‘The most embarrassing moment of my life’: London server takes table’s order. Then something catastrophic happens
Servers don’t have it easy by any means. While the job can be lucrative by the hour, there’s very little security in how many shifts you’ll actually get. On top of that, you’re dealing with dozens of people a day, all with different moods, expectations, and patience levels.
Then there’s the reality that your paycheck depends largely on tips, which are never guaranteed. The internet is full of stories where servers do everything right and still walk away short.
What people talk about less, though, is the physical side of the job. Servers stay on their feet for hours at a time, weaving through crowded dining rooms while carrying heavy trays stacked with plates, drinks, and sizzling food. It’s a skill that takes time to learn, and even the best servers aren’t immune to accidents.
In a viral video posted earlier this year by Alabama TikTok creator and Buffalo Wild Wings server @londongc, viewers saw exactly how bad things can get. Her clip, which has earned more than 10.5 million views, shows a split second that most servers fear.
What Happened Inside the Buffalo Wild Wings?
In the clip, @london.gc films security footage from inside Buffalo Wild Wings by recording the screen with her phone.
“I don’t think anyone can top this,” she writes in the video’s text overlay.
In the footage, she comes out of the kitchen holding two massive trays, both packed with food. Each tray appears to have around six plates on it, balanced high and already pushing the limit of what one person should carry.
As soon as she steps onto the floor, it’s clear she’s struggling. Then everything goes wrong.
She loses control of both trays at the same time, and the food and plates scatter across the floor. The noise alone pulls the attention of diners across the restaurant, many of whom turn in their seats to see what just happened.
“Definitely the most embarrassing moment of my life,” she writes in the caption.
Some Commenters Have Grace, Others Not So Much
In the comments, people split into camps. Some questioned why she was carrying so much food in the first place.
“See but why are you carrying both in the first place,” one person asked.
Another added, “I know the kitchen was HOTTTTT over having to remake that one.”
Others, especially fellow servers, jumped in to defend her. “No those trays are sooo heavy I can’t even carry barely one,” one commenter wrote.
Some shifted the blame away from her entirely and toward the rest of the staff. “Horrible choice whoever let her walk off the line with that plan,” one person said.
Another server chimed in, “As a server I know this has happened to all of us at least once… it will happen.”
Some imagined what they would have done next. “Would have just walked out and got a new job,” one joked. Another wrote, “I would have clocked out and moved to a different state.”
@londongc Definitely the most embarrassing moment of my life #serverfails #embarrassing #server #buffalowildwings #serverproblems ♬ original sound – Kendy
Not the First Time Servers Have Made Costly Mistakes
Servers are human, and mistakes are part of the job.
Viral stories like this surface all the time. In one past TikTok, a server accidentally served alcohol to a customer who was in recovery. Instead of getting angry, the customer handled it with compassion and left a generous tip.
Moments like that offer a reminder that behind the uniform is a person doing their best under pressure. And that pressure adds up.
According to a 2019 study on mental health across industries, retail and accommodation and food services ranked among the highest for depression and frequent mental distress. Food preparation and serving roles were also among the occupations with the highest rates of extreme distress.
So when a moment like this plays out on camera, it’s more than just a spill. It’s the result of physical strain, pressure to perform, and a work environment where one mistake can feel catastrophic—even if it happens in seconds.
The Mary Sue has reached out to @london.gc via TikTok and Instagram messages for comment.
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