Fired for Humanity: How One Host’s “Abandoning Post” Led to the Most Satisfying Petty Revenge

Cinematic image of a young waiter reflecting on a summer job experience and workplace challenges.
In this cinematic moment, a young waiter contemplates the challenges of juggling summer jobs while pursuing his college dreams. This story explores the unexpected lessons learned from a workplace incident that shaped his perspective.

Let’s be honest: the service industry is not for the faint of heart. Between impossible customers, endless shifts, and questionable management, anyone who’s survived restaurant life deserves a medal—or at least a stiff drink. But sometimes, in the midst of chaos and clanging plates, comes a story so satisfying, it deserves to be toasted. Today, we’re serving up a tale of petty revenge, bad management, and the kind of exit that makes you want to stand up and applaud.

Picture this: you’re a 20-year-old college student, hustling through summer with two jobs to stack up tuition money. One gig is great, but you take on a second job as a host at a restaurant we’ll call “Sapphire Wednesdays.” Spoiler alert: it’s a train wreck run by a manager whose idea of professionalism involves cracking open a cold one at 2pm—during your interview. Buckle up, because this story is about to take you on a wild ride.

From Good Samaritan to “Abandoning Post”

Our hero, Reddit user u/Clayith13, knew from day one that Sapphire Wednesdays was mismanaged. But hosting? Easy money. Seat guests, sweep floors, smile—standard stuff for anyone with a few years of restaurant experience.

Then, one slow afternoon, real life crashed—literally—into the workday. A car was sideswiped by a semi and slammed into a telephone pole right outside the restaurant. Without hesitation, u/Clayith13 did what any decent human would: told a server to call 911 and sprinted outside to help. Luckily, everyone was fine, and other bystanders had already jumped in. Our host returned to the restaurant, probably feeling a mix of adrenaline and relief.

Enter the manager. Instead of a thank you for checking on the accident, he’s standing at the empty host stand, arms crossed, asking, “Where did you go?” When told about the emergency, the manager’s response? “Why did you feel the need to do that?” (Insert eye roll here.)

Apparently, humanity is not on the menu at Sapphire Wednesdays. The manager then writes up our protagonist for “abandoning post.” Not only that, but he warns, “One more write up within your first month means you’ll be fired.” Talk about missing the forest for the trees.

The Sweet Taste of Petty Revenge

Now, most people would stew in anger or just quit on the spot. But not our host. After a laughter-filled chat with his dad (who, frankly, sounds awesome), a plan was hatched: instead of quitting, why not get fired on his own terms?

On the next shift—Friday night dinner rush, the busiest time—u/Clayith13 shows up an hour late. The manager is forced to leave his office and actually work, presumably sweating bullets and cursing under his breath. When our host finally strolls in, the manager loses it, berating him in front of a packed restaurant.

The moment of truth arrives: “Am I going to be written up for this?” he asks. Manager: “You bet your ass you’re getting written up!!”

Cue the mic drop: “OH NO, I guess I’m fired then! See ya!”

And just like that, with the crowd watching, he walks out—straight home to celebrate with whiskey and a victory cigar with Dad on the back porch. Exit stage left, dignity intact.

What Can We Learn from This Five-Star Walkout?

There’s a reason this story racked up thousands of upvotes on Reddit: it’s the ultimate underdog moment. Who hasn’t dreamed of telling off a bad boss and walking out on your own terms? But beyond the schadenfreude, there are a few takeaways:

  • Management Matters: If your leadership skills are on par with a soggy napkin, expect high turnover—and some creative revenge.
  • Doing the Right Thing Shouldn’t Be Punished: Stepping up in an emergency shouldn’t be a fireable offense. Empathy > rules, every time.
  • Petty Revenge Can Be Sweet (in Moderation): Sometimes, the best way to stick it to a toxic workplace is to give them exactly what they asked for.

So, whether you’re slinging plates, riding the cubicle carousel, or just enjoying a vicarious thrill, let this story serve as a reminder: never let a bad boss kill your humanity—or your sense of humor.

Have you ever had a manager who missed the point spectacularly? Or pulled off your own epic exit? Share your stories in the comments below! And if you’re reading this during your restaurant shift… hang in there. Your own petty revenge might be just around the corner.

Inspired by u/Clayith13’s story on r/PettyRevenge. Read the original post here.

Original Reddit Post: I was written up for 'abandoning post'