Servers Describe The Worst Valentine's Day Disasters They've Ever Witnessed
Valentine's Day is perhaps one of the busiest times for restaurants, with couples forgoing take-out to share their romantic evening together in public.
"Hell Of A Show"
<p>"Used to be a professional musician and the four piece band I was in got booked for a Valentines event in a local bar."</p><p>"Guitarist invited his girlfriend down so they could be together on the night."</p><p>"What he hadn't counted on was his wife getting the night off work and coming to the show too as a Valentines surprise."</p><p>"Everything was ok for the first set of the night. The problems began when both Gf and Wife met in the band room backstage. Most of the band escaped the obvious row that was coming and waited by the bar for the 2nd set."</p>Ring With Dessert
<p>"At the beginning of the evening, this man gave me a ring to bring with dessert."</p><p>"The couple began arguing before they even ordered and ended up screaming at each other in the restaurant. My manager made me ask the guy - as discreetly as I could - if he still wanted the ring with the dessert. It was that bad. I really didn't want to, but I asked. He then started to scream at me that OF COURSE he still wanted the ring. He was right after all, it wasn't my business at all. So I brought out the ring."</p><p>"She said 'Are you f*cking serious?' and left."</p><p>"Then the man screamed at me again when I wouldn't let him chase after her / leave without paying. In the end he just threw the money on the table - huge tip, but I think he just gave what he had - and left."</p><p>"He had made such a scene we had to give free desserts to the tables next to them to make up for it."</p><p>"After the service I told my manager I was never questioning a client's request again."</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb4mu4p?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">lulastark</a><br></p>The Proposal
<p>"Not a waiter, but there was a couple seated a few places away from us. They sat far enough away so that we couldn't hear the conversation, but it was obvious that they were arguing."</p><p>"Waiter did his spiel on the set tasting menu, handed out a wine list. Guy orders wine for both of them and she interrupts with 'I'm good I'll just have a water.'"</p><p>"They continued over a very uncomfortable meal, during which he kept asking stuff. She'd respond with increasingly annoyed no's."</p><p>"Waiter returns, notices that appetizers hadn't even been touched yet. Tops off her water and his wine, then asks if everything was tasting alright. He finishes with a 'I'll give you guys some more time to enjoy.'"</p><p>"She (now loud enough to be clearly understood) 'I can't keep doing this with you.'"</p>Asked To Leave
<p>"Saw a couple have a full on argument at a restaurant. I wasn't their server but the table was directly in the center of the restaurant and they were certainly loud enough for everyone to hear. My manager kindly asked them to leave and the guys response was to yell 'I've been wanting to do that sh*t for 2 years now' and stormed out."</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb43rsz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank">JoyGordillo</a></p>Stalker, Party Of One & The Divorce Papers
<p>"Man comes in in a full suit, a bouquet of flowers, a large box of chocolate, and some expensive jewelry."</p><p>"He sits at a table and happily tells me he's waiting for his beloved, an hour passes by and the guy went from sweet and smiling to sweating and muttering angrily."</p><p>"He then gets up and walks over to a girl sitting with her family and starts yelling at her. He yelled how she betrayed him and how she'd treat her right and she had to be with witm him all the while the girl's male relatives were sheileding her from him."</p><p>"Police arrived and it turns out the guy had a restraining against him from the girl and he had been stalking and harassing her."</p>The Greedy B
<p>"Working restaurants for 14 years. I had a guy asked me to help him bring the ring and champagne after the dinner and I did that. Being a woman and wanting to witness the romance, I hid around the corner so I could kind of peek at them."</p><p>"They were lovey-dovey all through dinner everything seemed good and I fully expected yes. The woman did not react well at all. She told him no and that she was planning on breaking up with him. She added the only reason she was on this date with him is because he said he bought her something special for Valentine's Day. She thought he was going to buy her the car she asked him for, and she was going to dump him next week. Then she said since you didn't get the car, she's dumping him now and she left!"</p><p>"The guy was absolutely devastated! I felt so bad for him. I will remember her for the rest of my life because how could I not! What a greedy b****"</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb5mw1d?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fromhelley</a><br></p>Topped With Dessert
<p>"We had a classic of a couple coming in all dressed up and out for their romantic dinner, but as the meal went on they gradually got more and more tense and their muttered argument slowly became very loud. Walking back over to refill drinks or take plates seemed to make it even worse, but I couldn't just leave their (very small) table covered in stuff. By dessert they were basically waging war on each other, and the evening ended with the guy getting a bowl of chocolate cake and ice cream emptied over his head."</p><p>"I still have no idea what they were arguing about, but the poor guy just sort of shoved a loads of notes on the table and ran out of there after his partner."</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb4nv9f?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">missingthemiddle</a><br></p>Fired On A Date
<p>"I was a waiter at The Pasta House and another server was pregnant and trying to cover as many shifts as possible before she had the baby so she asked if she could work Valentine's Day for me and I said sure. Dinner reservations fell through for my date and I so we decided to see if I could get a table at the restaurant where I worked. I walk in the door and they are very busy and my manager said, 'Thank god you got my message. So and so went into labor and we need you to take tables...' I told them I was on a date and they said it was my responsibility, so I got fired on the date and we just went to a bar and grill."</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb6bzyi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">icunicu</a><br></p>Trips To The Bathroom
<p>"Woman was 8 months pregnant. Guy brings her in for Valentine's and has the mariachi band sing their love song."</p><p>"He pulls out the expected ring and she says yes. Things looked perfect... Only spicy Mexican food is perhaps not the best choice when 8 months pregnant."</p><p>"She hurriedly shuffled to the restroom 5 times. The 5th... She didnt make it."</p><p>"Its a very small community so I met them years later at a wedding party. I walked up and introduced myself. I mentioned I had met them before years ago. 'In fact I was there years ago when y'all got engaged. The emotions were just... Flowing that night?' The husband laughed the wife covered her face in shame and I was invited to their DnD group."</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb5ixdb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TheLightningCount1</a><br></p>Table For One
<p>"With my girlfriend in a restaurant, we saw a young man alone at a table. A bunch of flowers and box of chocolates sorta-hidden behind his chair."</p><p>"He had so obviously been stood up by his Valentine's Day date..."</p><p>"Poor bastard."</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb5poy7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LozNewman</a><br></p>Having It Your Way
<p>"I had a friend he used to work the drive through at Burger King and he told me overheard this conversation on Valentine's day while taking a car's order."</p><p>"Girl: Get me a #3..."</p><p>"Guy: It's Valentine's Day baby, you can super size it!"</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb4imxl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MarcOfDeath</a><br></p>The Sexist
<p>"Had a brief stint as a waiter in high school."</p><p>"This one couple look very sweet and loving, no apparent problems. The girl got down on her knee and asked him to marry her."</p><p>"He started laughing hysterically and explained to her that proposing is a man's job, not a woman's."</p><p>"She was furious. She started screaming about how sexist that was, then got her stuff and stormed out. He looked completely bewildered."</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb6tuso?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">jacobr1020</a><br></p>Screaming
<p>"I was working in a very quiet bar a couple of years ago, there was one couple sat in a corner booth having a screaming argument. Very very awkward."</p><p>β <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/jnvtgs/waiters_what_valentines_day_disasters_have_you/gb5c0hv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Delicious_explosions</a><br></p>Waiters Share The Saddest 'I'm Waiting For Someone' Situation They've Ever Witnessed
As an artist and struggling New York actor/writer I of course have waited on many a table. I've served the rich the poor, old and young, the fashionable, the plain, the kind and the evil. (There is far more evil eating out... just FYI) And it always made me wonder about strangers and their stories. In particular the stories behind the people who left me with a sense of sorrow. I've seen people stood up, celebrate the passings of loved ones from 9/11 and even a proposal gone awry. (Never ask for someone's hand in marriage with the ring on an Olive Garden breadstick!) Seeing people at their most vulnerable is definitely something you remember.
Redditor u/nGear wanted to know about the times they felt a tug at the heart for a few customers by asking them to divulge.... Waiters, what's the saddest "I'm waiting for someone" you have experienced?Shame on you young man....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzNDc0Ny9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzOTI1NzMzOX0.Gu_Fj9r8ZbwrWRLZnpTHxr4LKKlgSPvSXwfZPscZWog/img.gif?width=980" id="03c8f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="81e0150baf4256bb8f1c55895c61034d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="270" />Embarrassed Hide GIF by florGiphy<p>I was a server for 5 years and the most heartbreaking experience I had was an older woman, probably in her 60's was waiting for her grandson to come meet her for lunch. When I greeted her at the table she was very excited as I assumed she didn't see him much. </p>Happy Birthday Sir.Β
<p>I was actually a hostess at the time and I was asked to take the table for a server. An old man came in asking for a table of 6 and he asked for 6 waters. I set up his table and I put his order in. He said it was his birthday. He was there for about an hour or 2 and nobody showed up. It was really sad. He ended up tipping me like $30 and he said "Sorry for the trouble." I still think about that guy. I hope he's doing okay. :( </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/iy78cn/waiters_whats_the_saddest_im_waiting_for_someone/g6bg0qr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Emu173</a><span></span></p>You dodged a bullet....
<p>Once at my shift I saw a really shy guy, you could see that he is on a budget, but omg, he was so trying so hard and looked so exited about upcoming date! He brought one rose, and asked what he can purchase on 10 euros to make this evening beautiful. My heart melted so much that I offered him for free two glasses of wine and a dessert (I was a manager). </p>After Goodbye....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzNDc1Ni9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MzI1MTYwMX0.M4PMZdqsuSVhCvUQkv4Tx8MK7XMHpPL0gXlzomvx_jc/img.gif?width=980" id="ed547" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="de4c780a7388b9ae1f2776fbebd4216d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="500" data-height="492" />disney love GIFGiphy<p>Place I used to work at had a man come in every night for a week, wait for a few hours, order food and drinks, then leave with no one showing up.</p><p>Later learned he was just trying to cope with his wife's death, believing that she'd arrive to greet him at the restaurant were they had their first date. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/iy78cn/waiters_whats_the_saddest_im_waiting_for_someone/g6b7ban?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">WANNABENOVELTYBOY</a><span></span></p>The Barista....
<p>Not the waitstaff, but the "Wait-er."</p><p>I had set an OKCupid date at this nice coffee shop in Brooklyn. I get there, <em>and I know the barista from college.</em> I'm the only person in the shop at the time, so we talk a little, awkwardly. Gradually other customers arrive, so she attends to them and I attend to my phone.</p>An Extra Plate....
<p>A six-year-old boy came every day with his older brother at lunchtime and for almost a month they ordered three plates of food and always left one. When I attended to them, the boy told his older brother to ask his mother for lunch because she was already arriving, but their mother never came. </p>4 in a row....
<p>A woman came in 4 nights in a row just in case she got the day wrong. She'd sit at the bar wearing the same flowery dress every night and would hopefully look at the door every single time it opened. Left in tears the first two nights when we closed, the third and fourth nights she just stared vacantly at the door until we had to make sure she left.</p><p>I never saw her again, I don't think any other staff did either but we all felt really bad for her. She got a couple free drinks and apps, we didn't even care if it was a scam cause she seemed so broken about it. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/iy78cn/waiters_whats_the_saddest_im_waiting_for_someone/g6b1kkw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">tahsii</a></p>Why so Public?
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzNDc2My9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMDAxOTE1MX0.SBbowUh0kLbIx_ugQqbJz4fnkzAddFMF6rx3R1Bj1UM/img.gif?width=980" id="ddbe0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9692e2eeec0a6ffee33dc2543780a592" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="360" />bugs bunny cooking GIF by Looney TunesGiphy<p>Was working an evening shift and a relatively younger guy came in and waited for his date. She showed up and not even 10 minutes later he got up and left and she sat there crying.</p><p>Patrons that are there to breakup are also hard to witness. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/iy78cn/waiters_whats_the_saddest_im_waiting_for_someone/g6bb7ve?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Howinthehail</a><span></span></p>No doggy bag?
<p>Not a waiter, but was out with my girlfriend and we were seated next to a date.</p><p>Guy was clearly trying to engage with the girl, but the girl kept looking at her phone disinterested. Guy initiated all the conversations, only to be met with 1 word answers. </p>Stalled....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzNDc3My9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1Njk5MDAyNn0.50XcW-IRzB6hRQzu2x4eEBuxcbn7NOj9wPXY4Ls3Z10/img.gif?width=980" id="01767" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2035ca810400c4c2860e1b3a3ae5b39a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="480" />Simon Pegg Wink GIF by Working TitleGiphy<p>Not a waiter, but this happened to me.</p><p>I went speed dating, turned up to the venue to find it very quiet. Barely anyone was there. </p>Dropping $1500 for Nothing....
<p>Ugh this one was tough; I worked at a pretty fancy steakhouse in town, and we had a private dining room that could set up to 32 at a single, long table. To book the room we charged a $1500 deposit, which we then used to cover part of the bill (it was a deposit, not a room charge). Anyways, this girl books it for 26 people, puts the deposit on her card. She shows up with her sister, and then after about 20 minutes, 2 of their 'friends' show up and sit at the opposite end of this giant table from the birthday girl and her sister. </p>Just say NO.
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQ0NDc4NS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1ODQ0MjQ3NH0.Raq5742ShYmo4YIMsKcWBxSCfK495IDVca_mwqnBAjA/img.gif?width=980" id="90908" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e015e0d685552cc0bcde2083d35108dd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="500" data-height="281" />sad adventure time GIFGiphy<p>Got sat a "party of 15 to 20" for a woman's bridal shower. </p>Why Bother Lady?
<p>Not a waiter, but worked at a coffee shop for several years and made friends with tons of regulars. One of the regulars, we'll call him J, was working on his PHD in Art History or something to that effect at the university near us. He came in one day, got his usual tea and asked if I could charge him for a latte, but make it later, no big deal. </p>Still With Me...
<p>Ahhh, I haven't bartended in a million years, but the saddest one was a guy in his 30s. He had a 2 top, asked for a bottle of top shelf champagne, candles lit, all that. Told me they were celebrating. No one showed. Guy looked morose, but had an appetizer, poured a glass of champagne for the person who wasn't there, then asked for the bill.</p>Bye Ma....
<p>Not exactly a waiter, but I was working at a bar a few years back and there often was this girl (in her early twenties maybe) who sometimes used to meet her mother at the bar (maybe about every 2 or 3 months).</p><p>The thing is, more often than not the mother either came extremely late (1 or 2 hours at least) to didn't came at all. When she came, there often was a huge tension between the two. It was obvious that they had some unresolved issues.</p>So it's a No?
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQ0NDgxNS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNjgxMzY4NH0.nC7NsFGT6z-5U8MUODofgdTa_FebdYYaS_jvM_eZbRA/img.gif?width=980" id="35772" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fae699d886e57fbd0566d29311886710" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="480" />Sorry Dog GIF by swerkGiphy<p>Guy was dressed really nice. Says his date should be there soon and goes ahead and is seated. </p>into crack town....
<p>This gentleman in his mid forties came to my restaurant frequently and would not order his drink until "his wife got there." He would wait for a few minutes, then pull out a framed picture of a woman, set it on the table, and proceed to order his food and drink. He would talk to the framed picture and have dinner with "her" about once a week. </p>14 is an unlucky #...
<p>We had a 21st birthday party booked for 20, the family showed up early with a few friends. They had a few drinks and let the staff know some of the party were running late. Half an hour in, when the late people were supposed to arrive, two friends left.</p><p>An hour went by and the birthday group ordered. </p>"Honey, it is going to be okay."Β
<p>A few years ago, I took myself to a movie and dinner. It was the weekend before Valentine's day. At the time I had a warehouse gig and that day my step counter was at 7.9 km. Being exhausted, I just sort of plopped down. Ordered quietly, sipped a beer, and derped around on my phone. </p>She Gone
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM4OTcyNS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxOTU1NDU5OX0.u5DNuV6YNLg7r-VEcM30EwMwxQHCWlZjevA2Z3O2uvg/img.gif?width=980" id="95474" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0f7d4dffeac2003dd3c10d791e0bc966" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Angel's GlowGiphy<p>I had a regular who would always come in with his wife. One day he sat in my section and I noticed his wife wasn't with him. I asked "where's your wife today" he replied "she's in heaven waiting for me". Immediately I died inside πππππ₯Ί </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/iy78cn/waiters_whats_the_saddest_im_waiting_for_someone/g6bk1zy?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">caramel_principessa</a></p>The good thing about the 21st Century? Options.
There are options everywhere. For food, there are options to the point that if you don't want to go somewhere, you're under no obligation.
But also in this capitalist 21st century, our business is valuable. And if we share the reasons why we don't eat at certain places, we may persuade a ton of people away from that place too.
Lesson Well LEarned
<p>Chili's. I went a few years ago with my mom and made the horrible decision to get a side of chili lime rice. I ate maybe three bites because it didn't taste good. Those three bites didn't seem to get along well with my body AT ALL. Unfortunately, Chili's was the first stop before hitting the store to do our weekly grocery shopping. At the store, I had to make a run for the bathroom twice. After we finally checked out, my mom made a suggestion that maybe I should make another stop there before we drove home since it would take at least 20 minutes. I declined even though my stomach was turning, thinking I could make it home (and would rather use that toilet than a public one). BIG MISTAKE.</p><p>About five minutes into the drive home, I realized that I needed to get to a toilet or I would ruin my mom's car forever. After telling her this, she tells me there's nowhere to stop yet since we were in a residential area. I ask if we can stop at a family friend's house which is close by, and she agrees. She tells me to give them a call so they can unlock the door and save me a few seconds. I explain to her that if I move to grab my phone from my pocket, her car interior would be ruined. The five minute drive there feels like forever and I'm clenching my butt for dear life. </p>Germy Germy Germy
<p>Any self serve buffet. Kids are nasty and not all parents watch their kids. Saw a kid lick a serving spoon and put it back. Glad I caught it but imagine how often it isn't caught.</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/ShadowShot05/" target="_blank">ShadowShot05</a></p>When Seafood Attacks
<p>Seven or eight years ago, I was at a big medical trade show in Anaheim, CA and after a day of hanging out in the vendor booth, I decided to have dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp. About 4 or 5 hours after eating there, I came down with the nastiest case of food poisoning I have ever experienced. Alone in a hotel room after hours of throwing up, I called an ambulance, which I couldn't afford but was desperate for help. The doctor at the hospital thought shellfish fit the profile. For some reason can still eat shrimp, but never again at Bubba Gump.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/thesilentcreator/" target="_blank">thesilentcreator</a></p>Two Against Chili's
<p>My Dad placed a family boycott on Chili's because they had terrible service once and refused our never used gift cards</p><p>About 15 or so years later my dad was forced into going to Chili's while on a business trip and put an end to the boycott. Then he spilled ketchup on his pants and announced the boycott was back on.</p><p>In my 22 years I think I've been to Chili's 3 times, and there is one down the road from me.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/potatochild3/" target="_blank">potatochild3</a></p>Litmus Test
<p>Golden Coral. We've got a family joke where if someone recommends a restaurant we wait until later in the conversation and ask if they like Golden Coral. If they say yes we never try the place they recommended</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/hobslan1/" target="_blank">hobslan1</a></p>A Front
<p>There is a local Mediterranean all-you-can-eat place that I have never eaten at, and refuse to try, but not for the reason you probably think. It was in a weirdly dingy, broken-down building that never has anybody parked out front and has almost never had anybody in it. This place is surrounded on all sides by significantly nicer restaurants and businesses, which just makes it stand out even more.</p><p>Here's the real kicker for why I don't go in: this place is near where I work so I have literally seen it every day. In the seven years I've known of its existence, almost every restaurant around it has folded and gone out of business at least once before coming back as something else. Yet this place has somehow survived despite having no obvious signs of doing business; I believe it's a money laundering front. My suspicions have doubled since last year when the building they were in got a suddenly an upgrade and renovated the building to be much nicer than every building around it; again, this is at a place where I think I have maybe seen a dozen people parked outside of, ever.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Dalstrong_Shadow/" target="_blank">Dalstrong_Shadow</a></p>C'mon, Denny's!!!
<p>Not any in particular, but there was one case worthy of bringing up. Was on the road from the airport to our lodgings in Jacksonville area. Wife wanted to eat, so we saw a Denny's and stopped. I went into the bathroom to freshen up. While doing my business, I noticed the 2 stalls were occupied. No big deal, I finish up just as the one guy leaves. In the mirror I see him. With a cook's apron on. Didn't stop to wash his hands. I got out and immediately got my wife to leave with me.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/zoinks690/" target="_blank">zoinks690</a></p>Revenge
<p>My dad refuses to eat at Papa Murphy's because when I was in high school I applied there, had an interview, and was told I was hired and that they would contact me with starting info, then never contacted me.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Atalung/" target="_blank">Atalung</a></p>Upsetting Non-Conformity
<p>Applebee's. My grandparents used to force our whole family to go there at ever family get together. It's just over priced tv dinners. Half the menu isn't even edible, a quesadilla burger makes no sense, you can't even hold it!</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/bon_john_bovi/" target="_blank">bon_john_bovi</a></p>Capitalist Jerks
<p>Tim Hortons. Every single time I went it was a letdown. The food quality has been declining for <em>years</em> and their coffee tastes like it's been pumped right out of the sewers.</p><p>Also, they treat their employees like absolute bunk and their franchise owners have been known to throw childish tantrums over the slightest wage increases.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/shabadabadabada/" target="_blank">shabadabadabada</a></p>Former NFL Player Keeps Leaving Enormous Tips For Restaurant Servers With A Personalized Note About Why
Keep an eye out for who you're serving because you might just get the tip of a lifetime. Former NFL player Chad Johnson, also known as Ochocinco, has been sharing pictures of the tips he's leaving at restaurants when he goes out to eat.
And let's just call them "generous."
Waiting tables can be arduous work. It can also be rather rewarding, provided your customers tip decently (but that's another story we'll probably reserve for a different article).
One of the toughest parts about being a waiter: Customers who are so particular that taking their orders becomes an exercise in patience.
Today's burning question comes from Redditor Braumsisdabomb, who asked: "Waiters and waitresses of Reddit, what's the most convoluted order you've ever taken?"
Brace yourselves, people.