'I don't want my server to have a sense of humor': Waitress faces online backlash for her jokey sense of humor with customers

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Oct 29, 2023 3:00 PM EDT

This waitress wanted to share a story about a family interaction at her job, but commenters took the customers' side! 

One waitress shared a story that she probably thought was so quirky and adorkable. At her waitressing job, she shared her sense of humor with customers, and these people didn't care for her jokey nature (except for the kids, whom the OP claims loved the silliness). 

The OP has a few memorably cringe lines that she routinely shares with her customers. If a waitress ever handed me water, and in the same breath told me about how it had "came out of the dinosaurs years ago. [It's] just filtered super well," I'd hesitate to eat there. What a weird thing to say about a fresh beverage! Perhaps one of the worst ways to make water sound appetizing is to remind the customer of how water filtration throughout history works. 

Maybe the coffee line is worse. It's classic Redditor humor, meaning it's an over-explained joke at the listener's expense. The OP calls coffee with milk "scalded bean juice and bovine drippings." That's the kind of joke you might tell once, watch as it falls flat in front of your audience, and then you never tell again. There's no way any customer wanted creamer that was called "bovine drippings." Instead, the OP repeated this joke numerous times on her various posts on her profile, so she clearly thinks it's hilarious. 

Check out this mega-cringe moment below, as well as the commenters who told the OP exactly what they thought about her jokey serving style. (She seemingly didn't listen, though, as she's posted a few times on her profile bragging about her terrible "jokes.") Commenters urged her to just never work as a server again, and keep those terrible one-liners and overly literal descriptions for the internet only. 

Up next, check out these embarrassing stories. 

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  • 01
    Light - 44,7 BROWNS BAR-BO APTIVGARDE
    via Esther Lin on Unsplash
  • 02
    Font - I don't want my server to have a sense of humour!!!! I have worked as a server for more than five years, so I have several malicious compliance, petty revenge, and other kinds of stories. I figure this one is memorable enough for me to start my Reddit journey with, because it has a dash of Entitled Parent and Petty Revenge. It's a long one because it's a two parter, so I'll pop a TL:DR at the end.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 03
    Font - So some background: when I first started serving, I figured that the best way for me to approach it was with humour. The way I saw it, most people were out there to have a decent meal and enjoy it. And because I have an odd sense of humour, this meant I came up with some pretty weird, but ultimately harmless jokes. For example, if anyone ordered coffee, I'd bring them their "scalded bean juice and bovine drippings." When they paid, I'd tell them we accepted "cash, card, or your immortal s
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 04
    Font - really pay attention (especially when paying,) so it went over their heads. Few didn't really care one way or another, but most times, I'd get a laugh. Because of this, I rarely got complaints. Some people didn't like my sense of humor, and I understood that, but at best, they just wouldn't tip. No biggie. Except for this one customer, who we'll call EP for Entitled Parent.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 05
    Font - EP was seated at my table with his wife and two kids. One kid looked a little sad when I first approached their table, so I thought that it'd be a perfect opportunity. When I brought them their drinks, I made sure to be as humourous as I could.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 06
    Font - Me: Here's the cow juice, both from a white cow and brown one. Sorry for the delay, we had a... udder disaster milking them! K1 and K2 giggle. Me: And then the caustic aqua to burn your dried leaves. As well as some dismembered citrus. NM looks confused for a moment, but then I see the 'oh!' moment and a smile. Me: Lastly, your dihydrogen monoxide, in its solid and liquid forms.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 07
    Font - EP, however, looks a sour as the lemon slices. EP: Excuse me, what did you say this was? NM: Really? Me: Why, it's the essence of life itself. And something that came out of the dinosaurs years ago. Just filtered super well.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 08
    Font - Cue more giggles from the kids, but the EP looked really annoyed. Thankfully, NM (for Nice Mom) stopped him from doing anything by saying "Honey, it's water. You know, H2O?" After that, the meal went relatively quietly. I got their food orders, brought them it when it came out hot and fresh (no clever lines there; the menu was too big to come up with something for everything, though I did try for the kids.) I checked on them twice to make sure the food was good, even got to chatting with
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 09
    Font - Next time I had stopped by the table, EP was up at the front paying, while the kids drew on the kids menus and NM watched them. NM thanked me for my great attitude, handing me a seven dollar tip for cheering up her kids. Turns out the family dog had a vet visit and the kids were worried. I just told her that I was more than happy to help take their mind off it, and I hoped they came back soon.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 10
    Font - That should've been the end of it. Except that it wasn't. Because while NM was thanking me, it turns out EP was complaining to the shift manager. Saying stuff like (and I'm paraphrasing because I heard this after from my manager.) 'OP is obnoxious, makes stuff up (important for later), and won't stop talking. I just want to get my meal, not have to deal with a brat annoying my family. She even suggested I pay with my kids!" The general gist of his complaint was that he just wanted a serve
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 11
    Font - What made him a real EP was that he demanded a discount AND free dessert for his kids for his trouble. This being the Food Service industry, where Customer is King, my manager caved like wet tissue paper and personally brought the dessert. This being a place I've worked for years and I had a good relationship with my manager, we both just chatted about how much of a d this guy was after he was gone. Now, here's where the MC comes in.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 12
    Font - Fast forward to about a month later. I'm working the afternoon shift on a Wednesday. It's in the dead period, and there's about an couple hours at the start of my shift where I'm the only one in the front of the house, and my manager is in the back counting last shift's cash. I'm basically alone, save for the cook, who isn't allowed up at the front, so when EP and his family come in, I can't immediately seat them because I'm taking food out. Still, NM and kids were excited to see me, whil
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 13
    Font - His mistake is going to the washroom while I sat his family. It was the start of my shift, so I was still in a really good mood. I asked how they were, Kid One said that the dog was doing much better, and Kid Two asked if he could have some brown udder juice. NM ordered herself a peppermint tea, and a coffee for EP. As I sat them, I told them that I was going to do something different today. I told the kids wasn't mad at them, I promise. NM was confused, but I just smiled and winked befor
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 14
    Font - By the time that I had the drinks, EP was there and waiting. Perfect. I slowed my pace from my usual speed into a slow march. The kids look up at me, clearly expecting. EP: We're not ready to order yet. Me: (completely emotionless) Very well, sir. Here is your: coffee. Tea, Peppermint. Milk, chocolate. Juice, orange. Three waters. One water, no ice. Four Creamers. Sugar is in the caddy on your wife's right. Is there anything else you require of me? EP: No.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 15
    Font - The kids and NM were confused. I had done a total 180 from peppy jokester to monotonous robot, and I was only gone for a couple minutes. But I just turned 90 degrees to the right and went to another table, where I dropped the act and went back to being me. This went on for a little while, as EP wasn't ready to order the next two times I stopped, even though his kids already knew what they wanted. I was neutral every time I stopped by their table, then went right back to being fun around t
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 16
    Font - Naturally, by the time I stopped at EP's table with the appetizer, no one was happy. The kids wanted to hear the jokes from me to them, not overheard. Even EP was annoyed because I was way nicer and warmer to other tables. But NM asked the question I was waiting for. NM: OP, how come you're joking with everyone but us? Last time, we got the best service I've ever had in Chain Diner. EP: Get me your manager, now. I refuse to be ignored when I'm just here to eat with my family.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 17
    Font - I in fact, made no move to get my manager, but carefully schooled my expression to something neutral and kept my tone as calm as can be. "But sir. Last time, you insisted to my manager while was paying that I be factual, concise, and as non-intrusive. As I recall, you found my behaviour 'annoying to you and your family.' Instantly, NM and his kids looked right at him. He immediately went red.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 18
    Font - EP: That's not what I said! I said that the service was great! Me: Actually, sir, and allow me to remind you that you insisted I 'not make stuff up,' you complained that I wouldn't stop talking, and found my humor offensive, particularly the part where you claimed I suggested you pay with your children. And my manager offered you 25% off as well as a free dessert as recompense. NM: What? EP said that you offered it because you felt bad about our dog! Me: While I would've liked to, I did n
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 19
    Font - At this point, the kids were upset and NM was furious. She asked me to give them a couple minutes with their order, and I just nodded and left. I did see NM and EP head out of the restaurant for a bit, and NM returned after a bit alone. As it turns out, EP is a serial complainer to try and get discounts and free food from restaurants, and NM was very upset that not only he pulled it again, but on their new favourite server. So he was off to eat alone at the golden arches and I was back to
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 20
    Font - I got another complaint from this guy from our customer surveys, and this time the manager said that I was out of line, but I thought it was worth it. Besides, NM and the kids came in every now and then after that, asking if I was serving. Personally, I think the guy was just mad that he didn't know that H2O is water.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 21
    Font - TLDR: EP complains that the server jokes too much with his family, so next visit they get a bland robot who calls him out.
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 22

    The OP added an edit after realizing how badly the commenters were roasting her

    Font - Edit: Thanks for the gold. I did not expect this to explode overnight. And I know a lot of people find my humor annoying, and I get that. I'm also the kind of person who wants a server to leave me alone when I'm out eating. And since humor is subjective, I know that it can be hit and miss. A lot of people didn't pay much mind, some laughed, but I rarely got people who really complained, even in five years of working. Plus, I usually lead with the water or coffee. If a table wasn't recepti
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 23
    Font - Edit 2: thank you all for the comments. I understand that my humor isn't for everyone. Usually I have one greeting joke, but if a table isn't receptive to it, I'd move on and be a regular server. I'm not the type who will push through and be joking 100% of the time. The reason I continued with this table was that the wife and kids were enjoying it and they liked chatting with me. Had all of them not been interested or the guy just asked me to stop, I would've dropped it. Instead he made u
    via u/JustServerisms
  • 24

    Commenters did not hold back about telling the OP how weird she's acting in the workplace

    Human body - Emochind Tbf id hate having you as a server
    via u/Emochind
  • 25
    Font - CumbersomeNugget You sound like exactly the kind of server I fear I will get, but good MC. 390 Reply Share Bipolar BearJew54. Glad someone else said it. I cringed reading this. Good MC, but im not there for some slapstick comedy show about stomach acid !
    via u/CumbersomeNugget
  • 26
    Font - EHendrix I have had servers like this before, I politely laugh as to not draw things out longer than they have to be, tip fairly, then just don't come back to the restaurant.
    via u/EHendrix
  • 27
    Font - imnotreallyapenguin. It might be because im British, not American.... But I really don't understand American customer service, as to my feeble brain all it does is encourage complaints, so you can get free s
    via u/imnotreallyapenguin
  • 28
    Font - BatmanCabman I have been a waiter in the past and obviously made jokes and things like that at the table, but this sounds like going too far on the humour front Not everyone wants to go for a family meal and have someone chumming it up with them constantly, they just want to get served food professionally and spend time with their family. Some humour is alright but know your audience, if they're clearly not happy with your amount of jokes then tone it down.
    via u/BatmanCabman
  • 29
    Font - Alar44 r/cringe
    via u/Alar44
  • 30
    Font - HE DS dannymurz As someone who served for 10 years, I'm sorry but dealing with someone with your sense of humor...would also drive me nuts. It's just not funny ..it's annoying....and weird. Keep it for the internet. Where it belongs.
    via u/dannymurz
  • 31
    Font - Calaban007 Tbh, you sound annoying as h with all those "jokes". Just take my order and bring my food without shenanigans. You can be friendly and personable without being overbearing. Just seems like a little too much.
    via u/Calaban007

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cringey workplace-stories jobs waiters job waiter work coworkers customers cringe food service workplace food eating waitress cringeworthy tales from your server dining dumb humor kids customer entitled
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