You Don’t Have to Fight for Your Right to Party, But You Do Have to Pay
We’ve talked about tipping — and how wild it’s gotten that just showing up warrants an extra payment.
We’ve griped about “service fees” sneaking onto your bill like a raccoon through a dog door.
We’ve even accepted that quality and customer service have taken a sabbatical.
But what I saw last week? That took the cake. Literally.
I won’t name names, but I recently stopped by a local Mexican restaurant and before I even got inside, I was greeted by signs plastered across the doors:
“Birthday Celebrations – $20”
That’s right. Want to celebrate your birthday here? That’ll be twenty bucks, please. Before the tacos. Before the margaritas. Before the first awkward round of “Feliz Cumpleaños.”
Now I know times are tough, but charging a “birthday entry fee” is a whole new level of audacity. I mean, who among us hasn’t gathered some friends for a birthday dinner, hoping for a little hat, a few off-key claps, maybe a complimentary churro?
Some restaurants stopped singing. Some charge extra for a cake. But this? This was a crisp Jackson just for daring to exist on the day you were born.
And what are you even paying for? A song? A scoop of ice cream? Or just the privilege of not getting kicked out for blowing out candles?
Sadly, this feels like the new normal. Gone are the days of great service followed by generous tipping. Now? It’s all front-loaded. The warmth is optional, but your card better swipe.
As philosopher and pricing prophet Fat Joe once said:
“Yesterday’s price… is not today’s price.”
Have you seen this before?
Have you ever been charged just to celebrate your own birthday — or spotted another ridiculous fee while dining out?
Hit reply and let us know.
We’d love to hear your thoughts (and your outrage). Bonus points if there was cake involved. 🎂