AITAH for yelling at a customer while on the clock? ?

A 24-year-old Hooters waitress recounts a frustrating encounter with an older male customer who made inappropriate comments, whistled at her, and left no tip. After enduring his behavior, she lost her temper when he made a crude remark as he was leaving, and she snapped at him. Now facing a meeting with her boss, she wonders if she was in the wrong for yelling at him. Read the full story below.

‘ AITAH for yelling at a customer while on the clock? ?’

I (24 female) currently work at a Hooters in Texas. It was a busy day dealing with GROOOSSSSS men so I was already in a bit of a mood but one customer stood out to me. It was mid shift when I group of older guys came in and were sat down in my section.

There was one guy in particular who was eyeing me up and down right when I asked them if they wanted to start with drinks. He looked to be about 45-50 years old and was balding (we’ll call him Jeff)… immediate red flag.

They all ordered margaritas and Jeff asked me if I was gonna ask for ID, I laughed and started to close up my book and walked away as I turned around he whistled at me and was holding his ID. I politely took it and gave a two second glance before handing it back.

The other guys at the table seemed to be just as uncomfortable as I was. The whistling really got me going but I remained calm cause I got bills to pay and tips with these types are usually good. When I came back from with the drinks Jeff commented on my hair saying it “lays nicely on my chest” whatever that means and I didn’t know what to say.

It was clear the other guys were super uncomfortable as was I. I said a polite thank you and got started on their food. Fast forward after the orders and food had made its way to the table I did my usual check in.

I could hear them laughing from across the restaurant and they seemed to go quiet as I approached, I was able to make out Jeff saying watch this. When I got up to ask if everything was tasting alright Jeff looked at the guys at the table and said “it’s tasting great but can we talk about those lips are they natural if so you’ve got a perfect set of lips.”

Everyone at the table and in the general vicinity went quiet because WTF like that had to be a double meaning but I was too grossed out to think of it. About 20 minutes go by without checking on them and one of Jeff’s friends signaled me for the check so I brought it over and asked the usual together or separate.

Jeff insisted on paying so I handed the bill to him waited for him to finish up and thanked them for coming in. As they were leaving I saw Jeff’s friend start to put a $20 bill on the table and Jeff told him to put it away. When I looked at the check to make sure it went through I saw a big fat 0 by the tip.

This is where I got a little petty but mind you I kept a very good composure the whole time I served them so I asked if there was a problem with the service. Jeff smiled and said maybe next time pull your shirt down a little or wear a smaller size. I lost it.

I told him that the job was bad enough having to flaunt around like some show pony but guys like him make it even worse. I even told him that the world would be better without bald headed fucks like himself.

Then I walked away. I’m not proud of it but he was just so gross. And I’m used to the occasional stares because it comes with the job I guess but this rubbed me the wrong way. Anyways I have a meeting with my boss tomorrow and I’m expecting the worst. So am I the a**hole?

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

okpineapplez −  NTA. 2 of my exes worked at hoots/twin peaks. Recently when I lived in FL I lived in the same apts/near a hoots where some of them lived and was a regular there. I became really close to everyone, the girls, the managers, their bfs. Im mid 30s and my ex gf and I used to chill there a lot.

I’ve seen and heard every bad thing, sugar daddy situations, men asking the girls to step on their food or spit in their drinks for extra money, stalkers, men grabbing chics, fights, and every l**e pick up line under the sun.

What you experienced was s**tty and that dude deserved what happened. You did what 100% of women would want to do. Unfortunately corporate may have some rules about flipping out and you may get a warning, depending on seniority/previous write ups/how many regulars you have/etc. Since he was being really inappropriate I’m 100% sure your boss is gonna have your back and you shouldn’t worry.

Hooters corporate policy also states that disrespect towards women and it’s employees are not to be tolerated and managers have the right to remove guys like that who cross the line and make you feel uncomfortable. If this happens again, as it probably will, just go straight to your manager and let them know you’re uncomfortable and the s**t the guy says.

Im sorry that beauty is sometimes a curse and that this economy forces some to have to endure those situations. Keep working towards your dreams and dont let these fucks bring you down.

Momo_and_moon −  Next time an older guy insists you look at his license, look at it and say ‘Wow, you’re almost my dad’s age!’. NTA, he is a sick old fart.

Diarrheagurl −  You are not the a**hole. At all. He stiffed you on the tip and s**ually harassed you while at work. I think this could call for a formal complaint with your work about him and how you didn’t feel comfortable while serving the table. Don’t apologize for your comments to work and advocate for yourself

Flat-Tree-5214 −  All for women standing up for themselves and sounds like you gave him what he deserved but unfortunately, some of that objectification comes with the territory of your place of work. Their entire brand is set up to suggest ogling is more than tolerated and Jeffs are welcome. Find a better spot that won’t put you in the position of needing to deal with As like him.

Larsmeatdragon −  NTA he’s horrible but damn as a bald guy this hurt

RCKJD −  NTA, Jeff sucks and he got what he deserved. The only thing I might take a bit umbrage of this post is that I, as overweight 51 year old bald man, would be immediately be weighed down with a red flag (though the whole “being served by young women in tight tshirts and shorts” isn’t my style of eatery). But on the other hand, knowing how many “Jeff”s are out there I cannot blame you for it.

zerenato76 −  Nta. The customer is king if he behaves like a king. And I mean a fairy tale king, not an inbred at the top of 400 years of i**est. You put him in his place and well done to you. The other guys are AH as well since they didn’t stand up to Jeff.

FrizzWitch666 −  No, places like that are the a**hole. You need a job that treats you like a human, no offense. I know the money is probably better than regular serving (right?!), but places like this are contributing to the problem of men thinking we’re just s** objects to be used.

BageOnkel −  NTA you did great. I would have yeeted him at the lips comment.

Snow2D −  ESH. Jeff crossed too many lines, his behavior was obviously inappropriate. On your part: it is never okay to yell at a customer unless they touch you inappropriately or something extreme like that. Yelling only escalates situations and is highly inappropriate in a professional setting.

You can calmly point out that they’re inappropriate and that you’d like for them to stop or they’ll have to leave, but what you did was let your frustrations build up until you burst. The first way you addressed his inappropriate behavior was by yelling and insulting him. That’s not how to deal with inappropriate customers.. Also

There was one guy in particular who was eyeing me up and down right when I asked them if they wanted to start with drinks. He looked to be about 45-50 years old and was balding (we’ll call him Jeff)… immediate red flag.

You are working at a business where the main point is for people to ogle women. If you think it’s a red flag for someone to do exactly what the point of the business is, then maybe look for a different job?

Do you think the waitress was justified in standing up for herself, or should she have handled the situation differently given her job responsibilities? How would you handle such a situation if faced with ongoing inappropriate behavior at work? Share your thoughts below!