Forced To Change Her Perspective

(My family owns a family Chinese restaurant at which I work. I’m a 15-year-old Asian, but apparently I look 12-ish. This happened when a customer came in during a busy day to eat in. She had just finished eating.)

Me: “How was your meal? Do you need anything else?”

Customer: “Yes. Tell me, kind son. Are you forced to work here?”

Me: “Excuse me?”

Customer: “Are you forced to work here? Like child labor?”

Me: *respectfully I replied* “No, ma’am, I am not forced to work here. I work here because I have family values and I want to help my single mom trying to give the best for her children. I don’t know what you’re trying to imply, but I am not a slave nor am I forced to work here. I hope you think about what I said and suggest giving me a tip for being so rude.”

(She stood up, paid, and left without a word.)