When a family stiffed us on an $850 restaurant bill, I was crushed. But with my manager’s brilliant plan and an unexpected ally, we pulled off a stunning comeback they never saw coming.
If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, you’ve likely encountered your fair share of difficult customers. But this family was in a class of their own.
It all began on what I thought would be an ordinary Friday night.
The restaurant was bustling. I was already swamped, trying to attend to three tables when they walked in: Mr. Thompson, a loud, broad – shouldered man oozing entitlement, his wife in a floral dress that probably cost more than my car, and their two teenage kids, glued to their phones, not even bothering to look up.
The moment they entered, he barked, “We want the best window table. Make sure it’s quiet. And bring extra cushions. My wife deserves comfort in these god – awful chairs.”
I hesitated, casting a quick glance at the reservations list. The window table had just been prepped for the next guests.
“Of course,” I said, forcing a smile, already gearing up to bend over backward to accommodate them. After hauling over cushions and rearranging things, I led them to their seats, praying that was the worst of it.
But the complaints started even before they opened the menus.
Mrs. Thompson let out a loud sniff. “Why is it so dim in here? Do they expect us to use flashlights to see our food?”
I quickly switched on the small light at their table and said, “Is this better? Our ambiance is designed to – “
She cut me off. “Ambiance? Don’t be absurd. Just make sure my drinking glass is spotless. I don’t want lipstick marks from some random person.”
I bit my tongue and fetched her drink while Mr. Thompson grumbled about the menu being too limited. “What kind of place doesn’t serve lobster bisque on a Friday night?” he demanded, practically glaring at me.