Working in the restaurant industry means you’re no stranger to demanding customers. But one family’s outrageous behavior during a busy Friday night pushed the limits of even my patience—and ended up leading to a turn of events none of us could have predicted.
The Night It All Began
The evening started like any other, with the restaurant buzzing with chatter and the clinking of glasses. I was already juggling three tables when the Thompsons walked in. Mr. Thompson, a broad-shouldered man with an air of entitlement, led the way. His wife, dressed in a floral outfit that screamed high-end fashion, followed close behind, along with their two teenage kids who barely glanced up from their phones.
“We want the best table by the window,” Mr. Thompson barked. “And make sure it’s quiet. My wife deserves to be comfortable—bring extra cushions.”
Though the table had been prepped for the next reservation, I forced a polite smile and said, “Of course, right away.” After scrambling to adjust everything, I seated them, hoping this would satisfy their demands.
It didn’t.
The complaints started immediately. Mrs. Thompson grumbled about the lighting, insisting it was “too dim” despite the soft, ambient glow. Mr. Thompson demanded lobster bisque—something we’d never offered—and the kids were glued to their phones, ignoring my attempts to take their order.
Throughout their meal, they returned dishes for trivial reasons, snapped their fingers for service, and treated me as if I were invisible. By the time dessert was cleared, I was emotionally drained. Finally, I approached their table with the bill, relieved that they’d soon be leaving.
But they were gone.
In their place was a napkin with a scrawled note: Terrible service. The waitress will pay for our tab.
I stared at the note in disbelief. Their total? $850. My hands trembled as I picked it up, nausea creeping in. How could anyone be so cruel?
The Manager’s Plan
Shakily, I brought the napkin to Mr. Caruso, our manager. As I explained what happened, he read the note and surprised me with a chuckle.
“This is perfect,” he said, a sly smile forming on his face.
“Perfect?” I asked, baffled. “How?”
“It’s an opportunity,” he said, his eyes gleaming with determination. “We’ll make this right—and get some great PR while we’re at it.”
Continue reading on next page…