‘Would’ve gotten me a 50% tip’: Server reveals her top joke she makes with men in the bar and all women love it (but men hate)
You gotta up your game to keep up with her.
Almost everyone loves the “sassy bartender” trope. But one TikTok creator just took the bit to a level that has the comment section in a civil war. And men aren’t winning.
TikTok user and bartender Mackenzie Timianis (@timianiss) shared a video where she revealed her go-to “burn” for men ordering a vodka cranberry. “For your UTI?” she would ask them immediately. That’s a brand of hospitality humor that either makes you a regular or makes you close your tab immediately.
So,e see it as an iconic way to build rapport. But others felt like the customer experience shouldn’t involve a public inquiry into your bladder health. Not even as a joke. Mackenzie acknowledged that men would immediately hate her after she said that. Yet, she misses “the rush of it all.”
What is the roast?
In the video, Mackenzie explains that whenever a customer orders the classic rail drink, she slides it over and deadpans: “For your UTI?” It’s a direct hit on the long-standing association between cranberry juice and home remedies for kidney and bladder issues.
For many, it’s a refreshing break from the sterile, corporate “how can I help you” energy. It’s the kind of humor that suggests the bartender is actually present in the conversation. That’s arguably better than them just acting as a drink-pouring robot. But the responses prove that the success of the joke depends entirely on who is sitting on the other side of the bar.
Does cranberry actually help men with a UTI?
While the joke relies on the drink’s medicinal reputation, the science behind it is more complicated than a bar pour. For decades, cranberry products have been touted as a way to prevent or treat UTIs. The theory is that cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), which can prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract.
While women are more likely to get a UTI, men can get them too. And the science is same for all. Most medical experts war that the cranberry juice you find at a bar is usually a cocktail loaded with sugar. So, it isn’t going to do much for an active infection. On the other hand, highly concentrated cranberry supplements might help with prevention. But once an infection has taken hold, you’re better off with a prescription than a vodka-heavy cocktail.
Reactions on TikTok was polarized between men and women
The comments section of Mackenzie’s video was split into two camp. There were those who find the humor “iconic,” and those who find it a one-way ticket to a $0 tip. Interestingly, the feedback followed a distinct gender and background divide.
“While I worked at Hooters this would have gotten me a 50% tip,” one former server shared, noting that some environments thrive on playful banter. “As a gay man who has had a kidney stone, I would definitely laugh and say ‘why’d you have to clock me like that?’” another added, embracing the call-out. “I would love a server to have that sense of humor,” a third supporter remarked.
On the flip side, a wave of male commenters found the joke to be a total miss. “I would stick to serving drinks and not comedy,” one wrote. “No tip. Have a nice night,” another stated, proving that some customers don’t want a side of sass with their vodka. “It’s genuinely not funny though,” a third added, dismissing the “edgy” attempt at rapport.
Service with a side of ‘Sass’ isn’t for everyone
While Mackenzie’s video suggests she’s no longer a server, others are taking an inspiration from her. But the reaction on TikTok is a reminder that bartending is as much about reading the room as it is about mixing drinks. If your sense of humor involves a customer’s health, you’re playing a high-stakes game with your tip jar.
For people on the other side of the bar, be prepared to defend your beverage choice if you’re ordering a vodka cran. Or, prepare a witty rebuttal ready.
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