AITA for not telling a pregnant woman that her planning isn’t my problem?

Sometimes, even common workplace encounters can escalate into full-blown drama—especially when entitlement and frustration collide. In this case, our OP, a 21-year-old fast food worker, describes an incident that unfolded just after closing time at a McDonald’s located in a shopping centre.

When a pregnant customer and her husband showed up after closing, demanding food—specifically fries—OP politely explained that the restaurant had closed and the register was already logged out. However, when the couple continued to push for service, the situation escalated until OP, exasperated, bluntly told them that their lack of planning wasn’t his problem.

‘ AITA for not telling a pregnant woman that her planning isn’t my problem?’

Workplace customer service often requires a balance of empathy and firmness, especially in industries like fast food where strict policies are in place for a reason. Hospitality expert Maria Jensen explains, “Employees are trained to follow set protocols for closing times and register procedures; while it’s important to remain courteous, sometimes being firm is necessary to enforce policies that ensure a smooth operation.” (For further reading, see Hospitality Best Practices).

Dr. Alan Kim, a social psychologist, adds, “While pregnancy can sometimes lead to cravings or heightened emotions, it does not grant anyone special privileges when it comes to rules and regulations. Entitlement can emerge in stressful situations, but it’s not the employee’s role to accommodate behavior that disrupts the operational flow of the business.” In other words, while the customer’s frustration might be understandable on a personal level, it doesn’t override the fact that policies are in place for everyone’s benefit.

OP’s response, although blunt, reflects the reality of many service environments: there are closing times for a reason, and exceptions—especially when repeatedly requested—can undermine operational integrity. It’s also important to note that several commenters, including those with firsthand experience of pregnancy, agree that being pregnant does not automatically entitle someone to bypass established rules.

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

The Reddit community overwhelmingly sided with OP on this issue. Many commenters noted that the restaurant was closed, and that no amount of pregnancy cravings justifies demanding service after hours. One user pointed out that if the customer wanted fries, she should have planned to come earlier.

Others emphasized that entitlement doesn’t come with pregnancy, and that enforcing rules—even if it sometimes means coming off as blunt—is part of maintaining a fair and orderly work environment. The general consensus was that OP was simply upholding store policy, making it clear that personal planning, not pregnancy, should dictate access to service.

At its core, this incident isn’t about being unsympathetic to pregnant women—it’s about maintaining professional boundaries and following established rules. While many empathize with the difficulties that come with pregnancy, it’s important to remember that customer service protocols apply equally to all patrons, regardless of their circumstances.

Do you think strict adherence to policy is more important than accommodating special requests, or is there room for flexibility even in these situations? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—let’s discuss where the balance should lie between empathy and professionalism.