The businessman had spent a hard day at work, and had been looking forward to dining at a restaurant as relaxation. A waiter approached him, and while unbuttoning his top button and loosening his tie, the man ordered his favorite dish. “If at all possible,” he added, “please lower the heating.” The waiter nodded in agreement, and went to the back room.

Upon returning with the order, the waiter noticed that the man sat bundled in his coat. Responding to the waiter’s expression of surprise, the man explained that it had become far too cold! The waiter again headed for the back room.

A short while later, the diner rang his bell to catch the waiter’s attention. The waiter responded politely and offered his services. “Sorry for bothering you again, Sir, but now it is far too hot!” With seemingly boundless patience, the waiter smiled in sympathy and headed yet again to the back room.

An old lady, sitting at the last table at the back of the hall, had witnessed the entire scene. She looked in astonishment at the waiter and remarked, “Isn’t he driving you crazy?”

The waiter winked. “The joke is on him. I’m not doing anything in the back room!”