A woman was left utterly floored after a bartender handed her his phone under the guise of showing a text from his sister, only for her to discover it was a clever ruse to protect her from an unwanted advance.
Laura Motta, a travel editor and writer, was enjoying a quiet drink alone at a bar when the bartender intervened. In a now-viral post on X, she recounted the incident: 'Was at a bar alone yesterday when the bartender said, Hey, check out this text from my sister! He showed me his phone and it said, Do not, under any circumstances, get into a conversation with the guy sitting on your right.'
She added a heartfelt plea: 'Men, if you are in a position to do this, DO THIS.'
The post sparked an outpouring of similar stories from grateful women. One commenter described being followed in a mall and finding refuge in an Apple store, where a greeter loudly offered to help her, causing the man to storm off angrily. Another shared how bouncers at a country bar swiftly ejected a man who grabbed her arm after she tried to leave a dance.
A bar owner chimed in, emphasising the importance of training staff to look out for customers and creating a safe environment. They noted that the same vigilance should apply to protecting staff from disruptive patrons.
When the story was shared on Instagram, users praised the bartender's quick thinking. One woman recalled a similar experience from a decade ago, where a male bartender removed a drunk man who was touching her hair and invading her personal space. She still remembers the fat tip she left him.
However, not everyone was convinced. A sceptical commenter speculated that the man might have been overly chatty rather than a genuine creep, joking that 'Gary loves talking about peptides and seed oils.'
The incident highlights the effectiveness of initiatives like 'Ask for Angela', which allow patrons to discreetly signal for help in UK bars and clubs. While Laura didn't need to use the code word, the bartender's proactive move ensured her evening remained safe and enjoyable.
