You won't believe the ‘rude’ surprise a couple left this waitress after dining out

Being hospitable and friendly is vital when it comes to customer service.

It’s a way to build relationships with those who purchase your products or services and make them feel welcome, appreciated and acknowledged as a person.

Some of us may even recall situations when a simple kind word from a shop assistant made all the difference for us.


But, as sad as it is, not everyone responds equally to well-meant gestures.

Sometimes, it can be quite off-putting and even inadvertently offensive if the situation isn’t interpreted correctly. It could even lead to disastrous consequences as one waitress recently learned.

One waitress shared her story on social media, after a couple left her a $32.76 bill—and a very unusual 'tip'.


SDC Images (12).png
One waitress received an ‘unorthodox’ tip from her customer. Image source: Imgur.


As is customary in the southern parts of the US, where this story took place, people can be addressed in different ways, like ‘baby’, ‘sugar’, and ‘sweetheart’.

When the woman returned to find out whether the couple had enjoyed their meal, the wife took a moment (and a place at the tip) to leave her a stern message.

'Don't call my husband sweetheart', it said, hinting at jealousy from the wife.

Social media users weighed in on the situation, calling the wife 'rude and insecure' and rallying in support of the waitress, many of whom shared their own experiences of being called 'sweetheart' or similar terms by staff members, which is a regular occurrence in the common language of the service industry.


'In the southern US, everyone is called honey, sweetie, sweetheart and my personal favourite “sugar”,' one said.

While another added: 'You know how many times I've been called “hon” or “sweetie”, or “sweetheart” by a waitress?'

However, some people suggested there could be a backstory to the couple's exchange that the waitress wasn't aware of—with a possibly hostile moment between the couple going overlooked.


But not all is doom and gloom for waitstaff.

In another similar situation back home, despite how thankless the job of being a waitress can be, all that hard work can pay off big time–especially through the monetary tips generous customers give!

This is exactly what happened to a student and waitress named Lauren, who was tending to a customer’s table at Gilson in Melbourne’s South Yarra, a trendy Italian restaurant frequented by social media influencers, models, and reality TV stars.

The group she was serving was so impressed with her service that they offered a huge tip of $10,000 when they finished their meals. However, Lauren wasn’t even sure if she was allowed to accept it.

You can read more about this story in the article we wrote.

Key Takeaways

  • A waitress received a 'tip' from a customer scolding her for calling her husband 'sweetheart'.
  • The note was shared on social media, leading to widespread criticism of the customer for her rudeness and insecurity.
  • Many social media users came to the waitress's defence, noting that terms of endearment like 'sweetheart' are common in service interactions.
  • Some commenters suggested that there may be a backstory the waitress wasn't aware of involved in the exchange.
Have you ever been called by pet names by a service worker? What’s the funniest pet name you’ve ever heard? Share them with us in the comments below!
 
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I think the person who wrote the note needs to eat at home and chain her husband to the dining table.
How ridiculous.
I am one of those old biddies who calls people different names out of sheer habit. Like "thank you darl" or "have a good day darl". Its not as if I am invoking erotic thoughts.
I reckon it was just a skinflint's way of avoid paying a tip.
 
I think the person who wrote the note needs to eat at home and chain her husband to the dining table.
How ridiculous.
I am one of those old biddies who calls people different names out of sheer habit. Like "thank you darl" or "have a good day darl". Its not as if I am invoking erotic thoughts.
I reckon it was just a skinflint's way of avoid paying a tip.
I cringe when people call me darl reminds me of Irene on home and away🙀
 
Being hospitable and friendly is vital when it comes to customer service.

It’s a way to build relationships with those who purchase your products or services and make them feel welcome, appreciated and acknowledged as a person.

Some of us may even recall situations when a simple kind word from a shop assistant made all the difference for us.


But, as sad as it is, not everyone responds equally to well-meant gestures.

Sometimes, it can be quite off-putting and even inadvertently offensive if the situation isn’t interpreted correctly. It could even lead to disastrous consequences as one waitress recently learned.

One waitress shared her story on social media, after a couple left her a $32.76 bill—and a very unusual 'tip'.


View attachment 29274
One waitress received an ‘unorthodox’ tip from her customer. Image source: Imgur.


As is customary in the southern parts of the US, where this story took place, people can be addressed in different ways, like ‘baby’, ‘sugar’, and ‘sweetheart’.

When the woman returned to find out whether the couple had enjoyed their meal, the wife took a moment (and a place at the tip) to leave her a stern message.

'Don't call my husband sweetheart', it said, hinting at jealousy from the wife.

Social media users weighed in on the situation, calling the wife 'rude and insecure' and rallying in support of the waitress, many of whom shared their own experiences of being called 'sweetheart' or similar terms by staff members, which is a regular occurrence in the common language of the service industry.


'In the southern US, everyone is called honey, sweetie, sweetheart and my personal favourite “sugar”,' one said.

While another added: 'You know how many times I've been called “hon” or “sweetie”, or “sweetheart” by a waitress?'

However, some people suggested there could be a backstory to the couple's exchange that the waitress wasn't aware of—with a possibly hostile moment between the couple going overlooked.


But not all is doom and gloom for waitstaff.

In another similar situation back home, despite how thankless the job of being a waitress can be, all that hard work can pay off big time–especially through the monetary tips generous customers give!

This is exactly what happened to a student and waitress named Lauren, who was tending to a customer’s table at Gilson in Melbourne’s South Yarra, a trendy Italian restaurant frequented by social media influencers, models, and reality TV stars.

The group she was serving was so impressed with her service that they offered a huge tip of $10,000 when they finished their meals. However, Lauren wasn’t even sure if she was allowed to accept it.

You can read more about this story in the article we wrote.

Key Takeaways

  • A waitress received a 'tip' from a customer scolding her for calling her husband 'sweetheart'.
  • The note was shared on social media, leading to widespread criticism of the customer for her rudeness and insecurity.
  • Many social media users came to the waitress's defence, noting that terms of endearment like 'sweetheart' are common in service interactions.
  • Some commenters suggested that there may be a backstory the waitress wasn't aware of involved in the exchange.
Have you ever been called by pet names by a service worker? What’s the funniest pet name you’ve ever heard? Share them with us in the comments below!
Any sort of behaviour can be expected in USA, but in Australia it is the norm for people to refer to client's as "love" or "darling" or some such. Not many find it offensive, but, as in USA, there will be circumstances when such terms of endearment will be regarded by the client as outside the ambit of normal commercial interaction. I admire the wit of the wife involved in leaving her message as a "tip" in lieu of extra remuneration, in what is a money based industry.
 
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I was in a relationship with a Spanish girl who would tolerate being called anything and almost everything. Sl*t, whore, c**t, pig, moll, tart, puta (Spanish for whore or prostitute) etc, she would cop it.

Except....

....bitch. If you called her that, RUN! I've got the scars to prove it.
 
I tend to call most female service assistants, shop keepers etc "Love"
guess until now I wasnt really conscious of it.
I mean no disrespect tho
My sister calls everyone lovey so does my ex sister In law🤮
 

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