Age Does Not Give You The Right To Be A Douchebag

So today, I decided that since the snow was holding off in my area (it stopped holding off on my way home and I looked like I had a ton of cocaine dumped on my head), I was going to have a late lunch up at the new Chinese buffet that opened in the plaza near work. I'd had delivery from them before and the food was excellent, so I wanted to scope out the buffet. Armed with my wallet and an empty stomach (and a book so I wouldn't be calling my mother and talking with my mouth full...today's choice was The Children of Henry VIII), I walked up to the restaurant.

I'd been there about ten minutes when two elderly women were seated in the booth in front of mine. One of them gave me an odd look, but at the time, I thought nothing of it. Then I saw them glare at my waitress, who was bringing me some water, and I got an idea that maybe they were not going to be the easiest customers.

I was right. The restaurant isn't very big and wasn't very busy, most likely because it was a Sunday afternoon, so our waitress was the only one working the floor in between filling up the buffet, busing tables, putting out clean dishes, and manning the cash register, but the women kept glaring at her like she was purposefully ignoring them, even though every time she walked past our booths, she asked if they needed anything. As she was walking away, I actually heard one of them say something that included a racial slur. I was disgusted, but I didn't say anything to them because I didn't want to cause a scene. (I'd already made up my mind to give said waitress an excellent tip because the service was genuinely excellent, but that sealed it for me.)

But then I heard the following exchange:

Old Lady #1: Do you see that girl in the booth behind us?
Old Lady #2: Yes, the one that's all alone reading a book. That's rather odd, don't you think?
Old Lady #1: I wonder why she's here alone. Shouldn't she have a boyfriend with her?
Old Lady #2: Of course she wouldn't. Did you see her?
Old Lady #1: You're right, of course she wouldn't have a boyfriend with her. She weighs far too much to have a boyfriend.
Old Lady #2: It's so sad that she's here alone, just getting fatter.
Old Lady #1: It is, but who wants a fat woman? She's better off with her books if she's going to let herself look like that.

I've been overweight since 6th grade. I'm 24 now, which means I've had 12 years to become aware of the fact that I weigh too much. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16, and am taking medication to help regulate it, which is supposed to be helping me lose weight as well but hasn't because I haven't been on it long enough. I'm also working out every day for about 45 minutes a day. I AM AWARE THAT I AM OVERWEIGHT. I DO NOT NEED OTHER PEOPLE POINTING IT OUT TO ME, ESPECIALLY THAT WAY. Besides, I actually really LIKE going out to eat on my own. I think it's fun, even though I'm by myself, and it's nice to get out of the apartment every once in a while and do something for me.

So I sat there and steamed for a while behind my book, trying to keep the part of me who REALLY wanted to defy every stitch of "Respect your elders" and "Do not cause a scene in public" training that I've had over the years at bay. The waitress brought my check, and after I paid, I realized I'd forgotten to pick my book up off the table. When I went back to get it, the women were staring at me, and I realized I had a perfect opportunity. I looked them right in the eye, and with a smile on my face, I said in the sweetest tone of voice I could manage, "Ladies, a word of advice. Next time you want to say rude and demeaning things about a fat person, make sure they can't hear you."

Their eyes went big, their jaws dropped, their faces went pale, and I walked out of that restaurant with my head held high and a huge smile on my face. They'll probably still be rude and horrible customers, but at least now they know not everyone is going to take their shit lying down.

End Note: Along with the tip I left my waitress, I left a note that said "Sorry about the rude customers. I know this won't make up for them, but I hope it brightens your day anyhow."

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113 comments

misskelleen

March 4 2012, 22:08:55 UTC 2 months ago

Good for you.
Some people think just because they're older, they can be as appalling and rude as they want to be? And it's ok?

I'm glad you called them on it.
(And for the record, I love to go to eat with a good book, all alone too!)

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Age Does Not Give You The Right To Be A Douchebag

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