Sometimes the most powerful connections come from quiet moments and small gestures. That’s exactly what happened at a Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in Yankton, South Dakota, where waitress Megan King experienced an encounter that moved her—and millions online—to tears.
King had been working a typically hectic Sunday shift when she met an older woman dining alone. As things began to settle, the two shared some light conversation. “Small talk, nothing too deep,” King told Tyla. The woman revealed it had been a while since she’d eaten out, and that Perkins had always been a favorite of hers.
"She was very low maintenance, and she left just as quietly as she came."
— Megan King
She was polite, soft-spoken, and left just as quietly as she had arrived. But when King returned to clean the table, she discovered a handwritten note that stopped her in her tracks.
"This was my first time eating out alone since my husband passed."
— Anonymous diner
An internet-wide emotional reaction
“As soon as I read that she'd lost her husband, I lost it,” King shared in a tweet that’s since gone viral. “I had to use the restroom to get myself together enough to tend to my other tables even though I really didn't have time to take a rest.” She posted a photo of herself smiling through tears, captioning it simply: “in pain.”
"This is my real smile because I am very happy and that note did not break my heart at all."
— @alienpopstarr
The tweet resonated deeply, quickly amassing over 49,000 retweets and 822,000 likes. Reactions poured in, with many praising King’s warmth and the gentle reminder that we never really know what someone else is going through.
One user wrote, "Always better to just be a good person to other people because you just don't know what they're going through. You were an angel to that woman."
Another commented, "Wow my eyes filled up. A great example of why customer service is so important. You never know how you can change around someone’s whole day."
Grace over judgment
King reflected on the woman’s demeanor, wishing she’d picked up on the silent call for connection. “She did seem a bit sad. In retrospect, I wish I would've taken her quiet as an invitation. I think that's what she wanted,” she said. Yet the heartfelt note proves that even their brief exchange made a meaningful impact.
Representative Image: The tip doesn't need to be big to make a difference. Canva
With the post going viral, some skeptics asked if she was emotional over a small tip. But King quickly addressed the criticism. Speaking with Newsweek, she explained, “A lot of our customers are older and living on fixed incomes, so they tip what they can. They are always welcome, no matter how much or little they tip.”
"They are always welcome, no matter how much or little they tip."
— Megan King
As for the woman who left her the note, King said the tip was “more than enough,” and she wouldn’t have cared if it had been smaller. She later tweeted:
"Old people who live on fixed income deserve to get out for a nice meal."
— @alienpopstarr
One meal, one note, one unforgettable impact
One quiet meal, a gentle conversation, and a handwritten note reminded people everywhere of the power of empathy. It’s a reminder we all need: kindness doesn’t have to be loud to be life-changing.
If this story touched you, consider performing a small act of kindness today—for someone you know or even a stranger. You never know whose day, or life, you might brighten.
Furry friends are importantRepresentative image via Canva
Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.