I thought it was going to be a normal day at work until a stranger mocked me for something I had no control over. When I discovered who the stranger was, I didnt hold back in calling her out. The best thing about the confrontation was that my father had my back.
I am sure I am not the only person whos heard that if your partner mistreats service workers, that should be a red flag for your relationship. Their mistreatment is a sign that they look down on people who they feel are beneath them.
A waitress taking an order from customers | Source: Pixabay
I learned this lesson during a recent and unexpected incident. See, I had been working at this restaurant for a year while busy with my Anthropology studies.
I would whip out my books and study between orders and when it was a slow day in the restaurant. Today was a busy day, and I hadnt yet had a chance to go through my schoolwork, and worried Id fall behind.
A waitress taking an order from customers | Source: Pixabay
Juggling a part-time job and school isnt easy. On that typical late evening, a middle-aged woman in a red dress walked into the establishment. For some reason, I distinctly felt a twinge of nerves.
She exuded an air of entitlement, and her sharp gaze scanned the room critically. Even so, I approached her with my usual courtesy, ready to take her order. “Good evening! Im Alice. May I take your order, please?” I greeted her warmly with a broad and inviting smile.
A woman smiling while holding a book | Source: Pexels
I hoped my positive demeanor would calm her down because standing close to her, I could FEEL her bristling with annoyance. Her eyes narrowed as she looked me up and down, clearly unimpressed.
I instantly cringed physically as if shed hit me or touched me unexpectedly. “And what is this new look youre showing off, young lady? Where is your apron?” she snapped.
I felt a familiar tightening in my throat, my stutter threatening to emerge. “M-maam, I, Im…”
Alice taking an order from Donna | Source: Midjourney
She rolled her eyes dramatically, cutting me off. “I cant HEAR you! Do you speak normal English? God, Ill fire you straight away when I own this little shack.”
I couldnt believe what I was hearing. I was on the verge of tears as I tried to make sense of her statement. I wondered what she meant by owning the restaurant. I was about to open my mouth to defend myself and the establishment shed reduced to a “shack,” when something happened.
An emotional woman | Source: Pexels
Just then, my dads voice rang out from behind her. “Oh, you already met each other, perfect!”
Met each other? What was he talking about… What happened next became an absolutely gorgeous and memorable moment because the stranger started stuttering!
“H-h-honey, what do you mean?!” she asked, her previous bravado vanishing.
My dad walked over, smiling warmly. “You still dont get it? This is my daughter, Alice!” he said, pulling me close for a one-armed hug.
A father hugging his daughter | Source: Pexels
Her face turned a shade of crimson as she looked back at me, her demeanor shifting from arrogant to flustered in a heartbeat! At that moment, I realized the MOST interesting part of the evening was about to begin!
The thought of crying was long gone as my fathers presence bolstered me. “Please, continue with what you were saying, maam. What were you saying you were going to do after you fired me when you own, what did you call it again? Ah yes! This shack?” I asked, grinning widely.
A woman smiling while holding a notebook | Source: Pexels
She stammered, trying to salvage the situation. “Oh, darling, you didnt get the gist of what I was saying.”
“What were you saying, Donna?” my father asked as he started putting two and two together.
“Well, darling, of course, I was just j-j-joking!”
The woman punctuated the last word with a fake smile that convinced no one!
I raised an eyebrow, mimicking her earlier tone. “Oh, whats wrong with YOUR English? So you can s-s-stutter and others cant?”
An upset woman with a raised eyebrow | Source: Freepik
My dad stood there, speechless, trying to process the situation.
I took a deep breath and turned to him, my heart pounding. “Dad, Im sorry, but it seems like your taste in women failed after Mom.”
Donna reached out to him, but he stepped back, his expression hardening. “Please, honey, you have to understand. It was all a misunderstanding,” she pleaded, desperation creeping into her voice.
Donna defending herself while Alice looks on | Source: Midjourney
He shook his head, his disappointment evident. “I simply CAN NOT believe youd talk like that with my daughter. Moreover, you didnt know it was her, so thats how you talk to service people?”
Donnas eyes widened with desperation as she realized that things were backfiring on her.
I stood opposite my dad with a smug look and arms folded as I listened to their back and forth.
A father and his daughter standing with folded arms | Source: Freepik
“No, no, I didnt MEAN it that way. I just… I was having a bad day!” she exclaimed, sounding exasperated.
“Even a bad day wouldnt excuse your behavior, Donna. You showed me your true colors,” my father said, his words marked with sadness.
“And those colors arent very pretty,” I added, siding with my dad.
A disappointed woman | Source: Freepik
“Please, give me another chance. I promise Ill do and be better,” Donna begged softly, her voice breaking as all her arrogance went out the door. She never expected to get caught showing her true self.
A part of me felt sorry for her. It was clear from how she was reacting that she loved my dad, but how she treated me said a lot about her character. I wondered how many more people she had abused while they rendered services to her.
An unhappy woman holding a notebook | Source: Pexels
Whether she loved my dad or not didnt matter if she wasnt a good person and, as they say, “First impressions last.”
My dad looked at her with a mixture of sadness and resolve. “No, I think its best if we part ways. I cant be with someone who disrespects my daughter and others like that.”
“Goodbye, and enjoy your last meal here, because I dont think youll be welcome back,” I said, feeling a surge of confidence.
A woman smiling while standing next to her father | Source: Freepik
Donnas face twisted in anger and humiliation as she opened her mouth to say something. But she thought against it before storming out of the restaurant. My dad turned to me, his expression softening. “Im so sorry, Alice. I had no idea she was like that.”
“Its okay, Dad. Im just glad you know now,” I replied, feeling a wave of relief.
We hugged, and the other patrons in the restaurant, who had been quietly watching the scene, began to clap. I felt a surge of pride, knowing I stood up for myself and that my dad had my back. His entitled girlfriend was gone, and my dad and I could move forward without her toxic presence.
A father hugging his daughter | Source: Pexels
As the evening wound down, the restaurant became quieter. My dad and I sat at one of the tables, sharing a cup of coffee. The confrontation was still fresh in our minds, and we found solace in each others company.
“Dad, why did you never tell her about me?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
He sighed, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. “I wanted to, but it never seemed like the right time. I didnt think shed react like that.”
A sad father talking to his daughter | Source: Pexels
“Well, now you know,” I said, a hint of bitterness creeping into my voice. “Its not the first time someone has mocked my stutter, but it hurt more coming from someone you cared about.”
He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “Im so proud of you, my angel. Youve grown into such a strong and resilient young woman.”
His words warmed my heart, and I smiled at him. “Thanks, Dad. It means a lot to hear you say that.”
A happy woman smiling | Source: Pexels
“I noticed how heartbroken you were to have to end your relationship. I am sorry, Dad,” I said, reaching out to hug him tightly.
“Thanks, pumpkin,” he smiled. “I did love her. We were together for almost a year, and I thought she was the one until today.”
I was sad for my father but secretly relieved that Donna didnt become my stepmother. Something told me that my stutter would have been the least of my worries when it came to that rude woman. But luckily, fate played a good hand for me.
A sad father with his daughter | Source: Pexels
As the evening progressed, we talked about everything and nothing. The restaurant staff, who had seen the earlier drama, gave me nods of approval and supportive smiles. I felt a newfound sense of belonging and acceptance.
A few days later, life at the restaurant returned to normal. The regulars came and went, the kitchen buzzed with activity, and the waitstaff moved swiftly to keep up with the dinner rush. I felt a renewed sense of purpose and confidence in my work.
Happy patrons at a restaurant | Source: Pexels
Later that night, as I was cleaning up, my dad approached me with a thoughtful expression. “Ive been thinking about what happened with Donna,” he said.
I looked up from wiping down a table. “Yeah?”
“I realized that Ive been too focused on finding someone new, and I havent been paying enough attention to you,” he admitted.
“Dad, its okay. I want you to be happy,” I replied, meaning every word.
A daughter comforting her father | Source: Pexels
He shook his head. “No, its not okay. I need to be there for YOU more. Youve always been there for me, and I want to do the same for you.”
I felt a lump in my throat, touched by his sincerity. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
We hugged again, and I knew our bond had grown stronger through this experience. The restaurant became more than just a place of work; it was a place of growth, resilience, and family.
A father and his daughter embracing | Source: Pexels
The incident with Donna reminded me that people’s true colors always come out eventually. My dads ex-girlfriend learned that lesson the hard way. That mocking others, especially family, has consequences. And for me, it was a sweet victory, knowing I stood up for myself!
A happy waitress standing at a restaurants door | Source: Pexels
In the following story, a woman was mocked by a male customer for stuttering and delaying the line at a coffee shop. While she couldnt fight for herself, the rude customer who mocked her got more than he bargained for when the waitress got revenge on behalf of the stuttering patron!
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
