Reddit Entitled Parents

"You can't work here if you're pregnant."

I'm a cocktail waitress. I'm 7 months pregnant.

No, obviously I don't drink while pregnant, or drink on the job ever.

(This is a little long, but worth it. Tl;dr at bottom if you're in a rush.)

This is kind of a crossover between this sub and

A woman (the Karen) comes in with what I'm assuming was her husband and son and daughter and asks to be seated 4 for lunch. We're not really a restaurant but we have a really small sandwich and wings menu.

I give them menus and Karen says "But, wait, do you work here?" "Yep." "But you're pregnant, you can't work here if you're pregnant." "I work here, I don't drink here." I say, with a laugh, trying to keep the mood light.

The woman looks me over and says "Have you taken any prenatal courses? Do you really think that's responsible to have your unborn baby in here?" This is where I made an error. I get defensive about anyone asserting I'm a bad mother, obviously. So I said "Well, you've brought your kids in here." "Yes, and what kind of example do you think you're setting for them?" I'm still collecting my thoughts at this point when they grunt and wave me away.

I figure I can kiss my tip goodbye but hopefully that'll be the end of a discussion.

I see them flagging down the bartender after a few minutes and figure they're ready so go over. Karen asks to speak to a manager. Now, they haven't even gotten drinks yet, so I ask if there's anything I can help them with and her husband (Mr. Karen) says really sternly "No, just a manager, didn't you hear my wife?"

The place is too small for a manager, it's just servers and bartenders and two owners. The one who's working is in the back on a phone call and will be pissed if I go and bother her.

I realize maybe they're still uncomfortable with my being pregnant so say "Maybe 'Ella.' (The other server) can help?" Karen gets up to physically look for the manager. I admit defeat and go back and drag her off her call.

The owner goes over and with a big smile asks if there's anything she can help them with. "Your server is pregnant." Owner says she's aware and asks if they'd prefer a different server.

Karen: No no no, she can't be a drink girl if she's pregnant. That's child abuse.

Owner: I assure you, none of our employees drink on the clock. Especially not our pregnant ones. If you'd prefer I can have Ella serve you...

Mr. Karen: I don't want my kids seeing this!

Owner: Maybe I'm missing something. Seeing what, exactly?

Mr. Karen (talking really slowly and condescendingly): A. pregnant. woman. around. all. this. alcohol.

Me: I don't know what you're insinuating but I would never drink during pregnancy.

Karen: Look honey, didn't you take a health class in junior high? With a drink right under you half the time, alcohol vapor is absorbed into your blood through the air and then that blood goes to the fetus and poisons it.

Owner and I exchange a look and realize we won't get anywhere with her.

Owner: So we can have Ella serve you or I'm afraid there's not much else we can do.

Mr. Karen: We're not leaving until she's fired!

Owner: We can't help you.

Mr. Karen: I'll call the police! You're an accomplice to child abuse!

Owner: There is no child abuse to speak of sir, please leave.

Karen (getting crocodile teary): YOU MAY NOT THINK A FETUS IS A CHILD BUT I WAS TAUGHT TO BELIEVE LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION AND I WILL STAND UP FOR ALL LIVING THINGS BIG AND SMALL BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT MY LORD AND SAVIOR WANTS ME TO DO!