A TikTok server has sparked a heated debate among fellow servers and customers alike by questioning whether it’s rude to greet restaurant tables with “Hey, guys.” The creator of @millionaire_server_club posted a video asking servers how they typically address their tables, and the response has been overwhelming: more than 306,000 views and 1,800 comments.
The video opens with a simple question: “Servers, do you greet your tables by saying, ‘Hey, y’all’ or ‘Hey, guys’? If so, you’re gonna wanna watch this video.” The creator acknowledges that her stance might be unpopular and could stir controversy. Her argument hinges on the idea that people take those words literally.
“We live in such a literal society, and people just take those words and they run with it,” she says. “People eat up professionalism and manners.” Instead of telling servers to change entirely, she suggests building on natural rapport.
“What about ‘hey, folks,’ or me personally? I used to work at a restaurant that required us to call our tables family. So sometimes I say, ‘Hey, family.’ My tables eat that up. They love it,” she says. “It’s very important to be your authentic self.”
She makes it clear that she doesn’t think servers are necessarily doing anything wrong by using a blanket greeting like “guys.” “If that’s naturally how you greet your tables, I’m not telling you that you’re wrong,” she says. “But there are a lot of people that say that they don’t like when servers greet them with ‘hey, guys.’ They just find it to be rude.”
The video closes with a request for both servers and customers to weigh in on how tables should be greeted.
Commenters Split Over Regional Norms
The replies reflect a wide range of opinions. Some users say their preferred greeting depends on where they live or who’s sitting at the table.
“I serve in the South so I feel like ‘hey y’all’ is appropriate,” one commenter wrote.
Another avoids “guys” altogether, particularly when there are no men at the table. “I never say ‘guys.’ I think that’s crazy especially if there’s no men at the table! I work lunches so I love to say hey family or hey girls hey party people,” the commenter said.
Some servers try to read the room and adjust their greeting accordingly. “Honestly i read the room,” one commenter wrote, before giving examples of how they might address different groups, including families, parents and children.
The discussion shows there is no single greeting that suits everyone. For some servers, the choice depends on personal style, restaurant expectations or the specific table in front of them.
The Creator’s Argument
The creator argues that the issue isn’t really about the words themselves but about how customers interpret them. She believes people take greetings like “Hey, guys” literally, even when the speaker means no harm.
“We live in such a literal society, and people just take those words and they run with it,” she says. “People eat up professionalism and manners.”
Instead of demanding servers change entirely, she suggests they build on natural rapport rather than adopt a greeting that feels forced. “What about ‘hey, folks,’ or me personally? I used to work at a restaurant that required us to call our tables family. So sometimes I say, ‘Hey, family.’ My tables eat that up. They love it,” she says. “It’s very important to be your authentic self.”
She makes it clear that she doesn’t think servers are necessarily doing anything wrong by using a blanket greeting like “guys.” “If that’s naturally how you greet your tables, I’m not telling you that you’re wrong,” she says. “But there are a lot of people that say that they don’t like when servers greet them with ‘hey, guys.’ They just find it to be rude.”
The Debate Continues
The video raises a question with no easy answer: how should servers address a table without offending anyone? The creator’s position is that servers should be themselves while remaining aware that some customers have strong feelings about how they are greeted.
Some diners simply find “hey, guys” rude, regardless of intent. Others prefer regional phrases like “y’all” or playful alternatives like “hey family” or “hey party people.” The comments suggest that servers who want to avoid controversy should observe the table and choose a greeting that fits the group.
The debate continues in the comments, where servers and customers alike weigh in on what works best at their own tables.
Key Facts Box
– Video views: 306,000+
– Comments: 1,800+
– Creator: @millionaire_server_club
Whether you’re a server looking for a new script or a diner who cringes at “hey, guys,” the takeaway is simple: pay attention to how you’re being addressed.
See the video the story is built around at The Daily Dot.
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