumed our dinner.
It took forever for my drink to come and when it did the waiter smiled as he told me that the man behind me said the drink was on him for what I did.
A drink...for saving his life.
PW had seen him talking to the waiter and figured dinner was going to be on them but she was sadly mistaken. Not only did the man think his life was only worth a drink, but the restaurant staff acted like nothing had happened at all.
It ended up being a surreal experience for sure.
I wonder if they would have bought PW a drink too if I had waited until he was purple before popping out that hunk of steak...
Posted by bbarton at July 4, 2007 10:04 AMWe didn't stay at that hotel.
No offense, because I'm sure you felt pretty self-righteous and pious as you drafted your comments, but you don't know what you're talking about.
Posted by: Bob on July 5, 2007 08:36 AMOh what a horrible adventure. You seem to attract some strange people and events! I hope he didn't gack up his meat on your trousers!
I can understand poor PW's almost tears. I felt like that when a man once fainted in a restaurant.
Posted by: Antipodéesse on July 5, 2007 01:24 PMvery scary. did the guy resume eating his meal???
he should've gone to the hospital. he is very lucky that you were there and that you stepped up.
Antipo - He gacked it up in the other direction! Whew!
Heidi - Yep, he sat back down and went right back to eating his steak. We thought it was a bit odd.
Posted by: Bob on July 8, 2007 09:57 AMYou have always been my hero and obviously you continue to be everyone else's hero as well.
Posted by: Bridget on July 8, 2007 07:51 PMThanks, Bridget!
Posted by: Bob on July 9, 2007 08:34 AMWow Bob, Kudos-menudos for stepping in. I think I understand your angle on what you said, but I can see how M.Bastien interpreted it as well.
It's a scary thing to be involved in a dangerous situation like that, and after going through it (I think you've been through a few if I recall) I imagine it's easy to understand how trauma can affect you. The shock hangs with you, at least it did for me.
Peace out~
Posted by: Jim on July 10, 2007 11:52 PMJim - Thanks, buddy. I was basically being a smart ass 'cause this is my blog so why not. The farthest thing from our minds was whether I'd get 'compensated' in some way for doing a good deed. I was cool with a wave and a thank you.
Posted by: Bob on July 11, 2007 09:02 AM
Hi, I came across your blog while looking for reviews of Resto L'Echaude for an upcoming getaway. How did you like staying there?
I must say, though, I am a bit put off that you were expecting to be compensated for doing what any decent human being would have done in a similar circumstance. And that you were perturbed enough to mention how long the drink took to come. Yikes.
There are many reasons why that gentleman may not have picked up your entire tab: he and his wife could not afford to pick up the entire cost of your meal, he was not thinking clearly due to the great shock he just went through, he assumed that you would never think to accept such a generous offer, he didn't fully understand the great trauma and stress you and your wife went through because of HIS choking, he thought that the nice gesture he thought of buying you a drink would be appreciated.
No offense, because I don't know you and I'm sure you meant well, but I can't stand when people think they are entitled to compensation and reward for being the slightest bit put out or inconvenienced.
Perhaps you should look at the value you put on human life, since you think the gratitude of a man whose life you potentially saved is only equal to the amount of monetary reward he offered you.
Posted by: M.Bastien on July 5, 2007 12:03 AM