Edit: I hope this is appropriate to post. Idk. I’m just so upset and need to talk about this. Please delete if this violates any rules.
I don’t even know where to start.
I work at chili’s as a server and tonight an elderly woman passed away at one of my my tables (stopped responding/breathing, slumped over). Her family let me know what was going on and that they had called 911 and an ambulance was on the way. I let my manager know right away and tried to help the family as much as I could. My manager was literally just concerned with making sure everyone’s food got out, parties on the wait were sat, etc.
I was crying and panicking because I’m 21 and have never seen anything like this before.
It was this woman’s 97th birthday and I had just brought her her ice cream/birthday candle like 10 minutes before.
Anyway so I cleared everyone out of the lobby and led the paramedics to the table. They were literally on the floor using the defibrillator on her when I walked to the back and immediately started crying. They were trying to revive this lady in the middle of the restaurant and my manager LITERALLY comes to me and says (word for word) “I know this is so sad but I need you to run food right now so grab a ticket.”
And I don’t even know what to say. Like someone was literally dying. I’m so mad and sad and still processing it. I’ve never seen something like this before. I don’t even know if she passed away for good or if they were able to save her.
I didn’t even get a break and my manager told the hosts to continue seating my section after I cleaned the fucking medical supplies/debris off the floor. I had to stay for the rest of my shift and idk if I should be upset about that or if I’m overreacting but I’m still shaken and so sad.
Another edit: for anyone to tell me this “isn’t real” is extremely hurtful and fucked up. My account is completely anonymous so I have nothing to gain. I’m really upset by what happened and needed somewhere to talk about it. Kindly fuck off.