Category: Buzz

Unique, interesting, and unusual stories.

Woman Deletes Hinge After First Date Ends With Man Insulting Her Height

A TikTok user has described an awkward first date that ended with a man criticizing her height and sending a disturbing joke by text.

Lexie, who posts on TikTok as @spicycokezero, said the date took place about two years ago, when she was beginning to date. She met the man on Hinge and spoke with him for about a week before agreeing to meet for dinner in her town.

Because he had to drive around an hour to see her, Lexie let him choose between two local restaurants. He chose Chili’s.

When Lexie texted to say she had arrived, she saw the man sitting in his car. He told her he was on the phone with a friend and would come inside shortly. According to Lexie, he hurried into the restaurant before she had even exited her car. By the time she went inside, he was already looking at the menu.

@spicycokezero He also was condescending which I didn’t vibe with #fyp#psychology#firstdate#relationship#relatable ♬ original sound – Lexie

He did not stand up to greet her or offer a hug or handshake, so they began talking at the table. Lexie said the conversation focused largely on him, as he repeatedly mentioned his Nissan Altima. She found the boasting ironic because she owned the same car model.

The date became more uncomfortable when Lexie mentioned that she had always wanted to dye her hair blonde. The man told her he did not think she should. Later, after Lexie made a mistake while discussing something related to cars, he joked that perhaps she really should have gone blonde.

Lexie also said the man criticized Chili’s several times, despite having chosen the restaurant himself. He paid the bill after dinner, which she appreciated, but continued talking while the restaurant was closing.

When Lexie finally left, he told her she was “definitely not 5’4″ as she said on her dating profile.” She responded that he had claimed to be 5’11” but appeared to be around her height. Lexie said his actual height did not matter to her; she questioned why someone would misrepresent it. The date ended soon afterward.

That night, Lexie texted him to thank him for dinner and say she hoped he had arrived home safely. He replied, “No, I got in a car crash. I’m dead.”

Lexie said they never communicated again.

TikTok users react to the first date story

The TikTok video received 12,500 likes and hundreds of comments. Many viewers focused on the alleged difference between the man’s stated height and his apparent height. One commenter called lying about height “crazy,” while another joked that he had rushed into the restaurant so Lexie would not notice his height.

Other viewers criticized his behavior during the date. One said he appeared more interested in “hearing himself talk,” while another described him as “mean and condescending.”

One commenter said Chili’s was not the problem, explaining that their first date with the person they eventually married also took place at Chili’s—and that they remained happily together decades later.

Lexie said the experience was not the worst date imaginable, but it was enough to convince her to delete Hinge.

08/31/2026
Woman’s First and Last Hinge Date Ends With No Tip, Instagram Contradiction, and an Uber Departure

A TikTok creator’s account of what she called her first and last Hinge date has gone viral after she said her match failed to tip the waitress, used Instagram after claiming he did not have the app, and left in his Uber before hers arrived.

Margot Lee, who posts as @margot.lee on TikTok, said the experience was so unpleasant that she canceled another date scheduled for the following night.

Why Margot agreed to the Hinge dinner date

Margot said she initially tried to avoid having dinner on a first date. She agreed after reading her match’s Hinge prompts and assuming he did not drink. Her cousin, who works in hospitality, had specifically warned her against the restaurant he selected.

According to Margot, the conversation quickly turned to her stationery business and collaborations with clients including Pamela Anderson, Madewell, and Rosewood.

Her date said he did not have Instagram, a claim Margot said he contradicted later by using the app at the table. “Kind of immediately just makes me feel, like, weird and sh-tty about my job,” she said.

@margot.lee The date that just kept getting worse and worse ? what was your favorite part? Mine was when the waitress chased us outside. #dating #good #datingstorytime #hingedate #datestory #datenightmare ♫ original sound – margot.lee

She said her date ignored the waitress’s recommendations

Margot said the waitress recommended several dishes, but her date ordered items she had not suggested, including a fish dish. Margot had told him beforehand that she did not want anchovies.

When the waitress asked whether they wanted to order more food, Margot said her date told her he was not hungry. She also said he took out his phone at the table for several minutes without apologizing or explaining.

“I’m not exaggerating, it probably was seven minutes on his phone,” she said, adding that he repeated the behavior after the food arrived.

Margot said her date ate only a small amount of salad and claimed the restaurant had “hustled” them on portion sizes. When she pointed out that the plates were a normal size for the venue, she said he responded by discussing the meal’s estimated calorie count.

Margot said she ate more of the food herself to avoid leaving too much on the table. She also said the waitress told her date that he had not signed a tip.

‘He didn’t leave a tip,’ Margot said, adding that she initially gave him the benefit of the doubt. She eventually concluded that leaving no tip was intentional because of his comments throughout dinner about feeling overcharged.

She said his Uber arrived before hers and that he left without waiting.

Viewers debate the Hinge date story

Margot said she is deleting her dating apps after the experience and plans to rely on “acquaintance cards” instead. She also canceled another date because the location selected by her match was too far away and inconvenient.

Reactions to the video focused largely on the man’s behavior during the date. One commenter agreed with Margot’s assessment, writing, “This guy is red pill. There are at least 5 things he did that are red pill tactics.”

Another commenter questioned one of the details Margot identified as a red flag. They wrote, “I’m not understanding the problem with paying the dinner with applepay tho.”

A third commenter shared a similar experience: “One time I went on a dinner date and after we sat down he goes ‘order whatever you want, I already ate.’”

The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the details of the date described in the video, including the identity of the man involved or the restaurant where the date took place. The details reflect the account shared by @margot.lee on TikTok.

08/31/2026
‘Stove Breathing, First Form’: Demon Slayer Fans React After Redditor’s Roommate Leaves Stove Red-Hot

A Redditor’s roommate forgot to turn off the stove after making dinner, leaving one of the hot plates glowing red the following morning. The unusual discovery sparked comparisons to the popular anime Demon Slayer and prompted thousands of reactions in Reddit’s r/mildlyinfuriating community.

Reddit user @Next-Ad485 shared a photo of the stove after discovering it the next day. One of the four hot plates appeared to be emitting a neon-pink glow, suggesting it had reached an extremely high temperature before the Redditor turned it off.

My roommate made himself dinner late last night, this is how i found the stove this morning byu/Next-Ad485 inmildlyinfuriating

The post did not clarify whether the stove had been left on overnight or for only a few hours. As of publication, it had received 70,000 upvotes and 2,500 comments.

‘Stove Breathing’ becomes the top Reddit comment

Among the responses, one comment from a Demon Slayer fan received 26,000 upvotes, making it the most popular reply. User @mindatetheuniverse shared the image and wrote, “Stove Breathing intensifies,” prompting other fans to continue the anime references.

The joke referred to the “Breathing Style” techniques used by protagonists and other characters while battling demons in the anime. Several commenters connected the glowing stove to the series’ named breathing forms, while an article by Crunchyroll documented the major breathing styles referenced in the Reddit discussion.

One Redditor joked, “Stove breathing, first form: Burn down the house.” Another replied, “That’s more like a fifth form…” A third commenter referenced the deceased character Rengoku by writing, “Stove Breathing, 9th form: Rengoku!”

Another user created a fictional exchange based on the anime’s line “Set your heart ablaze.” In the Reddit version, the fan wrote, “Set your house ablaze!!” Other commenters added further references to Demon Slayer lore.

Redditors also focused on the fire risk

Not every response centered on the anime comparison. Several Redditors focused on the potential danger of leaving a stove on, particularly the risk of a serious fire.

Other commenters joked about the original poster’s likely reaction after discovering that the hot plate had been operating for an extended period. One person wrote, “You can feel the anger…”

Another commented, “Ironically, OP is not sympathetic toward their roommate right now.” Other Redditors shared similar stories involving roommates. The original poster had not added an update explaining exactly how long the stove had been on.

The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the events described in the post. The details above reflect the account shared in r/mildlyinfuriating by u/Next-Ad485.

Source: dailydot.com

08/31/2026
‘I Made It!’ ‘Made What? Made Me Mad?’: Barista’s Rant About Customers Entering Five Minutes Before Closing Sparks Service Worker Frustration

A barista’s TikTok rant about customers who enter a store minutes before closing has sparked a wave of complaints from service workers about last-minute shoppers, holiday shifts and closing-time etiquette.

On Aug. 4, a barista who goes by @justmyfortai on TikTok shared an unfiltered reaction to customers who walk into a store just before it closes. Her video resonated with commenters who described their own frustrations with late customers and working on holidays.

Barista criticizes customers who arrive just before closing

Posted under the hashtag #baristalife, the clip shows the woman sitting in her car and venting about customers who celebrate making it into a store shortly before closing.

PSA to everybody that thinks it’s so cute to come in when the store closes in five minutes,” she said at the start of the video. She then mocked customers who walk in and say they have arrived “just in time” or caught the staff at the last minute. Her reaction was far less welcoming.

“Girl, go to hell,” she says.

The barista continued with a list of exaggerated frustrations she imagined would befall such customers. She joked that she hoped their pillow was always hot, that they were shocked whenever they touched a door and that everything they did became an inconvenience.

@justmyfortai #baristalife #annoyingcustomers #foodserviceproblems #baristas #baristasoftiktok ♬ Elevator Music – Bohoman

Service workers share their own closing-time frustrations

The rant ended with a request for customers who arrive shortly before closing to be considerate of the employees behind the counter. “If you [are going to] come in, be humble,” she says. “Don’t say [anything]. Just order (…), get it and go.”

A store’s posted closing time does not necessarily mean employees are finished working at that exact moment.

In the comments, one viewer wrote, “If it’s less than 30 minutes to close, I’m just not gonna go.”

Another commenter addressed customers who express sympathy about holiday work while still choosing to shop on that day. “I hate when it’s a holiday, and they say ‘I hate that you have to work on a holiday,’” the commenter wrote, adding, “me too, so stop coming in on holidays.”

A third commenter responded to a common phrase customers use when they arrive just before closing: “‘I made it!’ Made what? Made me mad?”

The details above reflect the account shared by @justmyfortai on TikTok.

08/31/2026
‘Tag Walmart in the Comments’: Mom’s $17 Walmart Dinner Run for Family of Five Goes Viral as Budget Tips Pour In

An influencer mom’s Walmart dinner run for a family of five has gone viral after she revealed that she spent just $16.68 on the meal. The TikTok video has drawn support, budget dinner suggestions and hopes that Walmart will sponsor her.

@shelbers95 shared clips from a recent Walmart trip in a TikTok mini vlog, explaining that she was working with a tight budget and did not know what she would buy for her family of five to eat that night.

During the drive, she said she hoped Walmart would sponsor her because she believed the retailer had seen her videos. She also asked her followers to tag Walmart in the comments.

@shelbers95 Help ya girl get noticed by @Walmart and tag em bestieeeessss, they will indeed notice me one day ? Thanks for coming with like always, I love yall ?? #walmart #walmartrun #familyof5 #shopping #shop ♬ original sound – Shelbers ?

After arriving, she put on her missing shoe, parked and locked her car, then went inside to shop for dinner. She headed first to the meat section and looked for the least expensive chicken. Although she initially passed over chicken that appeared shriveled, she ultimately selected a $7 package of Tyson chicken breast.

She added chicken broth, a can of cream of chicken soup, a packet of cheddar broccoli, a chicken-flavored broccoli item and a full packet of broccoli. She also put a bag of shredded cheese in her cart.

Mom’s $17 Walmart dinner sparks budget meal ideas

Before checking out, she briefly visited the clearance aisle. She looked through items including Play-Doh, dolls, $1 water bottles, life jackets and other products.

Her groceries totaled $16.68, just under $17. As of publication, the Walmart shopping video had received 183,000 views and generated extensive discussion in the comments.

Image Credit: TikTok | @shelbers95

The budget dinner for a family of five prompted viewers to share their own affordable meal ideas. One user asked whether it was possible to buy enough food for under $22, while commenters offered a range of suggestions.

Some recommended buying a rotisserie chicken, while others suggested microwave meals. Several followers directed the mom to the Dollar Store, where one TikToker said food could be purchased for $1.50.

Another commenter asked whether she regularly planned her meals and wrote, “I’ve heard that’s a good way to save!” Other viewers continued to express their support and said they hoped Walmart would sponsor her someday.

The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the details described in the video, including the family’s specific financial circumstances. The details above reflect the account shared by @shelbers95 on TikTok.

08/31/2026
Former Waitress Defends Restaurant Workers’ Tips: ‘Tips Aren’t About Entitlement. They’re About Survival’

TikTok creator NiKOL Johnson has sparked a debate about restaurant tipping after sharing her perspective as a former waitress. She argued that tips can be a crucial part of a restaurant worker’s income, while commenters debated whether customers or businesses should be responsible for paying workers’ wages.

Johnson’s TikTok bio identifies her as the founder of Nikol Beauty, as well as a writer and editorial creator for mature women. In the video, she said she worked as a waitress while modeling and acting in New York City. She added that people without experience in the service industry may not understand how tipping affects workers.

“If you’ve never worked as a waitress, you really don’t understand tipping,” Johnson said.

Johnson said customers do not have to agree with every tip prompt, but explained that her experience working in restaurants changed how she views tipping. She described servers working long hours on their feet while facing pressure from customers and managers. She also said servers perform emotional labor and are expected to remain pleasant throughout their shifts.

“Tipping isn’t about obligation, it’s about understanding the people behind the service.”

Johnson said many restaurant workers rely on tips as an important source of income. “Tips aren’t about entitlement. They’re about survival,” Johnson said. She argued that customers ultimately control how much they tip.

Commenters debate who should pay restaurant workers

Johnson’s post received more than 54,000 likes and 1,400 comments, with users divided over who should be responsible for paying service workers. Several commenters who currently work or previously worked in restaurants said Johnson’s observations reflected their own experiences.

One bartender said they earn $2.13 an hour at a busy bar in a luxury resort and described the mental fatigue involved in the job. Another commenter said they walked 14,000 steps during a five-hour shift, adding, “We hustle.”

Other commenters focused on problems with the tipping system. One user argued that tipping should be replaced with a service charge. Another commenter, who said they had spent more than 20 years in the service industry, argued that customers should not be responsible for paying employees’ wages.

TikTok users offered differing views on the restaurant tipping debate, including whether tipping should extend to occupations such as driving and health care.

How tipped wages work in the United States

Under U.S. federal law, employers of tipped employees may take a tip credit toward their minimum-wage obligations. Employers generally must ensure that tipped employees receive at least the applicable minimum wage when their wages and tips are combined. Requirements vary by state, and some states provide greater protections for tipped employees.

Tipping practices also differ by country and industry. One commenter from Canada said servers there are paid at least the minimum wage applicable to them.

For Johnson, however, the broader issue is how service workers are treated. “You don’t have to have worked in the service industry to be kind,” she said, “but it sure helps you understand why it matters.”

The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the details shared in Johnson’s video, including her account of working in the restaurant industry. The details above reflect Johnson’s statements in the TikTok video and the experiences shared by commenters.

08/31/2026
‘I Really Wanted to Hate It’: TikToker Tracks Down Ghost Kitchen MrBeast Burger at Friendly’s and Rates It 6.8 Out of 10

A TikTok creator’s search for a MrBeast Burger location ended at a Friendly’s restaurant, where he reviewed the ghost kitchen meal and rated the burger 6.8 out of 10.

Creator @munchinwithmoonshot said he had low expectations because of his skepticism toward ghost kitchen brands. After searching for the location and asking someone nearby for directions, he learned that the MrBeast Burger order was prepared inside the Friendly’s restaurant.

Customers could not order the meal in person. Instead, they had to place their orders online before collecting the food.

What was in the MrBeast Burger order?

The TikToker ordered a MrBeast-style double burger, Beast-style fries, a Diet Coke and a David’s chocolate chip cookie. The fries came with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles, onions and a seasoning he identified as Cajun-style.

“The fries aren’t soggy. I’m not gonna lie, like, they’re not horrible,” he said.

He rated the fries 5 out of 10. He also said the ordering app did not list the toppings in advance, leaving him to identify the ingredients as cheese, pickles, onions and ketchup based on their taste.

In the video caption, the creator wrote:

@munchinwithmoonshot Saw there was a @MrBeastBurger near my location so I got curious and went exploring ?? @MrBeast #mukbang #mrbeast #foodie #burger #foodreview ♬ original sound – Munchin With Moonshot

TikToker gives the burger a 6.8 rating

Despite his initial doubts, the creator said the burger performed better than expected.

“It’s not bad. It’s actually better than I expected it to be,” he said, adding, “I really wanted to hate it. I did.”

He gave the burger a 6.8 out of 10. While he said the food itself exceeded his expectations, he lowered the overall score because of the difficulty of finding the location and completing the order.

The chocolate chip cookie had partially melted after sitting in his car, but it received the highest rating of the meal.

“This David’s chocolate chip cookie is better than the entirety of the MrBeast meal,” he said.

He rated the cookie 8.7 out of 10.

Reactions focus on the ghost kitchen model

The TikToker said he would not specifically seek out another ghost kitchen brand. If he returned to the location, he said he would order directly from Friendly’s instead.

He also criticized the AI-generated promotional images used by some ghost kitchen brands, arguing that restaurants should display images of the food they actually serve.

Viewers largely reacted to the ghost kitchen business model and the confusion surrounding the order location. One commenter defended the arrangement, writing without evidence:

“ghost kitchens like Mr Beast burger actually help out those smaller businesses.”

Another commenter addressed the creator’s difficulty locating the restaurant, writing:

“Yeah bro the burger place is gonna be in the dollar store not the burger shop across the street.”

A third commenter claimed that the American Dream Mall location offered a more traditional MrBeast Burger experience:

“Go to American Dream Mall if you want a true MrBeast burger”

The Daily Dot could not verify that claim.

The Daily Dot was also unable to independently verify the specific location or franchise details shown in the video beyond the information provided by @munchinwithmoonshot. The account above reflects the creator’s description of his MrBeast Burger order and review.

08/31/2026
Woman, 22, Diagnosed With Cancer After Ears Fail to Pop During Flight

A 22-year-old mother has revealed how a seemingly minor ear problem led to a diagnosis of rare nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a form of cancer that initially left doctors stunned.

Aida Burkins, from Hemet, California, began experiencing symptoms after flying to Chicago, Illinois, in May last year. After landing, she could not pop her ears, a common problem caused by changes in air pressure during a flight.

Aida Burkins, 22, said medics initially believed it was ‘just altitude sickness’ (TikTok/@moody.aidaa)

According to Boots Hearingcare, difficulty popping the ears can be linked to Eustachian tube dysfunction, sinus congestion or earwax buildup.

It explains: “It’s advisable to avoid forceful attempts to pop your ears, as this can sometimes exacerbate the issue. Instead, consider strategies like swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum to encourage natural equalisation.”

Experts recommend seeking medical advice if the problem continues or is accompanied by pain. In Aida’s case, her hearing deteriorated rapidly while she experienced constant fatigue and significant weight loss.

Speaking to Newsweek, she said: “I started bleeding into my throat, which would only come out of my nose if I was bent at the hip at about 90 degrees.”

“My hearing got worse and worse. Then I started getting more tired and losing weight.”

Aida Burkins’ symptoms

In a TikTok video about her symptoms, Aida explained that she would ‘literally be choking on how much [blood] was just leaking into my throat’.

She said doctors initially told her it was ‘just altitude sickness’ and that the problem would eventually disappear. However, her symptoms continued to worsen.

Doctors later discovered that a mass was blocking her Eustachian tube. Aida was referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, where she reported ‘muffled’ hearing and persistent ‘ringing’ in her ears.

The ENT specialist found that her adenoids were inflamed and recommended removing them. The adenoids are small areas of tissue at the back of the throat, behind the nose, that help fight infection.

The doctor also said he was ‘suspicious’ that cancer could be responsible, although he considered it unlikely because Aida was only 22.

Aida developed a huge lump in her neck while also dealing with ear issues (TikTok/@moody.aidaa)

The left side of Aida’s throat then became severely swollen, prompting doctors to take a biopsy from her neck. She said her doctor told her that ‘he had never seen anything quite like what she had going on’.

A CT scan showed ‘lumps and bumps everywhere’, including in lymph nodes at the base of her skull.

After months of tests, Aida was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in February this year.

The NHS describes this ‘rare’ cancer as affecting the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose with the back of the mouth, known as the pharynx.

Symptoms can include a lump in the neck that does not disappear, hearing loss—usually affecting one ear—tinnitus, a blocked nose, nosebleeds, headaches and double vision.

‘It was horrifying’

People diagnosed with NPC are typically treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Aida has undergone both treatments, while surgery is not usually considered because of the difficulty of accessing the affected area.

Describing the moment she received her diagnosis, Aida said: “Hearing I have cancer, all I thought about was not being able to see my babies grow up or do the things they want to do in life. It was horrifying.”

Although she is only 22, Aida wants to remind people that ‘cancer doesn’t discriminate’. She is also urging anyone experiencing similar symptoms to advocate for themselves, regardless of age.

Aida said doctors are ‘optimistic that she’ll be cancer-free’ after she completes treatment. She added: “My prognosis is overall good. “Everything is shrinking and responding to the treatments my doctors have been giving me.”

08/31/2026
Restaurant Worker Says Teen Boys Left 1-Cent Tip After Mocking Menu Item: ‘They Were Waiting for a Reaction’

A TikTok creator says a restaurant employee was left a one-cent tip after a group of teenage boys allegedly mocked a menu item and appeared to wait for her reaction.

In a video shared by @jorlala, the employee recalled an interaction involving three or four teenage boys. She said the group repeatedly mispronounced an ingredient in a breakfast sandwich while laughing among themselves.

Teen customers allegedly left a one-cent tip

The employee said she repeatedly asked the boys what they wanted, but they deferred to one another over who would order first. One boy eventually ordered a sandwich and a cup of water, then asked the others whether they wanted anything without giving them time to respond.

The bill came to $6, and the employee stepped away to prepare the order. She said she then heard the card reader repeatedly beeping while it was out of her view, leading her to believe the group was entering a custom tip amount.

“That’s the only time that, like, those buttons go off,” she said, adding that the beeping continued as the boys laughed.

Before checking the receipt, the employee said she suspected the group had left an unusually small tip.

“I literally think to myself, they’re gonna tip me a penny right now,” she said.

When she returned with the food, she said the receipt showed a one-cent tip and that the boys appeared to be watching for her reaction. The group then asked for three additional cups of water.

“Yeah, sounds about f—— right,” she said, while complaining that she had noticed similar behavior from teenage boys of a similar age.

The employee did not identify the restaurant or provide additional details about the customers.

Viewers share similar food-service experiences

Several commenters said they had experienced similar situations while working in food service or delivery. One commenter, who said they were a teenager, criticized the behavior.

“As a teen I hate how other people make us look bad.”

Another commenter shared a sarcastic example involving a customer and a small cash tip.

“customer total: $4.97 customer hands: $5 bill customer says: ‘keep the change.’”

A commenter who identified themselves as a delivery driver said they had also received a one-cent tip.

“I am a delivery driver and I had a person tip me only a penny once. I left a penny on top of their order when I delivered it.”

Another commenter said their workplace was located near a school.

“the coffee shop i work at is next to a boys private high school its a nightmare” [sic].

The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the details of the interaction, including the restaurant’s location or the identities of the customers. The account above reflects @jorlala’s description of the incident on TikTok.

08/31/2026
‘They Were Waiting for Him to Be Late’: Boss Moves Up Monday Meeting and Questions Late Employee—Commenters Have Theories

Boss Moves Up Monday Meeting by Three Minutes, Then Questions Employee for Being Late

A Reddit post about a boss moving a Monday morning meeting forward at the last minute and then questioning an employee for being late has attracted 51,000 upvotes and more than 1,100 comments. Reddit users offered several theories about the sudden schedule change and the boss’s response.

@RotaryPhoneDialer shared a screenshot in the r/MildlyInfuriating subreddit showing that the employee’s regularly scheduled 9:35 a.m. meeting had been moved to 9:32 a.m. The “Weekly Kickoff” normally took place at 9:35, but the boss changed it by three minutes without apparent notice.

According to the post, the boss called at 9:33 a.m. to ask why the employee had not joined the meeting. The timing of the call and the unusual schedule change prompted confusion among commenters.

My regularly scheduled Monday morning meeting at 9:35 got rescheduled to 9:32. My boss called at 9:33 asking why I was late.

— u/RotaryPhoneDialer in r/mildlyinfuriating

Some Reddit users suggested the revised time could have been an honest mistake. One commenter wrote, “I would have just assumed it was a mistake and still joined at 9:35.”

Others focused on the unusual meeting time. One person wrote, “Because no one sane makes meetings that don’t align to a 5-minute grid.” Another asked, “9:35 is so strange; why not just make it 9:30?” The commenter acknowledged that the time may have been chosen to allow for a break.

Another Reddit user speculated that the last-minute change may have been intended to create grounds for disciplinary action. They wrote, “Sounds like they are trying to set a trap…Especially calling within a minute of being late. They were waiting for him to be late.”

Should the Employee Apologize for Being Late?

Commenters disagreed about whether the employee should apologize for missing the revised meeting time. Responding to the situation, one user wrote, “OP doesn’t need to be apologetic, which is basically an admission of guilt.”

The commenter also advised the employee to document the issue by contacting the boss and copying human resources: “They need to email their boss and copy HR. State that you need X amount of hours’ advanced notice to any meeting time changes.” The comment received 2,200 upvotes.

The original poster did not mention any previous incidents involving the boss. However, some Reddit users suggested searching for another job if the behavior continued. One commenter wrote, “If your boss is teeing up to take your head off like this, it’s best to move companies.”

Other commenters criticized the boss’s conduct and said the employee deserved more leeway, particularly because the meeting time was changed at the last minute by the boss.

The Daily Dot could not independently verify the claims in the Reddit post, which are based solely on the author’s account shared in r/MildlyInfuriating.

08/31/2026