Servers have the ability to make or break a customer’s dining experience. Those who engage in pleasant conversations with their tables, crack jokes, hand out compliments, and help diners celebrate their special moments can remain in a customer’s memory—even years down the road. Florida steakhouse server Laurena (@bliss_is_life) learned that after a customer from 15 years ago prior came in to dine with her once more.
While Laurena doesn’t name her place of work, she describes it as a fine dining steakhouse. Laurena says a group was her first table of the night, and she had no issues with them the entire service. “We go through the whole meal. They’re very sweet, very kind, very chill people,” she says.
How To Leave A Memorable Impression As A Server
At the end of the meal, Laurena says one of the women at the table asked her how long she’d been working there. Laurena let her know she has been with the restaurant for 15 years.
“‘I thought so. About 15 years ago, you served me on my birthday,’” she recalls the woman saying. The woman told her she was dining there with her now-husband (then-boyfriend). “‘You made my birthday so special that night with the birthday dessert, the amuse-bouche, the special champagne toast, the rosé.”
But Laurena says the woman cherished a compliment she gave her most. “’You also gave me a compliment that night, and I actually think about that compliment every single day,’” the customer said, per Laurena. “‘You told me I was pretty or something like that.’”
“’I wanted to tell you because that really meant a lot to me that you said what you said to me, and I think about it all the time,’” the woman added.
Because of this experience, Laurena encourages viewers to vocalize their pleasant thoughts about people.
“Say the kind words, say the compliment, say the things that you’re thinking that are sweet,” she recommends. “Because you never know how it’s going to affect someone.”
Viewers Unanimously Agree
The video racked up over 314,000 views, and many viewers echoed the server’s sentiment, stressing the importance of being nice to strangers.
“It costs nothing to be kind!” one viewer commented.
“Never admire quietly,” another stated.
“Random acts of kindness can have a profound effect and take so little effort,” a third said.
Furthermore, others revealed the compliments they still treasure.
“Someone 9 years ago told me I had pretty eyebrows and I still think about it too,” one commenter shared.
“A girl in the airport told me I was a great mom. I still tear up about it,” a second recalled.
Thanks to the power of TikTok, the video found its way to the woman’s FYP.
“OH my goooooodnesss! it’s me! I’m the customer! That little glimmer from 15 years ago still going strong (so is my marriage for the record haha!) and I will literally never forget you. Thanks for another memorable night! We had the best time,” she wrote in the comments section.
@bliss_is_life Say the kind things… #server #servertok #serverthings #finedining #steakhouse #speakkindly #hospitality
The Science Behind Compliments
There is reason why compliments make us feel good, and it’s rooted in science. When a compliment is received, dopamine is triggered in the brain, per Individual Matter. Dopamine is the “feel good” chemical responsible for reward, motivation, and pleasure. Dopamine can have a positive impact on blood flow, digestion, memory, sleep, alertness, and focus, according to Individual Matter.
BroBible reached out to Laurena via TikTok comment and direct message.