Apparently, being too ready to order is now a crime. A woman on TikTok is going viral after sharing how she got turned away from a bar—not for being rude, drunk, or causing a scene—but for having her card out while waiting to order. Yep, according to the bartender, tapping your Visa means you’re “too eager,” and therefore, unworthy of service.
The woman, Rae (@raeeraeebaee), says she was stunned and stepped away to cool off. Then came back later, hoping for a normal interaction—only for a new bartender to shut her down too immediately. Even a random guy who tried to order a drink for her got rejected when he admitted who it was for. So apparently, in this bar, the only thing less acceptable than bad behavior is enthusiasm.
What’s Typical Bar Culture?
A simple night out with friends took a bizarre turn for Rae after she apparently broke an unspoken bar rule: being too efficient when trying to order. In her viral TikTok, now at 215,000 views, Rae recounts her experience. She says she walked up to the counter, card in hand, and tapped it lightly on the bar, waiting for the bartender’s attention. Instead of a cocktail, she got a lecture. The bartender snapped that “no one is going to serve you in this bar when you’re waving your card around,” leaving her stunned and embarrassed.
Hoping to shake it off, she stepped outside, regrouped, and returned later. Still, a different bartender also refused to serve her. Even a good Samaritan who tried to order a drink on her behalf got rejected. She says, “So not only was I unable to get a drink, but the poor man rooting for me also wasn’t able to get a drink.”
Rae, equal parts confused and exasperated, joked that maybe the bar was running some kind of Zen patience test and she had clearly failed.
“I genuinely was just trying to have fun with my friends,” she said. Rae was baffled that enthusiasm and a little too much readiness were apparently grounds for banishment.
Bars have recently come under fire for reasons like forcing patrons to pay 20% gratuity. Another time, an airport bar recently went viral since its espresso martini was just Folgers and Vodka in a cup.
The Viewers Chime In
Rae’s TikTok currently has over 800 comments, but the verdict is still undecided. On one hand, there are many viewers siding with Rae and saying the situation was purely unjust.
One viewer says, “Holding a card or cash to show you’re ready is aggressively normal.” While another backs them up and says, “I thought you’re supposed to have your card out ready to order.”
Some viewers choose the side of the bartenders. “Something tells me the tapping was more rude than you may think it comes across,” one wrote. “Impatience def comes off as rude so maybe consider how you treat others. bartenders were matching YOUR vibe.”
There’s also a discourse on bartenders as a whole. One viewer shares, “Idc what anyone says. Bar tenders are quite literally the worst human beings alive. They’re always rude and u can NEVER get their attention. and once you do they always give u attitude and then get upset when they don’t get tipped.”
Another says, “Yet some bartenders will give you attitude if you DONT have your card out and ready ……”
Lastly, a bartender chimes in and gives their opinion on the entire thing. “Bartender 17 years here, yes the tapping of the card is annoying because most times a good bartender has a flow and knows who came to the bar first,” they said. “Tapping your card won’t make them come to you faster, if anything the lack of patience will annoy them. BUT it’s not ‘you can’t have a drink’ worthy.”
@raeeraeebaee Got canceled again
♬ original sound – raeeraeebaee
The Mary Sue reached out to the creator via TikTok direct message.
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