The Family From Hell

April 3, 2009

in Diner Stories

I was working at a not that great $15 plate chain restaurant one evening. The restaurant closed at midnight. I was pretty busy up until midnight and did not have time to do my cleanup and side chores that all chain restaurants require of servants. Just as I was about to begin my duties, at 11:55, a family walked in – a mom and dad with three kids roughly aged 12,10, and 6. After taking their original order (our kitchen stays open until all the guests are gone), I asked them where they are coming from, as it was awfully late at night for kids to be up. Their mom replied, “The bar.”

After each kid drank roughly 13 glasses of sugary Hi-C and the parents drank a few beers and a few shots, their food arrived. Immediately they ordered 4 more appetizers and 7 more meals. I obliged them because my manager made me. By this time I was sweeping up the restaurant. The little kids were running around the restaurant pretending to be airplanes, ran into my dustpan tipping over 15 minutes of work, and ran into me making me drop my 4 other beers they ordered. I could go on.

At the end of their meal, it was 2:20 in the morning (closed at midnight), the dad came up to me with a grin on his face as the family was departing, told me thanks, and handed me personally some money. It was 11 cents. As he walked out I nearly lost my cool and chucked an empty bottle of beer at him, but instead threw it at the kitchen so he couldn’t see it smash. I hope his children slept well that night.

{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

April April 3, 2009 at 8:49 pm

Worst incident (minus ones involving food poisoning) posted on here. My condolences, I would have probably thrown something very large at them.

Reply

chrisdanger April 5, 2009 at 4:55 am

I tell ya man, I have no sympathy for the small-tippers. As someone who worked a food service job (delivery) when I was younger, you get used to those tips to help pay for everything. I think people today need to educated in the proper are of tipping, or face the consequences.

Reply

Hugh April 6, 2009 at 8:27 am

Usually a small tip, especially handed to you, means you did a poor job. We can tell by your post that you resented them being there that late, and judges them by the fact that they and their kids were up so late. I'm pretty sure that came through in your service as well.

I worked as a waiter, and I had people forget tips, or tip a small amount, but 11 cents??? No one thinks that is a reasonable tip for a sit down restaurant. You were being told that you did a bad job. You were being judged, just as you were judging. Hopefully you learned the lesson.

Reply

Ace November 29, 2016 at 3:33 am

Unfortunately, more often than not, that's not the true reason for a small tip. There are millions of shitty people out there, and nearly all of them go to a restaurant once in a while. Perhaps that family realized they've already spent too much money on food and drinks and decided to "save on the server" (a classic white trash move), or perhaps they "didn't believe in tipping". It is even remotely possible that while they intended to tip, in their drunken stupor they forgot to actually put a few extra bills on the table. Who knows?

Reply

The author April 8, 2009 at 1:12 pm

Hugh, while you may be correct, I would doubt it. the family wrote the restuarant an email the next week "praising" my service. The old verbal tip in place. While it is possible they were being sarcastic, I do not think someone would go to all that trouble. But maybe. Thanks

Reply

Hugh April 9, 2009 at 2:46 am

Author…surprising you didn't mention that in the post, only when challenged. I'm throwing the BS card…I doubt it, just doesn't pass the smell test.

Reply

UPS+USA February 18, 2018 at 6:39 pm

Hugh, just because you didn't mention something doesn't mean you're lying

Reply

author April 12, 2009 at 2:04 pm

That is okay Hugh. I do not care. I didn't mention it because it is not part of the actual story. It happened later. Anyway, believe it or not. And I hope that it inspires others to think more positively about their experiences. I know that when I am having a bad day the story gives me hope- much like clowns. My life might be bad right now, but it could be worse. I could be a clown. Even if you think it is a fairy tale you can still use it in your life. Peace and harmony, author

Reply

Hugh April 13, 2009 at 5:07 am

Umm, ok author. What color is the sky in YOUR world??

Reply

luxpink January 7, 2010 at 9:21 am

hey, have you ever heard the phrase "let it go?"

seriously troll, let it go. its just a post on a website. no reason to get the sand all in your vag dude.

Reply

TrollAlert February 18, 2018 at 6:40 pm

Troll alert! Troll alert!

Reply

Overhead Bin Blues L May 1, 2009 at 1:47 pm

You could have reported them to Children's & Family Services Dept.. in your state.

Reply

Hugh is an idiot July 27, 2009 at 9:10 am

Hugh is an idiot.

Reply

poco September 21, 2009 at 2:25 pm

Not only is Hugh an idiot, he's a self satisfied troll. He acts the same way over on flightsfromhell

Reply

Max October 24, 2009 at 12:32 am

Hughes isn't an idiot, perhaps just a bit to judgmental.

Reply

Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *




Previous post:

Next post: