Pranking a server might be fun from the customer’s point of view, but for the employee, it isn’t always a laughing matter. Sometimes, these “pranks” can seriously cross the line.
In a viral TikTok, server Parker Galen (@receipt.paper.man) shared an especially cruel prank played on them at work by a group of young customers.
Galen shared footage and pictures of a table presumably at their workplace. Some of the glasses were full to the brim with water. The TikTok, which is shot from Galen’s point of view, shows the server trying to pick them up. A comical song played in the background.
The footage is accompanied by on-screen text that reads, “A group of teenage boys filled their cups up to the absolute brim right before leaving so that I can’t bus the table without spilling water.” The TikTok has been viewed 1.5 million times.
In the video description, Galen adds, “All I can do is laugh.”
Galen didn’t immediately respond to BroBible’s request for comment via Instagram direct message.
What Did Commenters Say?
Some commenters offered more practical solutions, including distributing the water or using napkins. Others were more sympathetic.
“Idk why people gotta be so disrespectful,” one wrote. “A table of teenage boys will either be the easiest of the night or the most nightmarish,” a fellow server shared.
While a non-server added, “See, this is why I have so much respect for service workers. And why I could never be one myself, I would genuinely start crying and then quit expeditiously. Yes, over the damn water lol.”
A fourth agreed, “This is why everybody should work food service at least once in their life.”
In addition to this, a fifth emphasized how these customers “went out of [their] way to do that just for your inconvenience.”
Should You Prank Your Server?
It seems to have become something of a trend by customers to prank servers. One viral TikTok depicted a prank on an Olive Garden server by not saying “when” as she grated cheese on their salad. In another, a Chili’s customer tells the story of how, as a result of a server’s poor customer service, they left a “comically large tip.”
They also made an over-the-top X post to the eatery about how “great” this particular server was. The latter prank seemed to have a net positive impact, with the server allegedly getting a promotion.
But despite this, a server wrote an essay for Food & Wine explaining why pranks on servers are usually not appreciated.
“A restaurant is a place to have a good time with friends and family, but there’s a limit to the hijinks when it comes to pranking your server,” they wrote. “Some customers might go beyond what is acceptable when it comes to playing a joke on the person who is serving their food. Saying that the food was awful while your completely empty plate is being cleared is one thing, but there are a few pranks that go way beyond anything close to being OK.”
What Are The Most Common Pranks?
The server then went on to describe the most egregious pranks, some of which they have personally experienced. Several included tipping. One prank involved customers taking out a stack of cash for a tip before gradually removing dollar bills for service infractions.
Another involved tipping with fake money. A third consisted of tipping with coupons or leftover gift cards. Bizarrely, a fourth included leaving your tip in a glass of water. But the worst of all was loosening the salt and paper shakers on the table.
“Not only does this affect the person who it happens to, it affects the waiter, the kitchen, and anyone else who is eating with the salt-soaked customer because now they can’t all eat at the same time,” they pointed out. “Trust me, no one thinks it’s funny.”
“If you want to make your server laugh, stick with the dad jokes,” they advised. “Don’t give servers a reason to dislike you.”
@receipt.paper.man all I can do is laugh #server