"Old b****es" remark on receipt leaves senior diners shocked and furious—are you at risk of this shocking restaurant insult?
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Dining out is supposed to be a treat—a chance to catch up with friends, enjoy a good meal, and maybe even indulge in a little dessert.
But for one group of senior women, a recent restaurant outing turned into a jaw-dropping lesson in what not to expect from customer service.
If you think you’ve seen it all, buckle up, because this story might just have you checking your next restaurant receipt a little more closely.
It all started innocently enough. A group of women, looking forward to a pleasant meal together, arrived at Deacon Blues, a local eatery.
Like many of us, they’d had a few last-minute cancellations—three friends couldn’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances.
When they let their server know, they were met not with understanding, but with a sharp retort: “Well, it would be nice to let me know in the future.” Not exactly the warm welcome you’d hope for, but the group decided to let it slide and enjoy their evening.
But the hits kept coming. When the ladies noticed something black floating in their water glasses (yikes!), they politely brought it to the server’s attention.
Instead of an apology or a quick fix, they were met with more rudeness and indifference. At this point, most of us would be ready to call it a night, but the real shocker was still to come.
After finishing their meal, the group asked for the check. What they found printed on their bill was enough to make anyone’s blood boil: the label “Old B-tches” (yes, spelled out in full) had been typed right onto the receipt.
One of the women’s granddaughters, Keira L. DiNuzzo, took to Facebook to share the story, complete with a photo of the offending bill. Her post quickly went viral, sparking outrage and disbelief across social media.
“There’s no excuse for this kind of disrespect and unprofessionalism,” Keira wrote, warning others about the experience. And she’s right—no one, regardless of age, should be subjected to such blatant disrespect, especially in a place where they’re paying for service.
As the story gained traction, the restaurant’s co-owner, Helen Wilkinson, jumped into the Facebook fray to apologize.
“We at Deacon Blues profusely apologize for the actions of our employees. Please do not think we condone this behavior toward our customers,” she wrote, emphasizing the restaurant’s respect for its loyal senior patrons.
But for many, the apology rang hollow. The restaurant quickly hid its Facebook reviews, a move that only fueled more frustration among those following the story.
Keira herself felt the response was insufficient, and many in the community agreed.
A representative for Deacon Blues later told the Albany Times-Union that the owners were on vacation and “genuinely mortified” by their staff’s behavior. But the damage, at least in the court of public opinion, had already been done.
This isn’t just a story about one bad apple in the restaurant world. It’s a wake-up call about the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) ageism that older adults can face in everyday life.
Whether it’s being ignored by a server, talked down to by a salesperson, or, in this case, outright insulted, these experiences can leave a lasting sting.
For many of us at The GrayVine, dining out is more than just a meal—it’s a social lifeline, a way to stay connected and active. No one should have to worry about being disrespected or humiliated because of their age.
If you ever find yourself on the receiving end of poor service or outright disrespect, here are a few steps you can take:
1. Speak Up (Politely): If you feel comfortable, let the manager know about your experience. Sometimes, issues can be resolved on the spot.
2. Document the Incident: Take a photo of any evidence (like a receipt) and write down what happened while it’s fresh in your mind.
3. Share Your Experience: Whether it’s through a review, a letter to the business, or a post on social media, your voice can help hold businesses accountable.
4. Support Age-Friendly Establishments: Reward restaurants and businesses that treat all customers with respect—your patronage matters!
Stories like this one remind us that respect should be a given, not a privilege. As a community, we can push back against ageism by supporting each other, sharing our stories, and demanding better from the places we spend our time and money.
Also read:
Have you ever experienced ageism or disrespect while dining out or shopping? How did you handle it? Do you have tips for making your voice heard—or for finding truly welcoming places to eat and gather? We’d love to hear your stories and advice in the comments below.
But for one group of senior women, a recent restaurant outing turned into a jaw-dropping lesson in what not to expect from customer service.
If you think you’ve seen it all, buckle up, because this story might just have you checking your next restaurant receipt a little more closely.
It all started innocently enough. A group of women, looking forward to a pleasant meal together, arrived at Deacon Blues, a local eatery.
Like many of us, they’d had a few last-minute cancellations—three friends couldn’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances.
When they let their server know, they were met not with understanding, but with a sharp retort: “Well, it would be nice to let me know in the future.” Not exactly the warm welcome you’d hope for, but the group decided to let it slide and enjoy their evening.
But the hits kept coming. When the ladies noticed something black floating in their water glasses (yikes!), they politely brought it to the server’s attention.
Instead of an apology or a quick fix, they were met with more rudeness and indifference. At this point, most of us would be ready to call it a night, but the real shocker was still to come.
A group of seniors found something on their bill enough to make anyone’s blood boil. Image source: Keira Li DiNuzzo / Facebook
After finishing their meal, the group asked for the check. What they found printed on their bill was enough to make anyone’s blood boil: the label “Old B-tches” (yes, spelled out in full) had been typed right onto the receipt.
One of the women’s granddaughters, Keira L. DiNuzzo, took to Facebook to share the story, complete with a photo of the offending bill. Her post quickly went viral, sparking outrage and disbelief across social media.
“There’s no excuse for this kind of disrespect and unprofessionalism,” Keira wrote, warning others about the experience. And she’s right—no one, regardless of age, should be subjected to such blatant disrespect, especially in a place where they’re paying for service.
As the story gained traction, the restaurant’s co-owner, Helen Wilkinson, jumped into the Facebook fray to apologize.
“We at Deacon Blues profusely apologize for the actions of our employees. Please do not think we condone this behavior toward our customers,” she wrote, emphasizing the restaurant’s respect for its loyal senior patrons.
But for many, the apology rang hollow. The restaurant quickly hid its Facebook reviews, a move that only fueled more frustration among those following the story.
Keira herself felt the response was insufficient, and many in the community agreed.
A representative for Deacon Blues later told the Albany Times-Union that the owners were on vacation and “genuinely mortified” by their staff’s behavior. But the damage, at least in the court of public opinion, had already been done.
This isn’t just a story about one bad apple in the restaurant world. It’s a wake-up call about the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) ageism that older adults can face in everyday life.
Whether it’s being ignored by a server, talked down to by a salesperson, or, in this case, outright insulted, these experiences can leave a lasting sting.
For many of us at The GrayVine, dining out is more than just a meal—it’s a social lifeline, a way to stay connected and active. No one should have to worry about being disrespected or humiliated because of their age.
If you ever find yourself on the receiving end of poor service or outright disrespect, here are a few steps you can take:
1. Speak Up (Politely): If you feel comfortable, let the manager know about your experience. Sometimes, issues can be resolved on the spot.
2. Document the Incident: Take a photo of any evidence (like a receipt) and write down what happened while it’s fresh in your mind.
3. Share Your Experience: Whether it’s through a review, a letter to the business, or a post on social media, your voice can help hold businesses accountable.
4. Support Age-Friendly Establishments: Reward restaurants and businesses that treat all customers with respect—your patronage matters!
Stories like this one remind us that respect should be a given, not a privilege. As a community, we can push back against ageism by supporting each other, sharing our stories, and demanding better from the places we spend our time and money.
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