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boo1q7
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TalesFromYourServer
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Walk-in party of 11 tries to pull scam on my manager, leaves $0.11 tip and calls cops on us
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Hello party people, hope you all made it through Mother's Day without too much drama. My story is about this past Friday night, thank god it didn't happen on Sunday or I might have completely lost it.
​
Anyways, this was by far the most ridiculous encounter I have ever lived through as a server, I hope you guys deem it worthy!
​
I work for a busy Italian casual dining family owned restaurant in my city. I have worked at almost 10 different restaurants over the past 15 years, and I gotta say this is by far my favorite. I'm friends with the manager in this story (CM) and while I definitely got burned I really feel bad for what she had to endure. A little background first...
​
It was about 7:30 PM on Friday night when a party of 11 walks in. Of course they didn't make a reservation! It wasn't a slow night by any means but it had started to slow down at that point so they miraculously didn't have to wait that long for their table. We had to push 3 4 top tables together using 2 tables from 2 other servers stations. I was the most seasoned server out of the 3 of us so CM told me that I would be taking it. I told the other 2 servers they could have 1 table each out of the rest of my section so they wouldn't get screwed over either. One of them took me up on the offer, the other is relatively new and decided to just keep his smaller section. When the table sat down I had a full section (3 other tables) so I was pretty busy.
​
The party sits down and is missing 3 people from their party. No big deal, I get drink orders and ask if they want appetizers. The guy at the head of the table pulls me to the side and says that he's going to be a pain in the ass but he wants a pitcher of water for himself and a large roni pizza cut into 16 pieces. We usually cut pies into 8 slices, so this isn't a huge ask or anything, but I'm starting to get a feel for how these people are going to be. He also puts in an order for our fried calamari, well done, no banana peppers. No problem, I put in the order and get their drinks.
​
By the time I get back to the table with their drinks the rest of their party has shown up. It's a woman with two small children, both looking to be under 5. As I'm trying to get a drink order from her, her kids are SCREAMING in my face. The mother does absolutely nothing to quiet them down. Now normally I love kids. Parents love me because I actually interact with their children, I go out of my way to give them special things, I just love making kids happy. But these two demon children weren't letting me even speak to them. So from that point on I decided I would just ignore them, their mother didn't seem to care either way and I didn't really have the time to be doting on a couple of brats anyways.
​
By this time the table is ready to order their meals. They only ended up ordering 6 entrees, but with the pizza and calamari it didn't seem that weird to me. I put their food in and bring out the pizza and calamari. They ordered some bar drinks at this point (of course they were all frozen drinks that take awhile to make) so I put those into the computer and tend to my other tables. I drop off the drinks about 5 minutes later and one of the women literally pulls on my shirt and says, "these calamari are rubbery and cold. Get us a new one." I apologize and take the plate from the table and go and inform CM of the problem. She says no big deal, gets a new one fired up and says she will bring it out to the table. At this point their entrees are coming up, so I run the rest of their food to the table and explain the calamari would be out shortly. I was starting to suspect that something was off about them because I delivered the calamari myself. It looked fantastic, and had literally just come out of the fryolator.
​
As I'm delivering the food, I glance over at the children because they were still SCREECHING at the top of their lungs, and lo and behold, the kids are throwing pieces of bread AT MY OTHER TABLE. The mother still not giving two fucks. After I drop off the food I head to my other table and profusely apologize. They were regulars, and although they were not happy that their dinner was being interrupted by these awful kids, they sympathized with me as they could see this table had me running around ragged. After the table had left they admitted it was actually kind of entertaining to watch, and they actually left me a 150% tip. But back to the table from hell...
​
My manager drops off the calamari and instantly the entire table erupts into a tirade of complaints about EVERY.SINGLE.ENTREE. My manager offered to remake them for her, but they declined. She offered to take them something else. They declined. At this point they had eaten more than half of each plate, so she told them she would comp 3 of the dishes (so half of what they ordered) but since they refused to take anything else and hadn't had a problem with eating that much food, she was unable to comp the rest of them. She told them she was risking her job just doing that, as she had told me before she took the calamari out that she recognized the guy at the head of the table because he pulls shit like this all of the time. They argued for a good 10 minutes in the middle of the restaurant, literally all of the adults of this party were yelling at my poor manager while these two children just screamed. My manager was sweating and I could tell was very uncomfortable. Just just said I'm sorry and went back into the office where she erupted into to tears. I felt so bad, this was my table, but these people knew what they were doing. They knew my manager would bring out the appetizer and they just cornered her. At this point she just tells me that shes not going to comp any more food and that if they say something when I drop the check to get her.
​
I go back to the table and ask if anyone wants dessert or more drinks. They all look defeated, tbh, and just quietly said no. I bring over the check and walk away. About 2 minutes later I see them all arguing and one of them signals for me. She said that my manager was supposed to take off a 4th dish. I said that I would get my manager and I go back to get her. She then grabs the kitchen manager (he's a big dude) and goes out to talk to to the table, who have all gathered by the door at this point (I had told the hostesses to keep an eye on them because I was afraid they would leave without paying). They argue with my manager for another 10 minutes, my manager wound up giving them the owner's email address and told them that they could take it up with him. Then one of the women says that they aren't paying for that last dish, and that she was calling the police. The woman hands me a bunch of cash, and I count it in front of her. They paid the exact total of the check, leaving me $0.11. They left and I went into the back stunned. I said something to a coworker and she was like, "you should go say something to them."
​
Now I am probably one of the least confrontational people alive, and working as a server for 15 years it's a cardinal sin to ever bring up the amount of gratuity a table leaves you, but these people made my friend cry. So I say, "you know what? I'm going to." I walked out the back door and chased them down the parking lot. I have no idea where this came from but I confronted these awful people and asked if their service was bad. The one spokeswoman of the group said no, I was great, but my "awful bitch manager" should have taken that last dish off the check and I would have gotten my tip. I said that isn't how this works and this is my livelihood. I didn't expect them to pony up any cash, but it was definitely satisfying to at least call them out for it.
​
Anyway, they left and a cop showed up. We explained the situation and he laughed, and said if they ever came back and gave us a problem to give him a call, and left his cell number. I'm just waiting for a 1 star yelp review but I guess the owner has said that if we recognize anyone from that party in the restaurant again to let a manager know and they will be escorted out.
​
Fuck scammers, fucking trash ass people like this. I have no idea why a free meal is worth so much trouble, but I'm so fucking glad my restaurant won't be allowing these specific ones back.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/boo1q7/walkin_party_of_11_tries_to_pull_scam_on_my/
| 3,482 | 239 | 1,557,865,428 | 21 |
tip
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relevance
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1hv3frt
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TalesFromYourServer
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Is it just me or are people getting stingy with tips?
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I’ve been a server off and on for almost 20 years. In the past 3 months I’ve noticed a decided slump in tips. My service hasn’t changed, if anything I’ve been trying a little bit harder but what used to always be 20% on the tax total has gone down to probably 18% on average and a lot of subtotal tips which also never used to happen.
Am I crazy?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hv3frt/is_it_just_me_or_are_people_getting_stingy_with/
| 97 | 339 | 1,736,182,026 | 21 |
tip
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relevance
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56v2s1
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TalesFromYourServer
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Comping a table for all the right reasons. Best experience in my service career.
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So to start off with my restaurant, a high end steakhouse, has a rewards program. You get points to spend that accrue at a 10% rate off the dollars you spend.
One of our regulars has found an amazing way to spend these points. He's really rich and doesn't need them so he's authorized me and another server to spend his money on... worthy tables.
I'm not looking for them but now twice I've been privileged enough to buy a meal for a deserving party.
Last night I had a five top: a young couple(bride and groom), his parents, and the grooms sister. As part of my standard greeting I ask if their celebrating anything. The mother says they're celebrating good medical results. The sister says, "Yeah no more chemo!" And points to the bride. They were young, early twenties, they couldn't have been married long. And she was already a cancer survivor? I can't even fathom. They collectively shush the sister, they seem private. I say congratulations and solicit drinks. They don't want anything. I leave them with the menus. When I come back they order mostly the cheapest things on the menu. I get the impression they can't afford to be here.
I slowly start to add little things to their order. We do tableside Caesars. I put on a big show and crack a bunch of jokes, warming them up. I upgrade their steaks secretly. With entrees I bring the bride our most expensive wine by the glass. Say it's on the house and do a big somm routine and extol its story and virtues. She's loving it. I bring out sides they talked about ordering but didn't. For dessert we put on a big flame show with bananas foster. They order the minimum order of two, we get the whole table. A little candle for the bride. I bring out a thirty-year tawny port. It blows her mind.
My wealthy friend only had $380 dollars left on his account. Too much charity I guess. I pull off a hundred from the check and pay for it myself. I left a little on the check to give the father some dignity. I present the check and whisper the story about the entrepreneur and his points. We both choke up. (I'm crying a little now.) He pays. When I come back he says, "Now I don't have a lot, but I have enough and I've always given to charity. But I've never known what it felt like to receive it until now. It's amazing. I'll pass it on." They asked if their benefactor was there. I said no. They asked for his name, I said he liked to be anonymous. They tipped me 50% of the original total. I didn't take a cent of it.
Best experience of my 15 year serving career.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/56v2s1/comping_a_table_for_all_the_right_reasons_best/
| 4,429 | 101 | 1,476,141,788 | 21 |
tip
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top
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1hvhfjs
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TalesFromYourServer
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Zero tip on the card
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And full tip in cash or 10% tip on the card and the rest in cash?
What say you servers?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hvhfjs/zero_tip_on_the_card/
| 0 | 12 | 1,736,218,024 | 21 |
tip
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new
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1fkclmm
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Do you take additional tips if there’s an automatic gratuity?
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I’ve worked at the same restaurant for years. We can add gratuity for parties of 5 or more if we want. This is stated on our menu and I always add it.
This is also stated very clearly both on the itemized receipt and on the copy they sign. There is a line that says “large party gratuity” with the amount, and underneath it it says “additional tip” with a blank line and then “total”
There are often times where people leave an additional tip which is clear that it’s 20% and they didn’t realize a gratuity was added to the check.
My question is, because it’s stated very clearly that gratuity has been added, would you take the additional tip? It very well could be an intentional addition. I always take it, but sometimes I do feel guilty.
To add, I don’t ever say out loud that gratuity has been added because it states it very clearly on all receipts.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1fkclmm/do_you_take_additional_tips_if_theres_an/
| 21 | 58 | 1,726,720,172 | 21 |
gratuity
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relevance
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jmr6xk
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TalesFromYourServer
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Who ordered the gratuity?
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This happened a couple years ago but it’s one of my favorite stories being a server.
I was a server for a party of 25. Can tell it’s going to be a party that every time I go up to them they’re going to need something, but whatever that’s what I’m there for. After running around non stop like a mad man I drop the check off to them and I hear someone yell out “who the hell ordered the gratuity?” (pronounced it like ratatouille but with a g), In my head I’m thinking to myself this is going to be fun to explain... I go over and explain to him that it’s a 18% tip we charge for having such a large party, and I’m sorry if no one brought this up while making the reservation. He asked if I can split the bill with multiple people, I tell him that’s not a problem, and he asks if the gratuity is going to be on the “new checks” which I reply yes, you’re still the same party just paying with multiple cards and he replies to me “that’s a 60% tip?!” I’m now standing there dumbfounded and no way am I going to try to explain to this man how percentages work. I go get my manager and everything ends up working but that story is one that will always stay with me.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/jmr6xk/who_ordered_the_gratuity/
| 415 | 28 | 1,604,336,040 | 21 |
gratuity
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relevance
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vvz9pm
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TalesFromYourServer
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what does "service charge" mean?
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I hope I'm not violating rule 8, just looking to understand something. I saw this as an explanation for a "service charge" on a menu. Does this mean the staff are getting paid at least minimum wage? Or that they pass on more than 20% to the staff? I've read it multiple times and can't understand!
​
"We are required to disclose that 100% of the Service Charge is retained by the company. This disclosure on your guest check, while accurate, doesn’t explain that we have simultaneously implemented a commission system for our team that is designed to ensure that they continue to be very well compensated for their hard work.
While the Service Charge is not directly passed through to the staff, the commission they receive meets or exceeds the net revenue brought in via Service Charge. In short, the intent of these changes is not to enrich the company through retention of Service Charge revenue.
With this commission model in place, there is no expectation of a gratuity in addition to the 20% Service Charge. If you feel an additional gratuity is warranted, please know that your generosity in recognizing exceptional service is very much appreciated, and 100% will be retained by your server."
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/vvz9pm/what_does_service_charge_mean/
| 205 | 87 | 1,657,482,024 | 21 |
service charge
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relevance
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7sjawe
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TalesFromYourServer
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My First Story On This Thread...(F**k your service charge)
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So this is my first story on here. Ive got some really bad ones I will share in the future. So anyway I work in this pub/hotel in the suburbs.
It was a Friday night and we have some rooms that are only available to hire. So we get this guy at around 6 asking if we have a table for 26 at 7. I said sure I will give you a big table in a private room for free since it was empty (trying to be accommodating as possible for an hours notice). I told them they would have to order the food before 8 since the kitchen would need time to prepare. They ordered at 9.30. Ok, fine they weren't complaining about anything and were relatively nice and relaxed.
As the evening passes they ask for the bill. It was 500 which I think is quite cheap for 2 courses and drinks a head. Our policy is to add a 10% service charge on tables over 8 people so the total was 550. So they told me to give them 20 minutes to work out the bill. cool no biggie.
20 minutes later one of the guys comes up to me (bear in mind the group of people are like 18-22 years old) and he says to me "fuck your service charge mate, I'm not paying it but I will give you a cash tip." I knew he wasn't going to tip me. This was a cheapskate group. So they all start queuing to pay. some people paying with 2 cards. I had about 45 transactions in the end. Some people were paying with Coutts cards (you have to be a millionaire to bank with them, ironic). in the end there was 70 left to pay off on the bill. the same guy says to me "oh mate we don't know who else owes money so lets just call it that." erm what??? This isn't a market in Spain where we are haggling over the price of some fake Rolex lol. so I said politely "sorry sir but its not my establishment I cant do anything about it it's gotta be paid." and then he replies with "well you've got staff discount just stick that on it's fine mate." in all honesty I was quite shocked how he even came up with the theory. using my staff discount on anyone apart from me is a termination. once again. "sorry sir company police blah blah". 25 minutes later he got his mom to wire him the money and he paid up. as expected no tip. ah
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7sjawe/my_first_story_on_this_threadfk_your_service/
| 163 | 17 | 1,516,754,868 | 21 |
service charge
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relevance
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122qqs1
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TalesFromYourServer
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New tip structure
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I work at a very high end place in Florida and a new tip structure that is being used more and more in restaurants all over the state is mandating a 12% service charge to ALL checks in the restaurant. The establishment I work at also provides an excerpt at the bottom of the check detailing the service charge explaining that the staff works together as a team to execute fine service so the 12% is shared amongst the support staff.
I’m a server and out of that 12% we give about half of it away for Tipout to support, now there is a bunch of caveats that come with this
Servers are paid 1$ an hour and are considered W2 contractors, so because the check avg is very high ($140-170 per guest average) we do very well but many guests are confused and mislead by this service charge which results in them not tipping any extra leaving the server with 6% after Tipout
Many servers take the risk of not mentioning this service charge at all and in some cases gains them a 20% tip on top of the 12% because the guests does not read the check always
To me it seems like a huge moral dilemma of letting the guests play themselves or being a stand up person and mentioning it softly before dropping the check, and it saves the restaurant about 200k a year in server wages so win win/ lose lose? I would love to hear feedback on this!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/122qqs1/new_tip_structure/
| 134 | 52 | 1,679,846,430 | 21 |
service charge
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hot
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6jejc9
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TalesFromYourServer
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Fellow server lied to me about knowing a table got a $30 tip
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So I work at a breakfast diner. When I work overnights on weekends we split the restaurant in half and one server had the small side to herself. While the two other servers bump on their other side. I typically bump with my fav server I'll call her Emily while my least favorite server I'll call her Molly has the small section all to her self.
To put things into perspective Emily and I are amazing servers. I am fairly new but I get compliments for reasonably tables all the time to management and so do Emily. Molly on the other had tends to piss off even the most polite regulars, yet she still some how manages to walk out with $20+ more than emily and I do on nights we work together. Molly is slow, forgetful, often times messes up orders, and half asses side work. Still can't figure out how she's makes significantly more money than I do and it frustrates me to no end.
Anyways tonight this table sat down, I greeted them said "hi I am gonna be your server, I'll be with you in just a second, I've got food up at another table but then I'll be right back to get your drinks" right before this Molly had been double sat because I had a party. So it was with out a doubt my table. I run the food I had up and bring the tray back. When Molly comes up to me and asks me if she can have my table. She tells they are friends from high school and she hasn't seen them in forever and would love to wait on them. I say go ahead, I'd get the next table. It didn't bother me too much as I had two tables to bus and my party and another table. I was also in a bummed mood because my first table stiffed me and my second table left me a 5% tip and acted like he was giving me a huge tip. (Dude $2 on a $38 check is not a tip). Anyways Molly, takes the table of her so called high school friends and then the next table. I was pretty annoyed that she took 4 tables in a row but I let it slide. Until after her "high school" friends leave. She comes back and says I just got a $30 tip and a $15 tip. Turns out the kids she New from high school were in there yesterday and tipped her $20 she knew they tipped well so she lied about knowing them and took them. She also took the other table because she had them last weekend and knew they tipped well as well. Im pissed because both those tables should've been mine. Then at the end of the night she's bragging about making nearly $150 dollars while emily and I didn't even break $100.
Tl;dr: crappy server lied about knowing a table from high school. Knew they were good tippers from the night before. Ended up making $45 in tips from tables that should've been mine. Then bragged about how much money she made
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/6jejc9/fellow_server_lied_to_me_about_knowing_a_table/
| 125 | 43 | 1,498,400,313 | 21 |
good tipper
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relevance
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24et4o
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TalesFromRetail
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Homeless Creeper Demanded $2 From My Tips.
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I work in a wonderful coffee shop by myself three days every week. It is small enough and the pace never requires more than one employee to work the shop, so I never minded working alone before.
Today a man that had been popping up for a few weeks came in. He was a tall and skinny man, probably in his 50s, that reeked of alcohol and body odor.
"You are going to let me borrow $2." he said, eyeing my tip jar.
"Um, no, I'm not comfortable with that." I stated. I guard my tip jar quite ferociously, because it is covers my daily expenses for my daughter and I (minus groceries and rent-day).
"Yes, but that doesn't matter. You are going to let me borrow $2." he said again with conviction.
"I really don't feel comfortable-" I began again.
"But you are going to let me borrow it." he interrupted me, smiling. His teeth looked like he had been curb-stomped at one point.
For the first time in the many months I have been working here at my comfy and peaceful coffee shop, I was painfully aware that I was the only one working, and business was slow enough that no customers might come through in the next ten minutes. I realized he wasn't going to take no for an answer, and that he knew I was intimidated.
I reluctantly reached into my tip jar and handed him a dollar.
"And I'm going to need that other dollar." he stated smugly. He knew I was nervous.
I gave him the second dollar, and he left.
I just wanted to lock the doors behind him and hide under the counter. I had never felt unsafe at work before. I sort of feel like I got mugged, and I feel some stupid mix of being vulnerable and angry.
I called my manager (who works the other two days a week by herself) and told her about it. She said that he had done the same thing to her, and she had also caved in and given him money (out of her wallet, not tips). I wish that she had at least given me some sort of heads up, but she probably didn't realize he was going to do it again.
I figure that at this point he feels like he can continue bullying us for money, but I'm not going to let him. I am scared about seeing him again.
I hope my manager gets to tell him he's worn out his welcome instead of me, but knowing my luck he'll come in when I'm working. I'm going to call the desk sergeant if he doesn't leave immediately.
I am scared to go back to work tomorrow, but I know that my manager and the business owners will treat me like I am a drama-queen if I don't.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/24et4o/homeless_creeper_demanded_2_from_my_tips/
| 105 | 38 | 1,398,900,396 | 21 |
tip
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relevance
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wuv1e
|
TalesFromRetail
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One of the worst non-religious "tips" I ever got
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After working in a pizza shop a few years in high school, then for about 6 months while I was between jobs after graduating college, I got some pretty shitty tips from assholes, but this one really stands out as one of the worst.
As any of you who work in a pizza shop probably know, halloween is one of the busiest days of the year. In the store where I worked, it was--by a large margin--the busiest day of the year. IIRC, we would pull in just under a month's worth of sales on any given halloween. We had 3 rich neighborhoods in our delivery area and it was not uncommon for several families to call and place 10-15 pie orders each, in the middle of dinner rush, and expect to get it in under a half hour. Sorry lady, delivery time is between 2 and 2.5 hours. You should have called about 2pm and placed your order for 6.30.
But I digress....about 11:30 one halloween, after the most stressful days of work I can remember, I was getting ready to clock off and go home when this middle aged woman came in and saw me eating a slice one of the abandoned pizzas (the first thing I had time to eat in 7 hours), so I put it down and cash her out. After she pays, she reaches into her wallet and pulls out a competitor's coupon and put it in the tip jar. Before I could react, she said "I'm sure you're tired of all that pizza, so I figured you could use some change" and walked away.
Shocked, exhausted and starving, I didn't piece together what happened until a minute or 2 later when I pull it out of the jar and realize *she tipped me a fucking coupon*. No cash, no change, just a coupon for the worst pizza within 20 miles. I would have rather she gave me one of those stupid cards that looks like a $20 bill, but has bible verses on the back. Suffice to say, she got a black mark in the computer and we pizza workers hold grudges.
Also, for the record, I *love* pizza. Even after working in the same store for a few years, I still loved it. I ate it for atleast 1 meal on days I worked and on my days off, it was pretty common for me to swing by and grab a pizza and polish it off myself. I don't think I could ever get tired of pizza.
Has anyone else gotten a completely thoughtless, arguably insulting, nonreligious tip like that?
Edit: It wasn't even a good coupon. It was one of those "buy 9 pizzas and get the 10th free," where it gets hole punched or whatever. Nothing was punched, it was brand new. What a bitch
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/wuv1e/one_of_the_worst_nonreligious_tips_i_ever_got/
| 59 | 29 | 1,342,757,469 | 21 |
tip
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relevance
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2840an
|
TalesFromRetail
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The first - and probably only - time I'll ever receive a tip.
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So I work at a large chain bookstore. I like my job, except for the occasional grumpy old people. But as a cashier, I don't really see tips. And to be fair, I don't really expect to at all. I mean, who tips a cashier?
Anyways, earlier today, I got a phone call from my boss asking if I could come into work today to cover someone. I'm on summer break right now, and I didn't have anything else going on really, so I went for the extra hours. But from the start of my short four and a half hour shift, people were weird. Right off the bat, a woman felt the need to raise her voice because we didn't have the type of wall map she was looking for. Others making inquires about odd items for a bookstore to have in stock (e.g. lanyards, push pins, etc.). A weird amount of people using $100 dollar bills to pay for <$5 purchases, making my manager pull change from the safe at several different points. In one of these instances, a customer waiting in line made it very crystal clear that she shouldn't have to face the *injustice* of waiting more than a few minutes to check out. Maybe it's because today is Friday the 13th, but people were being more odd than usual.
Towards the end of my shift, a guy comes up with a father's day gift that he's buying and asks if I can wrap it, too. Since our store does complimentary gift wrapping, I oblige. I've wrapped tons of people's things before, and I'm not the greatest. I've even had a customer unwrap the item that I just wrapped and say "I'll just do it myself when I get home". But I'd say I did a pretty neat job with his stuff. Now, in a year or so of working here, I've never come to expect anything more than a thank you for wrapping. But apparently this dude felt I did a nice enough job to warrant a $5 tip. Which, after today, I so fucking appreciate. If you're out there whoever tipped me, thank you for turning my day around. You are very kind :).
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2840an/the_first_and_probably_only_time_ill_ever_receive/
| 91 | 16 | 1,402,721,395 | 21 |
tip
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7dvpur
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TalesFromRetail
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I WANT MY 15%
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This story happened in the early summer. So I used to be a cashier at a large hardware store, and I had recently been moved down to the lumber section, so I had to deal with mostly contractors wanting their 15% off and DYI's who didn't know what they were doing. Fun stuff.
So one night, it's maybe 7-ish, the store is pretty slow, so I'm just hanging out, waiting for close. A huge guy walks up, with an asinine amount of decking and whatnot. Now this guy was about 6'8" and probably 380 lb or so, so this dude was pretty intimidating. I'll be "Me" and the angry contractor will be "AC" and my manager will be "MG"
I check him out, nothing out of the ordinary, guy doesn't talk a lot, but hey I'm fine with that. After I finish ringing everything up the story gets going, and total came to over $800.
>AC:"Ok I get 15% off, too."
Again, nothing out of the ordinary, we give this to regulars and contractors that come in nearly everyday, but I didn't recognize this guy; so I have to get a manager to approve it. "Ok I'll have to call a manager to approve it. Store policy, sorry."
He begins to get more grumpy/irritated, says fine.
Takes about 15 for a manager to get down there, and the whole time the guy got more and more angry, ranting and raving to me about how "I don't need no manager" to approve it, and how much of a waste of time this is. All the while I'm just having to sit there and take it, and just say stuff like "yeah I understand" and what not.
Manager finally gets there, asks what's going on, I start to fill him in, and I get cut off by the customer.
>MG: So what's going on?
>Me: Well, he is asking for a 15% off disc-
>AC: I'll tell you! I've sitting here waiting for almost half an hour (Like I said earlier, it'd been 15 minutes tops) for you to get down here and give me my discount, and I want my damn discount NOW!
At this point the guy starts to come behind the desk/register with me and the manager, he doesn't get far enough for the manager to get on to him though.
As they begin talking, the contractor says a former employee of the store, we'll call him Bob, agreed that this guy would get 15% until he finished his house, and he did this without the managers knowing.
Come to find out, Bob was fired for handing out these discounts left and right and apparently he left the store with one last gift of this angry, bulking man.
>AC: Bob said I'd get my discount whenever I came in here while I was doing my house!
>MG: And Bob is not with the company for that exact reason, sir.
>AC: I DON'T GIVE A SHIT I WANT MY DAMN 15%!
Blah blah blah...they kept repeating themselves because this guy wouldn't let it go.
>MG: Sir if you aren't pre approved (like most regular contractors are) then we can't give you anything off.
>AC: So you won't give me my 15%?
>MG: No sir I won't.
>AC: WELL Y'ALL AIN'T WORTH A SHIT!
Then the contracter starts to get really close to me and the manager (I'm standing in between the two)
>MG: Sir don't take a step closer.
He just yells out and steps back.
Now this guy has his wife with him, and she was backing him up at first (and was piling on me while we were waiting for the manager) but around the time he started yelling she finally tried to help calm him down.
>AC: Well fine I'll go ahead and buy all this stuff, but you can bet I'll never come back in here ever again, and I'll be going to (nearby competitor)
We just say "ok sir" and try and get him out.
As I give him his receipt he says...
>AC: Well I'm gonna need y'all to help me load it.
I nearly jumped across the desk to strangle the contractor at this point. I'm not allowed to leave the register (I'm the only one right by the door) to prevent thieves from getting out unnoticed. I tell him this. The manager then saves me from another yell-fest.
>MG: Sir me and (other employee) will help you out
They proceed to go out and load the stuff *for* the guy. My blood was boiling. He was standing there with his wife, and some other dude (I assume he waited in the car) with a smug grin and probably making snide comments and stuff about the manager and the other employee while they loaded $800 worth of decking for them.
I had to deal with so many jerks down there, but this dude was by far the worst.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/7dvpur/i_want_my_15/
| 216 | 22 | 1,511,038,852 | 21 |
15%
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relevance
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ow5ghe
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TalesFromRetail
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Paying with gift cards that won’t expire > one time 20% off entire purchase
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So I work at this popular clothing store at my local mall, and today there was one interesting transaction I came across, and for clarity this originally wasn’t a transaction I was dealing with, but towards the end I had to step in.
It was closing so all of the last customers in the store were making their purchases. One of my coworkers was ringing up these three ladies who were together, and he was able to open a store credit card for one of them, which is always great for us. Where I work, if you apply for the credit card and get approved you get 20% off your entire purchase one time, but you have to use the credit card you just opened (you get a temporary shopping pass before the card arrives in the mail), and if you don’t get approved you get 10% off for trying.
Here’s where it got complicated: these ladies specifically came in to use these gift cards they had, and despite getting approved for the store credit card which granted them 20% off their entire purchase, they were deadest on paying with the gift cards rather than using their temporary shopping pass and getting 20% off.
One of my managers was at the register counting cash and closing registers, and she had to step in and explain that the 20% off is a one time thing that will go on the store credit card and how gift cards don’t expire, and can be used online. They still didn’t want to use the temporary shopping pass as they initially came to the store to use the gift cards. There was some back and forth between my manager and the ladies, so my manager had me and other associates step away from the registers for some time.
My manager got fed up and let them use their gift cards rather than take advantage of the one time 20% off. She dumped the contents of their shopping bags on the counter and had me ring up all their items again because the transaction had to be redone. After ringing up everything their gift cards weren’t scanning, so I had to put BOTH of them in manually. Both had $50 in them so they just paid the difference. They thanked me for my patience and left.
Later I mentioned to my manager that I noticed she was frustrated with them, and she stated that she was in fact frustrated as they were doing too much, especially during closing (literally what she said). Personally, I agree with my manager on this as they could’ve use the gift cards ANYTIME, and they passed up on a one time offer of 20% off an entire purchase just to get their gift cards (that will never expire) out the way.
Edit: for clarification I wasn’t the one who opened the credit card for them, my coworker did. My only involvement in this transaction was ringing up the entire purchase a second time.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/ow5ghe/paying_with_gift_cards_that_wont_expire_one_time/
| 186 | 74 | 1,627,870,453 | 21 |
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1i8kmel
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TalesFromYourServer
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Girl tried stealing my tips
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So at work today I work at a little cafe/ restaurant small business owned, She started waving me down to take her order when i had 10 tables sit all at the same time that didn’t even have menus or waters yet (mind you this was 2 minutes after our doors opened) so I said one minute, I also had 4 bills of drinks I had to make. I went to go drop menus off at tables and she started telling me her order. I politely tell her I am not ready to take her order and my other server goes over and takes it. She was sitting for not even 3 minutes before doing all of this which frustrated me. Fast forward to her coming to pay, her bill was $25.90 and she handed me 25$ I told her that she’s short 90 cents and she GRABS OUR TIP JAR AND SAYS “oh there’s no money in here i can use??”. I was so shocked that she had the audacity to do that I was speechless. Finally I said no sorry and she asks me if i had any money to cover her. My manager just said it’s okay it’s 90 cents i’ll get it and she walked away. No tip AND she wants to USE OUR TIPS. This was the craziest story i’ve ever encountered while serving I had to share 😂
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1i8kmel/girl_tried_stealing_my_tips/
| 1,084 | 103 | 1,737,684,404 | 20 |
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13v9weq
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TalesFromYourServer
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A telltale sign you’re not going to get a good tip?
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For example, I work a “higher end” chain restaurant and when people get up to go to the host stand to pay instead of waiting until I come to the table to get the payment. Usually it’s because they don’t know that they’re not supposed to pay at the host stand. Just gets me every time and it’s typically 0%-10% tip every time this happens.
Edit: for those saying we, as servers/bartenders, shouldn’t complain about tips: pay for the food, tip for the service. If you don’t want to tip go to somewhere where someone doesn’t provide you with a service and then clean up after you.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/13v9weq/a_telltale_sign_youre_not_going_to_get_a_good_tip/
| 585 | 445 | 1,685,402,691 | 20 |
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fb14vr
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TalesFromYourServer
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PSA: If you leave your number, tip well
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I spent around 3 years serving, and even now I'll go into my old stomping grounds from time to time to see my old friends. One thing that I have never understood is dumbass dudes thinking they are slick enough to leave their numbers to accompany their 10% tip.
Guys, this advice is coming from another guy who just wants you to have the best chances. BEING CHEAP ISN'T APPEALING.
Just the other night, this kid (I say kid, he was probably 19), came up to the bar where I was sitting to ask for a pen. I was confused because I knew his server. Hell, I trained her. She knows to always leave pens with paper checks, but I guess she didn't have enough for the whole group of individually-split-check children. Anyway, she comes by about ten minutes later to show me that this kid wrote his number with a thank you note. I looked at the bottom, and sure enough, $2 on his $18 check. I wanted to text him this advice, but I figured I'd post it here to help anyone who needs to here it.
Side note: same rule goes for bible thumpers and MLM huns. If you want your server to like you, DON'T. MESS. WITH. THEIR. MONEY.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/fb14vr/psa_if_you_leave_your_number_tip_well/
| 2,610 | 221 | 1,582,922,074 | 20 |
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i27kh5
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TalesFromYourServer
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Mom laughs when her child sexually harasses me and then leaves a $0.00 tip :-)
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I try not to judge people too harshly and I try to avoid labeling people as trashy whenever I can, but holy shit guys- I dealt with some peak trash tonight.
This couple came in with their son who was around 5 or so. During their meal, he kept asking me for candy and referring to me as his girlfriend. Whatever, I just played along by saying cutesy stuff like "Aww, no, I'm too old to be your girlfriend! Sorry, bud!" I just thought he was being a cute little kid. Well, it turns out that these 'parents' are doing a shit-ass job of raising this boy, because on their way out he slapped me on my behind (surprisingly hard for a small child) and said "Bye, girlfriend!" while giggling and laughing. I was not having a great shift today. A coworker of mine passed away a few days ago (an amazing soul, may he rest in peace), and last night I had to deal with these two drunk assholes requesting that I remove my shirt and take shots with them.
After the kid hit me, his mother and my table laughed. I felt really violated and grossed out. Why is this something y'all are laughing at? Why are we positively reinforcing this perverted behavior? Why wasn't the child immediately scolded by his mother? WHY, after I worked my ass off for this table and can confidently say I gave them great service, did they write "$0.00" on the tip line?
I vented to my coworker in BOH about what had just happened, and he said, "Well, it is just a little bit funny."
After a few seconds of silence, I said, "I don't know if you know this," [cue the crying that I tried my best to stifle] "but someone asked me to take my top off yesterday."
He immediately apologized when he saw how affected I was by this and tried to comfort me. After a few seconds, I thought I was better, but about 5 minutes later I had to go sob in the walk-in. My manager comforted me, told me that none of it was my fault, and that none of those assholes are allowed back in the restaurant.
At least those guys left me 18% last night, I guess.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/i27kh5/mom_laughs_when_her_child_sexually_harasses_me/
| 2,807 | 177 | 1,596,349,565 | 20 |
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1jkskvb
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TalesFromYourServer
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Update
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An update from my last post. Thanks everyone who sent over their advice. I worked 1pm-7pm and then found out it was unpaid training day, even though I didn't get much training.
Today was very rough and only because of the to go orders. Taking tables was great. I enjoyed being busy and talking to people.
I was supposed to be shadowing my trainee but it was so busy with to go orders from 4pm-7pm that I ended up doing all the work myself while she helped in the kitchen.
I had tables, all the while taking phone orders and putting them into the POS, bagging & handing doordash orders over, bagging, cashing out, and handing over to go orders. Non stop from 4pm-7pm!!! and I didn't see a dime for them even though some people left tips, that $$ will go to my "trainee"
A few of my tables suffered because my attention couldn't be 100% - and I told the owner this. All he did was offer another unpaid day of training not understanding that won't help in this situation. He needs a dedicated to go person.
Idk if I'm just easily overwhelmed or it has to do with me being new but there is absolutely no way I could have done that alone without consequences such as my drawer being off, giving out the wrong order, etc. it was just too much. The other girl said that's how it usually is and you just do the best you can.
I'm not sure $8/hour and maybe $10 in tips would ever be worth it for 3 hours of straight hell. Especially when my tables probably didn't tip as well as they would have if I was able to give them more attention.
Well, anyway, thanks for listening! I just had to share!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1jkskvb/update/
| 88 | 13 | 1,743,039,111 | 20 |
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hot
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1i7eljz
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TalesFromYourServer
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New servers who thinks it’s all about hanging out and easy work. Venting.
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Oh boy….
So we hired two new servers “Jay” and “Lisa”.
I’ve been a server here for almost 2 years now, 2 in April. I’m the closer and head server, as head server I have some authority to a point. I was recently recommended by my manager to corporate for a managers position. So I’ve been training under my manager to take on more responsible roles, the only thing I can’t do until I get the new position is count the drawer and do the schedule.
Jay was hired first a few weeks ago. And for some reason day/first shift management always have new trainees train on first shift. Which is not ideal, cause first shift has bad habits. Let’s just say first shift and second shift despise each other.
Well, after Jay was put on the floor by himself after his “training” by first shift, he was put on second shift. I was shocked by what I saw from him.
He has shoulder length hair, that was not pulled back and up. After 3 weeks, still no nonslip shoes. He would put in an order then run off to the hotel bathroom.(we’re connected to a hotel), which we are not allowed to do. Or his food would come up and go to the hotel bathroom for 10 minutes at a time. Never does the 2 minute check back at a table. Never does refills. Doesn’t pre buss dishes from his tables. My manager basically waited on his tables every night he worked. A table complained about a lot of dandruff on his shoulders. He just basically takes an order, puts it in, then disappears while we do the rest for him.
My manager and I go outside to vape(don’t want to hear it) and have meetings. Mostly about the schedule, what the GM or owner want to see from us, something the GM wants to change, product costs, buckling down on certain things, or talk about what we’re gonna do next for my manager training. Then talk about personal things in our lives that we just want to stay between us. When we start to head outside, grab our coats(snowing here), and ask a server to watch the front for us, Jay immediately follows us outside, or sees that we’re out there and heads right outside with us.
When he gets cut, and it’s time to do side work….. omg. I can’t do my closing until he’s done with his side work, we’ve told him this many times. I have adhd and a cleaning ocd. I have a routine that I always do when closing. And I can be clocked out 30-45 minutes after we lock the doors.
He had never said he is add or adhd. Never mentioned anything about anything close to having it or anything similar.
This guy is so scattered. One second he’s in the back doing his side work, next he has half his section vacuumed, then takes 30 minutes to role 20 sets of silverware while he still has 80% of side work in the back left to do. Says “I got bored being back there so I went up front to do my section” which he didn’t even get half done before going to go role with Lisa.
We have a 2 hour rule after closing. We can’t stay past 2 hours after close. So have to hustle to get out of there. He clocked out after being cut for 3 hours and still didn’t do all his side work. I told him weeks ago, I have a 3 year old at home that I would like to tuck into bed.
Lisa… I thought would do great cause her parents used to own a restaurant when she was a bit younger. She’s a teenager. She was also trained on first shift, on the floor by herself after 2 days of training. And then put on 2nd shift.
Lisa too picked up first shifts bad habits. I’ve seen her do a MULTITUDE of health code violations on my first day working with her. My high blood pressure skyrocketed. She and Jay, while supposedly doing side work, just stood around talking. Instead of 80/20 she’s leaning on the wall across from the line, on her phone, which is not allowed. Corporate is watching the cameras. And we’ve told her this. If it’s not work related then you can’t be on your phone. She gives attitude when you ask her to do or don’t do something.
When we say “corner” it should be loud enough to be heard on the opposite side, not loud enough where you can hear it at the front doors “CORNEEEEERRRRRR” it disrupts our guests. She has very rude comments/responses when trying to have a conversation with her. My manager and I have to restart the same sentence at least 3 or more times when telling her about her side work cause she turns around and talks to Jay, loudly. Then she laughs about not listening to you.
The other night, we close at 9pm, I didn’t clock out until 8 minutes til 1am! My manager told them to just clock out and go. And I had to finish their side work, my closing, their sections and mine, plus roll the silverware I had, 6 sets, took 1 minute to roll. Took them 30 minutes to roll 20 sets each.
My manager and I talked about how if someone is going to be on second shift, then they need to be trained by second shift. She’s gonna talk to the GM about it. I take pride in my job and how I am as closer. GM even called it “beautiful” when going in on the morning after.
Plus our owner has been secretly coming in as a “secret shopper” recently. And if he doesn’t like what he sees, we will either be sold or shut down.
And as for first shift… they get their tip out and run out the door without doing half their side work or even touching their section. I come in and finish side work for them. I have to clean my section, do fills, clean tables and booths and vacuum while missing out on tips cause I’m getting skipped over and over. They make sometimes over 2-3 hundred dollars in tips and skip out. While I come in, do half or more of their work and make maybe 38$(it’s slow at night during the winter and when it snows over 4 inches).
I can’t work mornings cause of my kid. I don’t have anyone to watch her at 8am. My mom watches her while I work nights, my mom works mornings.
They don’t want me on first shift cause I “bully them” because I point out health code violations and cross contaminations that they do.
Well… Jay was let go on Monday. And I was told to “educate” Lisa while working with her.
This is mainly just me venting. But also wondering if anyone else has dealt with new servers like this before.
Edit: Just because everyone thinks I just stood around and just told them what to do and didn’t met my expectations doesn’t mean I did. I walked them through things, showed them where things are. Taught them white on the right and why. Helped on the pos. Answer questions they had. Helped prep plates. Quizzed them on what to prep. Showed them how to do the military and senior discounts. Show them how to cash people out. Showed them the rotation clipboard. Tested them on table numbers. Question them about what sauce goes with what. Help with substitutions on orders. Walk them through the walk-in and dry storage. I did that for three weeks. It’s not like I watched them fail as I stood by. My manager even did the same thing I did. We showed them countless times over and over again. Explained how what, when, where and why until we were blue in the face.
It’s not my expectations that is expected, it comes from corporate. I was told to do things a certain way when I started there. Because corporate wants it that way. I’m not the bad guy here, I’m just doing what corporate has came in and told us what to do. I’m not being cold toward them or unapproachable. I don’t have any problem getting along with them personally. I’m not up on a high horse expecting them to do anything I say. I go over and over and over and over and over and over and over again the same thing with them. I show them over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again the same thing again. I stand back and watch, to see if they finally get it. But I’m also not going to babysit them during my whole shift when I have my own job to do my own tables to tend to. My own side work and closing to do. I also can’t pause what I have to do to hand hold them the whole way through their work. This is the real world, nobody is going to be there all the time to show you how to do your job and do most of it for you. I understand the struggle and frustration and anxiety of starting a new job, I cried on my very first serving job years ago. But I just bucked up and stampeded through like wild broncos until I was finally able to do what I was hired to do.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1i7eljz/new_servers_who_thinks_its_all_about_hanging_out/
| 65 | 108 | 1,737,562,080 | 20 |
tip
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hot
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9xm826
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TalesFromYourServer
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How dare she think the whole $8 was for her?
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This happened the other night, but it still pops up and makes me mad all over again. I normally don't let customers rustle my jimmies longer than 5-10 minutes, but this guy did something to me that was absolutely the rudest thing to ever happen to me in my 6+ years of serving.
So I have this 4 top, family, I'm in the lounge area. Our lounge area has open seating, so it's possible for me to get like 7-sat in the matter of minutes. In this case, I was able to get this family's order in before I got quadruple sat, and then was pretty busy. Everything's going pretty smoothly though. The family was bougie; they get expensive stuff, like our $25 steak plus fairly expensive add-ons.
When I ran their food, he asked for tabasco. We were unfortunately all out that night, so I looked everywhere. When I told him, he pointed at another table, who did look almost finished, and told me to go ask that guy for it. I reluctantly did, but I felt so rude doing it. It wasn't my table; I was uncomfortable, but my guy got his dumb tabasco.
Anyway, it all seemed to be fairly okay. Nothing wrong, they were a bit rude overall (not polite anyway), but they didn't raise any kind of fuss. Their bill came out to $82, they hand me a $100 bill for change. I bring them out their $18 (the whole time thinking, "This guy's totally going to leave me this 5, I know it.")
So they leave and I go to see what I got. They left me $8! Honestly, I can deal with 10%; at least that breaks even for me, so though disappointing, it's more than I expected and I let it go. The guy comes back in and asks to see the ticket. I hadn't divvied up the cash or taken their receipt out of the checkbook yet, so I hand it back to him. He's standing in my bar/lounge area while I'm working, *studying* this receipt. He stops me after a few minutes and says, "Hey, so my wife gave you a $100, and you only left us $13." I said, "No. I gave you back $18, and you left me $8." This man looks me dead in the eye and says, "I meant it to be $3." So I whip out my money book, hand him the $5 back to his open hands and say, "Thanks." curtly, and walk off to tend to my other tables. He's immediately pissed and berates my manager about how rude I was and that he demands the $3 back because he "can't believe she thought the $8 was for her" and "she doesn't even deserve that much for being so rude."
Yeah, because I'm going to be polite and graceful about giving you back a tip you left me after accusing me of giving you back the wrong amount (I don't fuck with money, I'm always very careful) and then telling me to my face you meant to give me a less than 5% tip. I hope they never come back.
tl;dr - customer leaves me $8 on $82, then comes back in, accuses me of giving him back improper change, then takes back the entire tip saying I was rude and don't deserve it
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9xm826/how_dare_she_think_the_whole_8_was_for_her/
| 5,359 | 641 | 1,542,375,478 | 20 |
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top
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a5f0g2
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TalesFromYourServer
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I got to be Oprah for a night!
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I work in an upscale place and tonight I got my once in a lifetime table. Only a six top but they were big shots of a major local company, spent $1100 on a 1.5 L of wine, surf and turfs, after dinner cognac and scotch, the works. The guy picking up the tab, Billy, was a major wine-o and complimented my suggestions for Chardonnay. He joked that I should buy a bottle for myself on his tab. I laughed it off but he brought it up again while I was serving after dinner drinks, he insisted I get a nice bottle for myself to take home. To take home!!! My boss said hell yes grab a good one. I was absolutely flattered. Grabbed a bottle of The Prisoner from orin swift and charged it to the check. As I was making cappuccinos in the server station Billy poked his head in and flashed his card but first asked that I step into the side hallway. I figured he was trying to be secretive of another guy in the party who said he was paying, but he slipped me a wad of $20s and said "this is for you and only you. I know how restaurants chop up tips, I was in this business for a long time. You did a great job tonight merry Christmas." I stuffed cash in my pocket and swipe his heavy amex. Then he leaves a 25% tip on the card!
I've been at this restaurant for over a year and I've gotten so close with BOH and they work so damn hard but they don't see the kind of returns on service that FOH does. They put up with bullshit from me (never on purpose!) and always make me delicious food and are so nice about it. Once Billy and friends left I counted my cash... $400. Floored. Absolutely floored. I walked in the kitchen and handed out a $20 to everyone I worked with saying and you get $20 and you get $20. I still had more than enough left for myself. BOH was confused and tried to refuse it but I insisted. They deserve a tip too!
I hope to one day be comfortable enough financially to even do half what Billy did for my co-workers and me. Cheers!
Edit: thanks for the gold stranger xoxo!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/a5f0g2/i_got_to_be_oprah_for_a_night/
| 4,227 | 111 | 1,544,590,962 | 20 |
tip
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top
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zejeak
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TalesFromYourServer
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Man from party of 13 went berserk after another server added 18% gratuity
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Last night another server, C got a party of 13 people last night and they were pretty moderate, no angry or needy people. At our establishment when there’s parties of 5 or more we are allowed to add 18% gratuity, however we are supposed to circle/write it at the top and make sure the table is aware. While if I were in her position I personally wouldn’t have added it (she messed up an appetizer or two), after she added it this man with his wife flipped out. She graciously split the bill but did not inform everyone of gratuity and the man noticed. He then found my manager and yelled at her and said that it’s illegal and stealing to add gratuity to a tab of two (even though they were still within the party of 10). He also said usually he’s a “great tipper” (didn’t really get that vibe but ok) and that he was going to personally contact the restaurant owner and inform him about his dishonest servers. While I agree that C shouldn’t have added the gratuity without saying anything, especially after mediocre service, I thought it was completely uncalled for. I just think it’s ridiculous that he felt comfortable making a scene like that especially if he was planning on tipping well anyways.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/zejeak/man_from_party_of_13_went_berserk_after_another/
| 872 | 154 | 1,670,363,870 | 20 |
gratuity
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relevance
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o1povj
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TalesFromYourServer
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Got revenge a non-tipper.
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I showed up to my dinner shift on Sunday and immediately got a 10 top transferred to me by the day closer. 4 of them had shown up early and were waiting for the rest of the group. The day closer did not want to wait around, I like money, and I get to grat 6+, so a win-win.
As I'm serving this group, it hits me, the curly-haired blond lady in scrubs is the same lady who sat on the patio on a rainy day earlier in the week. I remembered her because she wrote 3 on the tip line of her 30 dollar tab, scratched it out, then wrote "cash." Here's the thing, there was no cash to be found.
There was nobody else on the patio that day due to the rain, so either somebody saw 3 dollars sitting on the table, came in through the gate and stole my 10% tip, or this lady really just stiffed me and lied about it. To me, the latter is far more likely, but I let go because it's 3 dollars, and i can't know for sure.
Cut back to the 10 top. This lady is leading what seems to be some type of pyramid scheme recruitment seminar, I don't know, I don't really care. Service goes off without a hitch, gets to the end so I ask how they will split the check. This lady takes about half of the bill, 66 including gratuity.
Now, some of you out there might have an issue with this, but I don't go out of my way to point out an included gratuity, because a) it is a common practice b) it is printed on the menu and the check c) I have a family to feed.
Well, I drop off the checks and start pre-bussing while they get out their cards. I have a feeling they didn't notice the gratuity because most of them added what I would consider standard tips on their credit slips. Except for this lady. This lady added 4 to her 66 dollar tab, which would usually be a pretty shit tip, but not when you already have a 20% auto grat. I felt no guilt collecting that 4 dollars, and it just confirmed to me that this lady probably didn't tip the last time.
A small victory, but it's mine.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/o1povj/got_revenge_a_nontipper/
| 2,602 | 172 | 1,623,908,524 | 20 |
gratuity
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relevance
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ebrlds
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TalesFromYourServer
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An afraid to ask question on gratuity:
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So I'm not a server, never worked in the food industry, but I enjoy the stories and I think it helps me keep myself in check. But there is a question I've had since joining this sub:
Why is the norm for gratuity 15-18%? When I was growing up I was always taught 10% was the base line for good, expected service, and you should tip more for above and beyond service.
But after following the sub for a while it seems more and more the "expected" tip amount has grown. Why is that? I understand cost of living has gone up since I was a kid, but then so have food prices, so 10% of those raised costs should cover that, right?
I apologise if this is an ignorant question, not it's an honest one. No hate please, I really am trying to understand.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ebrlds/an_afraid_to_ask_question_on_gratuity/
| 16 | 33 | 1,576,561,018 | 20 |
gratuity
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relevance
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162ps7z
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TalesFromYourServer
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A restaurant that charges 20% service fee... And the servers get no tip?
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Just think I came back from the biggest scam-style restaurant interview ever. An expensive restaurant that charges over $15 for breakfast plates like a piece of french toast with almonds on it, and then has a 20% service charge fee on the bill. When I asked about the tip situation they informed me it does not directly to the servers but is reflected on the hourly wage which is more than the average minimum wage. The minimum wage here in California is $15... And they said servers will be starting around $19 an hour with chance to earn more once you pass knowledge tests, 90-day periods, and all sorts of other shit.
&#x200B;
Couldn't believe this. With how ridiculous their menu item prices, a 20% service charge would be able to sustain more than $19 an hour, even with back of house staff getting higher wages as well. This simply has to be a scam where they pocket a shit ton of money, yes?
EDIT: Didn't think I had to make it this obvious, but apparently people just lack critical thinking. Or reading comprehension?
The concern here is that the owners are charging a 20% fee to the guests as an excuse to pay staff members proper wages, while actually skimming off that extra charge for their own pockets. I don't know if I have to put examples and math equations here, but $19 an hour WITH BACK OF HOUSE INCLUDED AS WELL would not come close to equating that 20% service charge on menu items that I already said were overpriced.
You think tipping sucks and that culture should be changed? Sure, but that's not what I am calling a scam here.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/162ps7z/a_restaurant_that_charges_20_service_fee_and_the/
| 327 | 196 | 1,693,141,145 | 20 |
service charge
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relevance
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umjuhg
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TalesFromYourServer
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Service Charge...Where does it Go?
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Back in the day (pre-c19) services charges used only get charged on large parties like 6 or more.
In the past month, I've been to three different restaurants (3 people in my party total) that had "service charge" on the bill. 18% Is this the tip? I asked one restaurant and they said yes so I stopped leaving additional tip money.
Does is really go to the server as their tip? I don't want to short any one for good service.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/umjuhg/service_chargewhere_does_it_go/
| 14 | 23 | 1,652,192,481 | 20 |
service charge
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relevance
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1bpk3s0
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TalesFromYourServer
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Am I too ugly to be a server or something?
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I work for a social club. I was originally in banquets but they moved me to the restaurant since no much of work. Manager wanted me only as a busser. All of their bussers have been older guys with no really good looks. I thought maybe they didn't need servers but some of their servers quit and I was still not given an offer. Their runner quit and the manager forced me to be the food runner. I don't mind carrying the big oval tray but nobody is helping and chef is placing too many dishes without taking into consideration whether I can carry them or not.
Anyways they hired some new servers. One guy who is still learning and some young, attractive girls. Manager made a 'joke' and said at the meeting 'that's why you guys are servers because you have to sound intelligent!"
I guess I don't sound intelligent since I have a foreign accent. They hired another runner too, a guy and he cannot carry trays. He tries to expo and doesn't help much. They end up using me to carry all the heavy plates.
Meanwhile I only get a 15% out of the service charge fee. I only made $280 in service charges for 2 weeks and any tips the servers get, they keep them. Servers get a 30% of the service charge fees and the tips. I feel being foreign and perhaps not the look they want, they treat me like crap.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1bpk3s0/am_i_too_ugly_to_be_a_server_or_something/
| 54 | 43 | 1,711,591,814 | 20 |
service charge
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hot
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1b50eaq
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TalesFromYourServer
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Should I seek a better opportunity asap?
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I feel I am being taken advantage here. I was hired at a country club as a banquet server and sadly lots of 'buddies' situation. The banquet manager hired his friend and his friend decided who she wanted to work with. I spoke with the manager of the restaurant and he wanted me to work there but as a busser and to get my 5 days. I started working there and then realized why so many people quit.
Everyone is a friend with each other, taking one order and then disappearing in the back chatting. They all drink after work. I was never invited so they never liked me much. They only like me in a way because I do the work they should have been doing. So the food runner quit and the manager pushed me to be the new food runner otherwise there wasn't more room for me. I said OK and manager keeps praising my work... But I run food for 9-10 people with no help because x or y server is occupied on their phone or chatting. The worst thing is that I barely make anything at this position.
There is a service charge fee where half goes to the club. The other half is being pooled. Servers get about $20-22 an hour, plus 20% service charge fee, plus any tip the members give. Me and the bussers get $18 an hour, 12% service charge fee and no tips. I kinda calculated it and feels like I only make $10-$20 a day as both an expo and runner. Manager keeps complimenting me because he is worried I will quit and nobody wants to carry a big oval tray with food.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1b50eaq/should_i_seek_a_better_opportunity_asap/
| 18 | 12 | 1,709,417,744 | 20 |
service charge
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hot
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uorma2
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Offered two banquet server jobs which should I take or do both?
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What’s up everyone? This is actually my first ever Reddit post so not sure how this works lol.
Anyways, I have a dilemma. I was offered two different server positions and should be starting both of them soon. My question is about your experiences regarding gratuity when the service charge = tips vs when it doesn’t.
This is the situation…
Job 1 - is at the Holiday Inn which is an economy brand hotel. Their banquet prices I would say are about $40-$50 dollars on average for dinner which is what I’d be working. They distributed 70% of the service charge to employees however pay $7.25 an hour. The manager said they it’s guaranteed to make at least $16hr and upwards of $30hr at times.
Job 2 - is at a Sheraton Hotel which is a more luxury hotel. Prices I would say range between $75-$100 for dinner. They DO NOT distribute the service charge to employees but pay $16 hour.
My questions are:
1. How often can I expect cash tips at Sheraton and how much would be average?
2. Is it common for tips to be added by the host on their credit cards? Or will the manager tell them not to.
3. Which one would I make more money at?
Thank you guys I appreciate it!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/uorma2/offered_two_banquet_server_jobs_which_should_i/
| 9 | 7 | 1,652,448,068 | 20 |
service charge
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hot
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ppt2md
|
TalesFromYourServer
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"You missed your big tip opportunity. Maybe next time!"
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I've been a server since April of this year. I work for a national chain in a not-so-great location where the clientele is known to be less than stellar. That being said, I do pretty well for myself, my overall tips range around 22%. I think I'm good at my job, and often have guests telling me so.
Tonight, I got sat a party of 9, 6 adults and 3 children. Nothing out of the ordinary happened: they didn't want any appetizers, just lots of bread. Sure. I bring out three rounds of bread, get the entrees out, top off the drinks a few times, and ask about dessert when they finish up eating. They just ask for one check and a few boxes. I drop off the check & boxes, run their card, and wish them well as they head out.
I collect the check, and see they tipped 10% and have written at the top "You missed your big tip opportunity. Maybe next time!"
I would have been fine with a bad tip—it happens, but to take the time to write out such a weird, cryptic message in an attempt to explain it away doesn't sit right with me at all. If I really missed an opportunity to give good service, *tell me.* Don't just excuse your shitty tip by vaguely saying it was my fault.
I'm telling myself they just used it as an excuse to get out of tipping properly, since I genuinely can't think of a time during their meal that I missed an opportunity to warrant a better tip, but it's still eating at me.
I ripped the top of the check off before turning in my slips at the end of the night. Just leave your bad tip and go; don't dangle your money in front of me & mess with my head about my ability as a server.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ppt2md/you_missed_your_big_tip_opportunity_maybe_next/
| 581 | 57 | 1,631,852,015 | 20 |
big tip
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relevance
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1ny2dl
|
TalesFromRetail
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You gave me exactly what I asked for even though it was disgusting?? Well, no tip for you!!
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I have had several serving jobs over the years and for some reason they have all been at different sushi restaurants. As with most servers out there, I have seen some weird customers, some rude ass customers, and some delightful ones. But the face of the average restaurant customer can often be, well, ugly and ungrateful. Now, anyone who has worked in a Sushi restaurant for any decent amount of time will tell you that there a lot of requests for substitutions/changes to even the most standard sushi roll. These can run the gamut from the simplest, "no cucumber, please" to the ridiculous, "I want this roll but can you take out all of the ingredients and replace them with this. Oh, and can you make it without rice. Thanks" We try to accommodate these special requests despite it often pissing off the chefs and taking a stupid amount of time to enter into the POS. It's always the best when you get ridiculous requests like this during a dinner rush.
One such busy Saturday night, I was sat with a group of 5 people who I would soon be able to tell were not accustomed to Asian food in any way whatsoever. This particular restaurant was Sushi/Chinese but also served other Asian fare such as Thai and Korean dishes due to the owners mixed Asian ethnicity. Well, I get the group set up with drinks and when I come back to take their order, I do my best to answer all of their questions about the food and what would suit their tastes best. Most of them order pretty tame Chinese food dishes like orange chicken etc. but this one woman decides she wants to be adventurous (but you know, on her terms).
She decides she wants to order a Philadelphia roll (salmon, cucumber, and cream cheese roll) but instead of salmon she wants to know if she can sub it for chicken quote, "because salmon smells super fishy." Really though?! Chicken?? I can understand if you don't like fish but hey, don't order sushi then. We have lots of other stuff. I try not to look completely weird-ed out as this is definitely a first and I tell her I'll have to check with the chefs who inform me that it sounds utterly disgusting but they can get some cooked chicken from the main kitchen and will give it a shot. OK, so weirdo request #1 is check and out of the way. I inform her that the chefs will be able to accommodate and she seems pleased.
Next she says she wants to try Pad Thai which is a pretty standard Thai dish with noodles, bean sprouts, some meat or tofu, and a peanut sauce/crushed peanuts. She says it sounds good but she wants them to add hot sauce to make it spicy. Now, Pad Thai is naturally a little sweet (which I mention to her) so I'm skeptical how that is going to work out flavor wise but she insists so I let her know it won't be a problem and she orders it with Tofu (weird since I thought she'd want chicken lol). Special request #2 done and done.
All of the food they ordered comes out without issue despite how busy we are (kitchen can crank it out) and her gross chicken sushi arrives. She motions for me to come over and lets me know that the roll is not up to snuff and the cream cheese is all runny. I let her know that I'm sorry she is unhappy with the roll but the chefs did what they could to accommodate her unusual request and the cream cheese is most likely runny because they had to put cooked chicken with it. She's not happy with this answer and tells me she doesn't want the roll at all. OK, great.
Next her spicy Pad Thai arrives and she eats half of it before she calls me over to tell me how her wise ordering tactics have failed again. She complains that the flavor is awful (OK, glad you managed to power through half of it despite that) and she would like something else. I confirm with my manager first that he will void out her first dish and replace it with something else. She orders something tame this time and with no substitutions (thank god). And the rest of the meal goes without incident, or so I thought.
Their bill came out to about $100.00 all together and this is after I have struck the gross sushi and Pad Thai off of her bill. As I'm taking the remaining dishes off of the table, she makes some comment about how they shouldn't have to pay so much for such sub par food. I put on my best fake smile and said that I was sorry if they were unsatisfied with their meal and I'd be happy to get the manager to come over and speak with them. She just huffed at me and rolled her eyes. She ended up paying their bill and left ZERO tip. After a double shift and a stupid busy dinner service taking care of all of her dumb requests, I felt like I could cry looking at that stupid slash through the tip line on her credit card receipt.
TL;DR I bent over backwards to cater to stupid requests from a woman with no sense of taste and she rewards me by leaving a fat fucking zero for a tip on a $100 bill.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1ny2dl/you_gave_me_exactly_what_i_asked_for_even_though/
| 337 | 107 | 1,381,189,759 | 20 |
tip
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relevance
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22nhl7
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TalesFromRetail
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"He doesn't want a tip"
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Not sure if this is the right sub-reddit for this story but i thought it was worth sharing. Let me know if I should post it someplace else.
Ok, so a few years ago my older brother was graduating from basic training so my parents and I were flying out to see him. Well, we ended up having a few hours lay over so we decided to have lunch at one of the airport restaurants.
The meal itself was fine and up until the end there weren't really any notable problems with the service. The check comes and it's something like $59.36. This is important because we paid with a 100 dollar bill. (All we had). So the change comes back as two $20 bill and some coins.
We wanted to be able to leave a tip so my Mother send me to get one of the 20's broken. No biggie right? Well apparently not. I approach our server and politely ask him if he could break the 20 for us and he just looks at me like I asked him to produce an elephant on stilts. After a second he says "you paid with a 100 dollar bill". Apparently that was rude of us?
I should mention that I work in customer service so I am generally very polite and understanding when someone can't do something for me. The flip side of that is that I am also keenly aware of when someone is just being lazy or stupid. I decided that this was a case of the latter. I had no interest in making a scene or arguing with this man so I simply made sure we were on the same page by asking "so you won't break this 20 for me?" to which he promptly replies "no".
So I shrug my shoulders and say non-chalantly say "ok" and return to our table. My mother asks me about the change and I say "he doesn't want a tip". Puzzled, she asks what I mean and I relay the previous events to her. He reaction is pretty much the same as mine. She places the coins from our change on the table and we leave.
Normally people say that there is no excuse for not tipping, but I'm pretty sure this is a good one.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/22nhl7/he_doesnt_want_a_tip/
| 427 | 59 | 1,397,088,590 | 20 |
tip
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relevance
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1c3jsm
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TalesFromRetail
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I'm a server not a stripper, I won't dance for your dollar.
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This tale comes from my server/bartending days not the pharmacy. As you can tell from some of my other stories, I don't take shit. It's probably due to the fact that at this point I was a veteran and just didn't have time for your stupid customer BS. After you've been through some of the shit I've been through, the customer not having the correct amount of ice cubes in their beverage just doesn't seem to matter much to me. Just don't be doucher and we'll be cool.
Now on to the tale:
I knew the table was going to be about as fun as a bag of razor blades when I walked up to greet them and instead of returning my greeting they just barked out their drink orders. Nothing says "hello, nice to meet you" quite as eloquently as "I'll have a diet, she'll have a diet, and he wants an iced tea". But what can you do? They're not sociable people, fine, I still have a job to do. I went and fetched their springs. Apparently I've been relegated to wench tonight.
When I returned with drinks there was 10 dollars in singles sitting on the end of the table. The clown who was obviously in charge of this bubbly and outgoing crew had placed them there. He said to me gruffly, "This is your tip tonight. You'll start off with 10, every time I think you screw up or do something I don't like I'm removing a dollar or two"
In my head I said, "I"m not a stripper, I'm not dancing for your dollar"
What I really said, as I scooped up the singles and placed them back in his hand was, "Sir, you want to hold on to this, the bussers might get confused and think it was left from the table before you. I will give you the same service I give all of my tables; excellent. At the end of your meal when the bill comes you can then decide what amount of tip you'd like to leave." And before he could respond I added "Would you guys like to start with an appetizer?"
I could see in his face that he was going to object, but before he got a chance his wife, reading the situation correctly (that I wasn't going to put up with her husband's shit) gave me their app order and I was off to my next table. I watched him grumble at her while he put his money back in his wallet. They were tolerable for the rest of their meal not outgoing or friendly by any means, but they didn't request anything out of the ordinary or ridiculous.
At the end of the meal I ended up with a 9 dollar tip. Not sure what random wronging I could have done to lose that dollar, maybe it was throwing his bullshit back in his face, but I wasn't even mad, that was still 20%.
**TL;DR customer wants a handy with a reach around, I give him a punch in the solar plexus instead**.
Edit: spelling
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1c3jsm/im_a_server_not_a_stripper_i_wont_dance_for_your/
| 776 | 141 | 1,365,636,470 | 20 |
tip
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top
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4pol7z
|
TalesFromRetail
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"Your sign says 15% off."
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I work at a landscape supply store. We have a selection of statues, bulk material (mulch/stone) and plants.
We have a sign out front that says "15% off Annuals". Annuals are flowers that grow for the season and then don't return next year. They're on sale because it's past peak season.
A lady comes in and brings a $50 figurine to my register. The idiocy commences.
Her: Hi! I notice on your sign that it says 15% off. It's like to apply that to this, please.
Me: Actually, that sale is for our Annuals, the flowers outside.
Her: But your sign says 15% off.
Me: Right, it's a sale on our annuals.
Her: So you're NOT going to give me 15% off?
Me: I'm afraid I can't, as these aren't on sale.
Her: Well THAT'S disappointing.
...yet it shouldn't be surprising when you clearly know how to read.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/4pol7z/your_sign_says_15_off/
| 463 | 34 | 1,466,794,858 | 20 |
15%
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relevance
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yboerx
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TalesFromYourServer
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Lady said she couldn’t leave me a tip because she’s broke. I called her out!
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She said she spent a lot over the weekend on clothes $200 dollars worth!
I said “Wow you can spend $200 on clothes and can’t leave a couple dollars for a tip? Why even bring up not leaving a tip?”
Her reply was “ Why am I making a big deal out of it”
All I can do is laugh as she walks out disturbed that I made a comment. Just you’re normal stupid people on Sundays!
Edit: i’ll also like to add that she paid for someone else’s meal couple weeks ago and complained about why something was so expensive off their bill. Like why bitch and complain about that when you offered to pay for it! I’m telling you it’s not me people just something wrong with her in her head and that’s the type of people we get on Sundays sometimes.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/yboerx/lady_said_she_couldnt_leave_me_a_tip_because_shes/
| 1,634 | 409 | 1,666,547,986 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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9lxpfh
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Cashier telling customers not to leave a tip
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This morning we had an insane rush. Zero to "oh shit" in literally 5 minutes. Naturally, there was some trouble serving everyone, but all things considered, our servers did a fantastic job despite constantly being triple sat, and our grill line was able to get food out in absolutely mindblowing time.
How our money situation works, we have a little store connected to our restaurant (it's that country themed store and restaurant, the one with the starred aprons). When a guest is done, they go up to our cash register to pay, where they also leave the tip if they pay with a card.
All morning, the cashier had been telling customers paying with their card to leave a zero on the tip line. *What the fuck*. We even had someone who had been working here for years quit because a 30-top left no tip at the cashier's direction.
Livid is a fucking understatement.
Edit: I'm seeing a lot of people complaining about tipping and saying "but you're not entitled to a tip"
First off, you're missing the point. I am not here complaining about someone choosing not to tip. I'm complaining about the fact that we were robbed of our income which we otherwise would have recieved, that we rely on and feed our families with, because the cashier decided to be a piece of shit.
Secondly, if you're here whining about tipping, what the hell are you doing on this subreddit anyway?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9lxpfh/cashier_telling_customers_not_to_leave_a_tip/
| 3,030 | 399 | 1,538,846,784 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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yn8p28
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Lady keeps coming back to see if I’m working to get her tip back. Do I have to give it to her?
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I’m a pizza delivery driver so I know this might be the wrong place to post this but I was on a delivery yesterday and I forgot her salad but her husband tipped me $5 and I even went back and gave her the salad but she keeps coming back asking for me to get her tip back. Do I have to give it back?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/yn8p28/lady_keeps_coming_back_to_see_if_im_working_to/
| 1,491 | 239 | 1,667,687,861 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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16090zm
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Guy from big group comes back to tip
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Long story short, this 8/9 top I had wasn’t the best. Good at first until things that were out of my control happened, which I understand is something to be upset about, but not at me for. There’s literally nothing I can do about our drafts not working and us being out of a certain soda, about our small kids menu - which, sorry for not having a three tier menu for your ~3 year old?!? - and about not getting somebody their side of chicken for their nachos when I repeated the order to them beforehand and have now gotten in the weeds and just have been unable to bring you your chicken because i have 7 other tables to bring food to, bring drinks to, and take orders from. The last thing on my priority list is getting you your chicken especially bc you already have your meal and you didn’t ask for it beforehand!!!!!!!
Anyways, they left me a $20 on a $170/180? tab, but pretty much gave me attitude the whole time so it didn’t feel good at all, but whatever, $20 is $20. One of the guys came back from the group after they all left and asked me to charge him for something so he could leave a tip, that he didn’t like how they were with their tips. Charge him for something that’s like $0.70, and he leaves me another $20.
Made my night and, not sure if he saw, but i teared up. It was really busy and the kitchen was just not on par that day. He told me he was a server once too, so he knows how it is.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/16090zm/guy_from_big_group_comes_back_to_tip/
| 1,833 | 99 | 1,692,899,473 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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17y1eg8
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Accidentally shamed a table into giving me a tip
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So I get sat this table of teenage girls FIVE MINUTES before close and right when they’re sat my coworker looks and his watch and gives me a look . He told me that they don’t look like they were going to tip and I agreed. When I go up & greet them , I take their drink order and then let them know that they have to order soon because the kitchen is closing, once I make their drinks I ask them what their order is and they said “give me like 5 minutes “ i said “sorry but you only have 3” they looked super annoyed and then quickly ordered , as they were leaving I noticed they stiffed me so I tell my co worker “ you were right about them not tipping , they left absolutely nothing! “ one of them heard me & did a whole 360 , went back to the table then left $5… well a win is a win 🤷♀️🤷♀️
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/17y1eg8/accidentally_shamed_a_table_into_giving_me_a_tip/
| 1,384 | 105 | 1,700,293,409 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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1ibmbp5
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Former server, had an interesting experience...
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This month I went to my favorite restaurant twice (I've been dieting so it was a reward for that)...
It was only me, I had water each time and a simple order.
I tipped $5 for the first tab and tipped $7 the next. I noticed the server for the second trip was extra appreciative of the seven dollar tip.
Which got me thinking...are current times that terrible that those are exceptional tips? January is a slow month for most businesses, and of course people are anxious about the economy right now.
(BTW I didn't serve for long but I am always nice to servers as I've been there, lol.)
Just wondering what people are thinking. I'm too old to return to serving, but I always have good hopes for the people working the industry right now.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ibmbp5/former_server_had_an_interesting_experience/
| 95 | 33 | 1,738,017,454 | 19 |
tip
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hot
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hzg50k
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TalesFromYourServer
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The first table I have ever refused to continue to serve, and the first table we have ever kicked out of any of our restaurants in over two years
|
TL;DR: I was spit on, chased after, argued with, and it only got shittier from there.
Oh man... this group. I have never turned to a manager before and said, “I’m done, I’m not going back over there.” But I did last night.
Yesterday was a particularly slow Monday. I didn’t have any tables till 5:30. This two top sat in my section and wanted happy hour, high tops only of course, so I moved them to the right section. The hostesses were able to get me a new table immediately, and it was a group of 8. 6 (hopefully drunk otherwise yikes...) women, I’m putting money on past sorority sisters, and two boys around 8y/o.
I should have just gave the two top happy hour and taken the wrath from mgmt, lol.
The 8 top is immediately obnoxiously loud, and it’s pretty much just seat #3 causing it. (Edit: Seats 4-6 were pretty loud as well, but while they were just raising their voices, 3 was actually yelling as if she had ear plugs in). They also have a birthday at the table oh my gaaaawd, girls!! Let’s sing!! Every time someone mentions the birthday we HAVE to sing! And they did. They sung/screamed happy birthday no less than 5 times (one for every round of drinks/shots!). By the time the appetizers came out, my manager had already walked up to them about a noise complaint from a table across the restaurant.
Seat #3, a grown adult, goes to the bathroom, but stops halfway and asks me, “Wait, do I need a mask??” “Yes, ma’am, you do when you’re traveling around the restaurant.” “Are you sure??” “... yes, ma’am.” “Like, really sure??”
This conversation happened multiple times with seat #3 and our other staff members. She would stop a staff member every time she ran to her car, went to the bathroom, checked out the restaurant, ran after a kid, and ask, “Are you sure I gotta wear a mask?” And of course, never wear it. My work doesn’t allow staff to enforce mask policy, so I can’t do anything but answer her questions and maintain a 6ft distance.
First round of drinks comes out. Seat #2 keeps drinking seat #1’s cocktail, even though she has her own margarita to work on. Gets a good bit of the way through her friend’s drink, turns to her with a sour face and goes, “You like that?” Seat 1 says, “I don’t know...” she finally gets to try her half gone cocktail. She says yeah, she likes it. 2 goes, “Are you sure??” Seat 1 says... “I don’t know...” So, seat 2 sends back a cocktail that’s not even hers, and has me get seat 1 a new drink. That new drink never got touched. I think she actually really liked the first one. And seat 2 didn’t give a flying fuck thar seat 4 had the same drink as seat 1, she didn’t send back that one. Just the one she got to have half of for free. Thankfully, this was the only issue I ever had with seats 1/2. Otherwise they were great.
App’s get dropped. Kid’s food gets dropped. I’m standing there taking the ladies orders, and I’m watching the boys who are to my left/in front of me. One of the boys is enjoying his first ever shirley temple. I was so happy to give it to him, y’all. I shoved so many cherries in that kids cup. He’s sitting there chugging his daily requirement of sugar, when he sort of sits up while still drinking, and turns towards me. He pulls the straw from the cup with liquid still in the straw and his mouth was so full his cheeks were bulging, turned towards me, and SPIT his drink through the straw down my legs.
I have never... EVER... been spit on. What the actual?! I let out a bewildered, “Excuse me?!” as my legs are dripping shirley temple and 8y/o saliva during a global pandemic. The mom? LAUGHS. Even praises him! “Good one, Dom!!”
I walk away (thankfully had everyone’s orders when it happened, was getting menus), go and take clorox wipes to my legs lol. I come back out, head to a different table, and seat #3 is rushing me from across the restaurant, absolutely hauling ass, without a mask on. Even though they just got a bunch of apps, I went ahead and put in their dinner orders while I was cleaning myself up. Just trying to get them tfo. Seat #3 is running after me across the restaurant (cctv I watched later). She catches up to me and grabs my arm, and turns me around. No mask. Proceeds to get in my face, to the point our breasts are physically touching, and goes, “We have a birthday at the table... do you guys do anything for that?? Like sing maybe? Ooh! Or cake! Bring out a cake! Do you have a chocolate one and candles?!” The entire time she’s going on about this request, I’m backing up slowly. She’s following me step for step. I have backed up so far that I have now backed up into another table that actually has people eating at it, and she is still tit to tit with me going on about cake and singing. I can smell the alcohol on her breath through my mask she is so close and maskless. Finally get her happy with a slice of baked alaska for the table for free, and she finally fucks off. The table I backed into wouldn’t let me apologize for being on top of them practically. and actually turned out to be the table who complained about the noise in the beginning! They were 100% on my side after getting the full experience just now with guest #3, and would continue to be on my side & explain to the managers what was going on. I hate that their meal got ruined by this one drunk table, they were really such nice ladies who’s experience was ruined by this terrible group.
So, I bring out dessert. Baked alaska, set it on fire, ooh ahh. That dessert didn’t stand a chance, it was gone. I go back over to make sure no one wants another cocktail/box, and seat #3 goes, “Why did the hostess yell at us earlier?”
Me- “Oh... Well, that was the manager. She was informing you that you have a noise complaint against your party.”
3- “Who complained? Tell me who complained, I’ll take care of it.”
Me- “Yeah... I can’t release that information.”
3- “You can’t? Uh okay. Well can you tell her to fuck off?”
Me- ... “Yeah, that’s my manager, I can’t do that either.”
3- “Okay, well you can just fuck off then.”
Me- “Okay!!” *walks tf away*
I walked right up to my manager and asked her to cash them out and handle whatever they had left, I was done. We had 4 different managers in the building that day and all 4 had been watching the table since the noise complaint before apps, so she didn’t ask any questions from me and just printed the check for them and walked over. Said, “Hey everyone. Here’s your check, it’s time for you to head on out of here.” Seat #2, who is actually a really nice lady and doesn’t deserve to be roped in with her shitty friends but you should choose your friends better, starts apologizing for everyone’s behavior. Manager just says, “It’s time to go.” Just keeps repeating it till #2 paid for the entire check ($304 after discounts) and they left.
I go with my bussers and start bussing this absolutely wrecked table. One of the bussers reaches under the table and grabs this aqua blue pile of fabric. He’s turn it this way and that trying to figure out how you’d wear that sort of face mask, when he spots the skid marks... yes. My table left their *shitty* panties under my table. And guess who’s seat they were by? Lucky #3!
What the actual fuck, y’all, lol. I just can’t believe that actually happened last night.
EDIT: This blew up... wow. Thank you everyone for the support and love. Just to clarify a few things:
Seat 2 did leave a tip! $60 on $304.
Yes there were a couple small discounts: free birthday dessert, and 2 sent back 1’s drink early on. Check otherwise would have been about $320 or so
The amount of people that have commented... dm’ed me... asking what race these people are, has got to **stop**. It does not matter, and I won’t be answering that question.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/hzg50k/the_first_table_i_have_ever_refused_to_continue/
| 6,716 | 301 | 1,595,948,304 | 19 |
tip
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top
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uzo9lj
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Think I witnessed a Divorce
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I’m a server in a fine dining restaurant that is relatively popular in my city. Had a couple visiting from where we later found out was Texas (we think) come in for dinner. At the start of the meal they seemed like a great couple, super friendly and really excited to be there. They opted to do one of our tasting menus with the optional wine pairing and an added course. All in all their tab was around $800 before tip (this becomes relevant later.)
So the evening goes by they are enjoying everything and everything is going great. They love the food, they love the sommelier, and me. At one point in the evening I got a little busy so I did not notice that husband had gotten up from the table right away. When I go over to check on their second to last course I notice he’s not at the table or by/in the bathroom. I stop by to check in with the wife to see if he stepped away for a call or something like that. This poor woman looks up at me and just goes “I don’t think he’s coming back,” normally I would be very good at holding in my shock but in almost ten years in the industry this is the first time that’s ever happened to me at a table. In an attempt to keep the mood light and save this lady’s evening while not get overly personal with a guest I try to make a few jokes with her one of which was “so do we hate him now or what?” She replied “well he’s my husband so that’s not really an option,” folks my jaw hit the floor. At this point the wine has started to hit her and she’s really panicking. To her credit she kept it together enough that if you weren’t directly next to the table you would not notice. She also went through the rest of the tasting solo which again major props to her.
After she finishes the meal we’re trying to do everything we can to turn the night around. Offer to pay for her Uber since her husband ditched her but she refused since their hotel was an hour away from the restaurant. She decides to sit at the bar while she’s waiting for her car to get there. She asked for a shot of tequila and we were happy to oblige because all of us are still flabbergasted. Husband finally calls her to tell her that he’s cut the vacation short and is on his way to the airport… her car gets there right as she’s telling us this and the last thing we hear from her is “well now I have to go figure my life out.”
For the rest of the evening this is all any of us can talk about. Collectively trying to Nancy Drew our way into what could have happened at that table to cause this. All at once it hits us that we probably just witnessed the initiation of a divorce.
TL;DR Husband ditches wife at the end of dinner to fly back home without telling her.
And one final note the lady paid the whole tab and still tipped over 20%. Bad ass.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/uzo9lj/think_i_witnessed_a_divorce/
| 4,438 | 301 | 1,653,747,455 | 19 |
tip
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top
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ebkztm
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
“Can you take off gratuity?”
|
*Obligatory mobile apology*
Still buzzing from my last table last night, so I need to vent.
I work at a semi fine dining restaurant in a major city (US), and people go there a lot for special occasions. The holiday rush has been crazy, lots of birthdays and holiday parties and graduations, etc.
My last party of nine comes in dressed to the nines for a girl’s birthday. They ask for specific drink choices and prices, and I get them all promptly. Straws and lemons for their water, hot water so they can sanitize their cutlery, you name it. Also give them plenty of space because they’re taking lots of pictures (a few group photos which I take), again no problems. Both my manager and I ask multiple times if everything’s great (including their crazy modified food items) and they tell me it is.
Here’s where things get bumpy.
They ask for split checks (against company policy but if I’m not busy I do it because it’s not that big of a deal) and they scooched around a lot so my seat numbers weren’t perfect. It took a few extra minutes to get everything separate, and I could tell they were getting frustrated. They keep pointing to the auto-gratuity and we’re talking to themselves about it. Finally, someone pulled me aside and asked to take off the gratuity (automatic 18% for parties of six or more which is stated on our website and menu that they all had). I tried my best to keep a smile on my face since someone basically said to my face that I don’t deserve to make a living, and grabbed my manager. She gave the spiel of auto gratuity, and that we won’t be taking it off. Some things I heard as my manager and I were running their payments:
“If the tip is added this way then service should be on point”
“Well I read the whole menu and saw nothing about that”
“Well I didn’t like this I shouldn’t have to pay for tip on top of it”
“Run this card, but don’t put a penny more on it”
They all asked for their food to be boxed up, so I had no knowledge things weren’t up to their standards. At this point my manager and I are just trying to get them out of here, so we take a couple things off the bill. It all worked out at the end and I’ve dealt with worse I just can’t get over what I could have done more to give them 18% worth of great service. In the end I know the service was good they just didn’t want to pay for it. Just having someone look you in the eye and say you don’t deserve your tip is rattling. I’m dreading going back in tonight.
Thanks for letting me vent, and we only have a couple weeks left of holiday craziness! Keep your chins up, everyone!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ebkztm/can_you_take_off_gratuity/
| 2,579 | 400 | 1,576,529,574 | 19 |
gratuity
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relevance
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17huymd
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Bad tipper came back
|
This past friday towards the end of my shift a couple came in and sat in my section. They ordered raspberry margs with salt, appetizer, and 2 steak entrees; the entire time being super polite and respectful. I dropped their check, they paid and left. Their bill came to $115 and they tipped $5.
It was a shitty end to what was an otherwise pretty good night, so after venting about it to the sous I did my best to shake it off and go home and forget about the whole thing.
Fast forward to sunday night of the same week, I get a party of 8. We were in the middle of a rush and my mind was elsewhere, so it wasn't until the couple at the end of the table orders their raspberry margaritas with salt that I realize it's the same couple from two nights before.
So they order wine, cocktails, 5 full size entrees and 3 kids meals, racking up an almost $300 bill, but I play it cool and just be friendly and accommodating as usual, kept they're waters full, cleared they're plates when they were done. Again, they're all super nice and polite.
Now at my workplace we have 20% automatic gratuity for all parties over six people. So I drop the check with a big smile on my face and say, "Thank you, you guys were great! Gratuity is all set. No rush, I'll run your card whenever your ready!" and then ducked behind the server station to spy on them. I could see them squinting at the bill.
I was half expecting them to complain but instead they just paid, thanked me and left. One of the men in the party did side eye me on his way out but I just smiled and wished them goodnight.
I thought I'd share my story because it's rare for us to get ours in this industry. My only regret is that I couldn't hear what they said when I dropped the check. What i wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall sometimes. Anyways, peace and love, wishing everyone a fat paycheck on this lovely friday!
Edit: Thanks to everyone who enjoyed my story! Sad to see some pretty heinous takes in the comments. Wondering if we should make econ101 a prerequisite for posting in this sub.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/17huymd/bad_tipper_came_back/
| 804 | 86 | 1,698,433,684 | 19 |
gratuity
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relevance
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1ak9o0d
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I cried over an accidentally taken signed receipt (with tip), but my manager saved the day
|
I work at a restaurant that’s inside of a casino/hotel. This past week has been rough and very frustrating for everyone. Lots of needy guests that run you ragged for low tips. Rushes near the end of my shift before second shift arrives. Being stuck an hour+ after my scheduled out time to do side work.
The day before this incident took place I worked a 12 hour shift to help cover a call off. Then I was back at work at 8am the next day, when this took place.
My first table — they were initially going to be a 6 top which is great because we put 20% auto gratuity on them. But only 5 showed, so no auto gratuity. Service went very well and the table were friendly people. I had a feeling this table would be a good start to my day and hopefully turn around this frustrating week. They had run up a $160 check which is high for breakfast; I was excited.
The (assumbly) grandfather asks for the check, I run his card, drop the check, wish them well and send them on their way. A few minutes later I see them walk out of the restaurant but I’m mid delivering drinks and just got sat. Within about 3 minutes I’m able to go to the table to pick up the signed receipt. BUT IT IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. The check presenter is sitting there with the customer copy and there’s no cash on the table. Being 99% sure the grandfather accidentally took the signed copy I immediately full on sprint out of the restaurant and book it to the elevator downstairs. But I couldn’t find them in the lobby or down the hall right away so I had to go back.
At this point tears are welling and I’m doing my best to hold it together until I can get BOH. When I got back all of the BS from this week hit me and that receipt was my final straw. I was very visibly upset and my amazing coworkers came to help me right away. The other server gave me a hug and checked on my tables. I went to the bathroom to splash some water on my face and gather myself. I was better after 5 minutes, but still very upset that I lost out on ~$30 because of something so stupid and that my day had such a sour start again.
I continued about my day, although frustrated and somewhat frazzled. A few hours later near the end of the chaos one of the food and beverage managers is making rounds on the venues and stops in mine. I tell him what happened and he asks to see the check. I still had the check presenter saved sitting near the POS, exactly how it was on the table. He moves the check side to side in the light and saw the pen impressions of the tip and signature. He told me it’s good enough for me to get the tip and that they left me $40. I was so happy I literally started crying tears of joy. I was very thankful for my manager and coworkers!
TL;DR: Table walks out with merchant copy. I thought I lost out on $30 and was very upset. Later manager looks at check and sees pen impressions of tip and signature and I end up with a $40 tip.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ak9o0d/i_cried_over_an_accidentally_taken_signed_receipt/
| 501 | 60 | 1,707,225,870 | 19 |
gratuity
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hot
|
13fzkmz
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Servers of I Reddit I need your help ASAP
|
Okay so there’s a new place opening in Tampa, FL. Five bars under one roof. Gift shop. Outdoor lounge and game area. Like an amusement park for adults. This place HAS to make money right?
I’ve been recently hired there as a server but never served before so I don’t have insight on this situation first hand to make a call. What I remember from the interview is there’s a tip share, 18% gratuity, card tips, and servers keep their cash tips. Working full time at $10 an hour plus tips & gratuity, tip share, is this a worthwhile venture to pursue?
Kinda sweating this as making the decision to keep the job involves a move. Not keeping the job also involves a move. If anyone has that Sage Advice it’d help so much.♻️♻️
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/13fzkmz/servers_of_i_reddit_i_need_your_help_asap/
| 16 | 7 | 1,683,931,533 | 19 |
gratuity
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hot
|
ycg3vt
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
“We would have left you more”
|
I work at a hibachi restaurant where I live. At this restaurant we are allowed to put gratuity on parties or 4 or more. I get sat a party of 8. I wait until the chef leaves the table and get a full, complete feel of these people. They didn’t seem like the type that believes in tipping so I added gratuity. Simply 18%. I drop off checks. Let them know, and 1 lady gets livid. Thinking that since she was on a check by herself, the gratuity doesn’t apply to her! Everyone else was super nice about it, simply asked why. I told them, they understood. She just couldn’t seem to get it through her head, she figured. Everyone else is okay to get the gratuity but why her! So she writes me a lovely little note saying “I always leave more than 18%! Thanks for helping me out”. Then threw her debit card on the check and slammed it down on the table. I guess she did this so I could feel oh so terrible when running her card that I wasn’t going to get 20% or more. Then I drop off checks, put a nice smile on my face and tell her thank you so much for everything. She didn’t like this, she then takes 2 of my pens. The one I gave her and someone else’s. Ran all my ink down blacking out the gratuity total and the total bill. Like she doesn’t know it’s already been applied and ran, and all I have to do is press 1 button and her money was mine. I don’t get why people have to get so upset over it! There’s even a line to add more tip to make it 20%! Which is usually what people do! I think she was mad because she got gratuity added and wasn’t going to even tip. It was a fun experience dealing with my first Karen. Just wanted to share (:
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ycg3vt/we_would_have_left_you_more/
| 650 | 79 | 1,666,629,819 | 19 |
gratuity
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hot
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f8x6fg
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The Bridal Party
|
The seven of you came in with a reservation and were so sweet from the start. I had been having a slow night closing and I had just started feeling better from not having much of a voice for a week (while serving, it had been hell).
Two bottles of wine to share for the table and then I learned you were celebrating a bachelorette party. Everyone ordered an entree apiece and you were beyond easy to take care of, so I made a mocktail for the one girl that wasn’t 21 and brought out a dessert on the house for the bride-to-be. By the middle of it, you were all cracking jokes and referring to me by name. We were pretty slow and you were my only table, so I asked if you wanted more photos than just the ones I took at the table. We went outside, had a little shoot, and three of you gave me a hug and thanked me.
Serving for so long has been getting to me, I base a lot of my self-worth off how much money I can make in a night. If people aren’t tipping 20% then obviously I’m doing something wrong. But one of your individual tickets was about $130 (alcohol is expensive) after added gratuity. And you tipped me enough to make it $200 and wrote the nicest note on the back of the customer copy thanking me and telling me how much it meant to them and joking that they will remember it for a long time (assuming they remember the night!)—which my sentimental self is going to keep for a long time. All of you tipped me more on top of the gratuity. It made my week. You were the sweetest group and I wasn’t expecting anything on top of an autograt.
I can’t put into words how much instances like that mean to me. I hope y’all had a wild and safe night afterwards and you come back in to say hi—that is, if you remember it!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/f8x6fg/the_bridal_party/
| 3,012 | 36 | 1,582,574,737 | 19 |
gratuity
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top
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tj3pgq
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
cute little miracle today
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so today my friend(F17) had a party of 11. they were completely obnoxious and 6 of them were kids, running around the restaurant and yelling and bossing my friend around, back and forth back and forth etc.
table from hell, we all know the type.
they call me over and tell me to get the manager for them. they're all looking at their check, they're obviously gonna tell him they want the 15% gratuity taken off.
manager comes over. explains that restaurant policy is 15% on parties of 6 or more. they argue that "yeah but there were 5 adults and 6 kids. so it shouldn't count"
then they start to complain about how she was a horrible server etc etc, snitching to my manager.
after they leave, my table of 2 (who just tipped me $20) calls her over and tells her that "not everybody is like that" and gives her a $40 tip.
i know it's not a huge miracle or anything but it made me feel better about being a server tonight. some people can be awful and some can be amazing.
ps: my manager did NOT remove gratuity from that table :)
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/tj3pgq/cute_little_miracle_today/
| 595 | 32 | 1,647,837,820 | 19 |
gratuity
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top
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q6w0ug
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Unbelievable.
|
So I posted a situation a few months ago about the manager holding a bartender responsible for a patrons bill after the host allowed them to take the to go order without paying.
Well I’m here to tell a similar story. After that debacle, I started at a new restaurant. Just down the road, barely 5 minutes away. I’ve enjoyed working here so far, although the hours are longer and the side work is not worth the pennies they throw at us hourly, the guests are tolerable and actually appreciative occasionally.
The main perk of this new restaurant is an auto-gratuity on tables of 6 or more. I had a table of 6 drop to a 5 last minute, but A manager (manager B, I guess, fairly new) still added the auto grat. It was $110 (the gratuity, not the bill).
Today, I show up and the first thing my GENERAL manager does is calls me into the office. This is the conversation.
“So I wanted to talk about Saturday… How much did you walk with that day?”
This should have been a huge red flag but I just started here less than a full month at this point, so I just tell him. “About $380” (it was a record for me. I worked at a casino for 4 years pulling 12 hour shifts and still never cracked $300. I was really excited.
“Well there was an issue with the auto grat and I’m somehow down $350 for the whole night, across 4 servers, so you left with too much money.”
Me - “I don’t understand. The computer says right there I owed you $1062. It shows I gave you $1062. I can’t possibly owe you more.”
Manager - “well you admit you left with $380. Your tip out was $84. So you made $464. And your sales were $1959. If you divid 464 by 1959 that’s about 24%. Do you really think you made 24%? I don’t.”
So that was the end of the conversation.
I’m not giving him any money. His argument is that I couldn’t have possibly made more than 20%. Wtf. I’m literally at work typing this, shaking and anxiously awaiting my first table.
What do I do?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/q6w0ug/unbelievable/
| 373 | 44 | 1,634,073,746 | 19 |
gratuity
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top
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100bexj
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Heartfelt thank you for a tip?
|
Tonight is New Years Eve, and every year a few of us ladies get together for an early dinner. We dine at a very nice Italian restaurant, and although this year there was supposed to be 4 of us, there were only 3.
Our bill came to $157.00, and we all put in $70.00, so $210.00 with tip. It was a little more than 20%, but not by a lot.
The waiter came over and we paid in cash, and told him no change. A few minutes after that, he came over again with a heartfelt thank you for the tip. We are in the US, and tipping is expected here. We usually tip 20 percent, but because it was easier to round up, we did. ….. and it was NYE
Is it that unusual to be tipped a little over 20%?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/100bexj/heartfelt_thank_you_for_a_tip/
| 677 | 117 | 1,672,545,781 | 19 |
waiter tip
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relevance
|
v55iq0
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
4 tables tipped 15% or less tonight.
|
So I work at a certain casual dining Italian restaurant. I am an amazing server I’m not trying to build myself up or anything, but I am one of the best servers in my restaurant and the managers rely on me when I’m on shift to pick up extra tables, deal with big parties 14+ on my own and get double/triple sat because they know I can handle it and I’m good at what I do. Tonight my section was two large “party tables” over the course of the evening I was tipped $15 on $175,$20 on $233( this was a party of 10)$ 10 on 158 and I can’t remember the last one. I did not drop the ball once tonight. Everyone had drink refills, all my food came out perfectly (the kitchen was running a little slow), my soups and salads came out quickly and they refilled as much as they wanted no issue. It’s so irritating how much I put into making sure my tables have everything and how little they value the service I give. I just needed to vent a little to people who understand.
Edit: feel like it’s also relevant to mention I only had 7 tables tonight.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/v55iq0/4_tables_tipped_15_or_less_tonight/
| 51 | 62 | 1,654,402,203 | 19 |
15%
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relevance
|
1f2n5u8
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Need opinions on this tip out system.
|
Hi fellow servers, I work at a fairly popular, mid tier restaurant in a larger city. We have 2-3 bussers per night, 2-3 bartenders, but only 1 bartender makes the drinks for the servers.
Each server keeps her own (yes, our roles are specifically gendered) tips, after tipping out 15% to the bussers, and 15% to ALL THREE bartenders.
So if I grind and do $450 credit card tips, I am leaving with $315 after tip out, and before taxes.
I have personally never tipped out so high, I’ve been working in the industry for a long time. Trying to decide whether I should quit based on this, I do believe every tip out system has its ups and downs, but I feel that I could be making more.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1f2n5u8/need_opinions_on_this_tip_out_system/
| 16 | 21 | 1,724,780,406 | 19 |
15%
|
hot
|
1flv4gc
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
To go and tipping....
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Has anyone else noticed tipping on to go orders has become less frequent? Is it a sign of the times to no longer tip for to go? As a tip credit paid server, I work at a small diner that has a very small staff. However, we are very busy servers and handle everything from dine in to call in orders for to go. Today we were extremely busy I had over $150-$250 in to go orders mainly phone orders but a few walk in and wait, most left a goose egg on the tip line, making my combined net sale total not even reach 20% today. While I don't expect 20% on to go orders at all, I feel at least 10% is highly appreciated. I seriously hate this ideation of the public that we do less when it comes to to go orders. I input the order the same way I do my dine in orders and bag up items after checking the order to ensure everything is correct I cash them out and add any condiments requested. So, to me, tipping on to go seems fair. Please share your thoughts and stories on this issue.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1flv4gc/to_go_and_tipping/
| 0 | 37 | 1,726,893,439 | 19 |
20%
|
new
|
14j43md
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
My father in law tips like shit, but always wants to pay
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tldr: My girl's dad tips like crap, doesn't let anyone else pay the bill 9/10 outings, and I don't know the best way to handle it.
~~Quick~~ Question: My uncle in law is around 60 and always tips $10 (US) no matter how long we've sat, how many people we have with us (3 to 8), or how much the bill is. His eyes aren't great so he's had me fill out his check a few times (once with 3 people @ $60 bill + 10 tip. And a second time with 6 people, $140 bill + 10 tip). He makes good money but is very... i dunno ... clueless? or back country maybe? I don't know how to describe it, but maybe think of a 60 yo construction worker/mechanic/factory worker that just seems clueless about how much shit costs and how little people get paid.
I've done the "forgot my wallet/keys/phone" thing when leaving multiple times and went back to put cash tip on the table to make up for it... but it feels awkward every time. Oh, and I rarely carry cash so this isn't always an option.
Oh, and he doesn't like others to pay, nearly ever. So it's not like I can just start paying every time either. And playing the game with the server "no no, I'll pay. Not him" while he's shoving his card at them is frustrating and just makes for a bad experience for everyone.
On a related note, I feel like eating at a place with him will give us... everyone at the table.... a reputation as being bad tippers. We don't want a reputation we haven't earned. HE'S the bad tipper, not we.
I brought it up to my girl and she basically said he's stuck in older times and he thinks $10 is a good tip regardless, (for context she and I tip 20% or $5 minimum, whichever is more, and then adjust from there).
What are your suggestions for handling this? I'd rather not embarrass him by telling him he's a cheap ass and just *not* eating with him isn't really an option. Maybe there's a better subreddit for this question but I figured I'd start here
Thoughts?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/14j43md/my_father_in_law_tips_like_shit_but_always_wants/
| 564 | 323 | 1,687,744,846 | 19 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
akacp2
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
When a bad tipper wants to pay the whole bill...and then ppl stay for 4 more hours...
|
So my shift started at 4, along with happy hour. I had a few ladies come and eat up 3 of the 6 tables in my section. Over the next 30-45 minutes, they grow up to 17 people, switching up my seat numbers and ordering $5 drinks, and eventually ordering some appetizers.
Within an hour, I have 16 women who are all on different tabs with different timings, but are super gracious, and very animated. Repeatedly told me I was great. Turns out they are all teachers, probably just trying to relieve some stress. One of my other tables moves to bar seats instead, to get away from the “cackling” of said party.
After about 90 minutes, a man in his 50s-60s walks in. He orders a drink at the bar, then sits down with the table. After 20 minutes, he asks me for the full tab to pay (cue Macho Man)
Now, I was relieved to not be splitting checks, and didn’t even think about auto grat for this size of party. I bring macho man the tab of 220, take his card, and bring him a receipt to sign.
When I go back again, Macho Man asks me if his tip was”okay”. He said he was talking while writing it, wanted to make sure his “math was right”. I awkwardly remind him that his tab was still under his plate (where he left it), and he asked me to look at it. I take a peek- just under 15%. I say “that’s fine, thanks” (wtf else do I say?), and continue clearing plates.
A few women, knowing that their tab has been paid, continue to order $5 drinks. I’m thinking “yes! These women have been complimentary all night, they will give decent tips!”. Wrong. After another 30 minutes, Macho Man stops me on his way to the bathroom to ask me for “the rest of the bill”. I was like “all on you? Are you sure?” Yup, he wanted it.
$42, $4 tip. I think he thought I should be so grateful for the $$ so far, this was a decent tip. Anyhow the crowd gets smaller. Most leave.
Except for 4. I should mention that the 3 tables they took consisted of a long both. So, even when they got into a group of 4, they still managed to take up 2 of my tables.
These 4 left at 10pm. 6 hrs (of just these 4), using 2 of my 6 tables. If you think they ordered anything else after dude paid, you’re wrong. Just ignored me as I refilled their waters for 4 hours.
WTF.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/akacp2/when_a_bad_tipper_wants_to_pay_the_whole_billand/
| 20 | 6 | 1,548,577,772 | 19 |
bad tipper
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relevance
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d3c2y5
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I followed a guy outside who didn’t tip!
|
First, let me start by saying I’ve never done this. I work at a chain restaurant where i routinely make 10% on my sales for the night. I’m used to shitty tips, but we’re busy enough where I almost always “make my nut”.
It’s a Sunday shift which are notorious for the shitty customers it attracts. For whatever reason, it’s one of our busiest days but also a low earning shift. So a family of 4 come in. Mom, dad, ~24 y.o. Male and his younger brother. Right away I know I’ve served them before. I’m good with recalling familiar faces, but horrible with remembering if they were good or bad tippers.
Boys got our upcharged drinks, parents 2 drinks from the bar, and our most expensive app. Good start. Then they start to order. The parents didn’t speak English well so the orders flowed through their older son. The two boys got the $33 ribeye, and both parents got our $28 surf/turf combo, 4 of our most expensive plates.
Older brother(O.B.) is CRUSHING drinks. Probably refilled 5/6 times. I was cut so most of my tables were gone so I really focused on them bc the tab was up to $160. Food comes, mom’s steak was well done enough (this should say a lot). No problem, throw it back on the grill and comes back how she likes it.
Drop the bill and older brother reaches for his wallet. Then it all starts flooding back. I remember they did the same thing last time; pricey plates, hella refills, kid paid and left a shitty tip. Couldn’t remember how shitty tho so I wait and see.
I return the bill and they scurry out like the rats they are. A common trait I’ve noticed of bad tippers is when you hit them with the “thanks guys have a good night” they rarely say it back and actively avoid eye contact. The shame is too much for them to bare.
So I go grab the boo....THIS MOTHERFUCKER! HE SIGNED HIS NAME AND NOTHING ELSE!
(This was my cover if I got shit from manager. We need atleast a total on the receipt + signature)
Fuck it. I didn’t even think, just followed them out the door and they had already reached the car across the lot.
ME: “MY MAN!”
O.B. *Snapped around with a shocked/concerned look* “hey what’s up?”
ME: “you need to fill out ALL fields of the receipt, not just sign you name.”
I then walk the dumbass through it.
ME: “if you were satisfied with you’re experience you write the tip *HERE*, then write the total *HERE*”
O.B.: “oh my bad”
He grabs the pen, writes down $20 tip, but doesn’t add it to total and still writes $160. He then pulls and $20 out of his wallet and hands it to me.
O.B.:”sorry about that”
ME: “uh huh.”
And I return to my comrades, triumphantly beaming with success. I could have taken the $20 on the card plus the cash, but decided to show mercy.
Him immediately writing in the tip told me a lot. Some people that don’t tip legitimately don’t know better. But most ppl know they’re fucking over the server who took care of them, but are cheap skates anyways. This guy, when confronted with the face of his injustice(me), immediately folded and did what he should have done in the 1st place; leave a damn tip!
TLDR: guy shafted me, so I pulled the ole reach around and got un-shafted.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/d3c2y5/i_followed_a_guy_outside_who_didnt_tip/
| 93 | 26 | 1,568,312,642 | 19 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
zgjf12
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
How common are big (50%+) tips really?
|
I’ve only been serving for a few months. I wouldn’t say I’m fantastic at my job - I still get weeded sometimes, have sent back a few wrong orders, sometimes trip over my words. But I think I do a pretty decent job and I try my hardest to be genuinely nice to every one and make sure they have a good experience when they dine in.
On average I get tipped like 16-20% a night. I think it’s on the lower end because we’re in the south and also a college town and people don’t know how to tip. It’s about on par with what all my coworkers make per shift. I’ve gotten stiffed a few times.
Anyway recently I’ve started getting really big tips like once a week or so. I’m talking like $100 on $80, $30 on $75, $50 on $100. Is this normal? The tables that have left me these big tips I haven’t really gone out of my way for, I treat them like every other table. I’m not very outgoing like some of my coworkers so my service is pretty standard, it’s not like I’m chatting and connecting with these people. I make sure their food is hot, drinks refilled, and try to get them in and out as soon as they’re ready and that’s about it. The first time it happened I had to make sure the woman who tipped me meant to leave that much. Is this common? Do they just think I did that good of a job? Am I special or do they just tip like that every time they go out? Like I said I haven’t worked in this industry for long - before I did I just assumed everyone left 18-20% unless something went very wrong (I have learned that this is not the case at all).
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/zgjf12/how_common_are_big_50_tips_really/
| 22 | 29 | 1,670,550,706 | 19 |
big tip
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relevance
|
94hslf
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The time my coworker left me a generous tip
|
Hello r/TalesFromYourServer and fellow food service industry workers. Long time lurker, first time poster here. I've had a fair amount of shareable stories in my 6 years of working as a server, but this occurrence from last night was something else, so I thought I'd post here. Hold on, cause it's gonna be a long one. (Also I hope formatting is okay, on mobile, first time posting, etc and all those excuses)
So I work at a chain restaurant known for serving chicken wings and beer, and also emphasizes on its connection to sports. By 11PM, every server was cut except for me, as I was the closer and due to a scheduling error, the only one doing so. At this point in the night, I'm working as hospitality, outside expo, AND taking care of all of the tables in the restaurant in addition to completing some closing duties, so I'm pretty dang preoccupied. At 11:30, a 8 top walks in and gets put in my section, since I'm the only one who can take care of them. Now we close at 1AM on weekends, so it was a little irritating that they waited until this late to bring a bigger party in. Around the time these guys walked in, I had two 2 tops and a 3 top. A lot for just one person to handle. In this bigger party, I recognize one of the guests as a guy who works in the kitchen. We don't work together much since he does mostly days, and I work nights, but we've worked together a few times.
After we get the party seated, I go over right away and introduce myself, ask how everyone is doing and if there's a special occasion for coming in (it's someone's birthday) and share our drink and app specials for late night happy hour. Since there is a birthday, I tell them that they get a free birthday treat (sans birthday announcement over the speaker system as "my birthday gift to them"-- I use humor a lot while serving). After all of this, I ask what everyone wants to drink and I get half the table's orders before moving to the other half so I can get their orders without them having to yell. I asked what they wanted, and the birthday dude's (I'm assuming) girlfriend looks at me and says "uh. I said lemonade." Now she hadn't said anything, but I apologize for not hearing her and tell them I will go get drinks and be back to take orders. After that happened, I just knew this table was gonna be a difficult one.
I got drinks out to this table in less than a minute, and after handing them out, I asked if anyone had questions or if they were ready to order. I answered a couple about wing counts and such, but other than that, everyone was good to go, so I started taking their orders. Since it was so late in the night, I let them know it might take a little longer than they're used to, since we make wings fresh for every order so we don't waste any. I also asked if this was going to be all on one ticket, so I could put it into the POS better and there would be less confusion when splitting it up at the end of their meal. They said it was all on one. So I put in their order and went to take care of my other tables.
At my job, employees are offered a dicsount when they order food. 50% off up to $6 when you're on the clock and 25% off up to $25 when you're off the clock. Friends and family can use the discount SO LONG AS everything is on one ticket and the employee pays. Everything was on one ticket for this particular table (probably because they all wanted a discount). The shift manager on duty that night applied the discount right away so I wouldn't have to worry about it later. Their ticket went from ~$120 to ~$90. This is a pretty good deal for food for 8 people, especially because our food can be pricey.
After about 20 minutes, food came out and no one needed anything right away and said everything looked good when I asked. I checked back with them after about 5/6 minutes (I had other tables to take care of, so I admit I took a while to check back-- longer than I usually take for a first check-up) and asked how everything was. My coworker's wife said her "Wings are gross. They're too salty. It tastes like someone put them in the wrong sauce, but spun them in the correct sauce after." Very unlikely because because ALL of the sauce buckets had been cleaned, and each sauce has its own bucket and there is no chance of the sauces being cross-contaminated. Her husband should know that BECAUSE HE WORKS HERE. Still, I apologized for her not liking them and told her I can get it fixed for her right away. I told the guys in the kitchen what she said, and they told me what I just explained (clean buckets, no mixing of sauces, etc) and told me to relay to her it will be 7 minutes for new wings. I go to tell her that, as well as asking if she'd like a different sauce. She says yes to both. I tell the guys in the kitchen her order directly, and I don't charge her for them.
By the time her wings are done, everyone else wants boxes, so I get those, as well as their free birthday treat. This I have to ring into the POS so the kitchen can make it, but I have my manager comp it because, you know, free. At this point, these guys have been in here for 40 minutes, and I've visited with them about 4 or 5 times (mostly due to the one lady not liking her wings/getting boxes/prebussing). I check back with them one last time and offer desert, but everyone is fine. So I bring out the check, tell them the discount is already applied, and say I'll be around in a bit to close the bill.
This is the part where it gets odd. I give them about 2 minutes to look the bill over and get payment ready, because I know once I get my ticket, I want to pay and leave right away, but when I go back to pick it up, the guy paying (my coworker) has numbers written on a napkin and is adding things up on his phone. I grab some plates to look busy and give them a few more minutes. Nope, still doing math for some reason. They have their discount AND birthday comp and all the math is done by the computer, so don't doubt the numbers there. So I just keep an eye on them while I do some closing duties and close out my other tables.
After an additional TWENTY MINUTES of running past the table to look for payment and keeping an eye on them, my coworkers wife waves the check presenter in the air and my shift manager goes to pick it up, since I had dirty dishes from another table to put in back. I come back out and there's a $50 bill and a credit card in there. My shift manager wasn't told anything specific by the table on how to ring in the payment, so I go ask to be sure and not mess anything up. So I ask "just to be sure, before I ring this in, are we gonna do $50 in cash and the rest on the card?" I do this all the time for multiple forms of payment. Apparently this was a stupid question to ask, because they scoffed at me and snapped a quick "yes." I rush back to the POS, close the ticket AND tag their rewards account to the bill and give it back, wishing them a good night, a happy birthday one more time, and to have a good weekend. When they leave, I go to check the tip, not expecting much, but at least something, and see a big fat 0 on the tip line and 30 cents sitting on the table.
At this point, I just wanna go home, so I laugh it off and share my bounty amount with the guys in back and my manager. Everyone gueses that this guy wasn't prepared to pay for 8 peoples' food at all and used the wing mishap to justify giving me nothing. So long story short, I'll have to try to not spending that tip all on one place. Can't wait to work with this guy again.
TL;DR- Coworker and his whole family show up close to closing time for a birthday dinner, was NOT prepared to pay as much as the bill was, and left me a generous 30 cents.
Thanks for reading this first story of mine! I kept this story as short and to the point as possible, so I left minor, but unimportant details out. I may be sharing more fun stories from work later on, so keep an eye out for those!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/94hslf/the_time_my_coworker_left_me_a_generous_tip/
| 46 | 9 | 1,533,372,758 | 19 |
generous tip
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relevance
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22uifc
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TalesFromRetail
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"I have to leave a tip for some high school dropout?!"
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(Note: Using a throwaway as my boss uses reddit and knows my username.)
So, I barista at a small cafe five hours a day, five days a week. It's a great job with great hours for my college schedule and the customers are generally fantastic. In fact, in the 8 months or so I've been on the job, I've only dealt with a small handful of rude customers. This lady from about 2 weeks ago was one of those people, and her comment still baffles me today. Before I continue, I must explain how our POS system works. We use something called Square which uses the iPad for processing credit/debit cards. It's really neat and comes with a lot of features, like a guilt-the-customer-into-tipping tool that forces non-tippers to select "NO TIP" before they can sign their names on another screen to authorize the sale. Most people don't mind this and think it's neat and it really boosts our tips. Except Clueless. Clueless thinks she's being forced to tip, not noticing the "NO TIP" option, and proceeds to yell at me and berate me. Brief conversation with her:
Clueless - "The f--k is this? I have to leave a tip for some high school dropout?! CANCEL the order. CANCEL EVERYTHING. I'm never coming here again. This is *extortion*."
Me - "Ma'am, there's an option below the dollar amounts you see that allows you to process the transaction without appending a tip. Here -proceeds to help her find it-"
Clueless - "Oh, I see now. You're trying to make me feel like a bad person. Well it hasn't worked, missy! I don't believe in tipping high school dropouts who refuse to get some education and a REAL job!! I haven't tipped anyone in at least ten years!"
Me - "Okay...did you still want to cancel the order?"
Clueless - "Absolutely! And give me back my credit card."
She leaves in a rage. I wish her a good day, and she tells me she's going to have a bad one just to spite me (lolwut?). I hate people.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/22uifc/i_have_to_leave_a_tip_for_some_high_school_dropout/
| 1,699 | 330 | 1,397,300,080 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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1rj66u
|
TalesFromRetail
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Hey girl wearing all designer items and living in the super expensive dorms... did you really just steal from my tip jar?
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No, no you couldn't have... You and your friend came in to my store where I sell baked goods. We're located in the heart of our campus. You, with your snotty attitude, rudely snap what kind of cookie you want while your bitchy friend pays with her student money card. I notice on her lanyard it mentions she lives in the extremely expensive dorms down the street. You also look like a Freshman, so you probably live there too. Neat!
When I leaned over to scoop up the cookies I certainly know I didn't hear the tip cup rattle and saw money clutched in your perfectly manicured hand that wasn't there previously (I couldn't have had my back turned more than 30 seconds). Of course I couldn't accuse you since I didn't actually witness you dip your thieving hand into my cup, but still. While you and your friend debate about buying more baked goods, I counted the money in the jar and it seemed off, but I hadn't checked for a few hours. I fold the money in a certain way and relocate the tip jar in front of the register discreetly because I have the feeling you'd bitch and cause a scene if you had noticed.
Then the buzzer for the oven goes off and I go in the back to grab more cookies (note, I run the whole huge shop alone for the first six hours of the day, I am expected to bake, prep, clean, cashier and do paperwork alone, sometimes all at once... What do you do all day?). I gotta run back there quickly when come back up you had reached around the register from where I'd hidden the jar and stole again. Of course I didn't notice at first, but when you hovered by the register waiting for me to turn my back until your friend says you guys need to go told me something was up. Sure enough, once you left I was missing another $2.
Honey, you were rocking a Gucci purse, Uggs, and an iPhone 5. I sure hope your excuse is Daddy didn't give you your monthly allowance this month.
Edit: Words and stuff.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1rj66u/hey_girl_wearing_all_designer_items_and_living_in/
| 744 | 214 | 1,385,508,669 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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1orgp9
|
TalesFromRetail
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My tips are for me, not your bus fare.
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I work at a coffee shop in a very well-to-do brand new development in one of the seattle suburbs. After school we always get a huge rush of about middle school kids who come get hot chocolates and use our wifi for homework while they wait for their parents. This is normally fine, as they take up one of our big tables and keep to themselves for the most part.
However, today these two boys around 13 came in that are there fairly regularly and hang out for about 45 minutes. One of the boys mom comes in to pick him up and the other boy was expecting to get a ride from her, but she didn't want to because she had to run errands or something (I was helping other customers while this conversation took place so I didn't get all the specifics). He isn't sure how to get home so she comes up to my tip jar, grabs about $5 out of it, and told him to take the bus to get home.
I couldn't believe it! You are a grown women, just reaching into my tip jar to give MY money to your kids friend! Not to mention you just left this poor boy to take a bus home when he was planning on you giving him a ride. He looked so scared!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1orgp9/my_tips_are_for_me_not_your_bus_fare/
| 180 | 40 | 1,382,160,554 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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8y1avw
|
TalesFromRetail
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Couple Lives in store and tries to steal tips
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First time posting, but long time reader.
I work in a gas station/doughnut place in Ohio and due to my schedule with school and this being my second job I usually close on weekends. Well about 2 months ago there were a man(M) in his 30s to 40s and his wife(W)? in her 40s that come in and just hang out in the lobby. They never buy anything. They sit in the lobby with stuff they brought in and leave the biggest messes every time they leave. The worst part is they don't even leave until close to or after I close the store. So I have to spend an extra 15 to 20 minutes on top of what I already have to do after close to pick up their mess. I was told we couldn't kick them out because people are allowed to hang out in the lobby as long as they are not disturbing anyone or begging. This went on for at least a month every single day without fail (my coworkers told me they were there during the week). Then one day I am trying to make the doughnuts look pretty because we have to take a picture of them for corporate at 4pm and 7pm. I heard someone moving around behind me at the front counter so I turned around. The man was standing there with his hand wrapped around the dollars in my tip jar. He notices me turn around and tries to play it off like he wasn't doing anything .
M: "Is this for anyone to use?"
I almost snapped, like who actually thinks money in a jar that says TIPS on the jar is for anyone, but the employees.
ME: "No it is for the employees because people leave us money for good service."
M:... slowly takes his hand out and sits down where his wife is sitting
I have no clue how long he has been doing that or if that was the first time he tried to take our tips. Luckily my assistant manager was closing with me that day and kicked them out for good. If it was my store manager she wouldn't have done anything about it. After they were told to leave I heard W yell at M for getting them kicked out, but I was too busy with a rush in the drive thru to know what it was that was said. Stuff like this and being yelled at through the drive thru about how I need to shower... have me close to leaving the store.
tl;dr Couple leaves messes every night then one day tries to take the tips out of the tip jar.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/8y1avw/couple_lives_in_store_and_tries_to_steal_tips/
| 168 | 15 | 1,531,328,194 | 19 |
tip
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relevance
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13k5fa0
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Maybe it's me, but is anybody sick of the server hate in the anti-tipping Reddit threads?
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I get it, you get hit up for tips at every turn. It's annoying, but half the time it just devolves into hating on servers. And God forbid you offer a solution to the tipping situation that wouldn't result in a 75% pay decrease for us. You get downvoted into oblivion.
&#x200B;
Maybe it's just my Reddit browsing luck, but I've been seeing a lot of this kind of stuff this week.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/13k5fa0/maybe_its_me_but_is_anybody_sick_of_the_server/
| 1,389 | 816 | 1,684,338,243 | 18 |
tip
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relevance
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wui4sp
|
TalesFromYourServer
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You dined, you dashed, you tipped %30+ ?
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Had my first ever dine and dash today! Last table of the night, family of four, two adults two kids. Kids spills two drinks, I tell them I’ll be sure to leave the second one off the bill because accidents happen, but two drinks and an entire bowl of popcorn spilled, not to mention the fries, broccoli, mashed potatoes and condiments left ALL over the floor, booth and table, these people knew they were leaving me with a huge mess and that they weren’t going to pay. The kicker is, they did hand me $28 in cash for being “the best waitress ever”. I had a feeling they would d&d, i asked the host to watch the car and my manager to go out to the car with the bill because I had closing duties, but manager said no that would be rude and host watched the wrong car anyway. I kept my $28 and when my manager said i’d have to cover the $83 meal, i reminded him that i had asked him to get them and he said no, so it wasn’t really on me that they got away. He shrugged and said that’s fair. unfortunately our security cameras don’t actually record and are just for show so they did truly get away with it, but at least i covered my back and got a nice tip out of the night!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/wui4sp/you_dined_you_dashed_you_tipped_30/
| 3,900 | 269 | 1,661,137,288 | 18 |
tip
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relevance
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t7lqc0
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Got verbally tipped on a $200 bill from a 9 top.
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Today, I got a 9 top table. It was for the sons 8th birthday. They brought gifts and balloons, etc., it was all in good fun. They were there for 3 hours total and I proactively came around fill up on drinks, pre buss, making sure they get the service they need overall. It was all fine until they were getting up to leave and the mom came up to me holding out her hand to me and praised me for how well I took care of them for good 5 minutes straight. I knew I did my job right but I also knew there was a major red flag. After they left, that table was trashed. It was full of torn up wrapping paper, crayons everywhere and giant crumbs all over the floor and seats. My anger was turned up a little bit until I opened the checkbook and blank on the tip. I angrily closed the book and threw it on the floor and screamed “F**K!!” I’m still really salty about it.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/t7lqc0/got_verbally_tipped_on_a_200_bill_from_a_9_top/
| 3,123 | 387 | 1,646,523,057 | 18 |
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relevance
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odp8w9
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TalesFromYourServer
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Writing "math" on tip line, rude?
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I think this is rude but my partner disagrees.
When he tips, he writes the total on the total line. He doesn't write out the tip amount. So he believes that the server just types in the total amount and the cost for the meal, and the computer calculates the difference. Is the tip something you have to write in separately?
He did this today. The bill was $32.64 so on the total line he wrote $40 and on the tip line he wrote "math" and the cashier Said "fuck" when he saw it.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/odp8w9/writing_math_on_tip_line_rude/
| 1,459 | 536 | 1,625,420,461 | 18 |
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relevance
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y9kpjw
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TalesFromYourServer
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"Welp there goes your tip"
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I'm a hostess and the general rule at my place is to seat tables when the entire party gets there, and no one's had an issue with that really. This evening, a 14-top was supposed to come in at 6, but a couple of them showed up at 5:40 knowing they were early (pro tip: never show up earlier than agreed upon). I asked if the whole party was there and they said no, they'll call the rest of them. Few mins later an old man from the group comes up to me and goes "You don't want to let us sit down and order appetizers?" (there were about 6 out of 14 of them at that point) "I didn't say that, I can seat you when your entire group is here." He repeats his question a bit more demanding and I say "Is your whole party here?" He ignores me and says "Welp there goes your tip I guess." First of all I don't even make dine-in tips, second of all what kind of a threat is that? I shrugged and said "Ok" which seemed to piss him off more. I told my coworker/their server the story and she had me go ahead and seat the halfway-there group because we didn't want her tip to be threatened for real. In conclusion I wish we had auto-grat for large parties
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/y9kpjw/welp_there_goes_your_tip/
| 1,639 | 232 | 1,666,329,524 | 18 |
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d3r4vc
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TalesFromYourServer
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Table asked to Cash App me my tip.
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Happened about a month ago, finally remembering to post about it. 2 top. Very nice young couple. I was semi busy so while I stopped by and talked/checked on them occasionally, there was nothing that stood out during their visit. After I ran their card, the gf asked me if she could cash app me my tip. Definitely a first for me and their check was $90 so I was a little nervous but it had been a good day so I figured why not and wrote my cashapp name. I waited until they left to open the app crossing my fingers for a $20. It was $50. I really needed that extra money so s/o to them!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/d3r4vc/table_asked_to_cash_app_me_my_tip/
| 4,588 | 200 | 1,568,389,555 | 18 |
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ksxhq4
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TalesFromYourServer
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$20 tip on a $20 tab, not enough! Customer post
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I haven’t been going out to eat at all most of last year. I finally got some brunch yesterday with my guy. My server remembered my eating preferences from months ago and asked if I would like a salad instead of potatoes. I’m diabetic and eat low carb mostly.
The server said she remembered my limitations and was it gluten free? I said low carb for diabetes. She had some options for me. I told her it was just low carb and my guy would eat the rest of my potatoes.
Six months later she remembered I had carb preferences. Girl, I missed the hell out of you. I’m still not eating out, this was my holiday meal. I wasn’t able to celebrate. So yes, you get a $20 cash tip on a $20 meal for me.
My guy looked at me like I was loony. No. I haven’t been there in months and it’s a local farm to table with reasonable prices. Take all my money.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ksxhq4/20_tip_on_a_20_tab_not_enough_customer_post/
| 4,277 | 139 | 1,610,090,026 | 18 |
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8i67fw
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TalesFromYourServer
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Perhaps consider tipping, especially when your date has previously worked at that exact venue as a server
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When I was in between jobs, I served as a Bayhost at TopGolf in the town I grew up in. I was seated with a party of 6, 3 couples. I instantly recognized one of my old friends from high school who had also previously worked as a bayhost at that same Topgolf, and we greeted each other.
At the end of the service, two of the three men left a proportionate tip, while my friend’s date left the tip slot blank. I returned back to the table and did my whole, “I’m sorry, but we are required to not have any blanks left empty on the receipt for your own safety” line that was a lie just to force people to either write “0” or awkwardly put in some sort of tip like they accidentally didn’t see it there. I saw my friend’s eyes go wide with embarrassment when she realized her date hadn’t tipped and now the whole party knew it.
I got an Instagram message later saying she was sorry and she lost interest in her date that night. Kind of a sweet, petty feeling of justice.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/8i67fw/perhaps_consider_tipping_especially_when_your/
| 2,316 | 349 | 1,525,874,549 | 18 |
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171h24t
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TalesFromYourServer
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The tips are “being held as investigatory.”
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This guy left me a $400 tip last week, and the woman at my job who does payroll is holding it from me "in case of a client credit card dispute" because customers don't usually tip that much. I even went to confirm with the guy who left the tip and he patted me on the back like, "Nah, that's all for you!" But she still thinks that it could be considered fraud or that the guy might have "buyer's remorse" so she said I have to wait a month, just to be cautious.
But I don't have time to be cautious. I'm behind on like, two credit card payments and a Klarna bill. She even admitted to misplacing one of my tip sheets the week prior so I don't know what the hell is going on when I'm not there. Should I do something?? I worked for that money, I shouldn't have to wait for it because she's paranoid.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/171h24t/the_tips_are_being_held_as_investigatory/
| 1,364 | 114 | 1,696,610,233 | 18 |
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1jn8atd
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TalesFromYourServer
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"We're all going to be separate checks, is that okay?"
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Party of five, you women. I immediately responded, "It's annoying," being slightly frazzled from a busy shift.
I course corrected realizing how rude I was, explaining that our payment system processes slowly (true) and that if I get busy it will be my last priority over service or other tables but that I could definitely do it. I apologized profusely. I ended the meal by saying, "Hey guys, separate checks no problem, still want to pay that way?"
They were fine at the end of it all. Mostly 20% tips adding up to about $14 on their single item purchases.
Most other servers there will refuse to do anything but two payments total, even split. I try to accommodate but I do deprioritize it if I have anything else to do.
Anybody else ever put their foot in their mouth like this?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1jn8atd/were_all_going_to_be_separate_checks_is_that_okay/
| 2 | 50 | 1,743,324,544 | 18 |
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hot
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1i2gi5k
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TalesFromYourServer
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Shout out to the LA patrons
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I live and work in LA. Even though I had to evacuate last Wednesday (insane it’s only been a week it feels like years) my apartment is safe and my restaurant was spared. Our second location didn’t share the same fate unfortunately. The entire city feels very tender right now.
January gets slow as it is and this past week has been particularly brutal. The week of the fires my five shifts got cut down to two. My second shift was supposed to be an 8 hour double, but after only having 1 table over the first two hours I was cut. Things are tight.
I’m writing this after being cut very early during another extremely slow shift. The guests today have bolstered my faith in humanity. Everyone has been very gentle with each other. Everyone’s manners are at a 10. The smallest tip percentage I got tonight was 22%, including the single mother who was displaced with her young son. The difference between a 20% and 22% is usually only a few dollars but the spirit underneath it feels like a way for us all to know we’re going to take care of each other. Everyone in this city has been affected, either directly or indirectly. I’ve been putting in extra effort, both physical and emotional, to ensure my guests feel very well taken care of while at my table. It’s nice to see that reciprocated on the receipt.
There is a long road of recovery ahead of us, but the unity in the city feels palpable. So I’m choosing to focus on that.
Stay safe out there everyone.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1i2gi5k/shout_out_to_the_la_patrons/
| 101 | 4 | 1,737,000,297 | 18 |
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hot
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1hpuwbn
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TalesFromYourServer
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Worst tip ever
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I sat at a quite fancy bar last night in a San Diego hotel. The previous person's signed credit card receipt sat in front of me with a $0.50 tip on a $13 drink. Are people REALLY that awful? I apologized to the very nice bartender and left $15 on a $30 check. You can always tell people who have worked in the industry and those who haven't...
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hpuwbn/worst_tip_ever/
| 157 | 134 | 1,735,586,050 | 18 |
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hot
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1hrlv23
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TalesFromYourServer
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table left a shitty review after staying nearly 2 hours after close on new years night.
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i had a table last night who came in at 9pm, we close at 9pm by the way and it’s new year’s eve. so i let them know when they sit down (because my manager told me to even after i kept asking him to communicate this to them) that we unfortunately are closed so i would need to know their order as soon as possible. i said this and i said i was going to get their drinks and i got all of their drinks (7 top who mind you only 3 were there, the mom her daughter and her husband)
so i get the drink order because at this point bartenders are coming up to me telling me they need the bar order because at this point it’s 9:10 pm and they are closing. so i get their drink order in and i give them more time to order. then my manager is literally telling me if i don’t get their order in right now that they can’t order so i go up to them and i let them know that unfortunately i do need to know their order and if they don’t mind if they can call their friends.
i also asked the husband who ordered a blue moon if he needed any orange slices and i said this knowing that i would personally cut them. anywAy, i get the order and put it in. i come back and they are taking a picture and i smile and offer to take it for them. i even clean off the camera and i take the picture and they looked good and so i complimented them and said they looked really nice. the baby at one point was crying and i was going to bring her something to color with but then her pizza came and she was happy and so i was laughing and smiling.
i checked up on them multiple times and asked if they needed extra sauce or if there was anything i could get for them and they said no. then 2 other people join the party around 9:40 and are eating their food and i check up on them throughout it. then i see that a table at the end still had their food untouched because there are 2 empty seats so i ask if i should pack it up for them and she said no they are still coming.
so i tell my manager that they have more people coming and he’s like this is ridiculous i’m locking the doors we literally closed almost an hour ago. and so idk what to do but i felt like it was rude so i did not say anything. then they come around 10 and so then when she tries the food i asked her if everything is okay and she said yes and i saw her boyfriend didn’t have a drink so i offered to get him water or something to drink and he said no. i give it a few minutes and i check up on them again and clear plates.
at this point it’s around 10:30 and they spilt checks and then the woman tips me 4% and so i was sooo frustrated at this point and i said “i am sorry did i do something wrong with my service.” she said no you were fine i just don’t have more cash and i just said “oh okay.” mind you, i wrote “thank you! happy new years” on their checks. her other friend tipped me 10% and i was so beyond frustrated at this point because by the time they leave it’s around 10:40 and we closed nearly 2 hours prior.
then she wrote this TERRIBLE review the next day saying this:
well my manager told me this morning that she wrote a terrible review and this is what she said “Great food, I couldn’t taste well. BUT worse experience ever with our server. I made a reservation at 9 (edit: they made it online i have NO idea how it got approved i believe it was a third party site) accept it, when I got on the table (party of 7), we arrive early (3 members of my family) she introduced herself and tell that we have to order ASAP and also for the rest, cause the kitchen is close, and literally I just seat on the table, and she keep asking can you call them? And I was like in shock. The rush from her was intense. To put the cherry on the top, at the moment of the bill, I left a 5$ tip and she asked me if she did something wrong on her service, and I was like for real? And after that she literally took the receipt of my hand with attitude and to my friend she literally throw he’s receipt on the table. Not coming back for sure. I was a waitress too and if you don’t want to work on a busy day like New Years and you just want work to get the hell out of there, then don’t go. That’s it. She needs customer service training.”
mind you I NEVER snatched it because it was on the table and i NEVER threw the receipt i placed it down on the table. my own manager said this review is so out of my character because i only get good reviews. to the extent where i am the only server at my restaurant who has ever gotten a gift card from corporate with one of my reviews attached to it.
it’s just so so shitty.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hrlv23/table_left_a_shitty_review_after_staying_nearly_2/
| 601 | 134 | 1,735,793,055 | 18 |
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hot
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9kwlns
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TalesFromYourServer
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Party of Ten Walk Out
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This happened about a year ago when I worked at a country restaurant in a small town with absolutely terrible management. The managers would look at your tickets and if the cashier didn’t ring up a drink on your ticket you (the server) had to pay for it, and the same went for the food.
I was serving a party of 10, appetizers, soda, entrees, and even dessert for everybody. Since this was my only table I was bending over backwards for them. I was constantly running back and forth for them and providing EXCELLENT service. By the time they were done eating I had been sat again with a 5 top. A middle aged couple with three adult children. I had dropped off to go boxes to my 10 top and I took the 5 tops drink order. I came back around the corner with the 5 tops drink and the 10 top had dropped everything and left. I immediately began panicking because at the time I was only 16 and knew that I would have to pay for the whole parties food out of my pocket.
I went and told my manager what had happened and she confirmed that I would have to pay for the $105 ticket by myself. I started crying my eyes out. I’m talking a full out emotional breakdown in the walk in. I tried to calm down as best as I could before going and taking my 5-tops order. The dad noticed that I was visibly upset and asked what was wrong. I explained the situation and began crying again. He asked for the ticket and paid it in full + 25% tip. And then on top of his families $63 bill he left me $40. I almost started crying all over again.
Best. Table. Ever.
Edit: guys. This was over 2 years ago. I might have got the bill total wrong (maybe more that $105) but that’s not the point of this post.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9kwlns/party_of_ten_walk_out/
| 5,683 | 267 | 1,538,529,355 | 18 |
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top
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au8h5r
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TalesFromYourServer
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Using Your Eyes: How to tell which restaurant you walked into for beginners
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So I used to work at Outback Steakhouse and this couple walks in at one of my tables.. They rack up about $100 during the hour they spent there. When I came with the check they hand me a $75 Longhorn Steakhouse gift card and a credit card. I very awkwardly informed them they were at Outback. Now looking back on it, when they walked in the owner opened the door and said “welcome to Outback” and the hostess said “welcome to Outback” and the first thing I said to them was “welcome to Outback” and they ordered from Outback menus with foods like the Outback center cut sirloin and there are Australian decorations all around the restaurant. I guess what I’m saying is, context clues are important.
UPDATE:
Realized everyone wanted to hear the outcome. I told them they were in outback and we all laughed about it. I felt bad and even asked the manager if we could take 10% off or something. They paid in full and tipped 25% in cash (any good server knows cash is key).
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/au8h5r/using_your_eyes_how_to_tell_which_restaurant_you/
| 5,530 | 190 | 1,551,018,878 | 18 |
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top
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b8qhp0
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TalesFromYourServer
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My restaurant, after decades of letting people decide on their own, instituted an 18% autograt policy on parties of 8+ and it did not go as I expected.
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This is a local owned, very popular greasy spoon diner. We have lots of regulars and lots of big parties. My last party of eight before we instituted this policy ran me for over an hour and left me just under $5.
I have been bracing myself to hear people complaining about this policy for two weeks, and there has been almost none of that. The first day, a party of nine saw the sign and asked the manager if that was actually the policy and when they were told yes, they threatened to leave and the owner and management let them go. Apparently the owner wants to start weeding out some of the cheap-ass customers that seem to love coming to our place.
We all usually make pretty good money so we sort of accept/endure those customers as part of the cost of doing business. But no more.
The first party of 11 that I served I was a single check and the person paying the bill handed me their card without even looking at the bill. I hesitantly informed her that this was actually my first time adding a gratuity per restaurant policy and I still wanted to ask her permission to put the 18% on. She replied with a very sharp "NO" and my heart sank a little. Then she went on to say "I want 20%." At least half of the parties that I've auto-gratted have asked to add more. One woman tried to complain to the hostess when the tip was added to her portion of the split check because she had to ask twice for a to-go cup. I overheard her and offered to remove her $3 from the bill but she relented and we just let it be.
So far, there is a noticable increase in tip % against sales. We are incentivized to upsell and sales are up, but we are also experiencing an increase in business due to a temporary tourist influx in our area. Not sure how it will pan out in the long run.
Does anyone have any tips on how to talk to customers about this? Do you have a specific way of presenting the bill and informing them that the tip is included?
Any experiences you want to share about adding gratuities automatically?
Update: I got way more comments than I expected on this post! Thank you for the great advice and insight from pros who actually know what they're talking about! Those who suggested I just force my boss to pay me more, well, they need to go work in a restaurant themselves and try that out.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/b8qhp0/my_restaurant_after_decades_of_letting_people/
| 2,857 | 368 | 1,554,247,321 | 18 |
gratuity
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relevance
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pw86bt
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TalesFromYourServer
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Finally snapped on a customer and it felt so good
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I’ve been a server for 2-3 years now. I’m usually pretty good at keeping my temper in line. I’ve had a rough summer between the off season and health issues so I virtually made no money from mid June-mid September which doesn’t help pay my bills.
We all typically have a good feeling about certain tables and if they’re going to tip or not. I started serving a 3 top, and I just had the vibes that they were comment tippers. They ordered multiple expensive drinks, ordered food (complained about and I fixed and got them entirely new meals) and made jokes with them and followed exactly what they wanted. They had 2 friends join them towards the end of the meal, and I was really hoping another one would show up because I would able to add an automatic gratuity if they were a party of 6.
The night goes on and they’ve been with me for a total of 3 hours. I went to my boss and asked him if we could add the auto grat because their bill was $350 and climbing. And I just had this horrible sinking feeling they were going to stiff me. He said we couldn’t and even my other coworkers were like hey they’re going to fuck her over. Time comes for the bill and they split it. One girl handed me $20 bill and the others signed their slips. Our policy is to grab the checks while they’re on the table after being signed to say a pleasant goodnight spiel. I do so and see how they all didn’t leave me a single tip.
I got a 5% tip for 3 hours of work and lost out on $100 between them not tipping and having to still tip out. I was absolutely fuming pissed. So I went and took the $20 and put it back on their table and said have a good night and walked back inside. A few minutes later I get all 5 of them running in yelling at me about how disrespectful and rude I am.
I blankly looked at them and told them “I’m sorry you perceived it that way but I find it disrespectful and disgusting to tip a server 5% when they just busted their ass off for you for 3 hours.”
They tried to yell at me and say why didn’t I come and ask for more tip then why be “shady”. I said that I shouldnt have to come and ask why I wasn’t given a proper tip when you yourself told me how amazing of a server I was for you, and that maybe next time don’t let your man order 6 $25 cocktails. If you can’t afford to tip don’t go out to eat.
My manager was there for the whole thing and kinda let me say my peace at least. Their only complaint to him was me slamming the money down on the table. They even confirmed I was a good server. And yet still left me nothing. But it felt so good to tell them off. Because this is not okay to do to servers.
Edit to add; if all your going to say is “your boss owes you a living wage” seriously stop. I’m legit doing the absolute best I can at a place that typically makes me good money. I can’t fix the US system so stop blaming my Owner when he’s legit trying to pay us more hourly currently.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/pw86bt/finally_snapped_on_a_customer_and_it_felt_so_good/
| 1,690 | 271 | 1,632,711,025 | 18 |
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relevance
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17gzjt1
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TalesFromYourServer
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How to add extra tip to mandatory gratuity?
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Sorry if I have some of my vocabulary wrong, but I'm curious about a situation I've found myself in.
I went to a restaurant with a group of friends, and there was gratuity added on the check. For example, let's call it $20.
I felt like the server was exceptional, so I wanted to tip an additional $10.
How do I say "I know there was already $20 added, but I wanted to add $10 more" instead of "I didn't know there was $20 added, and I'm tipping only $10 because I'm an asshole"
I usually just write $10, write the total, and sign the receipt.
I know it really doesn't matter, but if this is a restaurant that I feel like I might frequent, I don't want to be known as an asshole.
Am I just overthinking this?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/17gzjt1/how_to_add_extra_tip_to_mandatory_gratuity/
| 13 | 13 | 1,698,335,421 | 18 |
gratuity
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relevance
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yyvvss
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TalesFromYourServer
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Mentioning included gratuity
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What is your best method to mention included gratuity in the check for fine dining restaurants? All tables besides bar have 12% included gratuity, how would you mentioned that in a way to encourage a better tip or a “bump”?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/yyvvss/mentioning_included_gratuity/
| 0 | 12 | 1,668,808,931 | 18 |
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relevance
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1gvp1nj
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TalesFromYourServer
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I just quit my job without a notice
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Oh, isn't it interesting how guilt can arise over something that doesn't warrant it? I’d like to share my recent experience. I took on the role of a breakfast server at a 3-star hotel restaurant. Guests generously enjoy their morning meals here and many benefit from a lovely room package that includes a breakfast voucher. It's quite noticeable that a significant number of these guests arrive with their vouchers in hand. The food and beverage manager kindly explained that these vouchers carry a gratuity of 2.33 each yet it seems that many guests forget about tipping when they receive a complimentary breakfast. I asked him if they know if the gratuities are included in vouchers and he responded yes so that's why I assumed they weren't tipping as much because they knew a gratuity was automatically applied in their voucher. The breakfast server is also the only front of house staff member during the mornings so they have to be the host, busser, food runner, server and barista simultaneously.
Anyway after a few weeks, I discovered that those vouchers were not contributing to my paycheck, which was quite surprising. With those additional gratuities, my earnings could have reached around 30-40 dollars an hour, considering the city's minimum wage of 15.57. Instead, without those contributions, I found myself earning between 19-21 dollars wage included, which felt disheartening, as tips only added an additional 4-6 dollars per hour. In my eagerness to understand, I spoke with the general manager of the hotel who informed me that there is no gratuity on room vouchers. When I checked in with the food and beverage manager for further insight, he mentioned, “I didn’t know they’re not included. I thought they were,” which was quite eye-opening. This food and beverage manager has only been at the hotel since July so he's new but I just don't understand how he didn't know about this super crucial thing. This hotel is a total crapshow. Many of the staff seems annoyed, angry, upset, apathetic. I try to come in and be positive and friendly but I am left with indifference and annoyance from others. The cooks don't really seem to care and act negative constantly. The management seems to have a lot of communication issues. It's just a mess overall. I was also scheduled outside of my availability recently which I shut down immediately. I usually love when a restaurant is busy cause I can make more tips but now I've felt dread going in on busy days when the hotel is packed because while I'll make more tips due to there being more customers there will also be like a ton of people with vouchers who won't tip so I'll have like ten to fifteen tables simultaneously and half of them won't even be leaving a tip. Some of the room voucher guests will leave a bit of cash but otherwise it's usually nothing. It's so frustrating that I'm actually happy when it's a slow day cause I know I won't have to bust my ass for peanuts. On busy days I am lucky if I can even get to $60 in tips. I know breakfast isn't as good as dinner at places but still it's not good and it's very disheartening. Usually a server should be happy if it's busy because that means more money! I am so frustrated that I was misled by management about the gratuities and feel that they don't deserve a notice from me because of it. I am an incredible server who constantly receives compliments on her service and positive attitude. Even after finding out the truth about the vouchers I still showed up as my best self and had a positive friendly and easygoing attitude. I deserve the better and this ain't it.
Even though what I've gone thru is disheartening I’m not feeling disheartened right now at all! In fact, I've been genuinely excited as I have explored new job opportunities in front-of-house roles. I recently interviewed at a lovely chic casual but elegant French restaurant in a vibrant bougie area in the city known for good tips, and I was thrilled to receive an offer to begin training immediately. Although I usually provide a two-week notice, I've decided that a direct resignation would be best due to scheduling conflicts. The situation regarding the room voucher gratuities left me feeling unappreciated, and I deserve to be valued for my hard work and commitment so I don't wanna give them any more energy and instead focus all my energy and effort on this new lucrative front of house gig. I've settled for less in the past and I am not doing that again. I am trying not to feel bad for screwing over the food and beverage manager as he'll likely have to cover my four shifts since they're incredibly short staffed and there's only one other breakfast server who works the days I am not there but I have to put myself first and get off the sinking ship before it sinks. I don't have to go down with it. Sometimes you have to burn a bridge in order to light the fire to move forward. I'm trying not to feel guilty for leaving abruptly but I have to put myself and my needs first and I just don't wanna have to schedule my new job around the one I am currently leaving which I would have to do if I stayed for two more weeks (the hotel job is 6 am to 11 am and the new job wants to train me from 10-4). Had they not lied to me about the vouchers then I would probably have done two weeks notice and potentially have to wait on training for the lunch shifts at the French place. Wish me luck on my next journey at the trendy bougie place! The average rating at the French restaurant is 5 stars and it's pretty busy most of the time so I know it'll be a better fit for me.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1gvp1nj/i_just_quit_my_job_without_a_notice/
| 145 | 18 | 1,732,107,953 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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1fuspmk
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TalesFromYourServer
|
I got my first bad review
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I recently got my first bad review after mentioning something to non tippers about being shafted on my tips. Tip out is high, about 7.5% on total sales to kitchen, bar, expo and managers, so if someone doesnt tip we esentially have to pay out from our tables that did. Wing nights are the worst, the clientele are awful and entitled. Half the time they come in, dont aknowledge their servers, and just say "chicken and beer" and expect you to figure out what flavors they want and get upset when you dont know or try to confirm. They then sit there for HOURS as their friends slowly join, taking chairs from other tables, hardly ordering anything else, and proceed to no tip. On a $2000 day, we take home maybe $70 because of no tippers, and management doesnt care because they still get their share. On top of that, they no longer put gratuity on large parties. I've had a party of 20 come in before and tip me $10 on an over $300 bill. Anyway, the table I had came in before the special so I let them know and they came back later. It was slow, so I greeted them right away, and even remembered their drinks. Service was straight forward, the only thing was they waved me down because they wanted to get more wings (I checked on them like 5-10mins prior and they said they were good, so I wasnt neglecting them). Time comes to pay, and I accidentally put the drinks on the wrong bill (one got a pop, and one got a single beer) so I swapped and fixed it. They paid, and usually dont say anything but I finally got the nerve to ask if the service was okay because I noticed they didnt tip and I still have to pay out kicthen and bar. They said it was "alright" and got up to leave, so I walked away and took an order for another table. That was all I said, I didnt tell them they had to tip, I just told them I still tip out kitchen and bar. They left an awful review about how I demanded a tip and the service was terrible and they had to wait 10 mins for anyone to even greet them, that I gave them the wrong bill and it was almost double the price and we must be taking advantage of people who are drinking, and that I followed and stared at them as they were leaving. It was overexaggerated and untrue, but my managers called me in to give me a final warning write up because I wasnt following company standards. Ive never been written up before and havent had any issues, so dont understand why it was immediately a final warning, especially without getting my side of the story first. I told them my side, and refused to sign the write up. I understand I shouldnt have mentioned anything about a tip, but it sucks when your company and managers dont stand up for you and you constantly get shafted. To make matters worse, when I came in there was a note that said "sell the features like your job depends on it, because it does." There are no incentive to sell more because when people dont tip, you still tip out on total sales, and even if you get a good review you dont get a free meal or really any acknowledgement. I will be quitting because its no longer worth it to be treated like this, but I just needed to rant because its been bothering me :(
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1fuspmk/i_got_my_first_bad_review/
| 170 | 56 | 1,727,907,537 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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11kbivq
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TalesFromYourServer
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So tired of being exploited
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Was going to post this on r/antiwork but wasn't sure if it was constructive enough, lol.
I'm a server at a restaurant in the US. I'm just so exhausted. Every shift, I'm bullied by management, the company uses sketchy loopholes so as not to pay us what they're legally required to, and the customers are god-awful. Nobody in management has our backs, either, so we're subjected to whatever abuse the customers throw our way. It's insane to me that, if they just *listened to their employees,* it would be a much better place to work. I used to try and suggest things that would make everything flow much smoother but was met with indifference, and now if anyone dares to speak up, they receive outright hostility.
Why is it so impossible to even conceptualize a workplace in which the employees are happy? We don't even have an auto-gratuity on large parties just because corporate doesn't want to deal with the paperwork. This means that huge groups of people choose our restaurant just so they don't have to tip. Last week, there was a table of 38. All paid separately and in exact cash. No tip. This happens all the time. I'd say probably 60% of customers tip $3 or less on bills of $80+. I'm just so tired.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/11kbivq/so_tired_of_being_exploited/
| 54 | 15 | 1,678,131,554 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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11c93fk
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Big tip from a bad person
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I've been in restaurants and fine dining for over 10 years before my feet retired me, but by the end I was in some very nice places in and around DC. One such restaurant was attached to an "Upper upscale" (actual classification) hotel/spa. As part of my duties as a food runner I would also deliver room service orders. This was not a big part of my job as room service was only regular menu items and a mandatory $5 room service charge and automatic 20% gratuity to discourage small orders. So naturally there were no casual items, there were no tuna sandwiches only *seared U10 diver scallops on a squid ink polenta* and for the huge percentage of guests getting off a plane from a transatlantic flight, french cooking is a little hard on the stomach.
Enough preamble, it was a normal Saturday night after the dinner rush. There are only a few tables left, but food is mostly done and the kitchen crew is breaking down for the night. A man in a suit sticks his head into the kitchen.
"Is it too late for an order of fries?"
"For you?"
"Room service."
"Just fries‽ It's gonna be like twenty bucks for just fries."
"Just fries."
I ask the kitchen and they give the green light. Five minutes later I'm in the elevator with a slightly larger plate of fries from a benevolent kitchen. I get to the room and knock. A moment later, a woman in a loose robe swings the door open and I know immediately that she's working. This was not a common occurrence at the hotel and it was much more difficult to tell with the tax brackets of our average guests, but it happened enough that we got a pretty good eye for it. But this young lady is done for the night, the mask is off. This is a performer at the end of a shift; she's tired and she just wants some fries. It looks like it's been a long night, further evidenced by the lack of anyone else visible from the door. I hand her the check to sign everything to the room. She scribbles something and hands it back to me open. I see a further $100 tip on top of the automatic 20% of $6.99. I look up at her and before I have a chance to think of a question she answers it:
"because, fuck 'em."
So I don't know who you are even though I'm sure I asked front desk what your name was and promptly forgot, and I don't know what odious deeds you have done or what sins you have committed, but I'm thankful that you were bad enough to deserve a $100 penalty in the form of one service worker helping out another.
Tl:dr; Trickle down morality
Edit: The bad person is whoever was renting the room and paying for the tip, not the awesome lady who hooked me up
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/11c93fk/big_tip_from_a_bad_person/
| 265 | 27 | 1,677,399,729 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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113zbod
|
TalesFromYourServer
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High Tip Out Percentage to Bartender?
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Today I just found out after three months of working at my current restaurant that I am tipping out 3% of my TOTAL sales to the bartender, not drink sales. I’ve never heard of bartenders getting such a large cut of total sales. Our bartenders have their own customers throughout the day and also make twice what we do. After some calculating I found out that some weeks the bartenders (and the additional 1% to the host) get tipped out up to 20% or more of my total credit card tips, which just feels outrageous to me! My $1000 weeks very quickly become $750 or $800 weeks. I tried to ask the owners about it with no response. I asked some of my server friends about it who work at other restaurants and they never have to tip out more than 2% of total sales or they give a slightly higher percentage of drink sales. I’ve realized this is the reason my checks have been so unimpressive (among other things, like the owners failing to add my first two months of auto gratuity to my check). Is this amount normal? On any given week I am giving $200-450 of my tips to the bartenders. I of course think they deserve a good tip out, but this feels pretty unfair. Is this more normal than I think or is this a high percentage?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/113zbod/high_tip_out_percentage_to_bartender/
| 29 | 72 | 1,676,577,004 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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10cdakj
|
TalesFromYourServer
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I’m getting fed up with tip percentages vs. pay
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I work FOH in a state where my employer is only required to pay me $2.15 an hour since I make tips. This hasn’t ever really been an issue for me (SI 10yrs now) but I recently changed locations at my current restaurant and idk if it’s the neighborhood, first time guests or the overall growth of the city I live in but our tips from guests are downright offensive. I’m talking a $100+ bill and they leave me the $.25 change from their order…
A little about the set-up:
You receive counter service to place your order, we seat you, fill your water, check-in, serve you at your table, offer bar drinks, full service but we all tip-pool. I get that the tipping before service could be a deterrent to tip high but to not even come close to 10-15% on your bill is wild to me… we serve quality food and are well known in our city as one of the top restaurants..
Do I have the right to be so bothered by these guests or should I really be annoyed with the fact that our establishment won’t pay us a higher wage due to these low tip percentages?
I feel over qualified and honestly too old to be making such a low hourly IMO. We’re extremely busy too, like hours of a line out the door, non-stop busy, but people are breaking me down with their low ball gratuity.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/10cdakj/im_getting_fed_up_with_tip_percentages_vs_pay/
| 119 | 61 | 1,673,766,167 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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ytwfgp
|
TalesFromYourServer
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HUGE PET PEEVE!!! How can I be more clear to my guests about paying cash “off the top”, rest on card?
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This happens to me like every week I swear, particularly with larger parties which my restaurant does not do automatic gratuity for. For example, last night I had an 8 top with a bill of $400. She gave me $80, said to put $200 on the Mastercard, split the rest between the other two cards. I said okay, is the $80 including the tip? Granted this was probably not the clearest way to say it, but I was weeded and it was my best effort. She drunkenly said, uhhh just do it however I guess? I said, so the $80 cash off the top is not including any tip. She said no, I don’t think so? I said okay, ran the payment, and just as I expected got 20% on the credit cards but didn’t receive a tip on the $80 portion. Not the hugest deal but it really adds up. Anyone else experience this or have tips on how I could better go about this? I feel like most of the time they don’t even mean to undertip, they just don’t understand/think about it enough
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ytwfgp/huge_pet_peeve_how_can_i_be_more_clear_to_my/
| 54 | 33 | 1,668,330,852 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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yuuro8
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Surcharges aren’t that uncommon right?
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I’d like to think the idea of using payWave/Apple Pay isn’t THAT uncommon in the year of our lord two thousand and twenty two, let alone the idea of a surcharge for using the service, and a surcharge for using credit, an additional service you opted into with your bank with the knowledge some businesses charge extra for using?
We have signs on our tills, which YES aren’t directly on the eftpos machines, I will grant the customers this, but the signs say there is a 1.8% surcharge for using paywave and/or credit. In my area, I’ve seen up to 4% surcharge on paywave/credit for YEARS at other shops, even non-hospo places so I can’t imagine how this is such a new concept/such a high price to pay for what is technically an additional service. Yet near daily I have customers at my restaurant make audible sounds of disgust at the idea I would be charging them extra for tapping their card when they could insert it into the machine and taking no more than 10 seconds to enter their pin, or actually using their own money instead of the banks when they press credit and assume the surcharge acceptance means gratuity (not really a thing in my country) so I get to know they think my service (which is average to good I would like to think at least) is not worth tipping, and then I get to explain haha yeaaa so if you want to pay by credit you have to accept the surcharge first ☺️ thanks for engaging in banter with me and letting me build rapport with you for the last 2 hours and yet you don’t thinking I was funny enough/charming enough/pretty enough/good enough? to earn a tip from you.
Just a daily nuisance I have to experience, compounded by the man who left a one star review last night complaining to my staff, then to me the manager, then calling the restaurant for MY managers personal number (which I didn’t give for obvious reasons) (did give him the restaurants email booking address tho) after he paid for ONE drink and had to pay THIRTY FOUR cents extra for the privilege of using an American Express card. I really just feel like if I had an Amex card I would be in the position to not worry about THIRTY FOUR FREAKIN EXTRA CENTS especially when the rest of my table had a drink AND a meal, none of whom complained about the surcharge. To then feel entitled enough to complain about the whole operation as a twenty something who can’t afford less than twenty dollars for a single drink? The prices ARE listed on the menu dude. Also reply to the email I sent you instead of dragging us online for everyone to see if you want your surcharge back, I’ll give you a full 40 cents back as we don’t have any denomination smaller/actually worth anything to buy smaller than that amount!
EDIT: Seems this is NOT a common thing in the US, but I can assure you a LOT of places in aus and nz do it, so I’m baffled by the amount of people who come in to our place and act like we’re the only ones who do it
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/yuuro8/surcharges_arent_that_uncommon_right/
| 3 | 15 | 1,668,420,472 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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wjp7ds
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Management actually listened to us and made changes!
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Now we have a “suggested gratuity” on the bottom of all the checks. It has 20%, 25%, and 30%, calculated exactly for each total. We’ve been asking for this for months, so it’s validating to be heard. So far it’s been working out well for us, given how most of our patrons seem to not understand how to calculate the tip after having a few drinks. We are paid $2.13 an hour, and rely solely on tips, so this feels like a win! Does anyone else have any positive stories of how management made changes based on the advice from the employees?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/wjp7ds/management_actually_listened_to_us_and_made/
| 303 | 166 | 1,660,005,656 | 18 |
gratuity
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hot
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853pt4
|
TalesFromYourServer
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"You're a party of 26. I can give you your bills separate if you stay where you are sitting."
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This happened a few months ago.
I was doing dinner service at a large, popular diner. We have fairly large sections, but most tables only seat 4 people, as most diners do.
We often have ridiculous large groups walk in at peak times, but never something like this. A group of what was originally 12. Before be even finished discussing where to seat them, they because 18, then 22. Okay, I had a bunch of tables in a row, all seating 4, that would accommodate them. So we set it all up and brought them over.
At this point they are only 8. That's fine. Told everyone not to seat anyone else, basically on an entire one wall of the restaurant, so they can all be at least back to back to back to... on the same side of the restaurant.
Half an enough pass and I have one people order a Pepsi. Its two adults and 6 teenagers. I tell the adults, assuming it's some sort of birthday party, that I will adding a 17% gratuity to the party as it's a party larger than 6.
They are taken aback but agree. It takes nearly a full hour for the party of 22 to arrive. No one is really sitting in their seats, so I wait another 15 minutes for people to eventually settle in.
At this point I realize, and I mean this in the least xenophobic way possible, that this is not a birthday party, but a ESP group dinner. I have no problem at all with anyone of any difference that me, but they are younger and from cultures outside of their comfort zones. I already informed of the auto-grat, so my service will not be any different than usual because the few times I've ever auto-grated I've always gotten tips on top of what I've added, but just seeing the chaos in front of me, with the language barrier and cultural differences I knew I was in for a rough 90 minutes. It was always going badly tonight, I was about to have it even worse.
So after taking orders while trying to understand accents I was ignorant to and people trying to party, I informed every table I could not split their bills unless they did not move around. I have another 8 tables and keeping track as I go is fine, but moving everything else around after the fact was going to be hard for me.
Everyone agrees. Everyone orders burgers. Too many burgers to put on the grill at once, not to mention the other guests in the place. People are ordering beers and passing them around. I haven't ID everyone. It's honestly great they were all having fun so there would be no complaining about the wait times.
Things go on and there are more people who show up. They just order drinks which is great for me, but their surprise appearances just means people exciting to see them move from literally one table to the furthest table from where they originally sat, which negated the original deal: NO MOVING.
After a while, most food is out, but not all, one girl asks to order a drink to where she was originally sitting, a table 5 over. I tell her, I'm ordering it to her original spot, it will be charged to that table and I will no longer be splitting up her table.
"That's okay."
This happens several times with several people from several tables. One two tables, the original two, do not move at all. They got up to pee, but went back to their original tables.
Everyone asks for their bills. Tables 1 and 2, got individual bills, no one else did. Tables 1 and 2 all tipped on top of their auto-grats. Every one table complained. Even with a bill non-divided, they all tried to pay individually.
After 15 minutes of explaining, I told them all I'd split it up, but if it was wrong I would not be changing it, as they had all moved after I said I couldn't split it up if they did.
Everyone who moved, to my face, denied doing it, despite ordering and eating food or drinking drinks from different tables and asking me to add it to their bill at their original table.
I screwed up splitting some bills and they complained. I nailed 90% of it, but paying your friend $3 for a Coke after they paid debit for you is a huge thing apparently.
None of the problem guests tipped extra. They then stood in the middle of the dining room as we tried to run food around them for another half an hour.
EDIT: Bunch of bad autocorrects from my phone on this. I'm on a leave them but just an explanation or everyone.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/853pt4/youre_a_party_of_26_i_can_give_you_your_bills/
| 1,089 | 182 | 1,521,293,269 | 18 |
gratuity
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top
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4728f3
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TalesFromYourServer
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I got tipped $800. Thanks, homophobia!
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So I work at a restaurant that has an additional room next door, which we rent out for private parties (at a very high per hour price in addition to paying for food). This past Saturday night, I and one other server were assigned to this party of 25 people, a young man who was turning 30 and all of his friends.
Now, the first thing I hear when I show up to clock in is that the other server was out sick, and our manager (who was also acting as host for the main restaurant that night) would help me when I needed it, and instead of splitting my tip with this absent server, I would put half of the gratuity (or however much help I would need throughout the night) into the house pool for the restaurant. Ok, well I was kind of annoyed, but thought if I was lucky and the party wasn't that high maintenance, I'd get to keep 75% of the tip and would just hustle. Since the party price was pre set, that meant 75% of almost $300, which is way more than I earn normally, so I was ready to do anything this party asked of me.
The Manager had started setting up the room, so I go in to finish the tables, put buckets of ice out for their drinks (our place is BYOB) and some people from the party arrive to set up decorations. They were all really sweet and were very polite whenever they needed something from me. It was a pre set menu, and by some miracle, no one asked for any modifications, so I thought I had a great handle on things.
And I did. Until the owner came in with a friend of his to eat.
Now, the owner is a catastrophic asshole and has many similarly soul-disabled friends that he brings in from time to time, but he had apparently apologized for this particular friend's behavior AHEAD OF TIME. Clearly he knew that this guy was a real piece of work. They arrived early in the evening, and as they proceeded to drink the tequila they brought, this friend got more and more loud and disruptive. After a couple hours, the owner brought him behind the restaurant to get some air.
Now, the area behind the restaurant is where I bring all the food from the kitchen to the party room next door. As I walked into the kitchen to get the second course, I passed by the owner and his asshat friend. I didn't want to engage at all, so I just went and got the food, and when I stepped back into the party, a guest stopped me and asked to talk to me.
Now, the man who's birthday is was happened to be gay. From what I could tell, most of his friends were as well. Apparently, there had been a few of them waiting to use the bathroom, and drunk asshat hears them talking, wanders over, and proceeded to call them faggots. Multiple times.
FUCK
I, of course, apologized profusely, and she asked me if he was a friend of the owner. I told her yes and that I would send him in to talk to her right away. Now, although he did, apparently all he said was "Sorry, I'm trying to get him into a cab, but I can't really do anything." Didn't offer a discount, didn't even really seem apologetic, and when I heard this had happened, I figured that was the end of me earning any money right there.
Oh, and by the way, while the owner was inside talking to the guests, asshat came up to me, and while staring doggedly at my breasts, asked if he could "just touch me". This night was turning into such a treat.
I told my manager what happened, and she went to go in and talk to the guests as well. The owner and asshat were gone by this point, so without consulting him, she decided on her own to take about $600 off of their bill (but kept my tip about the same, because she's amazing). She also gave the guest the owner's personal phone number, and told her to do whatever she felt like she needed to, because the situation was (of course) completely unacceptable.
Now, the guests apparently decided to NOT let this one idiot ruin their party, so they all took a shot and continued to party down. Not only that, but they continued to be THE most polite and sweet party guests I've ever waited on, despite getting uproariously drunk. So after I brought their cake and desserts, they still had some time left in the room, so I just refilled drinks and cleared tables slowly until the time for the bill came.
I showed them the discount we had given them, and apologized again. After I swiped their card, they came up to me and handed me this receipt:
http://i.imgur.com/q56VzdH.jpeg
When I looked up with amazement, they said "We wanted to make sure we told you that we put that purposefully. It's not your fault that the owner and his friends were awful. You've been the one server helping us all night, and you've been amazing, so since we were prepared to pay this amount anyway, we now want it to go to you."
I gave them a HUGE hug, and when I went back inside, they insisted I take a shot with them (manager had gone home at this point), and I swear, this ACTUALLY HAPPENED, they asked my name and had everyone take a shot to me.
I am so BLOWN AWAY by this group's response to ignorance, malice, and bigotry. They could have let it ruin their night and mine, but instead, they spread more love and happiness, and made sure their friend had an amazing birthday, no matter what. AND, because of that tip, I can now afford to take the time off to visit with my family while they're in my state next month (they live on the opposite end of the country). So this meant more to me than just some extra cash.
There ARE still amazing people who can rise above it all, and I want to be like this group when I grow up.
TL;DR: Some drunk friend of my restaurant's owner called guests of my gay party 'faggots', but they were awesome, and I reaped the benefits of the discount they got!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/4728f3/i_got_tipped_800_thanks_homophobia/
| 1,076 | 71 | 1,456,166,236 | 18 |
gratuity
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top
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q6c12k
|
TalesFromYourServer
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"Party of 25" can go suck one
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We had a reservation for a party of 25 the other day. It was in my coworkers section and half of mine, so it was agreed we'd take it and split the tip. The party was a 40 year old's birthday. They come in an hour and a half early to start setting up. That means, all the tables must be moved and the sections closed down for them as they hang banners and set up the decorations. Then the guests start filtering in-including the birthday girl dressed in a prom-like dress with a sash and tiara. A bit extra for my tastes, but whatever.
There are a few kids, but most are adults which is typically a good sign because that means more adult meals and more money for a tip. But then, they're ready to order and there's only 14 of them there. So 11 people didn't make it. Oooookay? Because you're using all the tables in my co-worker's section and some of mine on a busy Friday night. My coworker and I discuss it and we agree that he can handle the party and he'll just give me $10 for helping in the beginning. That's cool, I say I want $15 instead and we both agree and go on our way.
Now, to remind you, they're taking half my section. So I'm not getting sat a whole lot. It's cutting into my pay. (They didn't need the whole section, but wanted the extra tables to spread out and put their shit on.) As I pass through, an older woman stops me and exclaims "There's a lot of people coming through here! Can you do something about it?" Because she wants the whole side closed off for them. I go to my manager and sarcastically voice their concern and my manager was just like "they didn't reserve a room, just a table so tough shit." I go back and let them no that unfortunately we can't block off where people are walking because they didn't pay to reserve the room. Yes, I said it just like that so they would know that it is an option. Lady didn't care.
They were so fucking cheap. So cheap. It blew my goddamn mind. My coworker said they only spent about $350 in total. Which is not much considering some were drinking. Our food prices should have netted more total than that. When I inquired, my coworker said they **only** left a $35 tip between all of them (most of them on seperate checks. Some didn't even tip at all.)
The worst part though? THEY WERE THERE FOR 5 HOURS! All through the rush and then a few hours after. They blocked that whole fucking section for 5 fucking hours and had the balls to tip 10%. Like bitch, not only did you screw your server over, you screwed me over too! They were so cheap, they asked for boxes to take home the cake in. Like, bitch. You brought it in a box, take it home in that and be gone!
Fuck those assholes. And pretty princess 40 year old too. We have a new service manager and I spoke with him yesterday about it and said that we really need autograt and time limits. No, you cannot come nearly 2 hours early to set up. No, you cannot stay an extra 2 hours after you're already done eating and cashed out. Wtf is wrong with you? Heard from another co-worker that one of the people in the party nearly hit her car by trying to force herself into my co-worker's lane on the way to the restaurant. Didn't surprise me, because the selfish bitch can't give a rat's ass about anyone else but herself.
In the end, I told my co-worker that was handling the party that he didn't need to give me money because of how unfair they were to him. I hope my new service manager takes the complaint seriously. But yesterday, I got sat a party of 28 who were wonderful, ready to go, stayed only until they finished their meals and left. One check with the payer telling me to automatically add 25% in for gratuity. Bless her.
* the restaurant is one of the better restaurants that I've been employed at. The managers aren't really the problem here. They're hard working and chill. They lay out their expectations and aren't demeaning. Yes, the party could have been handled better, but I'm not quitting my job over this one incident. With a couple of new managers on the payroll, I look forward to the experience and changes they'll bring.
Like all restaurants during covid times, this one has suffered losses and labor shortages. There was no service manager on the day these fuckwits showed up. The GM was back in the kitchen managing them and helping to get orders prepped and cooked to handle the volume of customers coming in. I don't blame the managers on staff for not having the time to handle this table because they were already busy as hell once the lady setting up walked in. It's unfortunate, but that's how it is. I'm not going to leave a job I like to gamble in one that I may like a lot less. Sometimes, it's not just about the money. It's about having a team that you can work with and not dreading going into work because you hate everyone there.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/q6c12k/party_of_25_can_go_suck_one/
| 821 | 45 | 1,634,005,865 | 18 |
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top
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rpjysd
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TalesFromYourServer
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How I think restaurants should work
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I recently found a new job that seems too good to be true.
I have to start as a back waiter for a few weeks, but will eventually work as a server. And while I don’t enjoy being a back waiter, it’s definitely worth it.
At my workplace there is an automatic 20% gratuity on every table. Those tips are spread out among the restaurant. My starting pay as a back waiter is $15/hr +tip share, so I’m making $17-$20/hr. When I move up to a server position I’ll be making $20-$30/hr. Every single person that works in this restaurant earns a living wage.
I also have access to a tele doctor (for free), subsidized mental health counseling at $10/session, and paid time off.
And for the first time I really respect the owners of my restaurant. They come in almost every day, bus tables, jump into the dish pit and on the line to help cook.
The owners even started a charitable foundation in my city and during the early parts of the pandemic, they fundraised so that local restaurants could make meals for our school district (students, teachers and parents). In fact, my brother in law, who’s a chef, had a job during the pandemic because of their organization.
I feel really blessed to have this job, I’m happy to work for people that are actually ethical owners.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/rpjysd/how_i_think_restaurants_should_work/
| 600 | 87 | 1,640,598,363 | 18 |
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d28bh6
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TalesFromYourServer
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If you’re going to leave me your number, at least tip well
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This has happened a number of times in the 4 years I’ve been serving. But my most memorable one, just wow, it really shows how people just don’t get it.
Table of 12 dudes were sat in my section on our busiest brunch day. Cool! I love parties because they’re always in such a better mood and you can joke around so much easier.
This table was no exception. We made each other laugh, I even saved one of the guy’s broccoli side. He poured sugar all over it thinking it was salt and I let him know mid-pour, then got him a new one.
Well we had such a laugh and he thanked me endlessly for saving his precious broccoli.
Then the bill came. Dropped it off. Got waved down, and ohhhh you all wanted your 12 checks separated? Golly, I would just love to do that for you all *eye roll*
Everyone has like an $18 average bill I’d say. Too bad they all left me around $1 and some change, including the broccoli guy who left me his number. He actually left me one of the worst tips. Oh and our receipts always have a gratuity suggestion of 18%-22% and show you what those tips would be.
Really? If you’re going to leave me your cell and a little cute note, at least tip me 20%. Your compliment ain’t payin the bills, bro. Though I did get a good laugh out of it, so thanks, you tried.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/d28bh6/if_youre_going_to_leave_me_your_number_at_least/
| 509 | 54 | 1,568,125,882 | 18 |
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ff9gws
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TalesFromYourServer
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Just when I thought the night was a write off...
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I work at a hotel bar. A group of three came in early-ish in the evening and I got a vibe that they weren’t the going to tip well right from the start. I’ve served folks that carried themselves in similar fashions who didn’t, but, I’m open to being surprised!
One of the guys is celebrating his birthday! They’re chatty and kind of fun so I think okay, I can snag a coupon from the front desk and let him have a mixed drink on the house for his special night. His girlfriend orders a holy water and we joke about being basic bitches, we’re having a good time so far!
They order a few shots and more mixed drinks and beer, eventually the bill is just shy of $110. The third fella, who seems to be third-wheeling it for his buddy’s birthday, asks what the bill is and brings out his wallet. Puts $120 in cash down, I grab him his change, and his pals get up and leave. One fella at the bar asks, “Did they leave you anything?”
I still have a smile on my face. “No, and I could’ve made a lot of money had I bet on it too.”
Half a hour later they come back down for a smoke and birthday boy orders some drinks for the room. We get talking while I’m whipping them up and turns out he’s from my neck of the woods on the other side of the country! We reminisce about the mountains and the mild winters, smiles all around. He pays for his bill in cash, takes the change I got him and puts it in his pocket and once again walks away. I’m still smiling. The guy at the bar is shocked that I am not fuming. Eh, the hourly pays my rent, but the night is not off the a very great start, mentally I have already thrown in the towel.
Some time goes by and a bunch of friends come by the bar. Whiskey and ginger ale are flowing, 3 rounds of tequila, caesars and beer galore. I’m happy to be busy, I wasn’t expecting it on a Saturday (they’re quite hit or miss), but I’m getting into the groove and doing my best to chat and entertain while making drink after shot after drink. They all pay up and tip accordingly, some $1/drink, others just hit 15% on the machine, but I don’t think the night can really be salvaged despite the slight change in mood.
Most file out apart from two from the busy group, they’re enjoying my caesars and my company. We talk about life and vacations and music and even politics, they invite me to their nearby cabin this summer and insist they buy me a shot tonight. It’s getting late and I’m tired but these folks truly are splendid, they settle up and add an extra 20% to the total, she leaves and few coins in exchange for limes for the tequila they have in their room, and then the husband asks for one more drink to bring upstairs.
One more ounce of whiskey and I give him a can of ginger ale for the road. Credit machine in hand, he types in the gratuity, shows the wife and she nods with a quick thumbs up, and presses “OK”. A receipt with a $50 tip, for one drink, prints in front of my eyes almost as if it were in slow motion. The tears are welling, and I barely manage a thank you before he says “this is one of the best experiences I’ve had at a bar, and you’re the bartender that made that possible.”
Reader, some days might seem like dead ends or write offs, but if you have the energy to keep smiling and think happy thoughts, maybe just a little bit of good karma will find its way to you.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ff9gws/just_when_i_thought_the_night_was_a_write_off/
| 356 | 10 | 1,583,653,771 | 18 |
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86n3eh
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TalesFromYourServer
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Highlight of a ten year career.
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I've been doing this a while now. I've served a lot of great tables, and a lot of awful ones. But this...this is the highlight of my career.
I served a family of four, out for their son's 21st birthday. Everything was super great, they were awesome and friendly, and I had a blast serving them. They even left some of their birthday cake for the staff!
Their bill was ~$240. After using a couple of discounts and a $150 gift card, the outstanding balance was ~$60. I have a spiel for this - "If you would like to leave a gratuity this evening, I'll let you know that using the percentage option on the machine will tip on the remainder of the bill, not the whole thing." (PS, for the non-Canadians, we have portable machines for taking credit and debit payments at the table - the tip option appears on the screen for either % or $amount).
Not 20 seconds later, the mom says, "Remember that thing you just said? I just did that." We all laughed about it, I said it is not a problem in the slightest! Dad pulls out a $20 bill and hands it to me. I wish them a good night - they were great.
Almost a week passes by. My manager comes up to me with a blue envelope addressed to the restaurant, but with my name on it. It's a letter from that family, apologizing for shorting me, thanking me for my service, and had another $20 bill taped to it!
I was absolutely blown away. They absolutely tipped me enough the night-of (with the first $20, it brought the tip up to about 13%, so my tipout is covered and then some) but this was...special.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/86n3eh/highlight_of_a_ten_year_career/
| 308 | 31 | 1,521,830,951 | 18 |
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