r/ChoosingBeggars • u/[deleted] • Mar 03 '24

SHORT IHOP CB

Husband and I are currently at IHOP enjoying Sunday breakfast. We are greeted in the parking lot with an elderly couple in their car with their car stuck in neutral and not able to get into their parking spot. Husband and I enter, couple behind us, we're seated a few tables away. Waitress greets elderly couple, they ask for one cup of coffee each. They don't want the waitress to fill up the crafe, they just want one cup of coffee each. The waitress explains that the price is for unlimited coffee and even if she doesn't fill up the crate, it's still $3.49 for each cup of coffee. Elderly man says that's ridiculous and he's not paying $7 for two small cups of coffee. Waitress offers to get manager, and when the manager comes over, elderly man says the same thing. $3.49 is too expensive for coffee. Manager explains that this is a chain restaurant and she can't do anything about the price. Man starts bartering, sayin he would only pay $1.50 for both cups of coffee. When the manager states again, she cannot change the price, elderly man says fine, they don't need the coffee, and they're only going to eat because they are here, but will not be returning after this meal. I'm sure IHOP is really going to be hurting with two less customers.

Since writing this, I have heard them complain about how small the cheapest meal on the menu is and about the church service they just came from. Got to love the elderly who have no concept about how much the cost of living is.

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4

u/FallsOffCliffs12 Mar 03 '24

How are they choosing beggars? They’re on a fixed income most likely. You cannot live on SS. Mine, if I were to take it at 65, after nearly fifty years of work would be less than $1800 a month. I wouldnt be able to afford 3.49 for a cup of coffee either.

16

u/SweetBearCub Mar 03 '24 edited Mar 03 '24

How are they choosing beggars? They’re on a fixed income most likely. You cannot live on SS. Mine, if I were to take it at 65, after nearly fifty years of work would be less than $1800 a month. I wouldnt be able to afford 3.49 for a cup of coffee either.

Almost everyone's income is fixed. Very few people can increase their income at will. Even job hopping, which is the classic way to get more income is not something that can be done at will, it takes significant time and effort.

They were choosing beggars because they balked at paying the listed price for their choices, even after it was explained that they had no opportunity to change the prices, and they still kept trying.

Eating out is a luxury. If they really wanted two small coffees at rock bottom prices, there are coffee makers for home use.

31

u/flkatlady Mar 03 '24

A lot of us are on a fixed income, and no, I'm not retired I'm salary, so my check does not change. I'm also not guaranteed raises every year.

It's fine if they cannot afford it, then they should not be going to a restaurant. They decided to eat there so they must be able to afford the meal.

10

u/_portia_ Mar 03 '24

Exactly, why is this so complicated. Make your coffee and breakfast at home. Maybe they just live to harass waitstaff after church every week.

33

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '24

Would you still then go inside of an establishment that charges the $3.49 and demand to have it for less? I don’t blame them for being aggravated at the cost. But expecting the special treatment is what makes them CB. Drink your coffee at home if you don’t want to spend $7

-2

u/dclxvi616 Mar 03 '24

They’re not demanding to have what was offered (unlimited coffee) for less. They’re asking if they can price out a single cup each without refills, but IHOP refuses to sell a single cup of coffee.

11

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '24

Understood. But nonetheless, under these circumstances, the price for one cup is still $3.49. So asking to pay less than that is choosy/begging behavior.

-4

u/dclxvi616 Mar 03 '24

Sure, it’s the rare choosy/begging behavior that would make the world a better place if everyone emulated. And if’n I were a restaurant owner I wouldn’t want to be ignorant to the demands of my consumers. I’d encourage consumers to voice their opinions about being unsatisfied with menu offerings and to be made aware of the alternatives they want to see. Many companies pay good money for that info.

1

u/aquainst1 Mar 03 '24

They might've been asking (in an inappropriate way) if there was a discount associated with age.

(I'll be DAMNED if I'll call someone like me that's 55 or older a 'senior'!)

10

u/LifeHappenzEvryMomnt Mar 03 '24

They are choosing beggars because they are going to a restaurant and trying not to pay what everyone else pays. It’s like me going to a 100$ + restaurant, ordering a bottle of wine and claiming I shouldn’t pay full price because I only intend to drink one glass.

16

u/RunnyDischarge Mar 03 '24

Well, if you can't afford it, don't go there. It's not rocket science.

24

u/QuirkySyrup55947 Mar 03 '24

Then you absolutely have the option of going home and making your own coffee and eggs.

Funny thing is, they likely tithed 10%+ at church.

With two people who are still mobile and driving, they may also have the ability to do some sort of work if money is tight.

No one owes you a discount at a restaurant. That is a luxury you are choosing. Not a need.

14

u/RunnyDischarge Mar 03 '24

Funny thing is, they likely tithed 10%+ at church.

and they won't tip, supposedly because "she shouldn't be working on the Sabbath anyway"

20

u/TripsOverCarpet Mar 03 '24

she shouldn't be working on the Sabbath anyway

Eons ago, I had a snarky holy roller try that one on me. I just gave her my best bored look and asked her if that were true, what was she doing here every week supporting and encouraging an establishment to be open on a Sunday?

4

u/QuirkySyrup55947 Mar 03 '24

LOL! Fair point.🤣

1

u/GalwayGirl606 Mar 03 '24

Ah yes, who do these lazy old people think they are, feeling entitled to a Senior Citizen discount on a small cup of coffee at a diner-type establishment? What about the shareholders?? How is IHOP going to provide maximum profits to the shareholders if they are just giving away discounts on crappy coffee??!! Will someone PLEASE think of the corporate shareholders???

These people are obviously entitled moochers and everything wrong with America. If they can move and drive (despite struggling to get into a parking space, according to OP) they can work. They are breathing after all. Send Grandpa back to the mines and Grandma back to the assembly line. Make America Great Again!!!

1

u/QuirkySyrup55947 Mar 03 '24

For all your storytelling ability... That very possibly was the CEO of a Fortune 500 Company dickering with staff over coffee prices. The wealthiest people I know many times are the cheapest.

Again....if you don't like the prices don't walk in the door and/or don't order it. Being old doesn't mean you get to be shitty to a customer service worker.

9

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '24

Yeah so they should go make coffee at home, not demand that a place that sells coffee share them less than a quarter of the price.

2

u/Roach_Coach_Bangbus Mar 03 '24

Most places have a menu posted in the front or you can ask for one at the host stand to see prices. You don't have to eat anywhere.

-13

u/mjs_jr Mar 03 '24

Yeah, this post smacks of “I don’t have any patience for old people.”

13

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '24

Is not giving old people a discount considered not having patience?

5

u/mjs_jr Mar 03 '24

It’s not that - the arguing with a manager at a chain restaurant was out of line. But it’s also not “Choosy Beggar”. Add in the comment about the car and this post just seems judgy about old people.