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Telling a stranger to “smile more” is one of those phrases that reveals everything you need to know about a person.

Ultimately, the directive is way more about exerting control than it is about genuine concern over the other person’s happiness.

In the following story, a restaurant worker was sweeping the front of the store when an entitled guest decided his facial expression needed feedback.

So instead of complying, he explained in very real terms, exactly why smiling on the job was so unrealistic.

Keep reading for the full story.

“You should smile more”

I’m a male in my 20s. I work as a host/cashier/team member at a restaurant that isn’t fancy.

Tonight I was sweeping the front of the store, as it’s one of my closing tasks.

That’s when an annoying customer decided to give some unsolicited advice.

One of the guests being served on our patio meandered inside to find his server.

As I was sweeping, he said something to me that ticked me off beyond words. “You’re doing a fine, mediocre job. You should smile more.”

This employee had zero patience for this.

I just hit him with the gen z stare for about 10 seconds before saying, “Maybe when I can afford to move out, because this job sure ain’t doing it.”

He halfheartedly agreed and said, “One day, buddy.”

I don’t care if I’m in the south. I’m definitely not your buddy.

This interaction really stuck with this employee — for all the wrong reasons.

This realm of phrasing is so condescending. All of the worst managers and customers I’ve encountered in the service industry have this type of attitude towards younger people trying to make a living.

When I was gossiping with the crew about it, his server said that he was treating his wife terribly (in a similar manner).

Surprise surprise. This industry makes me want to become a hermit and avoid everyone.

No one can blame this employee too much for being annoyed.

Redditors chime in with their thoughts.

Let’s get real: what part of sweeping the floor actually warrants a smile?

Smiling should never be done on command.

This commenter perfectly articulates why being forced to smile is so upsetting.

This reader shares a similar point.

There’s a reason the gen z stare has become a cultural reset button, and this is a textbook case.

A grown man walked up to someone doing their job and decided to hand out unsolicited attitude notes, fully expecting zero pushback.

What he got instead was a reminder that the “mediocre” job he was mocking doesn’t even cover rent, which is a much bigger indictment of the industry than the worker.

Some people practically announce they’re a bad person.