Karen Walks Into A Restaurant 20 Minute Before Closing And Demands Her 25-People Party Be Served, Her Jaw Drops When She Was Charged Mandatory 25% Gratuities

She was charged $170 for being a Karen

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• January 5, 2023

Waiting tables can be challenging, as it requires a high level of customer service skills and the ability to multitask and stay organized while working under time pressure. Servers must be able to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously, including taking orders, delivering food and drinks, and handling payment and other financial transactions.

They must also be able to handle challenging or unhappy customers professionally and courteously. In addition, servers may work long hours on their feet, often in a fast-paced and hectic environment.

Despite these challenges, many people enjoy working as servers because of the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people and the potential to earn tips.

And today's story is about interaction and tips. A recently shared video on TikTok gained widespread attention after a server encountered a group of 26 people led by a "Karen" at their place of work.

The group had arrived 40 minutes before closing, which would normally be fine for a smaller party, but 26 people is a large number to accommodate in such a short amount of time. To make matters worse, the group initially stated that they would be eating elsewhere, only to change their minds and return to the restaurant with just 20 minutes left before closing time.

Despite the poor etiquette demonstrated by the group, such parties can sometimes be enjoyable and result in generous tips. However, this particular group was led by a particularly difficult "Karen," who made the server's experience a nightmare from the moment they arrived.

Some customers can be a nightmare to serve

The server recalls the interaction.

"I’m like, ‘We’re going to have to break you up into two separate tables because we don’t have a table long enough,’ This woman starts screaming that I have no idea what I’m talking about and where’s my manager.

So I get my manager, the manager comes out and she’s like oh, OK, yeah, we can try to make that work for you. So we go and we set up this giant table in our back room.

By the time we come out they’re like, ‘We’re actually going to go somewhere else.’ At this point, I didn’t care because we were already 40 minutes until close; there was no way we were going to be out until 9:30.

‘We’re going to have to break you up into two separate tables because we don’t have a table long enough,’ This woman starts screaming that I have no idea what I’m talking about and where’s my manager. "

The party had previously stated that they would be dining at another restaurant but changed their mind 20 minutes later and requested seating again. When the server informed the group leader (a "Karen") that this might not be possible due to the restaurant's closing time, the group demanded to speak to a manager.

The server also faced backlash from the group leader when trying to take their food and drink orders, with the customer calling the request "rude." The server apologized and was told by the customer that their tip would reflect the perceived poor service.

The server continued to describe the situation.

"By the time I get all of their order, it’s literally past close. They ordered seven champagne bottles because they were pissed we didn’t have hard alcohol.

I get those for them, drop them off, put their food in. The food’s taking 40 minutes. In the span of these 40 minutes that they’re waiting, every 10 seconds they’re like, ‘Excuse me, where’s our food?’"

Watch the video:

The party leader was reportedly surprised when the bill included charges for champagne that totaled $310 and a total of $610 when other items that were ordered but not consumed were included.

"She starts screaming at me, ‘Well, don’t think you’re going to get a tip, buddy.’ Well, little did she know that automatic gratuities are added to parties of 14 or more, so 25% was added to this, and we got about $170 out of this, Karen.

She even thought writing a note like, ‘Yeah, you did a horrible job’ on a napkin was going to do anything. I crumpled that shit up and burned it, threw it right in the trash."

Karen posted a review on Yelp

The comments on the TikTok video included criticism of the "Karen" and the server's manager for allegedly allowing such behavior, with some stating that "managers really be rewarding this type of attitude."

This is sad, but true

When people order without looking

This is a good idea:

The main message of the video is to not behave like a "Karen." When dining out, it is important to be prepared to pay for the meal without making complaints and to be considerate of the restaurant staff by not bringing a large group to a dine-in establishment that is closing soon and expecting exceptional service.

Damjan