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It’s no news that working in the food service industry is a tough and thankless job. Yet, the most difficult part may not even be the long hours, low pay, or cruel bosses. For many of the employees, it’s the nightmarish customers who feel entitled to treat other human beings like garbage.
Whether these people are physically assaulting servers, stealing tips, or letting their kids run around like it’s their playground—they deserve to be publicly shamed for acting like complete jerks.
Bored Panda compiled a list full of the most horrible clients that ever set foot in a restaurant. In fact, some of these pictures are so bad, you can't help but scratch your head and think what on earth is going on. Scroll down below to check them out, and don’t forget to upvote the most unbelievable ones.
Psst! If you’re in the mood for some more horrible customer stories, take a look at our previous posts about it right here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Customers Assaulted Me With Drinks And Food. My Back Is Bruised By How Hard A Grown Man Threw His Drinks At Me. Can I Press Charges?
#2
Woman Gives Bad Review Because She Didn't Get Hired
Many restaurant workers are getting sick and tired of clients treating them like pawns on a chessboard. It often seems that customers are feeling a lot of anger and frustration and think that it’s completely normal to take it out on their server. The question is, why do some people believe that they are entitled to act this way?
Melanie Morrison, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Saskatchewan, said that when it comes to demeaning and disrespectful behavior, there are three contingents. First, there’s the issue of social dominance—people believing that they actually deserve to be more powerful and dominant over others.
According to her, these people are often the leaders in an organization with subordinates lower on a hierarchical structure: "There's still that belief that they have a socially dominant position, they have more power over this individual and they'll treat them in a demeaning way because of that."
#3
This Server, Who Served This Iconic Line
#4
The Shade
Cecilia Herrera 2 years ago
I hope that this was shared to social media, so that creep could be identified and arrested.
The second one includes the slightly marginalized groups that don’t actually hold any socially dominant position in our society. However, if they go to a restaurant, they can suddenly feel in control. "They can become somebody who has been given a bit of power over a server in that moment," Morrison said. "They can treat them in a demeaning way and be powerful in that environment because the conditions allow them to be."
Finally, there are people who are just plain impolite. The professor mentioned that people who fall in this group are just rude and it doesn’t connect to the sense of power at all.
#5
I'm A Waitress. I Gave This Table Everything They Needed, Quickly, And Get This Lovely Tip
#6
This Grown Man Throwing His Candy Wrappers For Me To Sweep Up During Work
She added that people who tend to be empathetic to a server’s mistakes are usually those who previously worked in the restaurant business themselves. However, there’s nothing wrong with having certain expectations.
"If it's something surrounding the food or the environment or something, then you can ask for some changes. … Take a breath. Think about it. Look realistically at the server—is that the server's fault?"
#7
Instagram Is Killing Food
#8
Letting Your 9 Year Old Kids Eat The Watermelon In The Salad Put It Back. They Were Also Poking The Fruit
Cecilia Herrera 2 years ago
Whatever happened to, "parents must accompany children to the buffet?" I hope they had to pay for the wasted food that their brat caused.
Ever since the pandemic began, there’s a recurring trend: humans appear to have forgotten how to be nice to each other. Especially when it comes to interacting with people whose job is to help and assist another person.
The lockdowns, isolation, and many other things that came with the pandemic have been with us for so long that it might have left a negative impact on our emotional health. People feel especially frustrated when it seems that life is coming back to normal but new threats and restrictions come their way. It doesn’t take long to realize that this unique situation will be the new normal, and many are still not prepared for it.
#9
This Mother
May 2 years ago
One of my friends did this at my house once - just laid her baby down on the dining table and changed the diaper. She put the dirty diaper right on the table (just pee, but still) and didn't even wash her hands when she was done. My other friends and I were all too stunned to say anything, but it definitely made us see her differently.
#10
Letting Your Kid Watch A Movie On Full Volume In A Restaurant
Bernard Golden, Ph.D., a psychologist and the author of Overcoming Destructive Anger, told TIME that during this period, people’s threat system is at a heightened level. "During COVID, there has been an increase in anxiety, a reported increase in depression, and an increased demand for mental health services," he added.
It looks like the easiest targets to vent and express frustration are people who work in the service industry. "It’s displaced anger," Golden explained. "They’re angry about other things but they take it out in those encounters."
#11
Restaurant Customer Caught Taking An Upskirt Picture Of Underage Host
#12
This Lady Has Been On The Phone Since She Sat Down, While Her Kid Is Running Around Doing This To The Salt Shakers
He continued: "We don’t filter ourselves as much as we used to. On the internet, people feel like they can say anything. They no longer guard themselves. And I think they transfer that lack of filter into public life. I think from leadership that we’ve had in the last number of years, that’s only been more encouraged."
#13
At My Local Chinese Buffet's Restoom, Why Are People This Way
#14
Couple Prioritizes Their Food Over A Dying Man
Shoutout to the most selfish couple. Someone was having a heart attack at Roma’s and while the server was helping the man out, this couple started complaining about their food not being served to them immediately.
#15
The Nerve Of This Lady
The treatment restaurant workers are currently getting from such nightmarish customers seems almost unbearable. At the end of the day, it does not matter if people think they’re better or more worthy than everyone else—acting like a total jerk to others should never be justified.
#16
Trashy And Just Plain Stupid
#17
If You Do This Because “Someone Is Paid To Clean It Up” Frick You
#18
Entitled Military Spouse Demands Free Meals
#19
Way To Put Essential Workers' Families At Risk Right Before The Holiday Season
#20
This Is What Someone Left At A Buffet Because They Were Mad They Found 2 Dirty Plates And Were Asked To Wear A Mask
#21
Just Chillin At The Coffee Shop
#22
All You Can Drink
ThEboRedEsTpANdA 2 years ago
ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, and more ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww like what the actual fúck is this
#23
Food Fight In Public
#24
Seriously
#25
Squatting On A Restaurant Table For A Picture
#26
Watched This Family Put These Trays Full Of Food On The Ground Instead Of Cleaning It Up. I Only Cleaned It Up After I Watched Someone Trip Over It
#27
He Found The One Good Seat
#28
I Was Waiting For My Order At Pizza Hut When This Girl Comes Out Of The Bathroom With A Roll Of Toilet Paper. Needless To Say, She Left The Restaurant With It
#29
Make Yourself At Home, But In A Public Starbucks
#30
Nice Restaurant- Kid Watching Cartoons On Volume 100
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
I guess the phone is cheaper than getting a human babysitter and leaving the crotch goblin at home.
#31
This Is My Home Town
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
That is absolutely illegal. Time to call the cops. Maybe he will end up on the sex offender registry
#32
The Absolute State That People Have Left This KFC In
#33
Gender Reveal In A Restaurant? Why Not I Guess
Zaza 2 years ago (edited)
I am so grateful to not live in a rotten 3rd world country like that. Some students trashed a restaurant a few years ago, you know what happened? They were hunted down by the police and given huge fines. They were all over the newspapers. And their fraternity was reprimanded and had income deducted. Y'all need to do better and stop letting people get away with s**t just because they are the customers EDIT BECAUSE NITPICKING ASSHATS I'm saying the US is rotten and is a 3rd world country. I never mentioned other countries, I don't mean any other country. I am not shitting on any other country, developing or not. ALso I never said my country was perfect, that's completely besides the point
#34
This Racist Note Left At A Thai Restaurant In My City
#35
So My Co-Worker Got This Today
#36
Dog Owners Who Think This Is OK In A Restaurant
#37
They Continue To Sit At Their Table Hours After Closing Time, Totally Indifferent To The Fact You Have To Wait Around For Them To Leave So You Can Close Up
#38
Said She Doesn't Come To The Mexican Restaurant For The Food, It's For The Free WiFi
#39
This Family Let Their Kid Crawl All Over The Restaurant Floor, Nearly Tripping Several Servers
#40
Treating A Server Like This Is Trashy (Facepalm)
#41
Leaving This As A Tip
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
Pretty much sums Trumpsters up. Obnoxious, horrifically rude to people in service jobs and will tell them to get a better job but freak out when they have to wait for food service.
#42
If You’re A Parent, Do Not Let Your Kids Make A Mess Like This
#43
What A Disgusting Way To Not Tip
#44
Smoking In A Non-Smoking Restaurant Because You Do What You Have To
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
It stinks, it won't be "secret" but its not a surprise. The pandemic has revealed how selfish and stupid people can be
#45
He Took The Fan That Was Blowing Cool Air Throughout The Whole Café, And Turned It So It Only Pointed Onto Himself
#46
Welcome To Oklahoma, Where Bringing Your AR15 To A Restaurant Is Normal
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
How to tell the world you are a Republican who is deeply insecure in your masculinity
#47
She Demanded A Child Seat And The Confused Waiter Brought One
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
Its a 4 person booth. Is she really too fat to put it on the seat next to her?
#48
A Customer Today Wanted To Return Some Produce Because "It Was Too Ripe", I Asked Him If He Had Already Tried Eating It In Anyway. He Said "Does It Look Like I Touched It?"
#49
This Person Who Thought It Was OK To Put The Dog On The Counter Where People Eat
Joe Reaves 2 years ago
Absolutely asshole behaviour. But that is one cute pup. Asshole needs to leave, but the dog can stay (just not there)
Add New Image
What do you think ?
DaVo 2 years ago
Tipping culture keeps you mad at customers when you should me mad at the people in power who allow you to be paid $2,53 + tips.
Jessica Gunn 2 years ago
If you don't think people are mad at "the people in power who allow you to be paid $2.53 + tips", then you haven't spoken to anyone about it. It's no excuse to be trashy in public
Load More Replies...
Caro Caro 2 years ago
I stopped reading after number 10. Just couldn't handle these rude shitty people.
Milan 2 years ago (edited)
Sorry to say, but this is the American culture “customer has always right”. Come to Europe, i travel a lot and except the kids cartoons (but most of the time the manager politely asked parents to shut down the phone or pute headphones on and they did) never saw this type of behavior in restaurants even in food courts in Europe, but in America unfortunately yes, saw some of this many times….hate me…
All's Gravy 2 years ago
This is the s**t-upon punching down because capitalism isnt actually working for them, but they are in denial as are most Americans. They won't tip the $3/hr waitress, but they will vote for corrupt GOP Senators who reward themselves with insider trading and top-rate tax cuts! 🤦🏼♀️ A perfect sample of US political and economic ignorance.
Load More Replies...
Gavin Johnson 2 years ago
The entitlement here is strong. Such a lack of regard for other peoples’ comfort, enjoyment and work environment. How did it get like this? When did it become ok to abuse your position on the planet? Yes, someone is paid to clean, yes, someone is paid to serve, yes, someone is paid to cook BUT no-one is paid to deal with unhygienic items left behind, no-one is paid to be assaulted, no-one is paid to be abused and swerving the convention to tip is low, that’s their livelihood. As for your fellow diners, no-one wants to deal with whatever lowlife attitude you bring to the restaurant, stop being a scumbag eh?
Matheus Oliveira 2 years ago
This is all so disgusting I feel bad for upvoting pretty much anything. Oh my? Even just continuing reading is such a chore! When is this all gonna stop!?
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
Here's a tip: If you cannot afford to leave a decent tip, you cannot afford to go out to eat.
Adi A. 2 years ago (edited)
Here is a tip from me: pay your workers, so they do not have to rely on tips. Tips should be given only when an oustanding service was done, not when you just do your job. This works in a lot of European countries (and not only there). PS: I do usually tip 10-15%, even if the service was "standard".
Load More Replies... Tracy Buckles 2 years ago
Who edited this post?!! You may want to re-edit it- loads and loads of re-prints
Lee 2 years ago
There are just than many people who change their kid in public.
Load More Replies...
C Warren 2 years ago
This behavior continues because it's allowed. If someone threw a drink on me I would punch them in the throat. If someone goes out of their way to be racist, overtly nasty or rude they should be banned from returning. People need to be held accountable for their behavior, no one has the right to treat another person like trash.
Briana Kessler 2 years ago
Things are at their worst now too. Why I just get all food to go, tip and eat at home. I have no desire to be anywhere near the public these days. People are SO rude now. It's disgusting to see.
Joyce Blodgett 1 year ago (edited)
My favorite restaurant here in my tiny city has excellent food. Just plain old American cooking, nothing fancy, nor can/will the cooks attempt anything "gourmet." In light of that, all of us who live here and eat there--ALL of us---treat the staff more like friends than staff, and I've never seen anyone give the waitresses a bad time, nor a bad tip (owner will not hire male servers, for good reasons). I've always deeply appreciated wait staff, it being a job that I'm physically incapable of (nor would my hot temper do well), so I tip generously, as do most diners. I really like that about my adopted city. It's like that all around this wee place, everywhere one goes. Now, if we could just get rid of the far-too-many druggies....
Monica Pryts 2 years ago
If these people are so disgusting in public, imagine how bad things are at home!
Marnie 2 years ago
By the time I got to the end, I was just furious with the managers/owners of these places. People will act like d**ks and of course it's infuriating that they do. But if we don't nip it in the bud and stop them, it will get worse and worse. I NEVER saw kids running around restaurants up until maybe 10-15 years ago. The first time it happened, it should have been shut down. Lose one customer, whoop-dee-do. You'll lose me and a while lot of other people as a customer if you don't stop kids from running around, stop them from putting dogs on the table, stop people playing videos at the table, etc.
Sabrina Bowen 2 years ago
After decades on restaurant and customer service work, am I surprised? Not by a single one...
LynzCatastrophe 2 years ago
I enjoy these lists for the fun, but then I'm often left depressed by the end that these people are part of humanity and think their behavior is acceptable. Either that or I was raised by old fashioned family members.
Random Anon 2 years ago
The bushmen parents with their feral offspring worry me. At this rate, these kids will grow up to be as entitled and bigoted as their folks.
D Peterson 2 years ago
I have learned more about people in the past five years than I ever wanted to know.
All's Gravy 2 years ago
When will restaurant punters understand that you can NEVER get one over on servers - they have access to your food before you do FFS! Everyone who has ever worked in catering has spat, pissed, taken from the pig bin etc. in the nasty customer's food/drink; even in the poshest places.
Lara Verne 2 years ago
What's with these people bleaving dirty diapers at restaurants? They should be arrested!
Izzy Curer 2 years ago (edited)
Wow, so many people complained about all the ones with bare feet, they took them down. Except for the ones on tables. That's just gross.
SuperChicken 2 years ago
Looking at the posts make me lose all hope in humanity. Whatever happened to our civilization? If there's still ever such one. It seems that everyone is just all about, "me, me, me" - "I am entitled and I know my rights." Oh, my goodness.🙈
Emma Starr 2 years ago
Most of these are diapers left and shoeless people, so list seemed really redundant halfway through.
Markart 2 years ago
How many of us consider it fine to leave our rubbish behind at the cinema?
Jessica Gunn 2 years ago
Hopefully not many. You don't throw your trash out in the theater? That isn't cool either bud
Load More Replies...
Demi Zwaan 2 years ago
This only happens because you guys let them do this! You let customers walk all over you, because 'the customer is always right'. They're not. This quote never took into account that people are dishonest or have unrealistic expectations. And on the other side, you let businesses get away with paying you below minimum wage, so you need to rely on tips, which means you can't say something about all this s**t to a customer, or they won't tip you. Unionize, get a living wage and stop allowing this to happen!
Jessica Gunn 2 years ago
Why do you think restaurant workers aren't fighting for this? Of course we'd like to be paid a better wage, and most of us want to do away with below minimum wage pay. There will always be disgusting trashy people out there, whether we "let them" or not.
Load More Replies... DaVo 2 years ago
Tipping culture keeps you mad at customers when you should me mad at the people in power who allow you to be paid $2,53 + tips.
Jessica Gunn 2 years ago
If you don't think people are mad at "the people in power who allow you to be paid $2.53 + tips", then you haven't spoken to anyone about it. It's no excuse to be trashy in public
Load More Replies... Caro Caro 2 years ago
I stopped reading after number 10. Just couldn't handle these rude shitty people.
Milan 2 years ago (edited)
Sorry to say, but this is the American culture “customer has always right”. Come to Europe, i travel a lot and except the kids cartoons (but most of the time the manager politely asked parents to shut down the phone or pute headphones on and they did) never saw this type of behavior in restaurants even in food courts in Europe, but in America unfortunately yes, saw some of this many times….hate me…
All's Gravy 2 years ago
This is the s**t-upon punching down because capitalism isnt actually working for them, but they are in denial as are most Americans. They won't tip the $3/hr waitress, but they will vote for corrupt GOP Senators who reward themselves with insider trading and top-rate tax cuts! 🤦🏼♀️ A perfect sample of US political and economic ignorance.
Load More Replies... Gavin Johnson 2 years ago
The entitlement here is strong. Such a lack of regard for other peoples’ comfort, enjoyment and work environment. How did it get like this? When did it become ok to abuse your position on the planet? Yes, someone is paid to clean, yes, someone is paid to serve, yes, someone is paid to cook BUT no-one is paid to deal with unhygienic items left behind, no-one is paid to be assaulted, no-one is paid to be abused and swerving the convention to tip is low, that’s their livelihood. As for your fellow diners, no-one wants to deal with whatever lowlife attitude you bring to the restaurant, stop being a scumbag eh?
Matheus Oliveira 2 years ago
This is all so disgusting I feel bad for upvoting pretty much anything. Oh my? Even just continuing reading is such a chore! When is this all gonna stop!?
Walking On Sunshine 2 years ago
Here's a tip: If you cannot afford to leave a decent tip, you cannot afford to go out to eat.
Adi A. 2 years ago (edited)
Here is a tip from me: pay your workers, so they do not have to rely on tips. Tips should be given only when an oustanding service was done, not when you just do your job. This works in a lot of European countries (and not only there). PS: I do usually tip 10-15%, even if the service was "standard".
Load More Replies... Tracy Buckles 2 years ago
Who edited this post?!! You may want to re-edit it- loads and loads of re-prints
Lee 2 years ago
There are just than many people who change their kid in public.
Load More Replies... C Warren 2 years ago
This behavior continues because it's allowed. If someone threw a drink on me I would punch them in the throat. If someone goes out of their way to be racist, overtly nasty or rude they should be banned from returning. People need to be held accountable for their behavior, no one has the right to treat another person like trash.
Briana Kessler 2 years ago
Things are at their worst now too. Why I just get all food to go, tip and eat at home. I have no desire to be anywhere near the public these days. People are SO rude now. It's disgusting to see.
Joyce Blodgett 1 year ago (edited)
My favorite restaurant here in my tiny city has excellent food. Just plain old American cooking, nothing fancy, nor can/will the cooks attempt anything "gourmet." In light of that, all of us who live here and eat there--ALL of us---treat the staff more like friends than staff, and I've never seen anyone give the waitresses a bad time, nor a bad tip (owner will not hire male servers, for good reasons). I've always deeply appreciated wait staff, it being a job that I'm physically incapable of (nor would my hot temper do well), so I tip generously, as do most diners. I really like that about my adopted city. It's like that all around this wee place, everywhere one goes. Now, if we could just get rid of the far-too-many druggies....
Monica Pryts 2 years ago
If these people are so disgusting in public, imagine how bad things are at home!
Marnie 2 years ago
By the time I got to the end, I was just furious with the managers/owners of these places. People will act like d**ks and of course it's infuriating that they do. But if we don't nip it in the bud and stop them, it will get worse and worse. I NEVER saw kids running around restaurants up until maybe 10-15 years ago. The first time it happened, it should have been shut down. Lose one customer, whoop-dee-do. You'll lose me and a while lot of other people as a customer if you don't stop kids from running around, stop them from putting dogs on the table, stop people playing videos at the table, etc.
Sabrina Bowen 2 years ago
After decades on restaurant and customer service work, am I surprised? Not by a single one...
LynzCatastrophe 2 years ago
I enjoy these lists for the fun, but then I'm often left depressed by the end that these people are part of humanity and think their behavior is acceptable. Either that or I was raised by old fashioned family members.
Random Anon 2 years ago
The bushmen parents with their feral offspring worry me. At this rate, these kids will grow up to be as entitled and bigoted as their folks.
D Peterson 2 years ago
I have learned more about people in the past five years than I ever wanted to know.
All's Gravy 2 years ago
When will restaurant punters understand that you can NEVER get one over on servers - they have access to your food before you do FFS! Everyone who has ever worked in catering has spat, pissed, taken from the pig bin etc. in the nasty customer's food/drink; even in the poshest places.
Lara Verne 2 years ago
What's with these people bleaving dirty diapers at restaurants? They should be arrested!
Izzy Curer 2 years ago (edited)
Wow, so many people complained about all the ones with bare feet, they took them down. Except for the ones on tables. That's just gross.
SuperChicken 2 years ago
Looking at the posts make me lose all hope in humanity. Whatever happened to our civilization? If there's still ever such one. It seems that everyone is just all about, "me, me, me" - "I am entitled and I know my rights." Oh, my goodness.🙈
Emma Starr 2 years ago
Most of these are diapers left and shoeless people, so list seemed really redundant halfway through.
Markart 2 years ago
How many of us consider it fine to leave our rubbish behind at the cinema?
Jessica Gunn 2 years ago
Hopefully not many. You don't throw your trash out in the theater? That isn't cool either bud
Load More Replies... Demi Zwaan 2 years ago
This only happens because you guys let them do this! You let customers walk all over you, because 'the customer is always right'. They're not. This quote never took into account that people are dishonest or have unrealistic expectations. And on the other side, you let businesses get away with paying you below minimum wage, so you need to rely on tips, which means you can't say something about all this s**t to a customer, or they won't tip you. Unionize, get a living wage and stop allowing this to happen!
Jessica Gunn 2 years ago
Why do you think restaurant workers aren't fighting for this? Of course we'd like to be paid a better wage, and most of us want to do away with below minimum wage pay. There will always be disgusting trashy people out there, whether we "let them" or not.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
