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The 3-Word Phrase Restaurant Workers Absolutely Hate Hearing

‘Work your magic’ might sound friendly, but hospitality workers say it often comes with unreasonable requests and pressure to bend the rules.

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Restaurant workers hear certain phrases and immediately know what customer they’re dealing with. “I’m not one to complain, but…” is up there. So is “Can you check in the back?” or “Could you make that drink extra special (aka strong)?” And, of course, “Do you know who I am?”

Then there’s “Work your magic,” usually said with a smile by someone asking for something the employee has already explained cannot happen.

A recent thread on r/AskUK asked hospitality workers what customers say or do that immediately makes them brace themselves. “Could you work your magic for me?” came up repeatedly. User @ohsaycanyourock explained why: “It’s planning and........

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