The cold hard freebie facts
Should you take just one sample of ice cream? We ask around
How selfish are these samplers?
It was the question on my mind as I waited at Bang Bang, the hip Ossington Ave. hangout that sells custom ice cream sandwiches — that can feed two people — for $7 a pop.
The line was long enough that it spilled onto the sidewalk. And yet a couple at the front was taking their sweet time trying samples. Sure, they spent nearly $50 on ice cream and cookies, but the staff certainly had to spoon out a lot of samples — three different flavours to be exact — to satisfy them.
It got me thinking: Isn’t it wrong to try samples if people are waiting behind you?
Talking to the experts, I’ve learned the answer is no: Sampling is not only allowed in many ice-cream parlours, but also encouraged — line or no line. There are no limits (in some cases) At Summer’s Ice Cream in Yorkville, there’s no limit on how many samples a customer can try. To owner Ron Tokey, the main thing is that you’re happy. “I love it when people are tasting,” he says.
This is a shift from when his parents ran the business years ago. They had a limit of three samples per customer. Tokey, however, feels having people hang around his store is good for business. If people see a line, they may join it.
Summer’s also keeps the line moving. While one person tries a sample, the next customer gets served.
“People sort of feel the pressure,” Tokey says. Basically, they notice customers squeezing past them and take a hint. Taking a couple of samples is OK Several ice cream store owners say most sampleseeking customers try only a few flavours, which implies oversampling may not be much of a problem.
Yet some stores have posted rules for sampling. Bang Bang, for instance, has a sign advising customers they may be limited to a single sample during peak times.
Owner Rosanne Pezzelli says the sign comes out when the weather gets better and “when it’s supersuper busy.” It’s a gentle reminder that lots of people may be doing the same thing you are — waiting for ice cream. Pezzelli says it’s rare that a customer would be unable to try the samples they want. Most try only a few. But, she admits, “We do have people who want a lot of samples,” as in eight, nine or 10.
Lisa Orr, an etiquette and protocol consultant, says rules can help dissuade people from taking advantage. They can also help you decide whether to confront an apparent sample abuser. As in, if there is no limit posted, you may not have a case to make.
Orr says you could, in theory, ask to bypass a sampler. But it might be a tough sell. The customer always waits? Several Bang Bang customers told me they would be upset if they saw someone getting into double-digit sample territory.
“If someone was taste-testing 10 (flavours), I’d be mad,” Kristina Mikloska says.
David Singh says it would depend on the situation. A kid, he could understand. An adult trying 12 samples? Not so much.
Singh thinks most customers simply want to enjoy the experience, whether samples are involved, or not.
“I think people are generally in a good mood because they’re anticipating deliciousness,” he says.
And while I agree most people are willing to wait for their ice cream, I still feel they shouldn’t have to wait longer because of enthusiastic samplers.
That said, if you offer me a free sample, I’m going to take it — whether someone is behind me or not.
“I think people are generally in a good mood because they’re anticipating deliciousness.” DAVID SINGH BANG BANG CUSTOMER “If someone was taste-testing 10 (flavours), I’d be mad.” KRISTINA MIKLOSKA BANG BANG CUSTOMER