Being a server in a restaurant is a difficult job. But dealing with untruthful customers makes things that much harder.
Even when a server leaves a memorable impression, some customers still try their luck and fabricate complaints, usually to try to get a free meal or a refund. Arguably, it’s the biggest customer ick out there—and it was something that server Luke Ferrari (@lukeferrari) experienced first-hand.
In his viral video, which garnered 14.8 million views, he explained how things started out well with this particular table of girls he was serving. He recounted how it was one of their birthdays and noted that they asked for free drinks due to the “trauma” one of the other girls had over eating here with her ex.
With his manager, Ferrari arranged a tray of free shots for all of them as well as a sparkler for the birthday girl. However, things then started to go downhill.
Things Went Pear-Shaped
Initially, the girls weren’t ready to order apart from some Diet Cokes, so Ferrari turned his attention to some of his other tables. However, as he was checking them out, he noticed the girls staring at him and indicated they were ready to order. While it had only been five minutes, he finished checking out his tables and then returned to the girls and took their order. They all ordered the same, with one asking for sauce on the side for her salad.
However, they wanted the food and their entrees to all come out at the same time. Because it was busy, Ferrari informed them that it might take a little longer, but they still wanted their food in this way. He notes how, while they were waiting, he also went over to them and provided an update, saying their food would be out shortly. However, as he goes to deal with other customers, he is informed by a co-worker that the customers are unhappy. He is advised to fetch the manager.
The Customers Try Their Luck
Then, Ferrari was left flabbergasted when the table said to the manager that he forgot about them. They also claimed he was at a terminal for a lot longer than he actually was. Additionally, they said he was inattentive and that he ignored one of the customer’s requests for cheese on the side of her pasta dish. They also complained that the Brussels sprouts were cold.
Still, the manager comped half their order, and Ferrari was left with a lower service charge. Before they leave, he apologizes, and they insist that he was “perfect.” This arouses his suspicions. He reconsiders how they asked for free drinks from the outset and points out that every time he left them, they grabbed another server to purportedly make him look bad. He concluded that they were “scalpers.”
What Did Commenters Say?
In the comments, users empathized with Ferrari. “Gawd I loved and hated being a server,” one wrote. “Met so many nice people, but had to deal with stuff like this all the time!”
Another said, “Former server here: as SOON as you said that they asked for something free and then ordered Diet Cokes, I knew EXACTLY where this was going.”
While a third agreed, “This was their plan from the start. There was no birthday, no breakup etc.”
And a fourth quipped, “And suddenly I’m on the side of the ex boyfriend.”
Meanwhile, a fifth added, “I’m mad at your manager for taking their side.”
Several Follow-Ups
In subsequent follow-ups, Ferrari revealed more details.
In the first two, which overlap in terms of details, he shared how he received a text saying that one of the girls called the restaurant. They claimed that they were getting hate because of this video. Purportedly, one of the girls commented and defended themselves. They said they definitely did ask for cheese and that they waited 1 hour and 20 minutes for their food. However, when the staff checked, it was revealed that the check was only open for 45 minutes. He also questioned whether the cheese complaint was really all that deep.
“What did you think calling the restaurant was gonna do?” he asked. Ferrari remarked that he didn’t even work in the restaurant anymore. He also claimed that the commenter messaged him, accusing him of lying for clout. He added that he is now at an “amazing” other service job (in a later follow-up, he also confirmed that he wasn’t fired).
In a subsequent follow-up, he claimed that the customer’s mother called the restaurant and threatened to sue. Then, in a final one, he encouraged people to stop hating on the person who commented. He also said that if customers could figure out the restaurant, they should go and tip the staff.
He also joked in a different video that Gabbie Hanna was one of the girls and that Sabrina Carpenter was related to one of them.
What Did The TikToker Say?
In an emailed statement to BroBible, Ferrari said, “When making this video, I had absolutely no intention of discovering who these girls are. I couldn’t care less about them or what they did, it was truly just a crazy story. The internet works in mysterious ways and of course it reached the For You Page of one or a few of them.”
“A girl commented and claimed the actions and unfortunately got a ton of hate. I never ever want to wish any hate on any establishment or person,” he continued. “I do, however, believe that karma works in silly ways. I hope that people take this as a lesson to never claim the actions of a viral story time. I hope they find peace and treat service workers better in the future.”
The Consequences Of Lying Customers
In the service industry, it looks like, anecdotally, customers lie a fair amount. On the r/TalesFromYourServer subreddit, there are countless examples of servers who have encountered lying customers in their line of work. And as one Redditor and server pointed out, this untruthfulness can have consequences for the employee.
The user recounted how, after a mother and daughter complained about their burgers being burnt, they offered them replacements. They declined. Nonetheless, the server informed the manager, who comped the meals and gave them free dessert. However, the server says that the next day, the general manager and another manager called him in. They revealed that the daughter complained over the phone. The server described the complaint itself as a “character assassination.” They purport that there were lies about their attitude, how long it took for them to get the bill, and charging them for a lemonade they didn’t order.
“No matter how good I did after that my reputation never recovered,” the Redditor revealed. “I was forced to find another job. Without them as a reference I had no documentable serving experience, so I had to work my way up and a different place now. I make significantly less money, even a year later, than I would have there. All because she complained and got another free meal. She practically ruined my life over burgers.”