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“I’m His Wife. Who Are You?”: 37 Super Awkward Moments When Servers Came To The Table
Working as a server can be rewarding, but it’s also incredibly challenging. You have a huge stream of customers to keep happy, each with their own wants, needs, and characters. And sometimes, you wait on tables that accidentally throw you into the middle of a drama.
In a hilarious online thread oozing with secondhand embarrassment, servers opened up about their most awkward moments at work, when they came to the table at the worst possible time. Proposals-gone-wrong are just the tip of the iceberg of cringe. Scroll down to read their stories, and remember to be kind to your waiters! Don’t subject them to your nonsense.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Not as awkward as it is sad.
I've been a server for a while, and one of my regulars was a older couple. They hadn't been to the restaurant for a few months, but the menu changed and we had lost a bunch of regulars. -I'm clueless-
About a month ago the husband comes in alone, and I ask him about his wife. He started crying and told me she died and he was afraid to come in alone. I sat down and hugged him for a while, then grabbed the owner who talked with him over dinner. He stayed 5 hours.
Note to all servers, you don't know what kind of day your customer is having. Be a good human.
Chich the witch 18 hours ago
Sad fact that your later years can be filled with tragedy and loneliness.
RELATED:
#2
As I approached the table, a lady brushed me out of the way and sat down next to the couple there. The couple were obviously on a date. The lady turns to the woman on the date and said, "So, I'm his wife. Who are you?".
Saltypepper 3 hours ago
Don't they know if they cheat with you they will cheat on you
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Saltypepper 3 hours ago
Wow awkward as all hell..he probably told date girl he was single,and wife ge had to work late hint the woman ALWAYS KNOWS,if not she blind, naive or just plain stupid,some just choose to ignore it for whatever reason then those who just don't care or open relationships..
#3
Guy and girlfriend come into our restaurant for dinner. Guy then secretly tells me he has a ring and wants to propose to her and wants it to be all special. I was to wait until a specific time and come and ask if the table "needed anything else" and them he would say "I do. I need her." And then get down on his knee, etc. etc.
I thought it was cheesy, but hey I wanted to help the guy out and be a part of something like that, so I said I'd do it.
I get to the table and ask the question, he then pops THE question and she burst into tears. But not good happy tears. She then blurts out that she wants to break up and that she was in love another guy, apparently a friend of his.
I just slowly backed away from the table as his entire world came crashing down on him.
Sara Frazer 19 hours ago
Also gotta wonder why some people pop the question in public around strangers without talking about it first. In this day and age I know there are a lot of couples who thrive off the publicity of it in this gross social media age, but if not discussed first, WHY? I've heard too many stories of people who "accepted" only because of the social pressure, not wanting to make a scene, etc.... my partner and I have been together almost 11 years and at this point we don't think we'll ever tie the knot, but there has been talk just in case, and I've told him that I'd really prefer a private, just me and him proposal in a comfortable setting
Jack 6 hours ago
The Jewelry industry really pushed the surprise proposal. They noticed that when couples came in to buy an engagement ring, the women would always talk them down into something affordable. But when men came in by themselves, they go for the expensive ones. So, DeBeers set about marketing the surprise proposal as the only way to get engaged.
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Debby Keir 8 hours ago
So, we had discussed marriage, and I'd said yes, but we didn't have a ring. We wanted to choose together, and once we'd decided, went to Maccy D's for a celebration - he proposed publicly with the ring whilst we were eating a big Mac - and yes, we got a few cheers. Think it's OK to be public if you have already discussed it beforehand.
Lila Allen 7 hours ago
Agreed...public proposal only if you've already discussed it and it's something you both think would be fun.
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Novlette Williams 5 hours ago
Anyone who does public proposal without checking with the proposee gets exactly what they deserve. No pity.
Did I say that out loud? 5 hours ago
Anyone that does a big,fancy, public, surprise marriage proposal should be severely beaten with one of their own limbs.
Riley Quinn 3 hours ago
When PDAs go bad. I always wonder about the level of honest communication and emotional intimacy that proceed these humiliating events. How can you want to spend your life with someone when you know so little about them?
Secondhand embarrassment is something that the vast majority of us have experienced. Also known as vicarious embarrassment, it’s what you feel when someone else has an experience that is particularly embarrassing, causing you to feel embarrassment, discomfort, shame or guilt as well, the Cleveland Clinic explains.
“Even though you weren’t part of making that person trip and you weren’t the one who fell, you can still feel the emotion that they’re probably feeling,” clinical health psychologist Marielle Collins, PhD, states.
“A lot of times, these feelings can come with anxiety and a fear of negative social evaluation. Anxiety can be distressing and may get in the way of whatever you’re doing in the moment.”
In a nutshell, secondhand embarrassment happens because human beings are consciously self-aware of how they’re perceived by others. Your mind is wired in a way that simulates the emotional experience and feelings of other people.
In other words, you’re born hardwired for empathy and sociability. Broadly speaking, being more empathetic means that you’re more likely to experience more secondhand embarrassment, too.
#4
I've been on both sides of this one.
When I was 12 my mom took me and my two younger brothers (7&8) to chili's for dinner. After we ordered our food she started telling us that her and our father had been having a lot of problems, and would be getting a divorce. Just about the time she finishes her spiel about both of them still loving us the food comes to the table and all three of us start crying, my youngest brother bawling his eyes out.
Fast forward 15ish years. I'm waiting tables at your local crab hut, and as I walk out of the kitchen towards my table I see the 4 children at the table start to tear up and cry and the parents avoid eye contact as I set the food down. Really wanted to tell those kids that things would still be ok.
Sara Frazer 19 hours ago (edited)
Why do people think public places are the right setting for heart-breaking and soul-crushing announcements??? I mean I get it when there is a party who is afraid of violence or would like witnesses, but bringing the children out on what was assumedly a regular family dinner...idk, rubs me the wrong way. My family was poor so dinners out were seen as an extra special event, but I think most kids still think going to a restaurant is "fun" or "fancy"...why ruin that for them
KatSaidThat 9 hours ago
You can't make as much of a scene in public like throwing and breaking s**t and getting really loud and sweary like you can at home.
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Riley Quinn 3 hours ago (edited)
Idiot parents. Should've ordered delivery and told them in the privacy of the home. Public spaces are where you go on a first date to make sure you don't end up in some basement, not for dropping the b0mb on your kids.
#5
Early 2000, I served a couple, as soon as they were seated the guy got a phone call, and proceeded to take the call - it lasted the entire meal. His wife/girlfriend was furious by the time I brought out the dessert, which was when he finally hung up the phone and she said "frick you and frick your mum, we can't even have one night out!".
Steve 9 hours ago
The guy didn't have the balls to tell his mom he was busy and would call her later?
Michael Largey 6 hours ago
It might be that mom knew exactly what he was doing, and her purpose was to ruin it.
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ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM 3 hours ago
Nope, that's not what she said. According to OP, she said "FՍCK you and FՍCK your mum". FՍCK your stupid censorism, BP. FՍCK IT.
Riley Quinn 3 hours ago
He wasn't on a vital business call? He was talking with his mommy? Honey, you should've had the staff box your meal and left.
#6
A couple came in and they were arguing already, but once they sat down it got progressively worse and louder.
I felt embarrassed because the table right across from them was celebrating a Birthday.
I rounded up everyone I could find....about 7 of us, and we sang the Happy Birthday song as loud as we all could.
The arguing couple left shortly thereafter...
Riley Quinn 2 hours ago
Where was the manager? They should've have been allowed in, never mind continue their argument at volume.
Bob Brooce 5 hours ago
Why is Ace getting downvoted? Some people have their arguments regardless of where they are, and if a server's most awkward encounter is a couple having an argument I've got to figure they're either new at the job or unusually lucky.
Did I say that out loud? 5 hours ago
It's BP, people get downvoted just because. Tomorrow,it may be my turn or yours.
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More Information 7 hours ago
It's their most embarassing restaurant-related moment, not their entire life.
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If you want to be kind to your server, it’s not enough to tip well and avoid causing drama (though these things certainly help!).
The Wall Street Journal suggests thinking of yourself not as a patron, but as your server’s partner.
“People come in thinking they’re paying for an experience, so they don’t have to worry about being a good diner. I think that mindset is what gets them off on the wrong foot. It helps if you come in with more openness and curiosity about what’s going on in the restaurant,” management consultant Max Fulton told the WSJ.
Even saying something as simple as “we’re excited to be here” can build solidarity with your waiter and disarm any cynicism.
#7
At 18, having just found my first real job whilst supporting myself through uni, I walked over to a table to ask them if everything was okay with their meals...
As soon as I asked I noticed that one of the guys was wiping away tears, the other had a look on his face I had never encountered before...
"So what you're saying is you thought there was a chance you had HIV but you still slept with me?!"
I didn't know what to do. Backed off, didn't go back.
KatSaidThat 9 hours ago
A guy in the UK has just been prosecuted for knowingly sleeping with someone having stopped his HIV meds and infecting her.
Lila Allen 7 hours ago
I think there have been several in the US as well. Knowingly infecting someone is sick and twisted.
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Riley Quinn 3 hours ago
While I understand this guy's consternation, I question why he chose to have unprotected relations in the first place.
#8
I set down a plate of garlic bread as a girl was turning down a marriage proposal.
"I... I... I'm sorry. I just can't marry you. Its-"
"Alright! Who's ready for some breadsticks!?".
Riley Quinn 3 hours ago
This reaction means she can eat all the garlic she wants because she'll be returning home alone. Good choice.
Jessica Daus-Warner 5 hours ago
If breadsticks can't save the relationship, it wasn't meant to be.
#9
I walk up to a table and recognize my friend and her boyfriends parents. I was friends with the boyfriend too and had been trying to get a hold of him for a few weeks (I didn't have her number). I came to the table, said hello, and asked how he was doing and if he was just really busy or something.
"He died last week. "
His mother delivered this news with a smile on her face. I smiled back, excused myself, went to the kitchen and bawled.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 4 minutes ago
The mom knew she was in a public place; she was probably trying to be polite and not scream or start bawling as she delivered the news to OP. Have you never tried to repress sadness or anger in public?
Load More Replies...Meanwhile, Arjav Ezekiel, the co-owner of Bridie’s in Austin, Texas, pointed out to the WSJ that being present might be more important than simply being nice.
“Put down your phone and engage with the staff. The most important thing for a guest is to feel seen, and I think that’s true for the service team too.”
Furthermore, it’s important for guests to follow the rules the restaurant has set out. Making exceptions for one group of customers can mean compromising on the quality of the experience for other guests. “I think of the restaurant as the dinner party and the diner as the invitee,” Ezekiel added, stressing that it’s vital to respect the rules of the house.
#10
"I can't tell you I love you more than anyone! I love my mother more and won't betray her like that."
They conversation continued from there into cringe-land.
Sara Frazer 19 hours ago
Ooof. If I was that lady I'd already be out on the sidewalk hailing a ride home, forever
KatSaidThat 9 hours ago
Tbf, I'm with OP on this. I have loved dogs more than a fiancée. You don't demand being the most loved person in their life, afaic.
Bob Brooce 5 hours ago (edited)
PSA: White lies are often okay. PSA #2: If you honestly love your mom more maybe you should just stay single.
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 6 hours ago
Technically it depends on what the "like that" involved. If I was dating someone who demanded I chose between them and my family in a selfish and unfair way, I'd go for the family.
Janissary35680 3 hours ago
Yeah that word caught my attention too. I'm guessing there's a very complicated backstory here.
Load More Replies... #11
I came to the table while they praying before their meal about their dying relative. It was so awkward, I joined in.
"heyy guys, here's that tartar and cocktail yall..... LORD PLEASE HELP JENNIFER OVERCOME CANCER".
Lost Panda 19 hours ago
I'm agnostic, but I feel like the best thing would have been to just stay silent and let them have their moment, no matter how awkward it seemed to you.
Multa Nocte 15 hours ago
My husband's family is nutty Christian Baptist and they are very vocal about it. They would pray over opening a damned letter. We were a few minutes late once to his parents' house because I took a last minute phone call and his mom wanted to know if it was liberals calling to collect money for abortions for whales. One day we couldn't take it and moved into the kitchen while they did their prayer circle. We could hear loudly from the other room, "Yes, Lord, we pray you look out for all of us, even those in the kitchen."
Load More Replies... Multa Nocte 16 hours ago
When I lived in Tennessee and Oklahoma there were a LOT of people who felt the need to have a loud family prayer every time they ate in public, and they would glare at anyone who didn't stop talking and eating while they publicly thanked their personal Lord. Even though there's that thing in the Bible about praying in your closet. I guess they figured that Denny's was their own personal closet.
Bob Brooce 5 hours ago
And they're usually the same people who whine about atheists and homosexuals "pushing their lifestyle" on others.
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Lila Allen 7 hours ago
High School theater was putting on Fiddler on the Roof. We took the kids to IHOP for after dress rehearsal meal. One kid starts singing the Sabbath Prayer song. Others join in and in true theater kid fashion begin getting carried away and stand while singing. Whole cast ( about 35 kids) joins in and we now have 35 kids dramatically singing the Sabbath Prayer in an IHOP in the middle of uber mormon Utah. The looks we got....
Michael Largey 3 hours ago
If you claim to be a Christian (as Mormons do), you have to believe everything in the Jewish religion is true because everything in the Bible is true. including the Old Testament. Jesus said He had come to fulfill the Law, not put it aside.
Load More Replies... More Information 7 hours ago (edited)
My grandmother always asked the waiters if they would like to join us in saying grace before our meal. I remember a lot of them did, but often my ADHD self would open my eyes and see the waiter looking at the other tables during grace! 🤭 I never snitched on them to grandma, though! I would sometimes make eye contact with the waiters during grace and "silently" giggle into my hand. Ah, the times. I'm only 28 🥲😂😂😂
Michael Largey 6 hours ago
"I'd love to, ma'am. Do you mind if I face Mecca while I do?"
Load More Replies... #12
Had a table came in for this guys birthday. It was a surprise birthday dinner hosted by his girlfriend, although she didn't realise that 2 of his female 'friends' she had invited were also sleeping with him.
I came over to the table just as one girl stood up and yelled "you jerk" to another and stormed out. The second one threw a drink on the guy and walked out. The girlfriend with tears running down of her face asked of the bill and then exits. I come back to the table with the bill with the guy drenched in wine and 5 of his remaining friends still there in hysterics.
Michael Largey 6 hours ago
Unfortunately, some men admire (and envy) that sort of behavior.
Load More Replies... What are the most embarrassing things that you’ve ever witnessed at a restaurant or cafe, whether as a server or a guest? As a server, how would you like to be treated by your customers? On the flip side, what do you appreciate the most when being waited on while dining out?
How do you handle public situations that practically radiate secondhand embarrassment? Scroll down to share your insights in the comments at the bottom of this post.
#13
Well, walking up and talking before you realize they're praying is always awkward.
Also, worked in a bar a while back. Girl was sitting at the bar alone for a while, crying. Awkward as hell, so we give her a beer on the house. She explains that the guy she was seeing just dumped her out of nowhere. We feel bad, console her, etc.
A little while later, guy joins her. And they're visibly arguing. He's straight-faced while she's crying. The bar is loud, so she's not wailing or anything, but she's crying pretty hard.
Again, so weird. Why would you do this in public? Her and the guy sit there for like 2 hours. I don't understand why you'd stay and drink/hang out with a girl you just dumped.
Later in the night, he starts hitting on another girl at the bar while this chick is in the bathroom.
I go to the bathroom to make sure she's okay and she's on the floor hysterical and mentioning her inhaler. She has friends standing around her, and they are doing nothing. Just standing there. So I have to go back to where she was sitting and ask the guy which purse is hers. He tries to play macho and act like he doesn't know until I get right in his face and he immediately points to her purse.
I am just floored. She came here with friends and they let her sit at the bar and be dumped and cry in public.. and now she's needing an inhaler and no one is doing anything..?
It was the weirdest situation ever. By the way everyone acted, I assumed maybe she's the drama queen of the group and no one wants to deal with it, but.. don't hang out with her if that's the case. Don't leave your friend hysterically asking for an inhaler on the floor of a bar bathroom.
Alexandra 17 hours ago
That's terrible. When I was young I needed an inhaler for my ashtma. I remember what it felt like, not being able to breathe and to think that any moment now you might actually suffocate.
Lila Allen 7 hours ago
Yeah I agree. I don't care if you hate the person, if they need an inhaler you get it for them.
Load More Replies... Sara Frazer 19 hours ago
Hope she is rid of all of those terrible jérks and has supportive people in her life now
ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM 3 hours ago
I had "friends" during highschool whom I think might have been capable of a similar, uhm, "performance" during a night out. I'm so happy I cut all ties with that time and group of people.
Riley Quinn 2 hours ago
Hate to break it to you kid, but Drama Queen doesn't have any friends. She also needs a healthy top off of self-esteem fluids bc no self-respecting woman would've hung around putting up with this. Oh, BTW, if customers want to pray while you're trying to do your job, just do your job since they're the ones making the scene awkward.
#14
Not a waiter, but a busser. It was Fathers Day and a new table of two had just sat down. The guy was facing away from me so he couldn't see when I would be coming.
Anyway, I was about to reach their table and fill their glasses with some water (remember, this guy still can't see me) when he suddenly says to his girlfriend, "You ready to make me a daddy tonight?"
Yeah, the look on his face once he realized I was right there was priceless.
Crystalwitch60 8 hours ago
That’s right we have selective hearing totally ,
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#15
I once approached a couple of our regulars and saw the wife making a hole with her left thumb and pointer (like the "a-okay gesture), then taking her fist and pushing it into that hole and twisting her arm as she opened up her fingers around her arm then violently pushing her fist forward and back.
I showed up to their table, completely stunned, and the wife saw me then quickly covered her face in embarrassment. After a couple moments of awkward silence, she just looked at me and said "That was exactly what you think it was." The two of them and I started laughing and the awkwardness was gone.
The next time they came in the wife held up her fist and cocked and eyebrow at me, and that became how we greeted each other any time we saw each other. It stayed this way until I left that restaurant.
Lila Allen 7 hours ago
I would have trouble not bursting into laughter when I saw her.
Load More Replies... #16
Witnessed a woman pulling out a jar of dead bugs. She then proceeded to put one into her food, and flag me down expecting a compensated bill.
KatSaidThat 8 hours ago
"Hello Madam, are you aware that our restaurant has CCTV?" and then walk off again.
#17
*walks up to a table to check on them*
"...and thats the first time i saw a d**d body.".
KatSaidThat 8 hours ago
"first time" - going to assume either medical student or first responder.
Riley Quinn 35 minutes ago
Not necessarily. I've seen a number of dead bodies, and I'm neither a med student or first responder.
Load More Replies... KatSaidThat 8 hours ago
Nope, I think the jar of dead bugs (currently) right under this might be...
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Lee Gilliland 3 hours ago
Used to work in a place that had a lot of mystery writers. It gets you going when you hear, "NOW, exactly when did this guy find the second body?"
Blue Bunny of Happiness 4 hours ago
Had a patient once, who apologetically took a call from a relative during an appointment, “What do you mean you’ve found a body by the road? A dead body?” I absolutely asked them about it a few months later! It turned out to be a homeless person who had sadly passed away from natural causes.
#18
Walked to the table, the customers were talking about how much they hate black people.
KatSaidThat 8 hours ago
I'd be prepared to lose my job saying something about how we don't tolerate racism here.
Michael Largey 6 hours ago
"To light your table, would you prefer a candle or a burning cross?"
Riley Quinn 53 minutes ago
I know what I'd do if this was my table. I'd be cordial and polite, then I'd spit in their food. As they were leaving, I'd ask if they liked the special sauce.
#19
The woman on the date looked like a deer in the headlights and very quickly got up and left. She just said, "I'm sorry" to the lady, didn't even look at the man. The wife then spent the next 20 minutes quietly making the husband squirm, as she had sat next to him in the booth and blocked him in. Eventually, she left, and he awkwardly paid the bill (big tip) and left also. It was somewhat anti-climactic, but I had mad respect for the wife. I hope she left him for good.
BossyHossy1 2 hours ago
We admitted a guy who had a heart attack during s*x; evidently taking this new, blue pill with existing heart problems was a really bad idea. We settled him in with his fiance hovering around. We sent her out to the waiting area for a bit and just as she is walking back in, another woman rushes past her and announces that she is our patient's wife. Cue the screamed denial, outraged gasp, and then - me acting as a human barricade to the idiot's room while trying to get 2 incredibly p*ssed, loud women out of the ICU. Our patient bravely feigned unconsciousness until we got both ladies to leave, then mistook me for a priest and tried to confess/explain this "little misunderstanding." We transferred him to another hospital for a heart catheterization and triple bypass. We found out from his cardiologist that his wife had him served with divorce papers there.
#20
I'm a poolside server at a country club. As I walk up to the first customers of the day, (mom and two children) the mom starts changing her 6-7 year old son right outside on the patio. Here I am trying to tell them the specials of the day while there's a kid showing off what he's got. If your kid can order his own food don't change him in broad daylight.
OneHappyPuppy 4 hours ago
Not diapers, it's a pool, probably changing him into swimming shorts
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Jay Cee 5 hours ago
So your Mom never change you into your swimsuit at the beach?
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#21
My roommate is a bartender and he came up to a couple seated at the bar right when the man handed his wife divorce papers.
UnclePanda 11 hours ago
I sat next to a middle-aged professional looking couple in a restaurant. They ate in complete silence until she quietly said, "I want a divorce," and he quietly said, "Me too," and they carried on eating in complete silence until we left.
Michael Largey 6 hours ago
Plot twist - they weren't married to each other. But after those divorces were final, ...
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tameson 3 hours ago
I got a "Do Your Own Divorce" book. Filled out all the relevant forms, including child custody and support. Went over them with my ex. Made an appointment with the local judge who approved them and watched as sign them. They got filed by the court and that was it.
Riley Quinn 1 hour ago
Took me longer to find a parking space than it took for my first divorce. The second one dragged out much longer than was necessary.
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#22
A man asked for a refill of bread, so when I drop it off, he immediately sticks his finger in the whole where the knife was and say out loud, *"oooh yea thats good bread"*. I can't make that up. I turn right back around and speed walk straight to the kitchen to laugh uncontrollably.
#23
Whenever the elderly mother is making racist remarks about other patrons in the restaurant...
Michael Largey 6 hours ago
"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't realize. I'll have a children's menu for you in a jiffy."
Chich the witch 18 hours ago
"So, did you graduate with a full degree from C**t College or were you just there part time?"
Riley Quinn 13 minutes ago
Only the elderly mothers??? Where is this town that harbors nasty old racist mothers? BTW, a trick I learned for bigots is to "accidently" drop a bowl of soup or a tray of beverages in their lap and feign apologies.
#24
The family of a girl I went to school with came in and I took their order. When I took them their food they were all praying, hands joined.
I considered just putting the plates down in the middle of the table and leaving but a) the way they were holding each other's hands made that impossible, and b) that would have been rude, or whatever. So I just ended up standing beside the table holding their meals, which were getting heavier and heavier the longer they prayed. Finally they finished and opened their eyes and smiled at me as if I had just arrived and it wasn't an awkward situation. Actually, I don't think they *did* consider it awkward. But it totally was and I was wary of going to that table for the rest of the night.
ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM 3 hours ago
Interesting, Lost Panda - your comment was hidden for me, just as if it were in the negative points - but at positive 13. I also had to do a little trick to make replying to you available. BP is getting quite sensitive about some discussions it seems... or am I being paranoid? 😅
Load More Replies... Serena Myers 5 hours ago
@ Lost Panda. Could you ask BP to explain why your comment was hidden and cannot be replied to? I've contacted them a couple of times about these recent issues, but have heard nothing back. I thought it might be because someone had "followers" but you don't, so it's not that. BP, please EXPLAIN!
Bob Brooce 4 hours ago
I had a completely innocuous and SFW post hidden a couple of days ago. Ironically it was a preface I was going to reply to with a picture that would result in a hidden post. Applying Occam's Razor I'm assuming it's the result of bad programming skills. Possibly related, I haven't seen a single notification about a reply or upvote for over a week, even though I've had several replies and upvotes.
Load More Replies... Riley Quinn 37 minutes ago
I don't understand why people trying to perform their duties aren't performing them. Wanna sit with your eyes closed, well surprise, surprise, here's your food cause I have other customers.
#25
I served a few years back as a first job. One time, going to the table to ask them a question, I hear, "well you got a vasectomy for HER..."
As soon as the lady saw me, she stopped. I've always wondered what the extent of that conversation was.
Chich the witch 18 hours ago
I imagine him trying to explain it is a one time thing and he can't get one for her as well.
#26
Waited on, cleared, and cleaned tables as a glassy at my old job.....walked in on the (I presumed newly wed couple) describing what they were going to do to each other when they got home from the pub...
My presence did nothing to stop them... :'(.
#27
I waited on a couple who apparently came in alllll the time. Sweet as can be, all lovey dovey, they were apparently together for a long time, but I hadn't seen them yet because they generally only showed up during the day.
10 minutes into their date, the woman gets up, throws her panini in his face, and storms out of the diner. I was dumbfounded and my coworkers had no idea what to say. They all were so happy when that couple came in and seethed with jealousy when they were seated at my section. The man apologised profusely and handed me WAY more money than he owed, assuring me that he meant to and that the change was mine.
I felt bad. They did seem nice. I hope they worked things out.
Riley Quinn 17 minutes ago
What a waste of a good panini. I would've taken the panini, tossed my beverage at him, and left.
#28
Was a bartender. Was on my way to the kitchen behind the bar and it suddenly registered in my head that I just passed an older, chubby gent who had a near- empty glass. I turned around to ask him if he wanted a refill when the shutter noise of his phone went off. His phone was aimed in my direction, butt level.
Bob Brooce 36 minutes ago
Sounds like something plenty of guys would do, but my sister in law might not be the only person who uses the shutter sound for text messages. I'll also note that I've never seen a bar where patron could hold a phone at b**t level and also be holding it above the bar.
#29
I am not a waiter, but I work in food service.
one time I was getting an order together for a Guy and Girl,and their three kids. As Their walking away, the guy hangs back a little and says to me.
"Me and my wife are getting a divorce so this is the last night out as husband and wife with the kids."
I stood there, wide eyed, unsure of what to say. I managed a few awkward statements (Oh...um.... sorry....) as he turned to rejoin the rest of his family.
emorinelli49 19 hours ago
I’ve known divorced families who still eat dinner together. They don’t stop bringing a family.
Sue User 1 hour ago
At holidays my stepfathers ex wife would come , so their sons and daughter didn't have to choose. I can understand when they are children but we were all in our twenties and thirties.
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#30
Woman comes in with a baby on her hip to confront her husband and his girlfriend. She went off!! We all watched from the vestibule :).
#31
A couple complaining to my manager about me. I took too long to bring her appletini so she "doesn't even want to eat here anymore".
Riley Quinn 19 minutes ago
Moron. A savvy person would've brought a flask to hit in the bathroom.
Lee Gilliland 2 hours ago
I'm guessing she was either blonde and pretty or a Karen. those types usually are
#32
Middle of a breakup. I had already taken their drink order, and when I got back with the drinks they were glowering at each other and talking through clenched teeth in that seething "I'm not yelling at you because we're in public but you're really in for it when we get to the car" tone. I drop the drinks off, and as I'm walking away I hear "Fine. F you." and she storms past me.
By the time I came back out of the kitchen, he was gone too. I guess they weren't hungry after all.
#33
Mmm...... Probably the times when I bring food out and it's just sitting in my hands and both people at the table are playing with their phone exactly where the plate of food needs to go.
Also that time I accidentally spilled practically an entire bucket of marinara sauce on someone. She was super, duper nice about it though.
Mimi M 9 hours ago
Hope she was cleaned up and double-comped (here's something for the cleaning bill, your order is on us and come again on the house'). Handle a situation like that right, and you can generate a lot of positive word of mouth.
BookFanatic 3 hours ago
Yes. I ordered a fancy dutch baby apple pancake thing and the brand new server dropped it on the way to my table. Poor thing burst into tears. Manager came by, comp'ed everything and gave us coupons for a free meal and pancake. I go there all the time now.
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Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger 1 hour ago
A really young server in a pub once spilled just a bit of soup on me and then looked so terrified, I thought she was about to faint. My mama bear instincts went through the roof but her boss seemed pretty chill. No idea why she was so spooked, poor girl
#34
I am a male, as I approached the booth I was serving, 4 male patrons (who were clearly homosexual) were having a chuckle and failed to see me approaching. As I approach I overhear "I hope our waiter is gay too." They knew I heard them, but I ignored it the rest of the meal, awkardly, but succesfully.
#35
Once had an old guy (between 60/70, beige trenchcoat... you know the type) come in and sit by himself for a while. He was then joined by an attractive 19 y/o blonde girl (I knew she was 19 because I had to ID her. Looked super young.)
Anyway. She ordered a glass of wine (or rather, he ordered it for her) and he had another beer. I assumed she was just the granddaughter or something, were it not for the fact she looked SO uncomfortable. Their table was RIGHT next to the bar where I was bartending, so I couldn't NOT listen in. Noticed him touching her in a way that a grandad does not, and her telling him about various daddy issues that sounded ever so slightly made up; "he was never there, but i've always needed a father figure" etc etc.
Turns out it was a sugar daddy type deal, he was finding out what she can "offer" him, he had a "couple more people to see," etc. He escorted her out, hand on the lower back, full on creep mode. I shuddered and thought no more of it until I saw the guy in another bar when I went out for drinks after work. He was on the phone, saying things like "you in bed now babe? I'll tuck you in. Daddy's here. I'll let you know if I choose you in the morning, what you wearing baby?" etc etc.
KatSaidThat 8 hours ago (edited)
Was in the theatre the other night and felt a little uncomfortable with the dad/daughter interactions in the row in front of me (mostly his hand on her leg), then realised I was being that person who sexualises innocent stuff and had to have a word with myself. She was comfortable and had her head on his shoulder hence me getting annoyed at myself for my thinking.
#36
At a restaurant where I used to bartend we had jokester manager. One day she said to a server; "Sarah, I just sat you a table, you'll need a high-chair." So sarah goes to greet her table with a high-chair assuming her party has a small child. When she gets there, she finds three adults, one of whom is a midget.
edit: I guess I should have added that the manager and the waitress were very close friends.
Bob Brooce 29 minutes ago
It's offensive to the little person, but it's definitely a joke played on the server.
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Kristie Graves 6 hours ago
My husband’s family are ‘midgets’(😒) They have a great sense of humor and honest good hearts. But this is disgraceful and disgusting. F your manager and her “very close friend” 🖕😁
Barbara Panda 9 hours ago
Was that edit supposed to make it sound better? What a terrible thing to do.
Daisydaisy 14 hours ago
Never mind whether they were close friends - what a rude and cruel thing to do to the customer
TheMFKNXerdo 5 hours ago
And this slur is one that BP somehow does not censor. You can't say d**n, dead, a***e, but "Midget" is okay. D**n. I am the most surprised b****r you can find.
Sue User 52 minutes ago
Did they study censorship in USA. You can see a guy's head blown off but one little nip and.. clutches pearls
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Dee Hampton 7 hours ago
It was much easier in the past for us midgets; the waiter could just bring us a telephone directory to sit on
KatSaidThat 8 hours ago
I asked Warwick Davis's manager if we needed to get a stepping stool in for his appointment - she was shocked but pleased that we were thinking ahead of what he might need.
#37
I'm a bus boy but I was stocking silverware and I heard a group of middle aged women talking about their tinder conquests.
What do you think ?
Bob Brooce 20 minutes ago (edited)
I've got a friend who was the customer when a waiter walked up behind him at just the right time. He was telling a story about going scuba diving the day after cutting his hand, and the dive guide had told him an old diver trick to protect cuts on a hand or foot was to put a condom. You can put a condom on some things with just one hand (and some practice) but you can't put one on your own hand with your other hand. The waiter showed up just in time to hear my friend say "So I said, "Hey, Dad, can you help me put my condom on?" He says the water managed to keep a straight face then and through the rest of the meal, but I've got to assume the waiter has shared his own story many times.
Lee Gilliland 2 hours ago
What's really awkward is going into work to learn that your sister was in with her boyfriend, they broke up -- in excruciating detail because both of them had been seeing other people. I had no idea.
Bob Brooce 20 minutes ago (edited)
I've got a friend who was the customer when a waiter walked up behind him at just the right time. He was telling a story about going scuba diving the day after cutting his hand, and the dive guide had told him an old diver trick to protect cuts on a hand or foot was to put a condom. You can put a condom on some things with just one hand (and some practice) but you can't put one on your own hand with your other hand. The waiter showed up just in time to hear my friend say "So I said, "Hey, Dad, can you help me put my condom on?" He says the water managed to keep a straight face then and through the rest of the meal, but I've got to assume the waiter has shared his own story many times.
Lee Gilliland 2 hours ago
What's really awkward is going into work to learn that your sister was in with her boyfriend, they broke up -- in excruciating detail because both of them had been seeing other people. I had no idea.
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