Here's a true story that happened at the Empire of India restaurant, now closed, in Sunnyside, Queens, where Marilyn and I live. A 30ish man and woman, apparently on a date, were seated at the table beside our own.

Man-on-Date (to waiter): We'll have ... [among several other dishes] ... the chicken vindaloo, and please make it hot.

Waiter: Do you want that Indian hot or American hot?

Man-on-Date: Indian hot.

Marilyn (to me): They're not going to like it.

Marilyn was right. Woman-on-Date took one bite, spit it out, and gulped down a glass of water followed by some yoghurt and then more water. Man-on-Date, too proud to admit his error, suffered through the meal, finishing the chicken vindaloo himself while his companion ate only the milder foods.

--- Steve