Restaurant fires server via text while they're on a cruise: 'No shade, but you're an unfriendly loner that refuses to learn and grow. No shade though'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Sep 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

There is no good time to receive bad news. It's going to sting no matter when you get it. But there are worse times and better times, and we can try to respect each other by choosing the better times. For example, maybe you have to tell someone that you're breaking up with them. You are not going to do it on their birthday, probably. You might either try to get it in before their birthday comes or wait a respectable amount of time after it has passed. It might put you a little bit out of your way to do that, but you know you would hate it if someone broke up with you on your birthday, so you're just trying to do them a favor. 

Unless the information is so urgent that it can't wait (aka, "Wait, there's peanuts in that, and I know you're allergic), you can give something and an appropriate amount of time before you rain on their parade. That's not what happened in this situation, though. No, in this story, a boss waited until the perfect wrong time to deliver the bad news. 

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  • A woman checks her phone with a tropical background.
    via Samuel Cruz

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • When a server was on vacation, enjoying a cruise, and probably trying not to think about work, they got an email with another thing in store. Having waited until they were offshore, their boss thought this was the perfect time to strike. Read on to see what happened in the exchange and see what you think. 

  • I got fired while on a cruise...

    པ་ posted a message to the Chat group: Hey. ^ I wanted to reach out to you - I know you're on your cruise and I hope not to take anything away from that. I don't have you on the schedule this week - I know we've only been utilizing you one day per week. anyway. At this point, truthfully, we are going to go just part ways. I appreciate the time you've given to us. We have a lot of servers currently available who more closely fit what we're looking for. Specifically, that outgoing attitude, friend
    via u/Nerd_Maid_22
  • 7SHIFTS ¿ posted a message to the Chat group: This is not any shade. I think you're a great person and wish you the best as you continue pursuing your own business. I am sure you'll be successful. Thank you again for all of your contributions.
    via u/Nerd_Maid_22
  • That "outgoing, friendly, team- focused attitude" he was talking about meant he wanted someone who let him talk to them however he wanted, didn't say anything about his poor management, and someone who hadn't threatened to tell the owner he was sleeping with a server while being married
    via u/Nerd_Maid_22
  • A woman checks her phone with a tropical background.
    via Sergio Kian

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Commenters gave their sympathies.

    pix-ie 15h ago I know you're on your cruise and I hope not to take anything away from that That's where my heart would've sank. Dude... seriously? Lmao.
    via u/pix-ie
  • No-Manner-3514 15h ago This was my first thought. Hate to ruin your vacation BUT...... your lack of team effort, unwillingness to learn and antisocial behavior
    via u/No-Manner-3514
  • Willem DafoesHuge • 15h ago Yeah I can't help but laugh, the audacity is incredible. "I know you're on vacation, and I hope that being fired doesn't spoil that, but also you're unfriendly, stupid, antisocial, and also just sort of a . No shade. PS. You're ugly and smell weird as well and we all assume you'll di alone. Enjoy your cruise."
    via u/WillemDafoesHuge
  • LSATthrowaway23 2h ago • I once got fired over text while on vacation— on my birthday! I didn't respond because I don't conduct official business over text, like most adults. They followed up with "please don't be mad. happy birthday btw" It was an aesthetician salon and I immediately booked with their competitor
    via u/LSATthrowaway23
  • venusduck III • 15h ago Now is the perfect time to tell the owner about the affair
    via u/venusduck_III
  • soberonlife • 15h ago No shade, but you're an unfriendly loner that refuses to learn and grow. No shade though.
    via u/soberonlife
  • Nerd_Maid_22 OP • 15h ago I got back from the cruise and was hired at a new restaurant within 2 weeks and have been there ever since. Best thing that's ever happened
    via u/Nerd_Maid_22
  • _cheese_cloud_ • 15h ago Dang, I got fired while on safari. Well, not officially until I got back. Got an email from the chef/ owner with no body, and just the subject line "you good". A few days later noticed I wasn't on the schedule. And no one would answer my emails.
    via u/_cheese_cloud_
  • • doppido 15h ago Could've just said that the scheduling doesn't work out and more available servers need more shifts. Didnt have to go in about attitude and stuff
    via u/doppido
  • SelenaNC 15h ago i knew this was a restaurant even before i saw what sub i was in lol i'm so sorry
    via u/SelenaNC
  • Severe Assistant5... . 13h ago Wow. I'm kind of speechless. "Hope this doesn't take away from it"?!?! Yeah my cruise will be great now that you just fired me. I'm always amazed how employers can be so cruel. He may "think you're a great person" but pretty much anyone who reads this will think he's a piece of s-t
    via u/Severe_Assistant5437
  • blackcatttt 14h ago "I know you are married and I hope this doesn't take away from that" F them lol How was your cruise?!
    via u/blackcatttt
  • anoncheesegrater · 14h ago I mean at least it doesn't seem like it was a huge loss lol
    via u/anoncheesegrater
  • Insecure_Egomaniac 13h ago . I'm sorry that happened to you and I'm glad you got back in your feet so quickly. Next time, I recommend not checking your work messages while on vacation. Temporarily turn off your notifications if you have to. They'll be waiting for you when you get back.
    via u/Insecure_Egomaniac
  • • Norathaexplorer 9h ago I'm dong tbh that they said a bunch of insults and then followed it by saying they believe in you and your business.... Like wut??
    via u/Norathaexplorer
  • alimarieb · 14h ago • Ugh. Anyone in a professional setting who uses the same word twice in a sentence instead of just combining them (outgoing team focused attitude or outgoing and team focused attitude) gets my shade. When in doubt, a thesaurus is usually handy. Yes, I'm being a picky word snob. Practice makes perfect. Don't get me started on 'truthfully'.
    via u/alimarieb
  • Yes, they absolutely wanted to ruin your vacation. If they believed you may have noticed the lack of shifts, they could have waited to see if you reached out to them OR put you on the schedule and termed you the following week. In person. Lazy and r_de.
    via u/alimarieb
  • Complete Entry 13h ago This firing email lacks consistency. The f does "we are going to go just part ways" mean?
    via u/Complete_Entry
  • TheStixon11 • 12h ago This is completely inappropriate to fire someone whilst on vacation and on a group chat. As someone who has been in a managerial position, why are the scheduled shifts down to one a week. (Not specifically asking the question, just posing the question)
    via u/TheStixon11

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boss antiwork workplace-stories fired toxic-workplace job server bosses work coworkers working reddit story cruise server life toxic-boss workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
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