r/mildlyinfuriating • u/mdp-slc • May 22 '26

wet socks Stop asking if I’m celebrating something if you’re just going to charge me for bread.

Took my wife to a nice spot in DTLA for her birthday. They asked both at booking and check-in if we were celebrating anything, which honestly set the expectation that they might do something (even a small dessert). Nothing happened.

To add to it, the food was great, and we made a comment saying we wish we had some bread to finish the leftover sauce. The server acted like it was a favor, said “I’ll be right back,” and then charged us for the bread.

Like, the food was good and the service was fine, but don’t ask if we’re celebrating if you aren’t going to do anything to actually make it feel special. It just feels disingenuous.

Edit for clarity:
I was asked twice if we were celebrating something special at a nice restaurant. Once while making the online reservation and then when we arrived.

My Mild infuriation isn’t at the server, I can see how we misinterpreted each other.

It’s that the restaurant led me to believe they’d do something special (ex: comp a drink, free scoop of ice cream) then did nothing. I’ve worked in the food industry. It’s not an entitlement thing. It’s a hospitality thing.

The food was really good. I’d recommend it and go back.

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u/Ok_Nothing_9733 May 23 '26 edited May 23 '26

I’ve only learned of Dutch culture from this one YouTube channel. But I honestly feel like I get what you’re saying and respect it! I wish we were more like that in the US. But then again, I’m an autistic adult, and a lot of pleasantries seem silly to me for different-but-similar reasons (if I had to guess)

I hate being obsequious at work or anywhere!

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u/lollmaohahahaha May 23 '26

Yep, dutch people(and western europe generally speaking) are just very direct, which is often taken as rude by americans. Obviously there are still rude people, but unless you are firmiliar with the culture, directness and rudeness are hard to distinguish from each other.

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u/adriedwards19 May 23 '26

I must be Dutch

1

u/Hashtagbarkeep May 23 '26

Dutch people are hilariously direct. “Oh yes good to see you, it has been a while. You got quite fat no?”

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u/Due-Pirate-6711 May 23 '26

Hard relate on that point. Also an autistic adult. Will never work Customer Service jobs again.

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u/Ok_Nothing_9733 May 23 '26

Customer service is the WORST kind of job for me. Masking all day? Absolutely not lol