A mother from South Australia has sparked a major online debate after recounting what she described as a 'sneaky' move by a café waitress involving her young children and a surprise charge for hot chocolate.
The 'Whispered' Offer That Caused Confusion
Molly, the mum at the centre of the incident, explained she had visited a café for coffee and breakfast, having already fed her children at home. After paying at the counter, she sat at an outdoor table with her son, who was upset, and her daughter, who looked cold under a blanket.
Moments later, a waitress brought Molly's coffee to the table. Leaning in, the waitress whispered, 'Would the kids like hot chocolate?' Molly, touched by the gesture, believed the staff member was kindly offering a free drink to cheer up her unsettled children.
'I interpreted that as, "I would love to make your kids a free little hot chocolate to warm you up,"' Molly said. She gratefully accepted, telling the waitress it was 'so so nice' of her, and relayed the exciting news to her kids.
The Sting: A Surprise Bill for £10.40
The misunderstanding became clear when the waitress returned with the two hot chocolates. After placing them in front of the delighted children, she turned to Molly and whispered again, this time saying, 'That'll be $10.40.'
Although stunned, Molly paid the sum without argument. She later reflected, 'I thought if I wanted to get my kids a hot chocolate, I would have added that to my order. I just find it really sneaky.'
Viral Reaction: Sneaky Sales Tactic or Simple Miscommunication?
Molly's video, viewed over 197,000 times, ignited a fierce discussion. Many commenters agreed the approach was underhanded, particularly because the order had already been paid for.
'I am a waiter and this is absolutely a very sneaky tactic that is really unethical. Especially in a pay-before-you-dine setting,' one hospitality worker commented. Others felt the whispered question heavily implied a complimentary treat.
However, not everyone sided with the mum. Some argued the waitress was simply attempting an upsell. 'Why would you think it's free? She asked - you could have said no,' one person wrote. Others suggested the whispering was to prevent the children from hearing and being disappointed if the mother declined.
The incident serves as a lesson in clear communication for both customers and staff. As one café worker advised, waiters should use explicit language like 'Would you like to order?' to avoid any confusion over complimentary offers.
