Compliments of the House

Today I tried to use a voucher at the hairdresser's, issued by the company's head office for the specific branch at which I presented it, and stating quite clearly that it was for a "complimentary shampoo, cut and dry".

The stylist, who was fairly new, went to ask the senior stylist on duty what to do with it.

The senior person came out from her hiding place looking mystified. "It doesn't say how much it is for," she said. "I can't see the amount of the discount."

I told her that complimentary means free, and she didn't charge me, but I could see she wasn't quite sure whether to believe me.

Good think I didn't ask for complementary therapy...