Can you get fired for talking about food?

Before heading to bed last night, I opened my cable bill. Little did I know that opening it would result in a discussion about cheeseburgers and pizza.

I noticed a problem with my bill and dialed the 1-800 number for customer service. Sherman took my call. He quickly fixed the problem and we chatted a bit about how most people that call are mean and cranky.

I admitted to being a bit cranky when I first called and apologized if I seemed that way. That’s when he began laughing into the phone.

When I asked what was up he explained that his co-worker, Ricky, had just taken a call where the customer demanded to know where he was so he could come give him a piece of his mind in person.

Me: (Laughing) "No way, that’s crazy. You really do get some angry folks.” *Pause* So… not to sound creepy, but where are you?”

Sherman: (without hesitation) “Texas.”

Me: “I could tell.”

Sherman: “Don’t say that. I’m from San Diego originally.”

Me: “I can hear a drawl, I’m afraid you are picking up a bit of the accent.”

Sherman: “Great.”

I don’t remember this part of the conversation…something about Rubik’s cubes, panty hose and sites in San Diego…. The rest of the conversation I remember…

Me: “So, do you like to eat?”

Sherman: “Yeah, I’m a big boy.”

Me: “Oh really? And so what’s your favorite food in the whole wide world.”

Sherman: “I am really into cheeseburgers lately.”

Me: “That’s cool. From where?”

Sherman: “Oh anywhere… Burger King, McDonalds the usual.”

Me: “I think Wendy’s has the best cheeseburgers on their 99 cent value menu.”

Sherman: “ Really? Can you hold on a second?”

Me: “Sure.”

Sherman: (Muffled in the phone) “What? No… it’s a customer I swear.”

Me: “Are you getting in trouble?”

Sherman: “No, they just didn’t know who I was talking to.”

Me: “Is that Ricky?”

Sherman: “Yeah.” (laughing)

Me: “Tell him I said hi.”

Sherman: “She says “hi.”

Ricky: “Hi.”

Me: “What’s Ricky’s favorite food of all time?”

Sherman: “Ricky, what’s your favorite food of all time?” *pause * “Yeah, she wants to know… Seriously.”

Ricky: “I don’t know.”

Me: “Is Ricky a big dude too?”

Sherman: “No, he’s tiny. You’re tiny aren’t ya Ricky?”

Me: “Did he answer yet?”

Sherman: “The customer is always right Ricky. You’ve gotta answer her.” (laughing)

Ricky: “I don’t know… umm….pizza.”

Sherman: “Pizza.”

Me: “Of all the food in the entire world his favorite thing to EVER eat is pizza?”

Sherman: “Yeah, pizza.”

Me: "And yours is burgers?"

Sherman: "I guess so, I've never really thought about it."

Me: “What kind of pizza?”

Sherman: “Ricky, what kind of pizza?”

Ricky: “Pepperoni.”

Sherman: “That’s all man? Pepperoni?”

Me: “That’s cool, I like those things too.”

Sherman: “Ricky says he really likes Pappanos. (sp?)

Me: “Did he just say Pappa Johns? (MY FAVORITE!)

Sherman: “No, I’m not sure what he’s saying, I think he’s talking about fondue now.”

Me: “Fondue?”

Sherman: “Now everyone that I work with is laughing at me and talking about food.”

Me: “Then you should get off the phone and get back to work. I don't want to get you into trouble”

Sherman: “No, it's ok. We get so bored anyway, but we are actually closing here. It's been nice talking to someone who isn't mean tonight.”

Me: “Well.. thank you for all of your help. I really appreciate it.”

Sherman: “No problem. And since this call is recorded, I have to do my script now ok?”

Me: “Ok. Ha... that's right it's recorded.”

Sherman: “Yeah. (Clear throat) Thank you for calling tonight ma’am, is there anything else I can do for you?”

Me: “No Sherman, that's all, you were very helpful. Thank you. Have a great night.”

Sherman: “You too ma am, thank you for choosing Comcast.”

Me: "You're welcome. Bye Sherman."


The conversation solved my billing question but has left me dying to know what pizza Ricky was talking about. What is Pappanos? Pappa ninos? I am at a loss. I can’t find it online. Sherman, if you read this… hook a girl up? Anyone else have any idea?