Working in customer service can be challenging, especially when faced with difficult and rude customers. It feels like they’re taking out all their personal problems on you. And then there are those who think they are entitled and make it hard for others to enjoy their meals. This was exactly the case at a restaurant when a man and his kids were causing chaos. But thankfully, someone stepped in to make things right.
The restaurant was in chaos as a father and his five kids tore through the place. They were being loud, ripping napkins, and creating a complete mess. As a waitress, I had to approach the father and ask him to control his kids as they were disturbing other customers.
Me: “Sir, I’m kindly asking you to please tell your kids to stop this behavior. It’s really causing a disruption for the other customers.”
Father: smiling “No.”
I was taken aback by his response. It seemed like he had no intentions of stopping his kids from misbehaving. I had to return to work, hoping that things would settle down. But the kids continued to create havoc, causing several customers to complain. Unfortunately, I had no authority to throw them out. Finally, a table of eight young guys approached me.
Customer 1: “Is there really nothing you can do about them?”
Me: “I apologize for the inconvenience, but no, there’s nothing I can do. However, I can offer you a drink on the house to make up for it.”
Customer 2: “That won’t solve the problem.”
Me: “I understand. Let me see if I can get you a complimentary dessert…”
Customer 2: “That’s not what we meant. Can’t you find your boss?”
Me: “I’m afraid my boss is not here at the moment, sir.”
Customer 1: “Well, we don’t want any freebies. And we won’t let you take the blame for it either.”
Customer 3: “Hold on…”
One of the customers stood up and the others quickly joined him. They made their way over to the unruly table. Now, the father and his kids were surrounded by eight tall, intimidating men who looked incredibly upset.
Customer 3, to the father: “Tell them to stop it.”
Father: still smiling “No.”
Customer 1: “You’re upsetting the waitress.”
Father: “Who are you guys anyway? Do you even work here?”
Customer 1: “No, we’re from the prison up the street. We’re out on parole. It’s quite a coincidence, isn’t it? We all served seven years for kidnapping and murdering a bunch of noisy brats and a jerk who made minimum-wage waitresses cry.”
The kids immediately fell silent, and the rest of the patrons started giggling while staring at the father. He started to doubt their credibility.
Father: “You’re lying.”
Customer 4: “Wanna take that chance, buddy?”
With one more smug grin, the whole gang of misfits scurried towards the exit. The other diners erupted into applause, grateful for the intervention. As a token of appreciation, I treated my knights in shining armor to a free meal.
Sometimes, when dealing with difficult customers, it takes a group of unexpected heroes to step in and restore peace. And in this case, they not only saved the day but also brought some entertainment to the restaurant.
