06/11/2026
As a small, locally owned restaurant owner… I want to address something I keep seeing pop up all over my socials. You’ll see a receipt with a nasty note from the “sever”. Or a picture of a sign taped to a restaurant window that says something outlandish like “you aren’t allowed to have water”, or some other message that makes you think “Seriously? Why in the world would they say/do that?!?” Here’s the thing: they sound outrageous and fake… because they are. These follow a disturbing trend where these burner accounts use AI to create something that’s 100% fake, specifically engineered to cause outrage. Sometimes known as “rage bait”, these posts are meant to do one thing, and one thing only: get people commenting. The more engagement they get, the better.
The problem, is that 75% of commenters think these are real. They will get genuinely angry at these restaurants that don’t even exist. They want to fight a server, that’s as real as Santa Claus or Donald Duck.
As a small, locally owned restaurant, we’re already struggling with high food costs, exploding utilities and insurance, rent, paper goods, fuel surcharges, 30% DoorDash fees, a dragging economy, and more. This is the hardest it’s ever been to try and operate as a restaurant in the last 50 years.
These rage bait posts do not help our cause. They cause real restaurants like mine, real harm. There are people who read these, believe these, and think “you know what, if this is how restaurants and servers act, I don’t need to go out to eat”. And they literally stay home, instead of supporting a local business. It’s infuriating.
So, when/if you see one of these posts? Do the right thing, and keep scrolling. DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS and comment. Even saying “this is clearly fake AI slop” helps them. Because engagement is engagement. The only way these go away, is if people ignore and don’t engage.
Thanks for attending my TED talk ☺️
