Working in the food industry can be a tough gig, especially these past few years following the pandemic, the rise of food delivery apps, and the general struggles that come with working in the customer service industry.
That’s why this story of customers coming to the rescue of one lone restaurant worker is so heartening.
A Hungry Crowd
Customers at a Waffle House in Birmingham, Alabama were getting pretty hungry one night when they entered the restaurant following a Saturday night out. It was now officially Sunday morning, and there was only one employee there to serve and feed the customers.
According to Ethan Crispo, he came into the establishment just after midnight. There, he noticed the employee tending to a crowd of about 30 people.
“I sat down at my table and I was like, ‘I’m not getting my waffle,’” Crispo recalled to The Washington Post. “The look on [the employee’s] face was maybe fear, maybe shock, maybe bewilderment. There was literally no one else working but him.”
Then, much to his surprise, Crispo witnessed one customer stand up, ask for an apron, and get to work.
“It was a transition so smooth I initially assumed it was a staff member returning to their shift,” Crispo continued. “It wasn’t. It was a kind stranger. A man who answered the call. Bused tables, did dishes, stacked plates.”
Inspiring Others
It didn’t take long for other customers to follow suit and jump up to help the poor employee out. Crispo recalled one woman in a dress and heels who figured out how to work the coffee maker.
“She tried to take an order or two, but then she went to busing tables. It was bizarre to see someone doing that in a sequinned dress and heels,” he said.
Soon people from all walks of life were serving, washing, cooking, and doing whatever it took to feed the crowd and keep things running smoothly. Eventually, everyone got their midnight snacks in a real act of teamwork and collaboration.
A Big Miscommunication
In his interview with the Washington Post, Crispo said the server told him that two other employees had been there that evening but left. According to Fox4 News, there was a miscommunication in scheduling workers that night, which resulted in a staff shortage.
Spokesperson Pat Warner told the outlet that security footage collaborated Crispo’s story, and he thanked those who helped out that night.
“We really appreciate their efforts… though we do prefer our associates to be behind the counter,” Warner said. “The key to our concept is, we’re there to serve you, not the other way around.”
As for Crispo, he did get his waffle that night. “It was surprisingly fantastic,” he told the Washington Post. “Ben did an incredible job,” he continued, adding the customers who helped that night did too. “Humanity isn’t good. It’s great.”
Lending a Helping Hand
While this situation was rare, and even the busiest of restaurants tend to be well-staffed during busy periods, this story hits home because it’s nice to see that there are people out there who are willing to assess a situation, use their best judgment, and pitch in to help without being asked.
It’s a nice reminder that we can do kind acts in our everyday lives too. It can be something big, like offering to watch an overwhelmed mother’s young kids or dropping off groceries. Or it can be small, like holding the door for an elderly person or helping them carry their bags to the car.
The point is to keep your eyes open in your community and relationships and look for ways to help, then step in when it may be needed. Sometimes a person may politely decline, and that’s okay. But other times, your helping hand may be just the thing that person needs to push through their day.
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elderly couple laughing and drinking coffee outside a restaurant
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.