You won’t believe the shocking message these elderly women found on their restaurant bill in New York
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Dining out is meant to be a treat—a chance to catch up with friends, enjoy a good meal, and maybe even indulge in a bit of nostalgia. But for a group of seven senior women in upstate New York, what should have been a pleasant lunch turned into a jaw-dropping experience that’s left people around the world shaking their heads.
The group, regulars at Deacon Blues Restaurant in Watervliet (just outside Albany), were left stunned when their bill arrived with a truly appalling note printed right on the receipt. Instead of a friendly 'Table 7' or 'Ladies’ Lunch,' the server had labelled their table as 'Old B****es.' Yes, you read that correctly—printed in black and white for all to see.
The incident came to light when Keira L. DiNuzzo, a relative of one of the women (her 87-year-old grandmother, affectionately known as Mimi), shared the shocking story and a photo of the receipt on Facebook. 'My 87-year-old Mimi and her friends went to Deacon Blues for lunch—a place they’ve been to many times. But this time, they were completely disrespected,' Keira wrote. 'When the bill came, the receipt labelled their table as ‘Old b****es.’ Yes, that was printed right on the receipt.'
But the disrespect didn’t start or end there. According to Keira, the group’s troubles began as soon as they arrived. The server reportedly snapped at them for not having their full party present, responding curtly when they explained that some friends couldn’t make it: 'Well, it would be nice to let me know in the future.' Throughout the meal, the women said the waitress was rude, even when they pointed out something floating in one of their waters.
'There’s no excuse for this kind of disrespect and unprofessionalism. Deacon Blues, you owe them an apology,' Keira demanded in her post.
The story quickly gained traction online, with social media users expressing outrage and disappointment. Comments poured in, with people calling the incident 'horrible,' 'inexcusable,' and 'appalling.' Many pointed out that no one—especially loyal, elderly customers—deserves to be treated this way.
The restaurant’s owners, clearly mortified, responded publicly. Helen Wilkinson, one of the owners, posted an apology: 'We at Deacon Blues profusely apologise for the actions of our employees. Please do not think we condone this behaviour toward our customers. Our customer base consists of many loyal senior customers who have made our business grow and have the utmost respect for them.' She added that the restaurant has been in business for over 46 years, with many customers returning for decades.
Despite the apology, Keira and others felt it fell short. She noted that the statement 'lacks real accountability,' pointing out there was no mention of consequences for the employee, no indication of corrective training, and—most importantly—no effort to make things right with the women who were directly disrespected.
To make matters worse, Keira shared screenshots from other customers who claimed to have had similar negative experiences at Deacon Blues, suggesting this may not have been an isolated incident.
In response to the growing backlash, the restaurant issued another statement, saying the owners were on vacation but were 'genuinely mortified' and would take 'appropriate actions' upon their return. Meanwhile, the restaurant’s Facebook reviews were hidden from public view.
Why Respect Matters—Especially for Seniors
This story has struck a nerve for many, and it’s not hard to see why. Seniors are the backbone of our communities, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect—whether they’re at home, in public, or out enjoying a meal. Incidents like this highlight the importance of age-friendly service and the need for businesses to train their staff in empathy and professionalism.
It’s also a reminder that, as customers, we have the right to expect decent treatment. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation—whether it’s a rude comment, poor service, or something more serious—don’t hesitate to speak up. Most reputable businesses will want to make things right, and your feedback can help ensure better experiences for everyone.
We know many of our Seniors Discount Club members love a good meal out—whether it’s a local café, a pub lunch, or a special occasion at a favourite restaurant. Have you ever experienced rudeness or disrespect because of your age? How did you handle it? Did the business do it right? We’d love to hear your stories—good or bad—in the comments below.
Read more: 'Unacceptable and disgusting': Customer finds rat in salad at popular restaurant
The group, regulars at Deacon Blues Restaurant in Watervliet (just outside Albany), were left stunned when their bill arrived with a truly appalling note printed right on the receipt. Instead of a friendly 'Table 7' or 'Ladies’ Lunch,' the server had labelled their table as 'Old B****es.' Yes, you read that correctly—printed in black and white for all to see.
The incident came to light when Keira L. DiNuzzo, a relative of one of the women (her 87-year-old grandmother, affectionately known as Mimi), shared the shocking story and a photo of the receipt on Facebook. 'My 87-year-old Mimi and her friends went to Deacon Blues for lunch—a place they’ve been to many times. But this time, they were completely disrespected,' Keira wrote. 'When the bill came, the receipt labelled their table as ‘Old b****es.’ Yes, that was printed right on the receipt.'
Elderly women at a New York restaurant find their table labelled 'Old B******' on the bill, sparking outrage. Credit: Facebook
But the disrespect didn’t start or end there. According to Keira, the group’s troubles began as soon as they arrived. The server reportedly snapped at them for not having their full party present, responding curtly when they explained that some friends couldn’t make it: 'Well, it would be nice to let me know in the future.' Throughout the meal, the women said the waitress was rude, even when they pointed out something floating in one of their waters.
'There’s no excuse for this kind of disrespect and unprofessionalism. Deacon Blues, you owe them an apology,' Keira demanded in her post.
The story quickly gained traction online, with social media users expressing outrage and disappointment. Comments poured in, with people calling the incident 'horrible,' 'inexcusable,' and 'appalling.' Many pointed out that no one—especially loyal, elderly customers—deserves to be treated this way.
The restaurant’s owners, clearly mortified, responded publicly. Helen Wilkinson, one of the owners, posted an apology: 'We at Deacon Blues profusely apologise for the actions of our employees. Please do not think we condone this behaviour toward our customers. Our customer base consists of many loyal senior customers who have made our business grow and have the utmost respect for them.' She added that the restaurant has been in business for over 46 years, with many customers returning for decades.
Despite the apology, Keira and others felt it fell short. She noted that the statement 'lacks real accountability,' pointing out there was no mention of consequences for the employee, no indication of corrective training, and—most importantly—no effort to make things right with the women who were directly disrespected.
To make matters worse, Keira shared screenshots from other customers who claimed to have had similar negative experiences at Deacon Blues, suggesting this may not have been an isolated incident.
In response to the growing backlash, the restaurant issued another statement, saying the owners were on vacation but were 'genuinely mortified' and would take 'appropriate actions' upon their return. Meanwhile, the restaurant’s Facebook reviews were hidden from public view.
Why Respect Matters—Especially for Seniors
This story has struck a nerve for many, and it’s not hard to see why. Seniors are the backbone of our communities, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect—whether they’re at home, in public, or out enjoying a meal. Incidents like this highlight the importance of age-friendly service and the need for businesses to train their staff in empathy and professionalism.
It’s also a reminder that, as customers, we have the right to expect decent treatment. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation—whether it’s a rude comment, poor service, or something more serious—don’t hesitate to speak up. Most reputable businesses will want to make things right, and your feedback can help ensure better experiences for everyone.
Read more: 'Unacceptable and disgusting': Customer finds rat in salad at popular restaurant
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