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Anyone who's ever worked in the food service industry is bound to have met one of these—an extremely rude customer who shouldn't be allowed back into the restaurant. Or to order food ever again! The sad part is, rude customers aren't even that rare.

They're pretty darn common and make the lives of waiters, restaurant employees, and baristas a waking nightmare. Bored Panda wanted to show you some of the things service industry personnel have been through with rude customers, so we collected some of the best posts by servers from all over the net. As you scroll down, upvote the posts that made you feel for these workers, and be sure to leave us a comment with your own experiences serving food in the comment section. Would you like fries with that?

Alexander Kjerulf, the founder and Chief Happiness Officer of ‘Woohoo inc.' told Bored Panda that if your workplace is causing you to forget that you're a human being who's worthy of care and humane treatment, you shouldn't work there anymore. "Quit, and find a better place to work, where they actually care about their staff," he told Bored Panda. "And quit sooner rather than later. The longer you stay, the more they will grind you down until you lose all the energy and optimism you need to move on and find a better job."

Alexander actually made an entire video about quitting a bad job. Meanwhile, you'll find the rest of the insights that he shared with us below. Anyone who's working in the service industry, whether you're a server, a cook, or a manager, should have a read.

#1

Math Is Hard

Math Is Hard

BruceInc Report

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    #2

    I Can’t Believe People Can Be This Stupid

    I Can’t Believe People Can Be This Stupid

    veronikaklein Report

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    Steve Wilson
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At my local McDonald’s a cheeseburger is $1.00 & a hamburger is $1.10. Last time I ordered a hamburger the voice on the other end urged me to order a cheeseburger with no cheese to save $.

    John Dilligaf
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In only 1 instance can I see this as making sense. One local burger joint where I live puts different fixings and sauces on its cheeseburgers as opposed to its hamburgers. That's the only time ordering a cheeseburger without cheese makes sense.

    CatWoman312
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And there goes your cheeseless cheeseburger. I wouldn’t accept the order

    Vicky Z
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No reason to try to explain to idiots! There is no logic or brain so keep the dollar and enjoy!

    Bobert Robertson
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes a regular burger with cheese added on is cheaper than a cheeseburger off the menu, but this is just dumb

    Vicky Zar
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is everything the same between the hamburger and the cheeseburger (except the cheese of course)?

    Erin E
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I knew a guy who ordered a cheeseburger with no cheese at McDonald’s because he didn’t like cheese, but wanted the yellow wrapper.

    DIANA REYES
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If its a cheeseburger it has cheese and if it's hamburger it doesn't have chee unless you ask but if you don't want cheese ask for a hamburger

    Laurie Romain
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't eat that "cheeseburger without the cheese" if I were you !💩

    Marnie
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I heard of this once maybe 20 years and thought it was funny. I keep hearing/reading different people saying this happened. But how common can this be? I wonder if this is fake.

    Doubleheader
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a f*ckwad. Honestly, I always wonder about these people. Stiff someone who knows where you live? That doesn't seem like a good idea really.

    Lyn Moffett
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    F****n idiot. A cheeseburger with no cheese is a hamburger, either thinking they're being clever or just really stupid. I heard this all the time with I worked in a chippy.

    Alditekim
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should've said that they want to order cheeseburger without cheese OR hamburger without ham. Hence, burger.

    Logically Reasonable
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've worked in fast food and restaurants before. You really, REALLY, R E A L L Y do NOT want to piss off the people making your food! Theres no telling what you will be eating!!!

    Nevits Yibble
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's an old recycled message that's been circulating the Internet long before Grubhub was a company. It's fake

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    sam puckett
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if i was the person who dealt with this idiot, i woulda said listen hunny ima need you to put your last few brain cells together and figure it out mkay?

    Krazy Onion (KJ)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Samantha Power
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is nothing stranger than folk :) I once ordered a cheeseburger from McDonalds, and asked can I have it without pickles & onions, I was asked 'do you want the burger' (Not kidding) I also ordered a McMuffin asking for cheese but without egg, the assistant seemed to take it personally and told me that the egg was no extra charge :)

    Aubrie Allen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who talked to their deliver driver before they pick up the order? You order through the app, not the person. Seems fake to me.

    Vince Crawford
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And there goes a big snot wad on your burger. You really shouldn't mess with people that handle your food.

    Andrew Gibb
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    there goes the fresh food and out comes something from the bin

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    #3

    Left On My Co-Workers Table

    Left On My Co-Workers Table

    dagregory Report

    Alexander was upfront that employees should expect and demand support from their managers. "I know that it's common for restaurants to treat their customers like kings and their employees [badly], but that doesn't mean it's OK," he said.

    "99% of people are nice, but the occasional rude client is unavoidable," Alexander from 'Woohoo inc.' said that there's no avoiding rudeness in the long run. "You can learn tricks to deal with them, and that's great, but no one should have to put up with mistreatment."

    For Alexander, working in the service industry doesn't mean that others can walk all over you. "Having a service job does not mean that other people get to demean you or belittle you and managers must be willing to step in and protect employees' dignity and mental health."

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    #4

    Latina Waitress Received Racist Note Instead Of Tip

    Latina Waitress Received Racist Note Instead Of Tip

    EpicTwinkieGamer Report

    #5

    This Was Posted In A Restaurant Group

    This Was Posted In A Restaurant Group

    somnifacientsawyer Report

    #6

    A Group Of Kids Filled It Up And The Parents Shouted At Customers Attempting To Complain

    A Group Of Kids Filled It Up And The Parents Shouted At Customers Attempting To Complain

    ya-boi-445 Report

    Tipping's either a sore subject or a complete non-problem depending on where you live. In the United States, for example, tipping at a restaurant or a cafe is nearly ubiquitous. You're bound to get some weird glances and questions if you refuse to tip or if you don't tip enough.

    #7

    Decades Of "The Customer Is Always Right" Has Created The Most Entitled Idiots In Human History

    Decades Of "The Customer Is Always Right" Has Created The Most Entitled Idiots In Human History

    CMCXCV Report

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    pusheen buttercup
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We should get rid of that whole customer is always right attitude. It's not ok. It never was.

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    #9

    My Cousin Just Posted This On Facebook. She Is A Waitress At Outback And This Was Left Behind

    My Cousin Just Posted This On Facebook. She Is A Waitress At Outback And This Was Left Behind

    Adda717 Report

    I'll be frank. The US tipping system… is a bit weird. It's on the same plane of existence as not posting the full price of a meal or a product with the tax included. However weird forced tipping might be (and how it essentially makes customers, not the employers, pay a large chunk of the workers' wages), it doesn't change the fact that it's a cultural thing in the States. You just do it.

    #10

    My Aunt And Her Friend Took Me To Dinner. These 10 Lovely People Sat Next To Us, And Didn't Even Leave A Tip!

    My Aunt And Her Friend Took Me To Dinner. These 10 Lovely People Sat Next To Us, And Didn't Even Leave A Tip!

    MaryStarBlazer Report

    #12

    Seen On A Facebook Post On How People Should Tip Their Servers 20%

    Seen On A Facebook Post On How People Should Tip Their Servers 20%

    ImAKraken Report

    So not tipping someone or even poking fun at a server who expects a tip isn't the way to go. Sure, the entire system should be overhauled so that tipping isn't mandatory, but until that utopian moment, we're stuck with what we have.

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    #13

    You Can Just Picture The Trashiness From This Customer

    You Can Just Picture The Trashiness From This Customer

    IWriteForTheFunny Report

    #14

    Wouldn’t Let Him Underage Drink So He Didn’t Tip

    Wouldn’t Let Him Underage Drink So He Didn’t Tip

    Xenologon Report

    Rudeness, however, isn't just linked to tips. Customers from hell find all sorts of ways to belittle servers. From namecalling and ‘flirting' to acting like spoiled, entitled children (no offense to spoiled and entitled kids). However, employees shouldn't rise to the provocations while also protecting their own dignity.

    #16

    Please Don’t Leave Fake Tips I’m Trying To Go To College

    Please Don’t Leave Fake Tips I’m Trying To Go To College

    iskermitagod Report

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    #17

    My Friend Waited On Two Underage Kids Who Tried To Order Drinks. Stiffing Servers Has Always Made Someone A Bad Person, But During A Pandemic When Benefits Have Run Out And Restaurant Employees Are Struggling More Than They Already Did? Despicable

    My Friend Waited On Two Underage Kids Who Tried To Order Drinks. Stiffing Servers Has Always Made Someone A Bad Person, But During A Pandemic When Benefits Have Run Out And Restaurant Employees Are Struggling More Than They Already Did? Despicable

    bortsimpsonson Report

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    alwaysMispelled
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Again, I call bullshit on these asshats trying to say they'd be leaving a massive tip, otherwise. These POS would never leave huge tips.

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    Earlier, I'd had a chat with Alexander from ‘Woohoo inc.' about what people should do when dealing with rude customers. “Keep your cool and remember that whatever abuse they're giving you is no reflection on you as a person,” he said.

    #19

    Displaying Your Bare Feet In A Restaurant

    Displaying Your Bare Feet In A Restaurant

    boozinBanthony Report

    #20

    This Family Let Their Kid Crawl All Over The Restaurant Floor, Nearly Tripping Several Servers

    This Family Let Their Kid Crawl All Over The Restaurant Floor, Nearly Tripping Several Servers

    langleywaters Report

    #21

    Smoking In A Non-Smoking Restaurant Because You Do What You Have To

    Smoking In A Non-Smoking Restaurant Because You Do What You Have To

    cahabaham Report

    “That customer doesn't even know you, so there's no way it could be you. But on the other hand, don't be subservient. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and tell customers that abuse is not tolerated. And if it persists, hand them over to a manager as soon as you can and let them deal with it,” Alexander explained how we should deal with problematic people. It's all about striking a balance between being professional and having a spine.

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    However, Alexander pointed out that not all customers who behave badly are bad people in and of themselves. There's a bit of nuance there! “It can be a good person having a bad day and that's why they're acting out.”

    #22

    Stop Tipping And These Folks Will Land Better Jobs

    Stop Tipping And These Folks Will Land Better Jobs

    TheLatinGerman Report

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    N G
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That last sentence works for me. Because if you stop tipping wait staff in a culture that requires the customer to make up staff wages, and they DO all leave for better jobs there will be no one to FEED YOU AND YOU WILL HAVE TO GO AWAY

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    #23

    My Sister Got This While Waiting Tables

    My Sister Got This While Waiting Tables

    RekNepZ Report

    #24

    At Least He Used The Proper Form Of "You're"

    At Least He Used The Proper Form Of "You're"

    danasaurus_rexx Report

    Though that doesn't change the fact that some customers really are rude because they thrive on it and know that being bullies works (sometimes). “The sad truth is that some customers act this way because they've learned that it works and will get them discounts or preferential treatment,” Alexander, the Chief Happiness Officer at ‘Woohoo inc.' said.

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    #25

    Someone Keeps Stealing The Tip Jar At My Local Donut Shop

    Someone Keeps Stealing The Tip Jar At My Local Donut Shop

    opvuuu Report

    #26

    "Why I Have Not Tipped!!!"

    "Why I Have Not Tipped!!!"

    oblivionkiss Report

    #27

    From My Friends’ Server Group. This Was Given By A 6 Top Instead Of A Tip

    From My Friends’ Server Group. This Was Given By A 6 Top Instead Of A Tip

    californiagovernor Report

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    pusheen buttercup
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You never know when someone is doing the best they can. You also don't know if they've been trained to be more hands off. You may wind up taking it out on the wrong person

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    What's more, Alexander added that rather than thinking that the customer is always right, we should go for something more down-to-earth like “be nice.” Or at least avoiding being rude. Of course, this goes for customers and employees alike! “Whenever I'm a customer anywhere, I always try to be kind and positive to the staff—even when occasionally I have to complain about something. It's literally the least I can do.”

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    #28

    Guy Left A Negative Tip To Subtract From The Total After Calling The Restaurant While Inside To Rush His Order

    Guy Left A Negative Tip To Subtract From The Total After Calling The Restaurant While Inside To Rush His Order

    Kanye-Westicle Report

    #30

    Your Tip Is That Because Of Me, You Still Have Yuor Fredom™

    Your Tip Is That Because Of Me, You Still Have Yuor Fredom™

    ALasagnaForOne Report

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    JennyLaRue
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When they put their own lives on the line for their country (not just their social lives in following their partners around their posts) then they can have the military discount. It's so old fashioned to define your own status by your partners job, let alone expect a discount from it.

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    We'd love to hear your stories about the rude customers you've had to deal with, dear Pandas. What's your go-to strategy for somebody who's acting entitled and ruining your day? Do you stay professional and diplomatic all the time or do you confront them when they've overstepped your boundaries? Let us know what you think below.

    #31

    Was Having A Conversation With My Waiter About How I Liked Her Hair, She Then Showed Us A "Tip" An Earlier Table Left. Apparently They Didn't Feel The Same Way

    Was Having A Conversation With My Waiter About How I Liked Her Hair, She Then Showed Us A "Tip" An Earlier Table Left. Apparently They Didn't Feel The Same Way

    imgur.com Report

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    #33

    Using Having Kids As An Excuse Not To Tip Servers Who May Also Have Kids To Feed

    Using Having Kids As An Excuse Not To Tip Servers Who May Also Have Kids To Feed

    _Atoms_Apple Report

    #34

    A Facebook Friend Proudly Posts Lack Of Tipping And Creating A Mess For The Server

    A Facebook Friend Proudly Posts Lack Of Tipping And Creating A Mess For The Server

    liz_laugh_luv Report

    #35

    I Shouldn't Have To Tip On This Premium Service Because I'm Poor

    I Shouldn't Have To Tip On This Premium Service Because I'm Poor

    DustyWolf Report

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    Roadkill The Brave
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They keep track of that stuff, and you get flagged but nice try. It may take a few times to flag it but it gets flagged.

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    #36

    Customer Leaves Dirty Diaper On Restaurant Table For Waitress To Clean

    Customer Leaves Dirty Diaper On Restaurant Table For Waitress To Clean

    thirdcoastgirlll Report

    #37

    I'm A Server And I Wear A Mask At Work Every Day. Someone Left This Note On A Receipt Tonight

    I'm A Server And I Wear A Mask At Work Every Day. Someone Left This Note On A Receipt Tonight

    thequietthingsthat Report

    #38

    Trying To Justify Physical Violence By Saying “Tipping Is Completely Optional”

    Trying To Justify Physical Violence By Saying “Tipping Is Completely Optional”

    BlackCatWhiteDot Report

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    #39

    When People Put Fake Tips With Religious Stuff Or Annoying Jokes In The Jar

    When People Put Fake Tips With Religious Stuff Or Annoying Jokes In The Jar

    tinylions23 Report

    #40

    I Was Tipped At Wisconsin State Fair, I Don’t Get Paid Enough To Deal With This

    I Was Tipped At Wisconsin State Fair, I Don’t Get Paid Enough To Deal With This

    amorprincess Report

    #41

    No Tip Because He Needs To Buy Cigarettes... Cool

    No Tip Because He Needs To Buy Cigarettes... Cool

    spicybhole123 Report

    #42

    I Work At An Asian Dessert Place And Some Customer Tips Us With 75% Of A Dollar

    I Work At An Asian Dessert Place And Some Customer Tips Us With 75% Of A Dollar

    akumamoloch Report

    #43

    This "$100" Tip I Received Tonight

    This "$100" Tip I Received Tonight

    sailboatnanners Report

    #44

    So This Got Left As A Tip For My Friend. Real Classy

    So This Got Left As A Tip For My Friend. Real Classy

    BornPersonality Report

    #45

    Bragging On Facebook About Tipping $0.01 And Telling The Waiter/Waitress “Don’t Be So Miserable”

    Bragging On Facebook About Tipping $0.01 And Telling The Waiter/Waitress “Don’t Be So Miserable”

    Reidzyt Report

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    #46

    Learn English? How About Learn How To Write

    Learn English? How About Learn How To Write

    jager__bombs Report

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    pusheen buttercup
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How do you know they aren't in the process of learning? English is very hard, you can work at it for years and not get it very well. Perhaps you just caught them the one time they couldn't remember the right phrase.

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    #48

    Thanks For The Tip, A-Hole!

    Thanks For The Tip, A-Hole!

    HorrificJay Report

    #49

    Pizza Delivery Driver Got Tipped With A Bag Of Coins Containing Loose Tobacco

    Pizza Delivery Driver Got Tipped With A Bag Of Coins Containing Loose Tobacco

    Skorpyon87 Report

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    NeonDisco
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let's no start criticising people who actually tip. A splash of water and it spends the same as anyone's.

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    #50

    Not Tipping Their Server Because They Wore A Mask

    Not Tipping Their Server Because They Wore A Mask

    lizhorcajo Report

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