Virginia Beach Server Shares What She Really Thinks About Customers Who Only Order Water: ‘There Are Some Servers That Get Mad’

When working as a server, it’s inevitable to develop certain customer pet peeves. On TikTok pages like #ServerTok or #ServerLife, you’ll find laundry lists of grievances that allegedly get under servers’ skins.

However, Virginia Beach-based server Hannah (@hannah__lynn16) is flipping the script. She reveals the customer behaviors that don’t bother her.

“Here are a couple of things that I truly do not care about as a server,” she begins her video.

1. Modifying Food

“I don’t care if you want to modify your food,” she says. “I don’t care if you want to take off some onions and mushrooms. I don’t care if you wanna add something else to it.”

Although this does require her to press a few buttons, it doesn’t bother her since she’s not the one eating or paying for the meal.

2. Ordering Water

Next up are placing water orders. Sometimes, servers have a bone to pick with this.

“There are some servers that get mad when you don’t order an alcoholic drink or a soda because it brings up your check,” she says. Since Hannah is a fellow water drinker herself, this doesn’t bother her. “I only drink water with lemon when I go out to eat,” she says. “It doesn’t mean I’m not gonna tip appropriately.”

“If you wanna be healthy and drink water, by all means, go for it,” she adds.

3. Questions About The Menu

Last but not least are questions about the menu that servers may find “annoying.” For her, this is irritating when customers don’t bother to look at the menu before inquiring.

“Yes, because your answer is probably in the menu if you read it,” Hannah says.

On the other hand, she encourages customers to ask for her thoughts and opinions about a certain item. “My job is to help you pick what you wanna eat, make sure you’re gonna like it,” Hannah says. “I’m here to serve you.”

‘I’ll Do Whatever For My Server Tips’

Hannah’s clip racked up over 291,000 views. In the comments section, several servers revealed things customers request that don’t bother them.

“Splitting checks… we use toast and it’s literally so easy. As long as everyone tips, I’m happy,” one viewer commented.

“I hate when people apologize for food allergies! Like come on, you’re allergic, I get it, you’re not the first, I got you boo! Your food is safe with me!” another shared.

“I don’t hate anything but a bad attitude. I’ll do whatever for my server tips. You want some extra sauce h–- ya!” a third said.

What Is The Problem With Ordering Water?

Although there isn’t a federal law regarding free tap water, it is standard for restaurants in the U.S. to offer free water (except in California, where customers must request it because of water conservation laws). While water is a default option for customers, it seems to specifically grind the gears of some servers.

For example, one Texas Roadhouse server called out customers who order waters for their entire table. Another server blasted a party of 15 for doing the same thing. The servers in Hannah’s comments section weren’t any different and were critical about her take on water part.

“I do care if you get a fountain drink, shake or whatever and also get a water and then don’t touch the water,” one commenter remarked.

“The only thing about water is when you order water for the whole table and then everyone gets a drink too and several refills but doesn’t touch the water like… why are we wasting it! Come on!” a second concurred.

“I don’t care if they order water as long as they drink it. Or at least some of it. If it’s still full when I clear the table, I’m p—–,” a third echoed.

But servers’ grievances over water waste may be valid. A study from OysterLink found the average restaurant uses 5,800 gallons of water per day, with 52% used in the kitchen. When the majority of these drinks go untouched, Food & Wine notes it’s a “waste of time, resources, and water glasses that have to go back through the dishwasher.”

BroBible reached out to Hannah via email and TikTok direct message.