Anyone who has worked in the service industry knows that some tables leave a lasting impression for the wrong reasons. A few months ago, TikToker Lisa (@montana10702) was serving a nine-person table that was celebrating the birthday of an 18-year-old. The girl was wearing a dress, a sash, and a headband.
From the moment she approached the table, the group seemed cold and standoffish. When Lisa went up to greet the table, she hyped up the girl, but the girl was rude and had an unfriendly attitude.
One lady needed time to decide on an alcoholic beverage, so Lisa got everyone else’s drink orders first.
Then, she left, checked on her other tables, and returned with the drinks. As she was passing out the drinks, she quickly realized the lady was upset that she had walked away before she could decide what to order. According to Lisa, the woman had wanted her to stay by her side while she debated her drink choices.
“This woman literally wanted me to stand next to her for 10 or 15 straight minutes while she just decided what drink she wanted,” said Lisa.
“Then, when they’re ordering their food, the guy who’s with that lady goes, ‘I want this; I want this.’ So, how am I supposed to know which item you’re pointing at when your finger is going over six different items? And then, they had to say it out loud, which I guess was so terrible for them.”
The guy also asked for a to-go cup. Lisa’s manager told him that he could have one, but they would have to take it away once any alcohol was served. It was their restaurant’s policy.
When the alcoholic drinks were served, Lisa’s manager returned to their table to take the to-go cup. The guy began cursing at Lisa’s manager for taking the cup away, even though the policy was clearly explained to him.
After dessert, Lisa handed out the check. The final confrontation happened when the check arrived. At her job, parties of eight or more have an automatic 18% gratuity.
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There was even a sign about it at the door. The whole table paid their portions without issue, except for the difficult lady and the guy she was with.
They owed $77, but the lady gave Lisa $75 in cash. She refused to pay the gratuity because she claimed the service had been bad. Lisa strongly disagreed.
“Mind you, I didn’t mess up a single thing for this table,” she said. “We had those interactions…where she was just being mean and hostile the whole time, and I continued to smile throughout the whole service.”
Lisa had to retrieve one of her managers. The lady proceeded to argue with management before abruptly leaving the restaurant. In the end, the couple walked out still owing $2.35.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
