Woman asked to order off the menu — but the waiter kept pushing the buffet, and the reason left her disturbed
Standing up for yourself in everyday situations can feel surprisingly difficult, even in simple moments like ordering food. A woman named Margie DuBois shared an experience on Instagram on Sunday, May 3, 2026, under the handle @margietdubois, that highlighted this struggle. She went to brunch and decided on a dish from the menu, only to have a waiter repeatedly push her toward the buffet. What unsettled her even more was a comment from a man at a nearby table, which highlighted the subtle pressures women often face.
As she recounted, the waiter kept insisting she choose the buffet instead. “You need to get the buffet,” he said, but DuBois politely replied that she wanted something from the menu. The waiter argued that anything on the menu could be found in the buffet, yet DuBois stood her ground and said, “I’m not really interested in the buffet. I’m going to order off the menu because that’s what I want.” A minute after he walked away, she struck up a conversation with a couple nearby. The man then casually told her, “I ordered an omelet from the regular menu, and I just had to ask once.” His comment left DuBois feeling disturbed, revealing the subtle pressures women often face to conform, even in small decisions.
DuBois reflected on the encounter in her video, explaining how hard it can be to say no as a woman, especially for those who are naturally people pleasers. She advised women to "stay strong" in those moments and ask themselves what they really want and then stick with that decision. She also noted how frustrating it is when a woman’s decisions are questioned or argued against and suggested that others should simply clarify what she wants rather than challenge her choice. Many internet users praised DuBois for her strong will and her decision to stick with what she wanted.
@breanna.chrystal commented, "So glad you stuck to your guns on that one, but there’s no way it should have taken that much! Kudos to the guy next to you who acknowledged the disparity." @bridgettesimmonds exclaimed, "That’s wild. Glad you stuck with what you wanted." @mindy_bin shared, "Honestly, if I asked twice and they refuse, I would just ask to speak to a manager so he can explain why he refused."
Research also shows that people-pleasers often struggle to set boundaries and say no. As per PsychCentral, prioritizing others’ needs over one’s own can lead to stress and frustration, but asserting personal choices improves confidence, self-respect, and well-being. DuBois’ decision to stick to her menu choice reflects this principle, demonstrating that even small acts of standing firm can be empowering and mentally healthy.
In the end, DuBois’ story is a reminder that asserting yourself matters, even in everyday situations. Simple decisions, like ordering what you want at brunch, are an important way to practice self-respect. “If you are with a woman, if she's made a decision on something, do not make questioning that decision your primary response,” she advised. Her experience highlights the importance of respecting boundaries, listening without judgment, and trusting your own choices.
For more interesting daily life stories, follow @margietdubois on Instagram.