As a waitress, I’ve heard countless mispronunciations of our international menu. But when I overheard Andrew “correcting” his girlfriend Amanda’s flawless Italian, German, and Mandarin, I just had to say something.
The Friday night rush at Flavors of the World restaurant always kept me on my toes. As a waitress, I loved the hustle and bustle, the clinking of glasses, and the hum of conversation.
But what I enjoyed most was listening to the diverse languages spoken by our patrons as they ordered from our international menu.
A waitress serving drinks at a restaurant | Source: Pexels
One couple in particular caught my attention: Amanda and Andrew. They were regulars, who came in every Friday without fail.
Amanda had her bright eyes and a gentle demeanor. She always impressed me with her linguistic abilities.
She’d order dishes in their native tongues, and her pronunciation was spot-on whether it was Mandarin, Spanish, Italian, or German.
“Buonasera [Good evening],” Amanda greeted me one evening. “Potrei avere gli gnocchi alla sorrentina, per favore [could I have the gnocchi alla sorrentina, please]?”
A plate of gnocchi | Source: Pexels
I smiled, appreciating her flawless Italian. “Certamente, signora. Ottima scelta [Certainly, ma’am. Excellent choice]!”
Andrew, on the other hand, was a different story. Tall and conventionally handsome, he carried himself with an air of superiority that set my teeth on edge.
Every time Amanda spoke, he’d interrupt, “correcting” her pronunciations with his own butchered versions.
A woman looking sad at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“It’s not ‘nyocky,’” he’d say, rolling his eyes. “It’s ‘guh-nocky.’ Honestly, Amanda, you sound ridiculous.”
I’d bite my tongue, not wanting to be rude and possibly reduce my tip.
Amanda would always shrink a little at his words. “I’m sorry, Andrew. I thought –”
“No, you didn’t think,” he’d cut her off. “Just order like a normal person next time, okay?”
An angry looking man at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
This pattern repeated week after week. Amanda would order beautifully in whatever language the dish originated from, and Andrew would belittle her efforts.
“Ich hätte gerne das Wiener Schnitzel, bitte [I would like the Wiener Schnitzel, please],” Amanda said one night in impeccable German.
“It’s ‘weiner snitchel,’ Amanda,” Andrew scoffed, bothering the name of the typical Austrian dish. “Stop trying to sound fancy.”
A plate of Wiener Schnitzel | Source: Pexels
I watched as Amanda’s confidence dwindled with each passing week, and it broke my heart to see such talent and passion being stifled.
This particular Friday was different for some reason.
Amanda’s usual smile was strained as she and Andrew walked in. But I quickly realized why.
Behind them trailed an older couple I hadn’t seen before, but the family resemblance was clear. Andrew’s parents.
An older couple walking into a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
I approached their table with a notepad in hand. “Good evening, folks. What can I get you tonight?”
Amanda glanced at the menu, then at Andrew, before speaking softly. “I’ll have the pho ga, please.”
“It’s ‘foe guh,’ Amanda. God, do you have to be so pretentious all the time?”
Amanda’s cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry, I just –”
An upset woman at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t mind her,” Andrew cut in, addressing his parents. “She thinks she’s so smart, always showing off.”
His mother tutted sympathetically. “Oh, sweetie,” she said to Amanda, “are you always such a bragger? Can’t you speak normally?”
I gripped my pen tighter and felt my knuckles whitening. Amanda looked like she wanted to disappear.
Andrew leaned into her ear but whispered loud enough for me to hear. “Stop shaming me. Talk like a normal person.”
A man at a restaurant leaning close to a woman | Source: Midjourney
When tears welled in Amanda’s eyes, I knew I couldn’t stand by any longer.
“Nín hǎo [Hello],” I said, addressing Andrew in Mandarin. “Qǐng bùyào rúcǐ cūlǔ de duìdài nín de nǚpéngyǒu [Please do not treat your girlfriend so rudely].”
Andrew’s jaw dropped. Amanda’s head snapped up, surprise replacing the hurt in her eyes.
“Xièxiè nǐ [Thank you],” Amanda replied, her Mandarin flowing smoothly. “Zhè duì wǒ yìyì zhòngdà [This means a lot to me].”
A woman at a restaurant looking up and smiling | Source: Midjourney
Andrew and his parents exchanged bewildered glances. “What’s going on?” he demanded. “What are you saying?”
“Oh, I was just asking you not to treat your girlfriend so rudely. And Amanda was thanking me, saying it means a lot to her,” I answered sweetly.
“I don’t believe you!” he accused me. “You’re making that up. You’re insulting us!”
“Son,” his father interjected, “maybe you should –”
An older man looking upset at a restaurant | Source: Pexels
“No!” Andrew slammed his hand on the table. “She’s lying. She has to be. Amanda, what did she say?”
Amanda sat up straighter, and her eyes sparkled. Something had changed. “She’s not lying, Andrew. And neither am I when I pronounce words correctly in other languages.”
“But… but I thought…” Andrew sputtered.
A man confused and surprised at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“You thought wrong,” Amanda said firmly. “I’ve spent years studying languages. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t make it wrong or shameful.”
“So what, you’re some kind of genius now? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No,” Amanda replied. “I’m just someone who loves languages and has worked hard to learn them. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
A notebook and a book with notes on learning Spanish | Source: Pexels
Andrew’s mother chimed in, obviously embarrassed by the scene they were causing. “Sweetie, don’t you think it’s a bit… much? Always showing off like this?”
“It’s not showing off to use the skills you’ve worked hard to acquire” Amanda retorted. “Would you say the same thing to a musician playing an instrument well?”
“Well, I… that’s different.”
“How?” Amanda challenged. “How is it different?”
A woman with a raised eyebrow at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
Andrew’s father cleared his throat. “Now, let’s all calm down. I’m sure we can-“
“No, Dad,” Andrew cut in. “I want to hear this. Go on, Amanda. Tell us how smart you are.”
I watched in anticipation as Amanda took a deep breath. “This isn’t about being smart or bragging! It’s about respect. Respect for other cultures, for the effort people put into learning, and for me as a person.”
A smiling waitress | Source: Pexels
“Respect?” Andrew scoffed. “What about respecting me? Do you know how embarrassing it is when you start spouting off in some foreign language?”
“Embarrassing for whom?” Amanda shot back. “For you? Because you can’t understand it? Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, the problem isn’t with me speaking other languages but with your reaction to it?”
The restaurant had grown quiet as other diners watched the scene unfold. Andrew’s mother cleared her throat awkwardly. “Perhaps we should go somewhere else.”
A busy restaurant | Source: Pexels
“I think that’s a good idea,” Amanda agreed and stood. “And I’ll be going home. Alone!” She turned to me. “Thank you for your kindness. Grazie mille. Danke schön. Muchas gracias!”
With that, she walked out and held her head high. I smiled and waited.
Andrew and his parents shuffled out soon after with their tails between their legs.
A restaurant door | Source: Pexels
The following Friday, I was surprised to see Amanda walk in alone. She looked different, somehow lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“Table for one?” I asked.
She nodded, smiling. “Yes, please. And I’d love to chat if you have a moment.”
Once I’d seated her and taken her order, I pulled up a chair. “How are you doing?”
A seated woman smiling | Source: Pexels
“Better than I have in a long time,” Amanda admitted. “I broke up with Andrew the day after… well, you know.”
I nodded encouragingly. “That must have been tough.”
“It was, but it was also liberating. I realized I’d been living in fear of his judgment for so long. When I told him it was over, he couldn’t believe it.”
“What did he say?” I asked, curious.
A blonde woman smiling | Source: Pexels
“He said, ‘You’re making a mistake, Amanda. Who’s going to put up with your show-off behavior?’ Can you believe that?” Amanda shook her head. “I told him, ‘Someone who appreciates intelligence and curiosity! Someone unlike you.’”
I grinned. “Good for you! How did that feel?”
“Terrifying and exhilarating all at once,” Amanda laughed. “But you know what? Your intervention made me realize how much I’d been diminishing myself to make him comfortable. I’d forgotten how much joy I found in languages, and in learning about different cultures. I’d let him convince me it was something to be ashamed of.”
A smiling woman at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“I’m glad I could help,” I said. “No one should make you feel small for being passionate about something.”
Amanda’s eyes shone. “Absolutely. And you know what? I’ve decided to apply for a job as a translator. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but never dared to pursue.”
“That’s fantastic!” I exclaimed. “Where are you applying?”
A blonde woman at a restaurant | Source: Pexels
“There’s an international non-profit organization that works with refugees. They need translators who can speak multiple languages fluently. It’s perfect for me.”
As we continued talking, switching between languages with ease, I marveled at the change in Amanda. She radiated confidence and enthusiasm, and just because I stepped in at last.
When it was time for me to get back to work, Amanda reached out and squeezed my hand. “Thank you again. For everything.”
Hand shake at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
I squeezed back. “Anytime and good luck!”
Sometimes, all it takes is one small act of kindness to help someone find their self-confidence again. And in a world full of different languages and cultures, all voices deserve to be heard, loud and clear.
A smiling woman at an office | Source: Midjourney
My Fiancé Cheated on Me, and My Family Helped Hide It — Story of the Day
I thought my wedding rehearsal dinner would be a joyful celebration, but it turned into a night of shocking revelations. I discovered my fiancé’s betrayal and my family’s role in keeping it a secret. As the truth unfolded, everything I knew about love and loyalty was shattered.
I watched as my fiancé Andy got ready to leave again. Lately, he was always disappearing somewhere. I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Do you really have to go?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
“Yes, it’s for work. I can’t refuse,” Andy replied, not meeting my eyes.
“You seem to be going out for work quite often these days,” I said, trying to sound casual.
Andy stopped what he was doing and looked at me. “What are you implying?” he asked, a hint of defensiveness in his voice.
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“Nothing,” I replied quickly. “Just stating a fact.”
But inside, I felt a growing suspicion. Something didn’t feel right.
Andy grabbed his things and went into the bathroom. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was cheating on me. He was always texting someone, going somewhere, and having constant meetings.
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My heart sank every time he left without much explanation. Suddenly, his phone received a message. I glanced at the bathroom door, hearing the shower turn on. The sound of running water filled the apartment. This was my chance.
I knew it was wrong, and I had never done it before, but I couldn’t live with the thought that he was cheating on me. My hands trembled as I picked up his phone. Andy didn’t know that I knew his phone password. Now, it played into my hands. I unlocked his phone and quickly looked at the source of the message.
It was a group chat named “Andy and Kira.” My heart skipped a beat. Kira was my best friend, and I didn’t understand what this was all about. My mind raced with questions, and I needed answers.
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I looked at who was in the chat. Andy, Kira, my mom, my sister, and my brother. What the…?! My heart pounded in my chest. I scrolled to the top of the chat and saw that it was created eight months ago. The first message was from Andy.
@Andy:
I’m sorry you had to find out about Kira and me like this. But I can’t let Erin find out. I love them both and still want to marry Erin…
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My mom was upset at first. She said Andy couldn’t treat me like this, but after a few days, a message came from her.
@Clarissa:
Do you really love Kira?
@Andy:
Yes.
Then my brother Scott and my sister Maria joined in.
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@Scott:
Maybe you should try an open relationship.
@Maria:
Yes, it’s very popular now. Many couples live like this.
@Andy:
We’ve been together too long. Erin would never agree to an open relationship.
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@Clarissa:
Then we will help you. We will help you hide this relationship until you are ready to talk to Erin.
@Andy:
Thank you, guys! I really appreciate it.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. How could my family have the audacity to suggest this to my fiancé and hide it from me for so long? I scrolled through the chat and took numerous screenshots.
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I found out that Kira went on a trip with my family and Andy when I got sick and couldn’t go. What broke my heart the most wasn’t that Andy was cheating but that my mom was so calm about it and even supported him.
I didn’t understand how she could do this; I was her child, not Andy. I took screenshots of the entire chat, including the one between Andy and Kira, which had quite a few provocative photos from both of them, then sent them to myself and deleted them from Andy’s phone so he wouldn’t notice.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
When Andy came out of the shower, I tried to act normal, even though I wanted to punch him. I watched him walk around the room, getting dressed, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a mix of anger and betrayal. He smiled at me, completely unaware.
Andy got ready, and I saw him to the door. I tried to stay calm, even though every fiber of my being wanted to confront him right then and there.
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“Goodbye, honey, I love you,” he said and kissed me on the cheek. I felt like tearing my skin off at that moment.
“Me too,” I replied, trying not to show that something was wrong.
For a few days, I couldn’t find peace, and I was constantly nauseous from nerves. Andy started to worry a lot and even bought me a pregnancy test, which I wanted to throw in his face; the last thing I needed was to get pregnant by this jerk. Every time I saw him, my anger and frustration grew.
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But finally, the day of the rehearsal dinner arrived, and I was ready to reveal what Andy and my family had done. I was very nervous, feeling like my whole body was shaking.
Andy said he needed to go somewhere before dinner. I held back from saying, “To your lover, Kira?” But I was glad he was going; I didn’t want to see him or be in the same room with him.
I gathered all the screenshots and set them on a timer to send out at 5:30 p.m., right during the rehearsal dinner. They would be sent to Kira’s family, my family, Andy’s family, and all our friends. I knew it would be explosive, but it was the only way to make sure everyone knew the truth.
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When I arrived at the restaurant, my mom and her husband were already there. She hugged me, and it felt like I was going to throw up. I quickly hugged her back to avoid suspicion.
“You have no idea how happy I am for you and Andy,” my mom said, her voice full of excitement.
“Yes, me too,” I replied, forcing a smile. It was all I could muster.
The restaurant was beautifully decorated, and everyone seemed so happy. It made me sick to see them all so cheerful, knowing the betrayal that lay beneath the surface.
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I spotted Kira, laughing with some of our friends. She looked so carefree, as if she hadn’t been sneaking around with my fiancé.
As more guests arrived, my anxiety grew. I kept glancing at my watch, counting down the minutes until 5:30 p.m. Andy finally showed up, acting as if nothing was wrong, greeting everyone with a big smile.
The restaurant buzzed with laughter and conversation. When all the guests had gathered, Andy stood up to give a toast. He cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.
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“Thank you all for coming today,” Andy began. “I can’t express how much I love Erin and how happy I am that our families can now unite into one big family.”
How dare he say that? I felt my stomach churn. How could he have the audacity to make this speech? But I smiled and nodded, keeping up the act. Kira sat there, grinning as if she hadn’t betrayed me.
Andy continued his speech. “From the moment we first met, I knew Erin was the love of my life. I want to spend every minute with her. Our first date—”
He couldn’t finish because everyone’s phones started ringing simultaneously. People looked around in confusion, checking their screens.
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“Did you prepare a surprise for us?” my mom asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
“Something like that, but I’m not sure you’ll like it,” I replied with a forced smile. My heart pounded in my chest.
“Stop it. I’m sure you did a wonderful jo—” Mom froze in shock as she opened the messages on her phone. She couldn’t finish her sentence, her face pale. I watched her reaction, feeling a mix of satisfaction and sorrow.
Kira, sitting nearby, looked at Andy in panic. Andy grabbed his phone, his face turning from confusion to horror. He looked at me, his eyes wide with fear.
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“Erin, I can explain everything,” he stammered. But he didn’t get the chance.
My aunt Teresa jumped up from her seat, her face red with rage. “You heartless witch! How could you do this?!” She shouted at my mom, her voice shaking with fury.
“I’m heartless?! Erin planned all this! How could you ruin our lives?!” my mom shouted back, her eyes blazing with anger.
My grandparents tried to hold Aunt Teresa back while she yelled at my mom, calling her every name in the book. The restaurant turned into chaos, everyone shouting and arguing. The joyful atmosphere had turned into a battlefield.
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Kira ran up to me, her eyes pleading. “I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice trembling. “But I hope you understand, we couldn’t help our feelings. We’ve always been best friends, and I hope we can get through this and remain friends.”
Her words made my blood boil. I slapped her hard across the face, the sound echoing in the room. “How dare you call yourself my best friend after everything you did?!” I shouted, my voice breaking.
“Erin! Don’t touch her!” Andy yelled, rushing toward us.
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I turned to him, my eyes filled with anger. “You’re the most pathetic man I’ve ever seen. I truly pity you because you’ll have to live with this.”
Andy’s face fell, and he stepped back, looking defeated. The room was in chaos, with people yelling and crying. I felt a strange calmness wash over me. The truth was out. There was no turning back. I had exposed their betrayal.
I walked away from them and went to Aunt Teresa, who was still yelling at my mom.
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“Let’s go, they’re not worth it,” I said, taking her arm. Aunt Teresa listened to me as we headed for the restaurant exit. Before leaving, I flipped the cake on the table, sending it crashing down.
“Enjoy your sweet life, lovebirds!” I shouted over my shoulder. Aunt Teresa and I walked out of the restaurant together.
Once we were outside, Aunt Teresa looked at me with concern. “I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice soft.
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“It’s going to be okay,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “For now, I’m just happy that Andy paid for the entire wedding. He won’t get a cent back because it was supposed to be tomorrow.”
Aunt Teresa nodded. “Considering how many guests you were going to have, he’s definitely going to be bankrupt.”
“Yeah,” I said, with a small sense of satisfaction. “And I also found messages between Andy and Kira insulting his boss. I have a feeling Andy will be out of a job soon since those screenshots somehow made their way to his boss.”
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Aunt Teresa raised her eyebrow. “And they say miracles don’t happen,” she replied, a hint of a smile on her face. We both laughed.
The laughter felt good, but it was mixed with tears streaming down my face. My heart was broken, but I knew I had done the right thing. Everyone would get what they deserved.
As we walked away from the restaurant, Aunt Teresa put her arm around me. “You did the right thing, Erin. You’re strong, and you’ll get through this.”
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“I hope so,” I said, wiping my tears. “It just hurts so much right now.”
“I know it does,” she replied. “But you’ve taken the first step to moving on. You’ve exposed the truth. Now you can start healing.”
We kept walking, and I felt sadness and relief. The truth was out, and there was no turning back. It was time to face whatever came next, but at least I wouldn’t have to face it alone.
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“I don’t know what I would have done without you,” I told Aunt Teresa.
“You’ll always have me,” she said. “We’re family, and we stick together.”
I smiled, feeling a bit of comfort in her words. We continued down the street, leaving the chaos behind us. It was a new beginning, and I was ready to face it head-on.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Kate always felt like an outsider in her family, where her mother and sister received all the attention. After her father’s death, her life changed unexpectedly. Kate’s husband betrayed her with her sister for an inheritance, and then, shocked by new circumstances, begged her to take him back.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
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