Complementary means FREE, as in you do not pay for it

Had a customer come in early one morning. He paid for his car wash and whatever else and walked away. Then he came back and we had this discussion:‎

"I'd like to pay for my coffee."

"The coffee is complimentary sir."

"I want to pay for it!"

"But we offer that for free to our customers sir."


It was all I could to keep myself from saying, "I'm far too tired for this today. Drink the freaking FREE coffee and go away. KThxBy."




A friend suggested next time I charge him $3 and take it as a tip for dealing with crazy people. I can admit it's tempting.