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The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/Colonel_babyyy on 2024-07-19 00:37:57+00:00.

Tldr, a condescending regular started to complain that I didn’t know how to fill up a cup of coffee after 1 to 2 years of serving him, always the same. Was not undefilled though. So, I gave him what he wanted, to the very tip top of his cup.

For many years, I was the opening server (or bartender) for the weekend breakfast at a country club in a gated community for “active adults.” Technically, it was 65 and up, although up to 10% of the population could be 55 to 64… however, that was never an issue. I would say most were 70 and UP.

I’ve never minded customers who were picky and complicated, as long as they weren’t jerks. I’ve learned how to put up with a lot. My goal was to give everyone exactly what the wanted as efficiently as possible. And since the majority of the clientele were regulars, it became fairly easy to remember everyone’s particulars.

I had a regular in his mid to late 70s who was a crankly old thing, but harmless. His ribbing was easy to ignore for the most part. I knew what he wanted, got it out, got my tip, and carried on. Hell, sometimes we even got along. He was either by himself, with a friend from outside the community, with his 2 sons, or the whole lot of them.

Despite being a brunette, he always called me (and most other women working) blondie. Our universal name, apparently. “Hey, blondie, get me a top off!” “Hey, blondie, I need some more ketchup!” And he was just generally pessimistic, like someone had pissed in his cherios. He sons always gave me apologetic looks, I would shrug or laugh something off, and they’d tip me a bit extra.

He would tap his coffee cup if he needed a refill. Hey, I don’t mind. Don’t need to get in a whole conversation, I get in, get out, and on to checking the next table. I would always fill a cup to about a 3/4 inch from the top. Seemed reasonable and no one had ever complained. These aren’t large cups, but it was enough room to add cream/sugar or to just not spill on yourself. After a year or two, that was no longer acceptable. He randomly started making comments about how I (or others) didn’t know how to fill a cup up. I would usually smile, joke, and add a bit more.

But one morning… it was slammed. I was bartending with a fairly full bar, taking to go orders on the phone, getting the golfers food or drinks after their first 9, and had two 4 tops in addition to that. Of course, he wanted my section.

It was busy, but I was sailing. Getting to work at 6:30am didn’t always have me in the best mood, but one musters through. Fake it till you make it.

But all 4 of them were there, and he had an audience to whom he could show off his condescending comments. His mighty prowress, cutting down a 25 year old woman and putting her in her place.

He had already complained about my inability to pour a proper cup of coffee. I was going to greet a table, when all of a sudden he says, “hey blondie!” and taps on his cup.

So, with a shit eating grin, I filled it to the very tip top, not even a drop spilling out. His sons eyes grew large, he startled to sputter, trying to ineliquently say that’s not what he wanted.

“No, no, sir. I never know how to fill up a cup, wouldn’t want to have that.”

He grumbled, of course, and his sons eyes finally started twinkling. They finished their food, paid, and left. He never did complain again about my inability to refill his coffe.

My revenge was minor, but the satisfaction was sweet. Got to get joy in that industry somewhere, right?