Reddit user deadbeatwhiner has seen it all working at a family BBQ restaurant and shares an experience with a customer that is sure she is an exception to the rule.
“I worked at a BBQ restaurant from when I was 12-20 (my parents owned it). I did everything from dishes, bussing, orders, food prep, drinks, etc. I’ve done it all. Where I lived, the summer was the craziest. During every other season, it was dead. The summer saw all the crazies and stressed tourists (met some amazing people as well). Taking orders I’ve seen/heard it all.
So here’s the story…
It was a blistering hot day. We had a line that was long it was out the door (this was a fast casual where you ordered at a counter), everyone was running around trying to do 100 tasks at once. I was working the cash register/taking orders when this entitled mother and her spoiled kid walk in.
Me: ‘Hi, how you doing?’
Entitled Mom: (kind of brushes me off) ‘Fine…’
Me: ‘What can I get started for you today?’
Entitled Mom: ‘Can my son and I see the vegan menu please?’
Keep in mind, the menu was right behind my head with every item clearly displayed.
Me: ‘I’m sorry ma’am we actually don’t have a vegan menu, but do you have any questions about other items?’
Entitled Mom: ‘Well, what can I get here that’s vegan?’
Sidenote: I’m actually vegan as well (I know working in a BBQ restaurant as vegan, but I’ve lost the taste after working there so long), so I can understand how it can be frustrating going places and not being able to find things to eat other than some lettuce scraps. But at least I’m not going into places where I know I can’t get anything in the first place.
Me: ‘Really the only thing we have is the side salad and we could do that without croutons (i.e. everything is made with meat, dairy, cooked in it).’
Entitled Mom: ‘Well, we don’t want salad, we want something barbecued.’
Me, kind of stumped: ‘I’m so sorry but that’s the only vegan it-‘
Entitled Mom, throwing her hands up and raising her voice: ‘WELL what are we supposed to eat?!’
Me: ‘Uh…’
Entitled Mom: ‘Absolutely ridiculous that you cannot cater to those who are vegan/vegetarian, etc….’
Me: ‘I’m so sorry – it’s just that we are a BBQ place that specializes in-‘
Entitled Mom: ‘Let me speak to the manager’
At this point, the line is freakishly long behind her and people are starting to stare and give her that what the heck look. I go to grab my Dad who is unloading stuff from suppliers and I told him what was going on so he’s already annoyed with the situation and knowing there’s nothing he can do to help
Dad: ‘Hi, I heard there was an is-‘
Entitled Mom: ‘WE ARE PAYING CUSTOMERS and it’s ridiculous that you have nothing AVAILABLE FOR MY SON AND I TO EAT. YOU ARE CUTTING A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE OUT AS PAYING CUSTOMERS!’
Now, my Dad is really accommodating and nice with customers, but press him and he will not be kind.
Dad: ‘Ma’am I am sorry you feel this way HOWEVER you walked into a BBQ restaurant. We serve BBQ, we’re not a vegan place and don’t claim to be. If you want vegan food, there’s a great place down the street I can point the way to. The sign outside says BBQ, ribs, brisket, etc. that’s what we sell, and to walk into some place demanding a service/product that we don’t advertise is on you. Now, we can make you a big side salad and you can enjoy our patio, but if you are going to yell at my son and disturb the other customers here, I’d suggest the restaurant down the street.’
Entitled Mom, screeching: ‘HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! WE ARE NEVER COMING HERE AGAIN! YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT IT ON YELP. I’D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE OWNER! HE WILL HEAR ALL ABOUT THIS!’
Dad: ‘I am the owner…’
At this point the Entitled Mom kind of screams insults and then storms out the door. My Dad then called the owner of the vegan place down the street (his friend) and let him know who may be coming his way. I got back to working and every customer who came up afterwards that was behind her just trash talked her with me. Never saw a Yelp review. She gives vegans a bad rep.”
