During high school, I worked as a waitress at a local restaurant to make some extra money. One evening, a family came in for dinner— a man, his pregnant wife, and their little daughter. The family seemed pleasant enough as they settled into their booth, chatting and laughing together. I greeted them with a smile, took their orders, and made sure everything was just right.
As the meal went on, the wife excused herself to go to the restroom, leaving her husband and daughter at the table. This was when the situation took a turn. After she walked away, the man suddenly asked me for the check. I brought it over to him, and as he signed the receipt, I noticed something strange. In the tip section of the bill, he had written his phone number and added the words “call me baby.”
I was taken aback at first, unsure of what to do. The audacity of his behavior was shocking, especially considering that his wife was still in the restroom. I didn’t say anything to him, but I felt a surge of discomfort. After running his card, I went about my usual duties, trying to focus on the rest of the customers and keep my composure.
When the wife returned from the bathroom, I waited until she was seated again before approaching their table. I knew I had to handle the situation carefully, but I couldn’t let it slide. I walked over and, with a polite but firm tone, handed the man his card back and placed the receipt in front of his wife. I told her there seemed to be a problem with the tip, acting as if I was just following protocol.
The wife looked at me with some confusion as she read the receipt. Her eyes scanned the note, and it didn’t take long for her expression to change. I could see the hurt and confusion crossing her face as she processed what had just happened. She looked up at her husband, and without saying a word, her face revealed everything she needed to know.
The man didn’t say anything in response. He didn’t try to explain or apologize, and the atmosphere grew tense. The wife quickly stood up, grabbed her daughter, and walked toward the exit. As she left, I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of relief and regret. I had done the right thing, but I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to that family after the incident.