The article offers a glimpse into the complex and often painful dynamics of relationships as observed by restaurant servers. Through three stories, the author highlights moments of celebration juxtaposed with heartbreaking revelations of infidelity. Servers witness couples on what should be joyful occasions, only to discover secrets and betrayals that linger beneath the surface. From a couple celebrating a night of cheating to a surprise betrayal on a dating anniversary, servers are often unintentional bystanders to the emotional turmoil of their patrons, offering a unique perspective on human relationships.
I worked as a server at an upscale restaurant in NYC for years. A mid-40s couple came in and were clearly elated to be there on their date. They ordered a really expensive bottle of wine immediately, and I asked if they were celebrating something. They gushed that they had finally decided to cheat on their spouses tonight after all this time flirting and were going to a hotel right after dinner. I was totally speechless and just said, 'Congrats?' They were just beaming the whole night.
I served a couple at a BBQ joint for their five-year dating anniversary. The guy was so sweet and brought in a mini cake for the occasion. He loved holding his girlfriend's hands from across the table and was beaming at her. Barely after I took their entree orders, I looked over to see if they might need more biscuits, and his face was totally different. Pale, sad, and in shock. The woman? Looking guilty AF. The rest of the dinner was silent and awkward, and the guy asked that we not serve the cake; the staff can enjoy it instead. I asked if I could do anything else, and the woman barely choked out, 'No. Just boxes and the check. I just admitted I cheated on him, and we need to leave.' I could only nod in astonishment.
A coworker had a table where the husband asked for her number while his wife was in the bathroom. Apparently, he also used some gross and derogatory words. She politely turned him down, and he asked to see the manager out of anger. The manager was on break, but I was the most senior team member on the floor, so I went over to check it out. The coworker already told me what was up, so I immediately asked him to leave because we don't allow harassment to our staff. His wife comes out, so I fill her in. She's pissed at her husband (as she should be) and calls him a cab. She screams that he's staying at his sister's tonight because she wasn't putting up with his cheating ass anymore. He huffed.
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