A man and his wife went out for dinner, expecting a pleasant evening. But when his credit card was declined, the waitress responded with hostility—slapping the card down and saying “Declined” without explanation. Her tone was sharp, and when he offered another card, she questioned whether he’d still be there when she returned. He asked if she thought her behavior was appropriate, and she snapped, “You’re only a customer if you pay.”
He requested the manager, but she ignored the request. When the second card worked, she muttered a half-hearted “Sorry.” The bill came to $91.17. He tipped just 83 cents—out of principle. She protested, saying she had to tip out the bartender and busboy. He replied, “Then don’t be rude next time.”
His wife felt he was too harsh, suggesting the waitress may have been anxious due to past experiences. But he stood firm: “I don’t pay to be insulted.” He would’ve tipped $28.83 had she been respectful.
The story sparked a wave of Reddit responses. Many former servers agreed: manners are the one thing a server controls. Others shared similar experiences, emphasizing that declined cards should be handled with grace—not judgment. Some even suggested calling the restaurant to report her behavior.
Ultimately, the story raises a powerful question: Should kindness be a prerequisite for compensation in service roles?
