The Stand Up Boss
Every job has rough days, but the hard moments hit differently when you have people who genuinely have your back. This story is a reminder that a supportive workplace isn’t just nice to have — sometimes it’s everything.
The Stand Up Boss
I (25F) waitressed at a family-owned restaurant near an airfield while I was 6 months pregnant. It was the kind of place everyone loved — amazing food, friendly staff, and owners who treated their employees like family. They were generous, kind, and the kind of people you’d want to go the extra mile for.
One morning, we were slammed for breakfast. The out of towners were back for the season, and customers literally flew to the airfield just to eat there. Most were regulars who knew us by name and loved our food/service — and it showed in their tips. Except for one. We’ll call him Boris.
Boris always came alone and ordered the same thing: eggs, toast, bacon, and coffee. Usually, he was fine. But that morning, he must’ve rolled out of the wrong side of the bed or something. He was grumpy, impatient, and determined to make everyone around him miserable. He wanted his food before anyone else’s, got annoyed that someone else had the community newspaper, and basically found fault with everything. There was just no way to make him happy that morning.
As I was refilling coffees, Boris snapped. He told me I was a terrible waitress and should just quit. Then he called me fat and slow — while I was six months pregnant. I don’t know if it was the hormones, the rush, or just the shock, but I burst into tears and ran outside.
The owner’s daughter, who also worked there, saw what happened and followed me out. She was kind and patient, gave me a moment to breathe, and told me to come back in whenever I was ready.
When I finally walked back inside, I saw Boris standing at the register — and my usually laid-back boss laying into him. He told Boris that no one treats his staff like that and that he was no longer welcome in the restaurant. Boris started arguing, raising his voice, but my boss didn’t back down. Their exchange ended with my boss yelling at Boris to get out of his restaurant. Watching someone actually stand up for us like that — especially as an employee — meant more than I could ever express.
A couple of weeks later, Boris came back. Before letting him in, my boss asked if I was okay with it. I said yes, as long as he behaved. Boris ended up apologizing — to me, to my boss, and to the rest of the staff.
For someone to be that awful, get kicked out, and still want to come back? That says everything about how special that restaurant — and that family — really was. I am forever thankful!
