'I cracked up laughing. Instant fired:' Server gets fired after working in the customer's best interest over a hash browns order

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Feb 16, 2023 4:00 PM EST

Who knew hash browns could cause such a debacle? Seriously, I mean I like hash browns but I haven't quite heard of an instance where ordering it as part of a combo or as a separate side could lead to someone getting literally fired. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened in this scenario.

 

This thread was posted to Reddit's r/TalesFromYourServer subreddit by u/blscratch, who tried to advocate in the customer's best interest. However, this pissed off his manager, who clearly has an anger management issue. After setting the manager off, they started to slowly count out loud from one to ten, as if trying to avoid an outburst. This triggered instant laughter from the Redditor, which in turn triggered an instant dismissal. It sounds like these hash browns were cursed because it just went from one unfortunate encounter to another.

 

Keep scrolling below for the full anecdote. For more, here is a collection of bold and unpopular opinions.

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  • 01
    Organism - Fired over hash browns. Medium I was serving a two-top breakfast and the first guy ordered a combo breakfast that had two biscuits with gravy, an egg, bacon or sausage, and hash browns. I sorted all his preferences plus he stated to delete the hash browns, no problem.
    via Gabriel Gurrola
  • 02
    Font - Fired over hash browns. Medium I was serving a two-top breakfast and the first guy ordered a combo breakfast that had two biscuits with gravy, an egg, bacon or sausage, and hash browns. I sorted all his preferences plus he stated to delete the hash browns, no problem.
    via u/blscratch
  • 03
    Font - Guy number two ordered and included a request for a side of hash browns with his order. I could have just said all good and turned in the order but this was not a 5-star restaurant. This was a chain diner where working class people dine. So I suggested I could bring the first guys hash browns on the side and he could give them to his friend. Simple suggestion and they both liked the idea.
    via u/blscratch
  • 04
    Font - Here's where the problem started. My manager, who had enough trust in me that I had trained every waitress working there before moving on, pulled me aside and stated that a combo is a combo and any deletion cannot become another customer's side dish. I understood the concept but I still had to explain the change to my customer's.
    via u/blscratch
  • 05
    Font - So I went back to the table and said, "If I delete your hash browns, I can't bring them on a separate dish. Do you want the hash browns on your combo, or do you want a side of hash browns for the other order?" They both agreed to get the hash browns on the combo and to deal with it themselves.
    via u/blscratch
  • 06
    Font - I was pretty happy with myself because I had advocated for my customer and could move on. But when I got back to the prep area where my manager was, she was beyond angry.
    via u/blscratch
  • 07
    Font - I forget the exact exchange but she said something and I responded with my version of logic. But whatever I said sent her over the edge to where she couldn't talk. Instead she started counting very fast from 1-10, I think to avoid saying anything bad.
    via u/blscratch
  • 08
    Font - But when she started counting, I made my big mistake. I cracked up laughing. Instant fired. She called and hired me back a day later. Over 5 years there, I was either fired or quit several times but I did a good job and always had fun.
    via u/blscratch
  • 09
    Font - mztrthoughtbubble. 18 hr. ago i wouldn't work anywhere where a manager acts that way over something so minuscule. i also think you don't need to inform the customer how you'll execute their order. just operate in their best interest and keep it moving. no hate either way, just throwing my 2 cents in the ring. i hope everything is well now in any case! 132 Reply Share
    via u/blscratch
  • 10
    Font - blscratch OP 18 hr. ago You make a good point. I should have done that from the start. But after she said "charge them", I couldn't do that without letting the customer know.
    via u/blscratch
  • 11
    Font - magiccitybhm. 18 hr. ago Yeah, laughing was a mistake, but I think it would be difficult not to laugh based on that idiocy. How did she know about the original discussion with your table? Was she standing there and listening?
    via u/blscratch
  • 12
    Font - blscratch OP 16 hr. ago Ya that table was just outside the prep area.
    via u/blscratch
  • 13
    Font - dwyrm 18 hr. ago That sounds super-toxic. Glad you were able to treat the job with the appropriate amount of seriousness.
    via u/blscratch
  • 14
    Font - blscratch OP 11 hr. ago I was in high school. I became a waiter there because the busboy position was being eliminated. I told the manager I'd be a great server. So I became the only male server. I have plenty of fond memories.
    via u/blscratch
  • 15
    Font - Formal-Rate5175 - 4 hr. ago some people clearly do not belong in management
    via u/blscratch
  • 16
    Facial expression - VietnamWasATie - 2 hr. ago The counting is an anger management technique
    via u/blscratch

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customer service fired customers restaurant Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit fast food
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