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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Why would a waitress say this

119 replies

Cheeseandcoffee · 19/12/2020 07:52

Ok so my partner myself and two other male relatives were at a restaurant ( I live I an area this is permissible )
The waitress whilst taking our orders in my opinion was really rude . She asked for our drink order then looked directly at me and said ‘are you tired?’ When I said no I’m not she said ‘are you sure you look really tired ‘. I said I’m sure , trying to end it there . She pressed again saying ‘oh it’s just that I thought you must have had a really hard day cause you look so tired .’
I ignored her at that point t and looked away at which point she left to get the drinks , but I have to say I felt really horrible and self conscious the whole rest of the night
My husband thinks I’m being over the top and sensitive and that she was just being ‘concerned ‘ and caring . I told him it’s her job to serve us not worry about my health
Why on earth would she do this , single me out . She didn’t do this to any of the men . I wasn’t wearing any makeup and was dressed just in smart casual . It’s a beachside town so we all were dressed that way . I probably do look that way as I’m no spring chicken and maybe she felt I needed to make more effort . Im finding myself feeling a little paranoid that as I reach menopause age I really must be looking tired . I and look after my skin as best I can and don’t have other people saying this but maybe they are just being polite
Anyway is my husband right am I being too sensitive and why would she do this . Is it common / normal and I don’t get out enough lol

OP posts:
Asurvivor · 19/12/2020 09:58

The thing is that you will never know her intentions - whether she was being unkind or clumsy or over-thinking that you needed help. But her comments clearly got to you, maybe you can reflect on that instead? It seems like they touched a nerve which is why you feel triggered by her comments. Are you tired and how do you feel about reaching the menopause as I think you said? The menopause can be a difficult time both physically and emotionally. How are you in yourself? And do you actually need more support than you are getting from your DH right now? Maybe you can think about what you need, rather than what she meant.

Pyewhacket · 19/12/2020 10:03

The moments gone. Forget about it.

Sally872 · 19/12/2020 10:07

You can't understand her motives because you aren't that kind of person, it a waste of your time to try. I wouldn't give it another thought (easier said than done, I know) Flowers

pog100 · 19/12/2020 10:09

Why can't it just be a waitress bored of serving all day having a bit of fun at the OP's expense? People are always trying the boundaries of what's possible in their jobs.

SirVixofVixHall · 19/12/2020 10:13

@Febo24

Given that you mention you're with 3 men, is it possible she was concerned for your wellbeing? Just a thought really. Obviously I know a woman can go out 3 men by the way. But you get what I'm saying, she might have gotten three wrong end of the stick and was trying to give you an opportunity.

Otherwise, it sounds really quite off the wall and I'd do my best to dismiss it.

I thought this too , or that she is concerned about Covid .
ThumbWitchesAbroad · 19/12/2020 10:13

@Febo24

Given that you mention you're with 3 men, is it possible she was concerned for your wellbeing? Just a thought really. Obviously I know a woman can go out 3 men by the way. But you get what I'm saying, she might have gotten three wrong end of the stick and was trying to give you an opportunity.

Otherwise, it sounds really quite off the wall and I'd do my best to dismiss it.

Yep, that's what I thought too.
Positivevibesonlyplease · 19/12/2020 10:15

I agree with the other posters who said she might be expressing concern. She was persistent because she wanted to give you an opportunity to ask for help. She may have witnessed something similar previously. I wouldn’t give it another thought.

MerylStreet · 19/12/2020 10:22

@bluebluezoo

The OP is coming up to menopause age so going to assume about 47? Not a vulnerable / trafficked woman having dinner with three men twice her age

Age does not mean you can’t be vulnerable or trafficked. The age of the men has no bearing on whether someone might be trafficked, or sex working against their will either.

This is so true.
ScrapThatThen · 19/12/2020 10:23

The owner of a health food shop did this to me. Then probably wondered why I was rather frosty towards her. Very rude.

TonMoulin · 19/12/2020 10:47

The one thing that crossed my mind was she thought you were unwell. .... with Covid.

ShowOfHands · 19/12/2020 11:02

You'd love my SIL op. She's Ukrainian and culturally, quite different to us. She is so direct, it's startling at first but refreshing once you know she means no offence. She has said all of the following to me:

Your hair cut is terrible. You look like a small boy.
Your daughter has poor posture. You should force her to sit properly.
English people are all very peculiar.
You are very fit for an older woman (I'm 39).

She also compliments me in the same brutal and honest way.

Some people say what's on the tip of their tongue. Who knows why. Just let it go.

queenofknives · 19/12/2020 11:03

@Positivevibesonlyplease

I agree with the other posters who said she might be expressing concern. She was persistent because she wanted to give you an opportunity to ask for help. She may have witnessed something similar previously. I wouldn’t give it another thought.
Yes, the well-known safeguarding tactic of offering help to a perfectly happy-seeming woman by repeatedly insulting her appearance.
Cheeseandcoffee · 19/12/2020 11:04

@TrousersTea

OP not sure if this has already been suggested as I’ve not read the whole thread, but could she have been checking about Covid? I’ve been asked if I’m feeling ok if I’ve so much as sniffed! You may not have recalled coughing or sniffing or even looking unwell...just not laughing along with the group at a point she happened to notice, for instance. People are crazy about Covid.

Otherwise, I’d say that women not wearing make up look tired even when they’re not, as it’s less common for women to go out without it than to wear it. She may genuinely have thought you were feeling unwell. I know that’s not what you want to hear but sadly this is true for most women as the expectation for a healthy look is dark eyes, rosy cheeks and general colour to the face. In any case I think it’s covid related and the more striking idea of tiredness on a woman compared with a man who are rarely seen in make up.

This may or may not be true but to be honest in tokd I look a lot younger without makeup than with it which is why I tend not to wear it
OP posts:
Cheeseandcoffee · 19/12/2020 11:06

[quote TrousersTea]@MilerVino I’m not saying it’s right but unfortunately it is true. That’s the general view - lots of women do wear make up and therefore those that don’t can look tired in comparison. With everyone so extremely worried about covid, it could well be her picking at that thread as she was worried for herself.[/quote]
Also once again where I live ( without giving away too much person info COVID has been very well down and the actual cases within the the entire state where she lives was one case and even up till now very few cases

OP posts:
Cheeseandcoffee · 19/12/2020 11:10

@Sally872

You can't understand her motives because you aren't that kind of person, it a waste of your time to try. I wouldn't give it another thought (easier said than done, I know) Flowers
Thankyou , yes I appreciate that
OP posts:
Cheeseandcoffee · 19/12/2020 11:12

@Asurvivor

The thing is that you will never know her intentions - whether she was being unkind or clumsy or over-thinking that you needed help. But her comments clearly got to you, maybe you can reflect on that instead? It seems like they touched a nerve which is why you feel triggered by her comments. Are you tired and how do you feel about reaching the menopause as I think you said? The menopause can be a difficult time both physically and emotionally. How are you in yourself? And do you actually need more support than you are getting from your DH right now? Maybe you can think about what you need, rather than what she meant.
The funny thing is I actually felt pretty positive about the way i was looking . I felt refreshed . Felt I didn’t look tired and I have been really looking after myself which I think is why it made me really wonder ... anyway ....Thanks everyone . I appreciate the kind words
OP posts:
EpochTime · 19/12/2020 11:12

OP, I've experienced similar and I've learned to return the serve via the use of self-deprecatory 'humour', e.g. 'nah (broad smile) my face always looks like this' or some reference to RBF, my ancient age, or me needing a brow lift.

BeTheHokeyMan · 19/12/2020 11:18

Have to admit that what @WiseOwlWan has said is what came to mind immediately for me when I read your post Confused

CherryValanc · 19/12/2020 11:19

I think I need to be relieved from my nativity. What danger is a woman having dinner with three men at?

Other than being insulted by a waitress and patronised for not liking it?

CherryValanc · 19/12/2020 11:21

Also unless a person knows the person telling them they look tired isn't concern. Considering you'd need to know what they look like not tired first.

LisaLee333 · 19/12/2020 11:29

@CherryValanc

I think I need to be relieved from my nativity. What danger is a woman having dinner with three men at?

Other than being insulted by a waitress and patronised for not liking it?

This. The waitress was very likely NOT concerned. Probably just jealous of the OP, (surrounded by men!) and subsequently felt the need to try and chip away at her self esteem.

No matter how confident someone is, or how much they say they don't care what people say, there is not a person alive who hasn't been upset at one time or another by what someone has said about them/their appearance.

LisaLee333 · 19/12/2020 11:31

@CherryValanc

Also unless a person knows the person telling them they look tired isn't concern. Considering you'd need to know what they look like not tired first.
Exactly this. ^
LisaLee333 · 19/12/2020 11:32

@CherryValanc

Also unless a person knows the person telling them they look tired isn't concern. Considering you'd need to know what they look like not tired first.
Exactly this. ^
LisaLee333 · 19/12/2020 11:32

Double post sorry!

LisaLee333 · 19/12/2020 11:32

I agree she was rude @Cheeseandcoffee

A few posters have suggested the waitress was worried about you, in case you were drugged/being trafficked. Not impossible, but very unlikely. Most likely she is just a nosey, cheeky cow, who thinks she has the right to dish out her personal opinions to customers. And as you said, she would never have said this to a man.

I knew a woman (me and DH socialised with her and her DP for about half a year or so, around 2012, as her DP worked with my DH.) EVERY TIME we went out with them for a drink at the pub, (once a fortnight or so,) she said to me, with a tilted head and faux concern, 'are you OK?' I said 'yes' because I was OK. 'Are you sure?' she would say, 'because you look so tired and weary...' I was fine, I wasn't tired, and I didn't look any different to normal! Hmm

I DID get tired eventually... tired of her fucking pecking my head and telling me I looked pale/unwell/tired/weary..... EVERY TIME WE WENT OUT WITH THEM. She would even say 'you're fidgeting a lot, are you in pain, are you stiff, are you OK?' (I wasn't fidgeting!) Then she'd say 'would you like to go out for a walk, and some fresh air.'

Eventually after about a dozen times of this shit occurring, I snapped and said 'I am FINE! Look, I tell ya what, if or when I am NOT OK, I will let you know. Unless I say otherwise, just assume I am OK!' She just took a sharp intake of breath, with a look that said 'ooooooooh.....' Shock

When I went to the loo, she asked DH what was wrong with me. '(He told me when we got home.) He told her I was tired of being told I looked tired and ill! She said 'well she she does. I can't help being concerned for her welfare.' Hmm

Suffice to say, we gave them both a wide berth from then on. Thankfully her DP left my DH's workplace a month after this.

Also, another thing that pisses me off is when someone says 'you look 'different!' That is NEVER a compliment. They are being fucking rude. I have also known other cases of people (checkout women, and bar staff etc) being rude. One woman on the till in Tesco looked at my friend's dark brown hair dye once, and said 'let yourself go grey. It's nothing to be ashamed of!' REALLY loudly so half the store heard her. Nosey opinionated cow!

And one barmaid commented on me having a third glass of wine once. 'Blimey, you're knocking the wine back tonight aren't you?' You've only been here an hour and a half, and you're on your third glass!'

For the record, I have 2 or 3 glasses of wine when I go to the pub, and then coke for the rest of the night, as that is my limit. But it was FUCK-ALL to do with her. It put me off going to that pub. Also, I only usually drink one or two days in every month, when we go to the pub.

Why people have to be so rude and opinionated just baffles me. They are either just ignorant and rude or probably quite stupid. (Or all of the above.) They are most certainly almost NEVER 'concerned' for you! Hmm