Anyone who has worked in food service knows the adage that “the customer is always right” is basically law. As a waitress, I bit my tongue and apologized for things that were not my fault, replaced items that were perfectly fine, and yes, listened to more than my fair share of frivolous complaints.
This head chef, though, drew the line at a customer trying to swindle a free steak for a friend.
It began with a fairly innocuous moment – a waitress coming back to the kitchen and asking for a replacement steak, because the customer said his was overdone.
No problem, but the original steak needs to come back so he can see what “overdone” looks like (and because you don’t get to keep a steak you’re supposedly not going to eat).
Image Credit: Cheezburger
The customer refused to give it back, saying that his friend would eat it if it’s just going in the bin.
By the time the chef got out there to handle things himself, all of the steaks were gone. He told the table they would need to pay for another steak if they still wanted one, and they were angry about it (but at least they paid).
Image Credit: Cheezburger
Was he wrong for not playing by the “customer is always right” rule?
I feel like most restaurants would have replaced it anyway, but that doesn’t mean it’s right.
Let’s see what the commenters on the post had to say!
Basically, they said if you let them get away with it now, they’ll just do it again.
Image Credit: Reddit
Everyone knows Judge Judy is never wrong.
Image Credit: Reddit
But…the result is still the same.
Image Credit: Reddit
You have to read the situation, but still, the chef was fully within his rights.
Image Credit: Reddit
We’ve all been there, and no one in food service would ever be rude while their food is in someone else’s hands.
Image Credit: Reddit
The customer might always be right, but that doesn’t mean they have the right to walk all over the people doing the tough work of waiting on them in public, right?
What are your thoughts? Drop them in the comments!
