Bitter Waitress

Welcome back to Bitter Waitress! In this episode, we're looking at two outrageous customer-service stories and asking AI to analyze the behavior behind them.

First, a restaurant customer discovers an empty ketchup bottle and claims the server has ruined her family's evening — demanding a full refund for the table.

Then, a holiday retail customer insists that her eight-year-old son be allowed to help an employee wrap presents, despite the store's safety policy.

What makes people react this way? Is it entitlement, stress, feeling disrespected, or simply expecting service workers to bend the rules because they're the customer?

I give my own take as a longtime service worker, then ask AI for another perspective.

What do you think? Would either of these customers have been justified?

Welcome back to Bitter Waitress. 🍸

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The robots are coming for our jobs... and honestly? They're doing pretty well :0

In this episode, I put AI to the test by running real customer service role plays with two different AI's: Miles from Sesame and Claude from Anthropic. I threw them both into the fire ;) First, as a server dealing with an angry customer complaining about a tiny salad, then handling a happy, chatty table just looking for a good time. I even dropped an F-bomb to see if they'd flinch. Spoiler... they didn't.

The results? Uncomfortably impressive. Miles brought the jokes and the laid-back energy, while Claude went straight to problem-solving like a seasoned pro. Both offered free food without checking with the manager (a big no-no in real restaurants), and neither one could read the room... because, well, they don't have eyes.

In this episode:

• Testing two different AI's in angry vs. happy customer scenarios
• Why AI servers can't read body language or catch sarcasm
• The problem with giving away free food without manager approval
• How close are we really to robot servers replacing humans?
• Why this technology is exciting and terrifying at the same time

If you've ever wondered whether a robot could do your job, or if you're a little nervous that the answer might be yes, this one's for you!

Perfect for service industry workers watching the AI wave roll in, tech-curious listeners, and anyone who's secretly worried a chatbot might be more polite than their last server.

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress :)

Click on the link to help out the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress

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In this episode, we're diving into the world of restaurant automation and asking the question everyone in the service industry is thinking: will robots replace us?

I share my real experience being served by a robot at a chain restaurant, and spoiler alert, it wasn't great ;)  This little cube-shaped bot rolled up to my table, dropped off my food without cutlery, and couldn't even respond when I needed something. It just... rolled away. Meanwhile, I'm sitting there staring at my food like, "Can someone just bring me a fork?"

We talk about the rising trend of robots in restaurants that can carry multiple plates, sing happy birthday in different languages (how dare they), and cost restaurants $800-900 per month to lease. I break down why I think these bots are more novelty than necessity, and what happens when you replace human interaction with a remote-controlled box on wheels.

Plus, I make you watch 2001: A Space Odyssey (seriously, watch it!) and discuss what happens when AI goes rogue. We explore whether AI has the emotional intelligence to handle difficult customers, patient enough to deal with complaints, and if technology will ever truly replace the human touch in customer service.

In this episode:

• My awkward encounter with a restaurant robot
• Why robots singing happy birthday in Italian isn't as cool as it sounds
• The real cost of restaurant automation vs. hiring support staff
• What 2001: A Space Odyssey teaches us about AI (RIP Hal)
• Can AI handle angry customers with empathy and patience?

Perfect for service industry workers worried about automation, tech enthusiasts curious about AI in hospitality, or anyone wondering if their next server will be a singing robot on wheels.

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!

Click on the link to help out the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress

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In this episode, we're flipping the script. Instead of hearing from servers, we're sitting down with Bob LeMent :)  He's a comedian and storyteller with 26 years of podcasting experience on Static Radio and he'll be talking about restaurant experiences from the customer's perspective.

Bob shares hilarious stories about catching people stealing hot sauce (specifically Cholula), cutlery incidents at Red Lobster, and the infamous Dr. Pepper vs. Root Beer incident at Buffalo Wild Wings. We dive into Bob's very particular ordering habits that drive his co-host Miles absolutely crazy, his obsession with getting sauces on the side, and why he needs to know exactly what's in every dish before committing.

We also talk about teaching kids proper restaurant behavior, the art of reading a table as a server, and why everyone should work in the service industry at least once to understand what servers actually deal with. Plus, Bob reveals his strict water-only diet policies and why he tips bartenders even when he only orders water.

In this episode:

• The great hot sauce heist epidemic in restaurants
• Why Bob needs everything on the side (especially sauces)
• Teaching kids restaurant etiquette vs. embarrassing them on purpose
• The skill of reading customers and matching their energy
• Why working in service teaches you empathy

Perfect for servers who want insight into picky customers' minds, anyone who's ever been "that person" with special requests, or people who love hearing honest, funny stories about the chaos of dining out.

🎙️ Check out Bob's podcast Static Radio at https://www.staticradio.com/ – 26 years of weekly conversations with co-host Miles Tytle covering pop culture, comedy, and storytelling.

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!

Click on the link to help out the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress

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What happens when you're trying to serve drinks and dinner while a comedian is absolutely crushing it on stage?

In this episode, I'm chatting with Scott Edwards, a man who has spent over 40 years on the fringe of show business producing live stage shows, concerts, and TV with acts like Jay Leno, Bob Saget, Dana Carvey, Willie Tyler & Lester, and so many more. 

But today we're talking about the unsung heroes of his comedy clubs, the serving staff :) The people balancing trays in the dark, navigating hecklers, dodging punchlines, and somehow keeping a straight face while the room breaks out in laughter around them. Scott shares the funniest, wildest, and most unforgettable moments his servers experienced while working the floor.

We'll cover:

• What it's really like serving tables at a live comedy show
• The hilarious moments when servers became part of the act
• Dealing with audiences who forget you're a person, not a prop
• The unique challenges of hospitality in an entertainment venue
• Scott's wildest stories from decades of running comedy clubs

If you've ever worked in a restaurant and thought YOUR job was chaotic, wait until you hear what comedy club servers go through. This one is packed with laughs.

Check out Scott Edwards: 

🌐 Website — http://www.scottscomedystuff.com 

🎙️ Scott's podcast is available on Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/7eZ0sIyArgkDD9FxOeHM3X?si=ebf4767c6f6545eb 

You can also find his podcast on Stitcher, iHeart, Pandora, Apple, Google, Podchaser, and more!

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!

Click on the link to help out the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress

Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress)

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If you think the restaurant industry has wild characters, wait until you hear what goes down at auctions.

In this episode, I'm sitting down with my friend Kira, a vintage fabric reseller on Etsy who has seen it ALL. 

From smooth talking auctioneers to the eccentric personalities who show up ready to fight for a deal, Kira's stories will have you laughing, gasping, and wondering why there isn't a reality show about this world already.

Kira runs DodOddity on Etsy, where she hunts down and resells incredible vintage fabrics, and she's turned her wildest experiences into not one but TWO books. If you love a good story about hustle, chaos, and the thrill of the find, this conversation is for you.

We'll cover:

• The colorful characters Kira encounters at auctions (and why they rival any restaurant regular)
• What it's really like building a reselling business from the ground up
• The insane things people will do to score a deal
• How Kira turned her auction adventures into two published books
• The crossover between service industry grit and reseller hustle

Whether you're a server who dreams of a side hustle, a thrift lover, or just someone who appreciates a great story, this episode is a blast.

Check out Kira's books on Amazon: 

📖 Fabric Wars: Tales of the Hunt for Vintage Fabric with Etsy's DodOddity — https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Wars-Tales-Vintage-DodOddity-ebook/dp/B0CL3JPN9W?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1 

📖 Fabric Wars & MORE!: The Insanity of Online Resale Continues with Etsy's DodOddity — https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Wars-MORE-Continues-DodOddity-ebook/dp/B0F844D663?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1

Shop Kira's vintage fabrics on Etsy: 

🛍️ DodOddity — https://www.etsy.com/shop/DodOddity

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!

Click on the link to help out the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress

Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress)

Support the show

Ask any server what hurts most after a double shift, sometimes it's their heads from the craziness of the day but generally it's their feet!

Your feet are the unsung heroes of the service industry - carrying you through endless hours of standing, pivoting, rushing, and somehow still smiling through the pain.

In this episode, I'm talking about the body part that literally keeps us going: our feet. From finding the right footwear that actually holds up to 12-hour shifts, to that one kind table who took one look at me limping and immediately offered sympathy, to the surprising ways restaurant layout and your own body mechanics can make or break your foot health.

We'll cover:

• The shoe brand that this server swears by
• How restaurant flow can make or break your feet
• That magical moment when a customer actually notices you're human and hurting
• The small adjustments that made a huge difference in my daily pain levels

If you've ever hobbled to your car after a shift wondering if your feet will ever recover, this episode is for you. Because taking care of your feet isn't vanity - it's survival.

Perfect for servers and hospitality workers dealing with chronic foot pain, anyone who works on their feet all day, restaurant managers looking to improve employee wellness, and people curious about the physical toll of service work.

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!  Click on the link to help out the podcast:  https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress 

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We've all been hangry, that uncomfortable mix of hunger and irritability that makes everything feel more difficult. But here's the thing: being an adult means managing that feeling without taking it out on the people trying to help you.

In this episode, I'm talking about the phenomenon of "hangry" customers who use their hunger as an excuse to act out in restaurants. From dramatic sighs to passive-aggressive comments to the customer who literally put his head down on the table like a exhausted toddler, I've seen it all...

We're breaking down why hunger doesn't excuse bad behavior, how servers deal with adults who can't regulate their emotions, and the difference between being genuinely hungry and using "hangry" as permission to be rude. Spoiler: If a five-year-old can learn to use their words when they're hungry, so can you!

In this episode:

• The customer who performed his hunger while waiting for his food
• Why "I'm hangry" doesn't make it okay to snap at your server
• The emotional regulation skills adults are supposed to have
• How to handle hunger like a grown-up in public spaces

If you've ever had a customer blame their behavior on being hungry — or if you've wondered why some adults act like toddlers when their blood sugar drops — this one's for you.

Perfect for current and former servers, anyone who's dealt with emotionally dysregulated adults, or people who believe hunger isn't an excuse for bad behavior.

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!  Click on the link to help out the podcast:  https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress 

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In this episode, we're talking about oversharing — specifically the kind that happens in restaurants, at counters, and in places where someone is legally required to be polite to you.

From customers announcing their urgent bathroom needs, to casually dropping life-altering information like divorces, affairs, and medical details mid-order, this episode explores why some people treat service workers like unwilling therapists… or confession booths.

We break down why this behavior is wildly inappropriate, why it happens so often, and how being trapped behind a smile and a name tag turns workers into emotional dumping grounds. It's awkward, it's invasive, and somehow it's always said right before you ask, "Would you like fries with that?"

In this episode:

• The psychology behind why customers overshare with service workers
• Is this behavior acceptable? (Spoiler: I don't think so)
• The question for other servers and bartenders: do you think this is okay?
• Why oversharing goes both ways — servers shouldn't do it either

If you've ever been forced to respond to way too much information with "Oh… okay 😊," this one will feel painfully familiar.

Perfect for current and former service workers, anyone who's been trapped in an awkward customer conversation, or people who want to understand what really happens behind the counter.

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!  Click on the link to help out the podcast:  https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress 

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In this episode, I'm talking about a customer who tried to flex their job title and "important position" to get what they wanted — a limited-edition Bearista cup from Starbucks.

We're diving into the weird phenomenon of customers who genuinely believe their résumé should override store policies, inventory limits, and basic reality. From casual name-dropping to thinly veiled threats to full-blown "Do you know who I am?" moments, this episode breaks down why some people think their authority at work magically transfers to coffee shops and the people working there.

It's a story about entitlement, misplaced power dynamics, and the absurd comedy of watching someone completely unravel because a novelty cup doesn't care about their LinkedIn profile.

In this episode:

• The psychology behind "Do you know who I am?" customers
• Why job titles don't mean anything in retail and food service
• How entitlement shows up in the strangest ways
• The art of staying professional when someone's pulling rank over a coffee cup

If you've ever had a customer try to intimidate you with their credentials, you're going to relate hard to this one.

Perfect for current and former service workers, anyone who's dealt with entitled customers, or people who need a reminder that everyone deserves basic respect — regardless of job title.

Don't forget to tip your favorite waitress!  Click on the link to help out the podcast:  https://buymeacoffee.com/bitterwaitress 

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