When the Waiter Serves Attitude: One Family’s Petty Revenge and a Reddit Rumble
Have you ever sat down for a cozy coffee with your family, only to be served a tall glass of attitude instead of an espresso shot? One Redditor, u/aballofunicorns, recently recounted such an experience that left a bitter aftertaste—so much so, it sparked a petty, but oh-so-satisfying, act of revenge. And when they shared their tale on r/PettyRevenge, the internet brewed up a storm of opinions hotter than freshly steamed milk.
Our story begins with a simple outing: coffee and cake at a local café. But sometimes, the chill outside finds its way inside—right into the heart (and face) of your waiter.
If Looks Could Spill Coffee: The Rude Waiter Chronicles
According to u/aballofunicorns, the café scene was set for a sweet family moment, but their waiter seemed intent on souring it from the get-go. Eye rolls, snarky responses, and a suspicious shortage of brownies (despite a display case full of them) were just the appetizers. The main course? A side of condescension when their mom ordered warm water with lemon, with the waiter making the “lemon is extra” comment in a tone that suggested he doubted her ability to pay.
Let’s be clear: no one talks to mom like that. Not even if it’s minus five degrees and the espresso machine is on the fritz.
After enduring the chilly service, our hero faced the ultimate test: the "rate our waiter" survey on a big, bold iPad at the register. The verdict was swift and public—a big, sad frowny face and the words “bad service” announced loud enough for the waiter to hear. His face? Priceless. The walkout? Victorious.
Small revenge, maybe. But oh, the sweet taste of justice.
Reddit Reacts: Tipping, Service, and the Great Lemon Debate
The comments section, as always, delivered its own blend of wisdom and wit. High upvoted commenter u/Organic_Gas4197 reminded everyone, “Good time to remember tipping is optional,” sparking a cultural exchange when the original poster clarified, “It is totally optional in my country, wait staff is paid a full salary.” Cue the incredulity from Americans, with u/Sexy_Squid89 chiming in: “What is this fiction?”
This sparked a fascinating debate about tipping cultures. In some places, stellar service is expected regardless of gratuity because staff earn a living wage. As OP explained, “Wait staff is paid a full salary”—so no tip, no problem. But not everyone agreed that this model guarantees good service. As u/coldcanyon1633 grumbled, “And so they have zero incentive to give good service as can be seen in your post.”
But the crowd consensus? Bad service deserves a bad review, no matter where you are.
Petty Acts: Pennies, Half Dollars, and the Art of the Insult Tip
If you thought leaving a one-star rating was the height of pettiness, Reddit had stories that could make even the iciest waiter blush. U/Beowulf33232 shared, “The penny is more insulting than nothing. No tip can be brushed off as ‘Oh, they forgot,’ but being tipped a penny says, ‘I did this to you on purpose.’” One user recounted a college prank where four friends left a penny each and got chased out of the restaurant by a furious waitress. U/CoderJoe1 took it up a notch with the legendary half-a-dollar-bill tip—literal proof of dissatisfaction.
As the comments revealed, it’s not about being cheap; it’s about sending a message. If you’re going to serve up attitude, don’t expect a sweet tip—or even a whole dollar.
Empathy, Expectations, and the Customer Service Tightrope
Not all commenters were ready to grab pitchforks. Some, like u/ServeLiving, admitted, “If your life sucks and you can’t get out of your negative state of mind today, I can understand that to a degree. I’ll be rude to you too, but I won’t call for the manager or give bad reviews.” Meanwhile, seasoned retail worker u/kindlyfackoff offered a heartfelt reminder: “It doesn’t take much to smile and put in just a little effort.” Even while handling the stress of a spouse’s cancer treatment, this user shows up, does the job, and keeps it together—because, as they put it, “the customer doesn’t know that… I still smile and do my job well because I actually care.”
But as u/LisaCabot, a restaurant veteran, pointed out, there’s a difference between having a bad day and choosing to be rude. “Having an attitude and being rude is a choice,” she said, echoing the sentiment that basic decency should be the bare minimum—especially when you work with the public.
What’s the Real Takeaway?
So, was the bad review justified? Most Redditors agreed: absolutely. As u/MDjr1111 put it, “Perhaps the server was having a bad day, but the customer should not be penalized for that!” Some suggested calling a manager or walking out, but, as OP revealed, they stayed because they were “aching for an americano and that place was pet friendly.” Even petty revenge can be practical.
In the end, whether you’re a battle-hardened server or a caffeine-loving customer, one truth stands: customer service is a two-way street paved with empathy, patience, and—sometimes—petty justice.
Your Turn: Spill the (Coffee) Beans
Ever left a creative tip (or lack thereof) in response to bad service? Think tipping should be abolished, or is it a necessary incentive? Have you ever faced a “rate your waiter” screen with righteous fury? Share your stories, your pettiness, and your best (or worst) café tales in the comments below! After all, revenge is a dish best served… with coffee.
Original Reddit Post: Gave a bad review on a rude waiter today