Karen Learns Ice Cream Shop Worker Served Her 11 Y.O. Child, Calls The Manager And Demands A Refund
Working a food service job is by no means easy. The hours tend to be long, the work is usually quite demanding, and, on top of all that, there are some entitled customers who act as if they’re deliberately trying to make the lives of these workers more difficult.
For example, one Redditor recently shared how, when she was working at an ice cream shop and sold a portion to a young girl, the girl’s mother soon raised hell and called for a manager, angrily explaining that she had no right to do that. Scroll down to read the full story!
More info: Reddit
Working in a food service job is stressful as is, but unfortunately, some customers feel the need to make it a little bit more so
Image credits: Kamaji Ogino (not the actual photo)
A woman was working at an ice cream shop when a roughly 11-year-old girl came over alone and bought a dessert
Image credits: ROMAN ODINTSOV (not the actual photo)
Soon after, the girl’s mother rushed over and demanded a refund, saying that she shouldn’t have sold ice cream to a child without a parent
Image credits: iscream247
To the poster’s surprise, when the manager came over to solve the issue, he took the mother’s side, leaving the woman to take all of the blame
The story took place a couple of years ago. The OP, then an 18-year-old woman, was working at her first food service job selling ice cream. One day, when she was working alone, a roughly 11-year-old girl came over and asked for ice cream.
Since the child had her own money, the poster saw no reason not to serve her. But 5 minutes later, a Karen of a mother marched over angrily and started saying that the woman had no right to sell her daughter the ice cream without a parent present.
It turns out that the girl slipped out of the restaurant nearby and went to get ice cream without her mother’s permission, who was now demanding a refund and a chat with the manager. When the manager came, to most people’s surprise, he took the mother’s side, and even though the OP was sure she wasn’t wrong, this did raise some doubts in her mind.
The commenters collectively agreed that the only jerks in the story were the mother and the manager. Most of them found the story quite ridiculous, saying that the only other way to comply with this would be to ask children for IDs before selling them ice cream, which would make the situation all the more absurd and cause more similar situations.
Image credits: Lukas (not the actual photo)
By now, it’s safe to say that most people have heard of the name-turned-term Karen. According to Les Roberts of Bionic, it is usually used for someone who is obnoxious and feels entitled. They often use their privileges, such as being the client, to get their own way despite the fact that, usually, they’re not right, and even if they are, everything can be solved in a way less dramatic way.
Les Roberts wrote that the number one ‘weapon’ that Karens around the world tend to use is 1-star online reviews, which, according to Trustpilot data, mostly hit online shopping, finance, and gambling services but also strongly affect travel companies, hotels, supermarkets, and plenty of other providers.
But even though they’re annoying, the real problem with Karens is that they often don’t realize the damage they do, especially to small businesses. As Xaña Winans wrote in her LinkedIn post, many of their uncalled-for online comments cause people to question and mistrust businesses, causing them to suffer losses.
While it may not hurt the big chains that much, the loss of clients due to poor reviews costs businesses a lot, which, in turn, makes them unable to keep their employees, followed by the building up of unpaid loan repayments and other issues that all culminate in unemployment, loss of insurance, and large debts for people who were only trying to make a living.
Image credits: Jean Balzan (not the actual photo)
In another LinkedIn post, Bobby Marhamat added that, especially for food service providers, many of the bad reviews have nothing to do with their actual business. Unfortunately, they hurt these businesses all the same.
As the pandemic hit, most of these shops and restaurants were forced to use third-party delivery providers like Uber Eats and DoorDash. So, in between food being prepared and actually being delivered to the client’s doorstep, there was a good part of the process over which the original service provider had no power. Yet, a survey of 104 restaurants in the US revealed that 38% of these providers received highly negative reviews for something that wasn’t their fault.
This whole situation led people to launch websites like Karen’s Killer Reviews and initiate petitions that would raise awareness of pages like Yelp and Tripadvisor, as well as the Karens themselves, and hopefully, change the situation for the better by drawing attention to these fictitious and enraged reviews.
Ultimately, in recent years, stories like these have become quite common and a pretty relevant problem that, at least in some way, affects most of us. There are many different situations, and sometimes, complaining is understandable. But if the issue is about your child buying ice cream without your permission, perhaps you should think twice before lashing out at a service provider. And if you’re a manager of such a place, well, maybe you should stand your ground instead of shifting the blame.
What did you think of this story? How would you have acted in the OP’s situation? Share your thoughts below!
The commenters agreed that the only jerks in the story were the mother and the manager
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And tomorrow the same kid will come in asking for ice cream, worker will refuse, kid will run out, and Mom will come charging in screaming you made my little angel cry I demand free ice cream.
So she is supposed to check ID on anyone that looks like they could possibly be under the age of 18 to make sure they are old enough to buy ice cream alone?
If kids couldn't buy ice cream without a parent, ice cream trucks would never have existed. I bet if the owner heard what the manager said, the manager would be fired on the spot for being a moron.
No necessarily. In the service industry, the higher-ups usually feel that repeat business is more valuable than placating a customer with the occasional undeserved freebie. Starbucks is the worst with their "Just Say Yes" nonsense. It has poisoned the industry by rewarding problem behavior and encouraging a sense of entitlement.
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This is easy. From now on make sure you get photo id from everybody who wants to buy an ice cream. Set an arbitrary age under which you will refuse to sell them an ice cream. Make it 30. When your manager complains, call them a c**t and quit.
no we need background checks on all ice cream purchases. We can't have strawman purchases of vanilla cones.
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I'm gonna go ahead and say NTA. HOWEVER, I would caution OP. From (indirect) experience (and not related to this case), I would have asked the kid if they were allergic to anything. I've found that a lot of kids know that they are allergic to something, but don't always realise that that item may be an ingredient.
This! They either dont know a food contains an allergn or dont understand why they cant have it (how bad it can harm them) that was my concern. NTA but NEVER server a child without being sure they are able to safely consume it (something a parent can better relay)
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My job is not the ice cream police. Parent your children better. Not yours or my problem.
Calling all Karens! Calling all Karens! Keep your freaking eye on your kids and don't let them wander off especially if you've given them money unless you don't mind what they do with it once they're out of your sight.
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Right? Homeless or a runaway is just discriminatory, and if the money was stolen, it's not like the business will be charged for dealing in stolen goods or something.
Load More Replies... They're going to lose a lot of money if they don't sell ice cream to kids.
They're going to lose even more if the freaking management keeps giving in to all the Karen's demands for refunds.
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You got the cash, you get the ice cream, old, young, male, female, everybody!
NTA. This SHOULD be a normal interaction between vendor and customer! Child wants the thing, has money for the thing, asks to purchase thing, vendor provides the thing in exchange for money, everybody leaves happy. However, with food in particular, I'd be wary simply due to the prevalence of allergies. A child may not have a firm grasp on what is and isn't allowed in their diet, or may be rebelling against recent imposition of dietary restrictions, and you'd be held liable if anything unfortunate were to happen. Yes, even a tummy-ache, if Mommy is feeling vindictive enough.
again, that's the parent's responsibility, not the vendor.
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No! This is not normal! Kids eat, and order their own ice cream!! Start looking for a new job. The manager is an AH!
Two people were fall in this situation. The so-called parent who let her kid wander off from the restaurant and cross the parking lot to a neighboring business and the manager who wrongly cited with her against his employee.
OP needs to treat herself to a job search, and find a better job ASAP.
If they can come up to the counter, place their order, and exchange currency they can be served. Plenty of times parents send younger children to the counter alone or into a store by themselves for practice. I wouldn't have issued a refund. On a side note, I get teenagers and young adults who don't know what to do in line, no big deal, lets walk through the process. The observant little girl simply wanted some ice cream and she made it happen all within the confines of what's allowed. Might I suggest that the mom keep a better eye on her child next time. Not having permission is not enough to warrant a refund.
I can't stand management who sides against their employees with customers who are clearly in the wrong.
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"You can't be her parent. A real parent would have known her kid left one business and crossed a parking lot to patronize a different business."
You what as soon as the manager raised his voice he would've gotten checked and told that he could take that job and shi enit because the only person that raises their voice to me is my parents. You don't have tolerate that foolishness from anyone and there's plenty other jobs out there and walked tf off but getting yelled at of nope would've gotten stopped right there. Life's too short
Well she said the Girl had no money . so why is the Mom asking for a refund. just a Karen making a noise for all to see. and your Boss is the AH
Stories like this p**s me off because the stupid b**** of mother gets to keep being on her high horse thinking she's in the right. More people need to have a spine nowadays or these types of human garbage will continue to think they can get away with BS like this. I would have turned and told the manager he's a f**king moron, and the women she's a terrible mother who lacks any and all common sense. Buying ice cream is the most normal thing a you child can do, there is no world where this is seen as an issue... now that mother will see that blaming someone else worked out tremendously well and will be encouraged to do it again.
Are the mother and the manager related because it sounds like they came from the same swamp. You are right. It's not like you served alcohol to an 11 year old. The managersl AND the mother owe you an apology. Likely not going to get so maybe look for a job where you are supported by your boss who has a backbone. I'm so sorry that happened to you.
How is the woman who didnât know where her daughter was at calling the employee irresponsible? And if it was an allergy concern of some kind, a kid over 8 knows if they have to avoid nuts or dairy or whatever. This is so bizarre. We got our own stuff at gas station or wherever at her age all the time!
Her kid wandering off is her fault, not OPs. That is absurd, what is wrong with people. How about, thanks for keeping my kid safe since I'm a terrible mom and don't know how to do that myself.
The manager is a complete coward and would rather make his underlings feel like sh1t rather than have a customer upset at him.
Gaslighting at its finest, a mother not parenting, mad at her parenting failure and blames the cleck that her kid ran off and bought ice cream. Followed by a manager who also blames the staff to save face. People to recognize later in life and wholly avoid!
I use to do food demos. We were not to serve kids under 15 unless a parent was with them. Simple reason is food allergies, religious (ex pork) reasons. NTA but there needs to of be an understanding what the owner expects on serving minors as I don't see this any different then an ice cream truck. But the mother did have a point but could have been nicer about speaking with the server. Owner nta but also ta. First he should have told the employee what he expects when serving children. He should have taken the employee to the side after the mother left to speak with the employee. I think you might want to find a different job. Seems instructions or what is expected of the employee is not given to his employee. Worked for places like this best to get out before they find a reason to fire you because the non existence rules weren't followed
As for the comments by people suggesting that the child has some kind of food allergy she obviously didn't or the Karen would've been pitching hissy fits about that. Knowing what freeloaders some people are I suspect that Karen knew exactly where her daughter was going and what she was doing. I'll bet she even had the restaurant comp her meal before she went after her daughter.
Legally, the OP is in the wrong because the kid could have an allergy to something they served to them. That said, I do not believe the OP is the AH, here. The whole "you have my kid something they are allergic to, or I don't want them to have, etc." is total BS. It only takes one Karen that does not take responsibility for their/their children to screw it up for everyone else.
Not true. It might be wrong from an ethical standpoint but it is definitely not a legal issue unless the kid specified allergens and was served something with that allergen anyway. Besides, the kid had to request the flavor she wanted, it's not like they just gave her something at random
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The kid could've been diabetic or lactose intolerant or mom just doesn't want her to have sweets.
An 11yo with diabetes or lactose intolerance is plenty old enough to understand that they can't have ice cream and why.
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NTA but it was a bad call to server a minor without a parent present. I say this mainly because of allergy concerns. Younger kids might not be aware of what is/isnt safe in regards to food allergies (heck youd be AMAZED at what has gluten in it) i do agree the mother should have been watching her kid so if the money was stolen that is on the mom. But NTA for the worker. Just be mindful some ppl cant eat certain things n younger ones might not know what has/doesnt have their allergn in it. (FUN FACT: most soy sace has gluten in it! We didnt know until my mom became sick after having some. Meanwhile most chips are gluten free. So yea never assume food is safe without confirmation đ)
And tomorrow the same kid will come in asking for ice cream, worker will refuse, kid will run out, and Mom will come charging in screaming you made my little angel cry I demand free ice cream.
So she is supposed to check ID on anyone that looks like they could possibly be under the age of 18 to make sure they are old enough to buy ice cream alone?
If kids couldn't buy ice cream without a parent, ice cream trucks would never have existed. I bet if the owner heard what the manager said, the manager would be fired on the spot for being a moron.
No necessarily. In the service industry, the higher-ups usually feel that repeat business is more valuable than placating a customer with the occasional undeserved freebie. Starbucks is the worst with their "Just Say Yes" nonsense. It has poisoned the industry by rewarding problem behavior and encouraging a sense of entitlement.
Load More Replies... This is easy. From now on make sure you get photo id from everybody who wants to buy an ice cream. Set an arbitrary age under which you will refuse to sell them an ice cream. Make it 30. When your manager complains, call them a c**t and quit.
no we need background checks on all ice cream purchases. We can't have strawman purchases of vanilla cones.
Load More Replies... I'm gonna go ahead and say NTA. HOWEVER, I would caution OP. From (indirect) experience (and not related to this case), I would have asked the kid if they were allergic to anything. I've found that a lot of kids know that they are allergic to something, but don't always realise that that item may be an ingredient.
This! They either dont know a food contains an allergn or dont understand why they cant have it (how bad it can harm them) that was my concern. NTA but NEVER server a child without being sure they are able to safely consume it (something a parent can better relay)
Load More Replies... My job is not the ice cream police. Parent your children better. Not yours or my problem.
Calling all Karens! Calling all Karens! Keep your freaking eye on your kids and don't let them wander off especially if you've given them money unless you don't mind what they do with it once they're out of your sight.
Load More Replies... Right? Homeless or a runaway is just discriminatory, and if the money was stolen, it's not like the business will be charged for dealing in stolen goods or something.
Load More Replies... They're going to lose a lot of money if they don't sell ice cream to kids.
They're going to lose even more if the freaking management keeps giving in to all the Karen's demands for refunds.
Load More Replies... You got the cash, you get the ice cream, old, young, male, female, everybody!
NTA. This SHOULD be a normal interaction between vendor and customer! Child wants the thing, has money for the thing, asks to purchase thing, vendor provides the thing in exchange for money, everybody leaves happy. However, with food in particular, I'd be wary simply due to the prevalence of allergies. A child may not have a firm grasp on what is and isn't allowed in their diet, or may be rebelling against recent imposition of dietary restrictions, and you'd be held liable if anything unfortunate were to happen. Yes, even a tummy-ache, if Mommy is feeling vindictive enough.
again, that's the parent's responsibility, not the vendor.
Load More Replies... No! This is not normal! Kids eat, and order their own ice cream!! Start looking for a new job. The manager is an AH!
Two people were fall in this situation. The so-called parent who let her kid wander off from the restaurant and cross the parking lot to a neighboring business and the manager who wrongly cited with her against his employee.
OP needs to treat herself to a job search, and find a better job ASAP.
If they can come up to the counter, place their order, and exchange currency they can be served. Plenty of times parents send younger children to the counter alone or into a store by themselves for practice. I wouldn't have issued a refund. On a side note, I get teenagers and young adults who don't know what to do in line, no big deal, lets walk through the process. The observant little girl simply wanted some ice cream and she made it happen all within the confines of what's allowed. Might I suggest that the mom keep a better eye on her child next time. Not having permission is not enough to warrant a refund.
I can't stand management who sides against their employees with customers who are clearly in the wrong.
Load More Replies... "You can't be her parent. A real parent would have known her kid left one business and crossed a parking lot to patronize a different business."
You what as soon as the manager raised his voice he would've gotten checked and told that he could take that job and shi enit because the only person that raises their voice to me is my parents. You don't have tolerate that foolishness from anyone and there's plenty other jobs out there and walked tf off but getting yelled at of nope would've gotten stopped right there. Life's too short
Well she said the Girl had no money . so why is the Mom asking for a refund. just a Karen making a noise for all to see. and your Boss is the AH
Stories like this p**s me off because the stupid b**** of mother gets to keep being on her high horse thinking she's in the right. More people need to have a spine nowadays or these types of human garbage will continue to think they can get away with BS like this. I would have turned and told the manager he's a f**king moron, and the women she's a terrible mother who lacks any and all common sense. Buying ice cream is the most normal thing a you child can do, there is no world where this is seen as an issue... now that mother will see that blaming someone else worked out tremendously well and will be encouraged to do it again.
Are the mother and the manager related because it sounds like they came from the same swamp. You are right. It's not like you served alcohol to an 11 year old. The managersl AND the mother owe you an apology. Likely not going to get so maybe look for a job where you are supported by your boss who has a backbone. I'm so sorry that happened to you.
How is the woman who didnât know where her daughter was at calling the employee irresponsible? And if it was an allergy concern of some kind, a kid over 8 knows if they have to avoid nuts or dairy or whatever. This is so bizarre. We got our own stuff at gas station or wherever at her age all the time!
Her kid wandering off is her fault, not OPs. That is absurd, what is wrong with people. How about, thanks for keeping my kid safe since I'm a terrible mom and don't know how to do that myself.
The manager is a complete coward and would rather make his underlings feel like sh1t rather than have a customer upset at him.
Gaslighting at its finest, a mother not parenting, mad at her parenting failure and blames the cleck that her kid ran off and bought ice cream. Followed by a manager who also blames the staff to save face. People to recognize later in life and wholly avoid!
I use to do food demos. We were not to serve kids under 15 unless a parent was with them. Simple reason is food allergies, religious (ex pork) reasons. NTA but there needs to of be an understanding what the owner expects on serving minors as I don't see this any different then an ice cream truck. But the mother did have a point but could have been nicer about speaking with the server. Owner nta but also ta. First he should have told the employee what he expects when serving children. He should have taken the employee to the side after the mother left to speak with the employee. I think you might want to find a different job. Seems instructions or what is expected of the employee is not given to his employee. Worked for places like this best to get out before they find a reason to fire you because the non existence rules weren't followed
As for the comments by people suggesting that the child has some kind of food allergy she obviously didn't or the Karen would've been pitching hissy fits about that. Knowing what freeloaders some people are I suspect that Karen knew exactly where her daughter was going and what she was doing. I'll bet she even had the restaurant comp her meal before she went after her daughter.
Legally, the OP is in the wrong because the kid could have an allergy to something they served to them. That said, I do not believe the OP is the AH, here. The whole "you have my kid something they are allergic to, or I don't want them to have, etc." is total BS. It only takes one Karen that does not take responsibility for their/their children to screw it up for everyone else.
Not true. It might be wrong from an ethical standpoint but it is definitely not a legal issue unless the kid specified allergens and was served something with that allergen anyway. Besides, the kid had to request the flavor she wanted, it's not like they just gave her something at random
Load More Replies... The kid could've been diabetic or lactose intolerant or mom just doesn't want her to have sweets.
An 11yo with diabetes or lactose intolerance is plenty old enough to understand that they can't have ice cream and why.
Load More Replies... NTA but it was a bad call to server a minor without a parent present. I say this mainly because of allergy concerns. Younger kids might not be aware of what is/isnt safe in regards to food allergies (heck youd be AMAZED at what has gluten in it) i do agree the mother should have been watching her kid so if the money was stolen that is on the mom. But NTA for the worker. Just be mindful some ppl cant eat certain things n younger ones might not know what has/doesnt have their allergn in it. (FUN FACT: most soy sace has gluten in it! We didnt know until my mom became sick after having some. Meanwhile most chips are gluten free. So yea never assume food is safe without confirmation đ)
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