You’ve never chatted up a bartender where they end up telling you personal things after years? Maybe after they’ve served you food and beverage for a long time, you bond over X (sports, politics, whatever) and end up feeling like friends?
I hafta say, it seems like you’re the one with the ego.
Edit: if I had to guess, the cook probably said something like “I made a lot more money before I worked here.” And was then asked why.