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Waiter sparks heated debate after refusing customer a candle on her birthday

28 March 2022 By Christian Smith

A waiter’s actions sparked a debate about just how far those working in hospitality need to go for their customers after he refused to get a candle for a woman on her birthday.

Waiter debate — Credit: TikTok/@lifeofperveen

In a TikTok video shared last month by user @lifeofperveen, two women are seated at a table and get dessert and coffee from their waiter. It’s at this point, as the waiter in question is placing their orders on the table, that one of the party asks if he could bring them a candle, in honour of her friend’s birthday.

“It’s also her birthday so we were wondering if you have any candles?” She said. His response has sparked quite the debate online.

“No, I don’t really have time for that right now, sorry,” he said.

You can watch the video, captioned “we cared enough to celebrate your birthday” right here:

@lifeofperveen we cared enough to celebrate your birthday 🎂🥺#happybirthday #hbd #speechless #ohno ♬ original sound – Perveen

The response to the waiter’s actions online was mixed to say the least. “I’m a server and I would have just said “no sorry” if I didn’t have enough time. he was being rude for no reason,” one commenter wrote, while another added, “Should have left him a note saying “sorry, dont really have money for tips””.

A third wrote, “I’m a server, and he was rude, he could’ve said”no I’m sorry we’re out” or “let me check”… the tip could bre bigger you never know.. [sic]”.

“Bring your own candles and ask to see the dessert menu. Birthdays are not server responsibilities at all.”

Another concurred, writing, “Why not bring ya own candles?? it’s a restaurant not a party store”.

A third added, “Nah sorry girls you should have said that before, or during the ordering of dessert. The candles are next to the dessert station.”

Talking to The Independent Perveen said she had no problem with the waiter refusing their request as she had previously worked in the food service industry and knew how busy it could be.

“I’ve worked in the food industry before, so I know how stressful it can be,” she explained. “We weren’t angry at him, if anything we should’ve been more prepared. Closed mouths don’t get fed so we thought why not anyway.”

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