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7n3jso
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TalesFromYourServer
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Minimum Tip - am I weird?
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My mom and I went to a chain breakfast place yesterday.
Side note: Since starting Keto, I LOVE breakfast places. I feel like Ron Swanson. I want eggs and all your bacon please.
The bill came to $34 (Mom got 2 slices of pie to take home) and I put a $10 bill on the table for the tip.
My mom was all "Really??!!!?? $10? The waitress was fine but I don't think she was that good."
Here's my reasoning: I tend to eat out by myself a LOT.
So I have a rule for tipping when I'm by myself that I leave at least $5 or 20% which ever is more.
This is because I sometimes eat at a hamburger restaurant that has a bunch of $4 meal options. Between that and a drink my whole bill is less than $10. But the server still has to keep my iced tea topped off, and bring me my food, and do all the stuff they'd do at a more expensive restaurant.
So I decided that the LEAST someone should walk away with after all that work is $5.
And since there were two of us at breakfast yesterday, I just doubled the $5 to make $10.
The waitress did do some extra duty for us.
My mom sent the bacon back for being burned the first time.
She also asked for a fresh carafe of coffee about half way through the meal because the one on the table had become tepid.
The waitress remembered my drink was unsweet iced tea when she brought the refill (I live in the south. About half the time my refill is suddenly sweet tea and I have to flag down the server to get a new unsweet tea).
Plus, the waitress had to box up the two pieces of pie for my mom to take home.
So I think the $10 was a reasonable tip.
My mom thinks an almost 30% tip is FAR too generous for typical chain breakfast place service.
It's only $10. It's not like the waitress is going to pick it up and suddenly cry out "Thank the Gods! I can finally retire to that villa in France I've dreamed about!"
What do you guys think?
Is my $5 or 20% whichever is more rule stupid?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7n3jso/minimum_tip_am_i_weird/
| 219 | 79 | 1,514,662,699 | 14 |
generous tip
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relevance
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nrwg2h
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The time I quit my job more or less on the spot: Trying to take my mind off of a meltdown rn, so I'm gonna go ahead and post this story I recounted yesterday.
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I was waitressing at a US southern food chain that rhymes with "whacker warrel", and by the time I started working there, our store was the worst-performing in the district. I would walk away from a 12-hour Friday night shift with $9 in tips. It was already terrible, but then corporate sent someone with literally the most generic, boring, single-syllable name ever (let's say "Steve", so I'm not identified) to "whip us into shape".
Steve was the actual devil. He was cold and calculating. I'd never seen him smile or even tell people good morning as a formality. I walked up on my coworker crying behind the doorway of the serving floor (another waitress) because she'd just got a call that her grandma died. I asked her what she had to carry out (just some drinks) so I could handle that for her while she processed this, and Steve walks up and just goes, "What's wrong with her?“ I told him (she's literally crying too hard to really answer) and he goes," "OK, can she handle this after bringing out her drinks?" Which made 0 sense not only because it was shitty and evil to ask, but wouldn't that be bad for the store's image to have a girl sobbing while bringing out drinks?
So one day, he was in a bad mood, I guess, and he showed the most emotion I'd ever seen him display. He called me into the manager's office at the end of my shift (two of our usual managers were there too) and was mad about *something* arbitrary - I didn't smile and a customer complained, I hadn't done enough tables despite not really getting any customers because our location was shit, idk - this was 5 years ago - and he'd risen his voice and was pretty much yelling at me as if I was his child or something. I come from an abusive home, so I don't do yelling - anything he wanted to say, he could have just told me, but literally in the door he had already risen his voice. I calmly told him that I understood that he was upset, but I would appreciate it if he would offer the respect that I regularly offer him and lower his voice. His face got red, he was so mad, and he kept raising his voice and was almost screaming.
I said, "Steve, I don't appreciate being screamed at. You can convey your point without doing that. If you're going to continue to scream, I'm going to leave the room until you calm down. I am an employee here, but I'm not paid to be disrespected." At this point his speech was almost incoherent (he looked like a fucking cartoon). I remember him saying something like," NOW LISTEN HERE, YOU ARE STAYING *RIGHT HERE* WHILE I TALK TO YOU, AND - ", so I just raised both of my hands and said, "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow Steve"
I came in the next day and didn't see Steve. I finished my shift, and was called into the office by our two regular managers who apologized for his behavior. They said that they'd reported him to upper management and he was having a talk with corporate about his behavior. I thanked them and told them that I quit (I'd been intending to quit that day anyway) and told them that I'm not okay with an environment where that sort of thing would be allowed to happen, even if he *is* disciplined afterwards (my managers didn't stick up for me at all despite seeing the whole thing). They didn't even put up a fight and told me they understood. They asked if I was sure I'd be okay (I was a semi-homeless 19-year-old at the time) and I told them I would be. Found a job at a super chill local Italian joint uptown and made much better tips there.
I'm a data engineer now and hate the service industry lol. I tip very generously when I do eat in-restaurant (usually well over 20%), and even with to-go orders (I was a hostess as well for a spell). What's funny is that I ran into another waitress wearing a "wacker warrel" uniform about 20 minutes away from that location, and while we were talking war stories, I casually mentioned "Steve". I only said his first name, and she looked pissed immediately haha. She said, "I know exactly who the fuck you're talking about. That man is the devil." His name, in reality, is the most generic three-letter name you can think of, so I was tickled by the fact that out of all of the "Steves" who probably worked in management, serving, etc., she knew who I meant.
**BONUS STORY: This wasn't my first incident while at this restaurant. I had this one coworker who was super tall, and she was constantly ordering people around because she made some of the highest tips and had the longest tenure. She wasn't even a supervisor or anything, and management let her do what she wanted. She was constantly doing psychotic shit like telling me to put the lemonade into Arnold Palmers first, then turn around the next day and snapping at me for not putting in the tea first. That kinda stuff. One day, she told me to "sit this food rush out". My other coworkers were asking why (I didn't have any performance issues), and she just kept saying she wanted me to sit out (probably because she hated me and didn't want me to get tips or something idk). So I said something like "I don't have time for this rn <name>, plus we have food to get out, and I already have 3 tables I've taken orders from."**
**As I picked up my tray of 3 or 4 scalding hot plays to lift it over my coworkers (we were all crowded near the window to get our food), she tried SNATCHING it from me. This heavy try of hot food. With people close by. She then proceeds to tell me how much of a bad server I am and how unprofessional I am in front of all of my coworkers and pretty much stops up the kitchen to do so. I'd complained to management before about her, but this time, I went to them and told them I felt like she was harassing me. They got all nervous and were like, "Are you sure you wanna use the 'h-word'? Because that has implications on how we're supposed to handle this. We have to tell corporate." I didn't gaf, this woman was literally making me have panic attacks how much she bothered me. They asked what she could do to make it right, and I demanded that she make a public apology to me (since she decided embarrassing me in front of everyone was okay to do) or I was quitting. We were super under-staffed, so they couldn't afford firing me. They ended up having me settle with having her apologize to me in front of them (the managers) in private, but she at least left me alone after that.**
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/nrwg2h/the_time_i_quit_my_job_more_or_less_on_the_spot/
| 246 | 35 | 1,622,780,612 | 14 |
generous tip
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relevance
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1606ois
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TalesFromYourServer
|
Tipping Questions
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Hi There,
*Preamble*: This is probably my first real post here, though I’ve been lurking a bit and occasionally comment with just a line or two. Since I don’t work as a server or in the industry, I try to keep a low profile here. Until now! So why do I read this sub? Because I’ve worked and been interested with the aspects of customer expectations and satisfaction for over 40 years. My background, is specifically in IT and now professional photography. Believe it or not, both are (or SHOULD be, customer satisfaction-centric businesses!).
*Background*: I’m a creature of habit and tend to visit the same place(s). I always tip at LEAST 20% for most any kind of acceptable service - short of going out of their way to be downright hateful or rude. Everyone has a bad day once in a while. For my favorite servers at my favorite place, I generally tip at least 25%, sometimes much more ($10 on a $13 lunch or whatever). Back when I was working, I occasionally tipped even more (over 100%). Note: This was usually in cash. So now we’re getting down to the nub of the question(s):
*The Questions*:
1) Is a 20% tip on a credit card ‘meaningful’ to you or is cash really so much BETTER?
2) What is the tax rate on credit card tips? 25%? 30%? More? If you had a choice of a $5 cash tip or a $10 credit card tip, which would you prefer? Why (if you have time to explain)? My understanding is that credit card tips are a much bigger liability to the server (easily tracked & taxed). I leave it to the server’s conscience to report or not. As s/he wishes. Not my business.
I'm embarrassed to directly ask them about this though (and hopefully if they read this sub they won't recognize me).
I like to try to be generous and memorable to my servers because:
1) They have custody of my food and are my representative to the kitchen. My servers know how I like my food and if it’s not right, they don’t bring it to me. I’ll happily wait! :-)
2) I have strong faith they’re not doing anything rude to my food - just because I’m (not) “that customer” that boned them out of a tip at all, or only left 50 cents on a $100 order or whatever.
3) They give outstanding hugs and tell me they love me! (But they NEVER call me “Hun” , etc. :-) ). They remember what I like, have my favorite drink ready when I walk in. If something's not right - they make it right.
4) They text me when I don’t appear on a usual day & time and check on me!
5) Most of them are also clients of mine in a little business I run. I wouldn't say we're intimate friends, but friends nevertheless. I know most of their respective life-styles, likes, dislikes, etc.
6) Certainly not last / least: I understand they have their own families, kids need school supplies, problems, random bills, cars that break down, utility expenses, occasional drama, etc.; just like me. (Sidebar: Cancer survivor here. I’ve learned after a few trips to the Operating Room, to appreciate what’s really important in life. It’s not “stuff”, it’s family, friends, and your relationships. How you treat people. Soooo, my perspective may seem “skewed” to some. That’s cool. Just giving you the view from here!). I’ll just say I’d hate to die with $20 in my pocket while my server is worried about how s/he’s getting home when the gas gauge is below “E” - BTDT!).
*Disclaimer*: I’m not rich or financially independent AT ALL, I live on social security and a modest little business. I had the misfortune of working for a Fortune 500 company for over 10 years that literally went bankrupt overnight in one of the biggest financial scandals in US history. About 3/4 of my 401K went up in smoke overnight. The remaining 1/4 was spent on mortgage payments and living for a year while I was looking for work afterward! Sorry for the ramble. I welcome your thoughts on the most preferable method of a tip (ca$h or card and how much you lose on a card tip?).
Thanks for your time & thoughts.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1606ois/tipping_questions/
| 11 | 20 | 1,692,894,385 | 14 |
generous tip
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hot
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15f1u5g
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Certain phrases should be discontinued...
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TL;DR @ bottom
I worked at a popular national steak chain, basically the McDonald's of fine dining for almost 7 years. I have tons of stories and memories from that time and I randomly get reminded of them in my day to day.
It was an average Sunday, I was working a lunch shift. This restaurant is ordinarily not open for lunch, but because we were located in the lobby of a swanky hotel chain, we were required to offer lunch items at lunch prices. All the senior servers paid their dues of 1-2 lunch shifts a week- we knew we wouldn't make much money, but it was usually chill at least and was just our cross to bear.
A reservation popped up shortly after open for a party of 9 coming in at 12:30. We only had so many large tables that could seat that many without building a table, so it was decided they'd go to a large one in my section. They come in, I'm observing from the server station, it appears to be a well dressed family unit, but thankfully I don't see any small children in sight.
I go up to greet them, make my introduction, give my speil. I was in a pleasant mood that day, and after asking the obligatory "How's everyone's day?" I was asked back, in kind, by one of the elder daughters. I happily responded with " Well, it's absolutely beautiful out today, I'm six feet above ground, and we have an awesome new martini for any brave souls who'd like to try it!" I chattered on describing the drink and mentioning wine that paired well our most popular dishes.
I took drink orders, came back and got lunch orders and was taking the menus to the host stand when the eldest daughter comes up to me. She said " I promise no one is mad or anything, but I really felt you should know moving forward that we just came from a family funeral." I almost dropped the stack of menus in mortification. "Oh my gosh, I'm so so sorry!" I spluttered, wishing to be literally anywhere but here, in this moment. She tried to reassure me that she simply wanted me to have that knowledge, not to make me feel bad. I just nodded, thanked her, and tried not to talk the rest of their meal.
Looking back, their rather somber air should have been a clue, but we often had well to do families who came in and acted like strangers, between that and our business casual dress code it just didn't click. They were very sweet people and the daughter tipped me an extra $30 on top of her father's already more than generous 40% tip. To this day I wish I could go back and change my cheery greeting and regrettable choice of words. I've also never used that expression again because of that table.
TL;DR: made a joke about being alive to a table coming from a funeral (unbeknownst to me prior)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/15f1u5g/certain_phrases_should_be_discontinued/
| 84 | 16 | 1,690,863,288 | 14 |
generous tip
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hot
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s02ms5
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Just having a few drinks before my flight!
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7-8 years ago, I was bartending to help pay for school. Because most of my classes were in the afternoon and evening, I would open up the bar at 10am and then leave between 3:00-4:00pm. The bar is a chain, known for their beers from around the world, and was very close to an airport. On to the story:
These two old people (60-70 I guessed) get to the bar around 10:05am and sit down right at the bar. They order some drinks and we start talking since other than the kitchen staff, no one else is in the bar. They explain that they just landed an hour ago or so and have a half day layover. We start talking, and they start tipping pretty generously per drink, \~$5. We talk about how I am in grad school, how they are retired and just like traveling now a days, etc. Around 2:00pm, it comes out that the two of them flew themselves on a tiny personal plane, right after they get their last beers. This entire time, they have been drinking Belgian tripels and IPAs, I want to say the weakest beer the two of them drank the entire time was a 9.5%.
My manager comes in around this time and hears that part of them flying, looks at their orders in the computer system, and sees they have been drinking for the last 4hrs. He then asks "Are you two even good to fly?" to which the wife responded "Oh don't worry about my (husband), he flies better when he is drunk." Cue awkward silence, they then give me an extra $100 tip on top of their other tips for being a good bartender. They leave saying their Uber is there, and my manager and I quickly trying to figure out how to contact air traffic control on these two very polite, hilarious, but very drunk old people that should not be behind a golf cart let alone a plane of any size.
Still one of my favorite bartending moments and holy hell that tip.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/s02ms5/just_having_a_few_drinks_before_my_flight/
| 298 | 17 | 1,641,765,159 | 14 |
generous tip
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hot
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po5pmv
|
TalesFromYourServer
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CC Tip Fakeout
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This happened a long time ago (08 I think?), but I'm curious if other people have had to deal with this.
Moderate size city, popular chain restaurant about two years away from collapsing. Group of adults comes in, I do an OK job taking care of them. Nothing special about the meal, the party, or the service. I give them the check, run the card for the first charge (before the tip, I don't know what you call that) and hand them the slip, they finish up, sign it and leave, and as I'm cleaning the table, I look at the slip.
Meal charge was something like 93, and the tip is listed as 15. But at the bottom, it says total: $99. I figured their math was bad, and 5% would have been ridiculous, so I ran it for $108. Next shift I get called into the office for stealing from a customer, and he shows me the slip. I had to pay back the $9 to get it down to the total. But ... wtf? The customer didn't express any problems and the tip was written at a low but reasonable rate. So they're cheaping out on the tip but making it LOOK like they're being generous? Or maybe they were just bad at math. But if they were bad at math, they sure had the presence of mind to know what the total would have been. I don't even write on the customer copy of my restaurant receipts, I would never even know the server had changed it if it were me. And it's not like someone else at the table was pranking them by adding a 1 to the 10s column on the tip, because it didn't go from 5 to 15.
Manager wasn't mad, and I wasn't given any reprimand, he was just like "Yeah people are dumb, don't fix their math, just run the bottom line." Anyone ever get this?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/po5pmv/cc_tip_fakeout/
| 31 | 5 | 1,631,635,390 | 14 |
generous tip
|
hot
|
pgnr2v
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
A Tale of Two Customers
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Basic TL;DR: Used to have two lawyers come into my restaurant often. One spent a lot and tipped pennies, the other spent relatively less but was more than generous with the tips.
&#x200B;
This is from back in my server days (out of the industry now, but worked as FOH from late 2013 until early 2020 for... obvious reasons), at a little family-style Italian joint in Georgia. I worked at this place from about June 2014 until April 2018, and in that time I saw my share of customers all up and down the spectrum of Good to Absolute Shitshow. Yet I always come back to two customers in particular:
Mister White and Mister SauvBlanc.\*
Both gentlemen were lawyers, and both had their routines when they came in. Mister White preferred a booth, even though I can count on one hand with fingers left over how many times he had a guest with him in the 4 years I worked there, while Mister SauvBlanc opted to sit at the bar. They would both take wine with their meals, and both would stay at the restaurant for a minimum hour.
And that's where the split occurs.
So Mister White, he always came in between 5 and 5:30pm, about the time we're technically already in evening service. He would very rarely stop at the host stand (and on nights my partner was host, she just tended to heave a world-weary sigh and follow him with the menu), simply blow through to the first available booth. His preferred booth was in the corner furthest from the patio door, back to the entrance, and preferably with no one nearby until later in his meal. He would place his newspaper on the table, glance over the menu the host had brought over, and wait patiently for his server to arrive.
Mister White was a regular, and he always got the same thing to drink: a carafe of the House White. Our house was a pinot grigio, nothing special but one of those big-ass bottles you can get relatively cheap at the grocery store. Most times when he walked in and blew past the bar, the bartender on duty (sometimes yours truly, sometimes one of the other two folks who alternated out) would already get the carafe and glass ready for him and set it at the end of the bar for his server. The servers, because we all knew him, would just pick it up on their way to greet him. If I was on the floor and he was in my section, I would grab him a glass of water to save myself some time at the end of his visit.
When his server would arrive, he'd give a *thank you* nod for the wine and sometimes ask about the specials. Which was basically lip service because he almost always ordered either fettucine or rigatoni with Bolognese sauce. Total regular. Then he would hand over the menus, pour his first glass if the server hadn't already done that, and opened up his newspaper.
He would sit and read the entire newspaper, cover to cover, the entire time he was there. His meal would come and he'd eat while reading, he would pour out more glasses of wine, he would respond to his server when they would come to check on him, and even order more wine once the carafe was empty, but he would not even ask for the check until he was on the last page of the paper. He would be there for an hour and a half or more, and gods help you if he was in your booth because now your section is one table short for that entire duration.
Most nights, Mister White's bill included an entre pasta, full carafe of the House White, and at minimum 2 more glasses of the same wine. He would ask for his check on that last page of the paper and a glass of water, pay, drink his water, and proceed to exit.
Total bill would be around $60-70; total tip would be anywhere between $5-$8. And the only way to guarantee yourself the higher end of the scale was to be nearly invisible and, in the moments you needed to interact with him, a petite blonde female.
Mister SuavBlanc, on the other hand, would come in about an hour or so before closing time, once the evening rush had died down, and proceed to seat himself at the first open barstool; our bar was right at the front so it was easy to see what spots were open. He would accept the menus graciously, ask about the specials, and place his order. Sometimes he would get the special, but most times his go-to meal was gnocchi with vodka sauce. He'd ask about any new wines, and tended to order whatever sauvignon blanc was best recommended of that he'd tried before. From time to time he would switch it up for whatever the wine special might be, but he had his preference.
Mister SauvBlanc tended to more watch the television over the bar, but he would also talk to the other bar regulars and the bartender, asking about their day and what their weekend plans might be. He would complain about work from time to time, not giving any details but that normal bitching that we are all guilty of. He'd eat his meal, usually getting at least one other glass of wine during his meal and more often than not buying a glass or two for other patrons as well as a desert for himself to enjoy at the end.
He wouldn't rush right out the door once he was done eating, just asking for the check "whenever you have a moment," and finishing out both his glass and whatever was on the television. On many occasions, Mister SauvBlanc's bill would include an entre pasta, four glasses of wine, and a dessert.
Total bill could be anywhere from $30-$60, and every single time that I had him at my bar the tip was a minimum $20. Didn't matter what he ordered or how many people he bought drinks for, he refused to tip any less than twenty bucks. I remember one time, when things were rough and I mentioned off-hand that I was glad for a good night, he left a 50% tip on the credit card slip... which I didn't see because he'd put the $20 bill that I thought was the whole tip on top of the slip so I couldn't see what he'd written in and left before I could even think to try handing it back to him.
So yeah. And it's so weird that I'll be going about my day when into my head pops one of these two guys. It's true what they say, I suppose: waitstaff will remember you based on how you tip, even years later.
&#x200B;
\*Names changed of course, and given they both were wine drinkers, I figured this was a good way to differentiate between them.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/pgnr2v/a_tale_of_two_customers/
| 162 | 6 | 1,630,607,470 | 14 |
generous tip
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hot
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ccrsow
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Ex server here. I normally have an extremely thick skin, but this is one of the times a customer brought me to tears. No thanks to help from a co-worker.
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I used to work at a cute little Irish pub and restraunt. I do miss the food there. I was put on a Friday night shift with a co-worker of mine in the dining room. We'll call her Pattie. She's a sweet older lady that's been working there for nearly a decade. I love her to death but for the three years I worked there I have consistently talked to my boss about either putting a third server on or moving her off of Friday nights because putting it simply, she just could not keep up with a heavy rush. But here I was again, alone, with only her working the dining room on a busier than usual Friday night. We also had a party in the backroom and my boss assigned Pattie to it. That's never an issue for me, but when she's assigned the back room, she often completely ignores the dining room. I got the dining room completely to myself with no help, short kitchen staff and the bar was too busy for the bartender to take a table or two. It was absolute insanity. I was breaking into a sweat just trying to run drinks to people. The kitchen staff would also help me run food to tables (bless them). I also had a 7 or 8 top with a bunch of older couples that ALL order seperate, complain about litterally everything, and then tip in Jesus coins. If you've ever been in this industry you know exactly the type.
Ok, setup is over so I'll explain what happened. There was a gentleman in the corner alone. We'll call him MC for mean customer. He complained about EVERYTHING. The one I remember him getting particularly upset over was having a lettuce heart in his salad. Btw, it was from the salad bar, meaning he picked it out himself. He claimed I didn't bring him condiments that he never ordered. The steak was too well done (he ordered it well done), I didn't bring him enough dinner rolls even though he didn't eat any of them ECT. I was getting increasingly frustrated with him so I focused a bit more on a my other friendlier customers. This also included a girl I know that's served me many times at another local bar. We'll call her Mel. She's adorable, and I love her. Fun fact: if you're an asshole to your server, they may focus on other customers and a bit less on you.
MC finishes his food, salad and soup so I bring him the check. He then SCREAMS at me for the aweful customer service. Remember, this is a small dining room and I had all 24 tables FULL and completely to myself. You can clearly see me running my ass off as best I can. The whole room seemed to go quiet while MC is making a scene. He called me a stupid b**** and asked for my boss. I told him calmly (hands were shaking) that he's gone and won't be in until tomorrow morning. Mel then stood up for me and told MC to quit being an a** in front of everyone. He then starts screaming at HER! Called her a stupid b***** and made her cry too. I'm so unbelievably done with his crap that I tell him to pay and to leave. He keeps screaming, and tells me he will get me fired and refused to pay. I again tell him to leave and he stops to continue screaming at me in the hallway. I tell him that he's making everyone uncomfortable and needs to leave before I call the cops. He did end up leaving and yes did call my boss who is a known pushover to try to get a free meal the next day. I had to step outside and cry for 15 before I went back in to deal with everyone else. I got a ton of generous tips and refused to let Mel pay for her meal. I ended up tipping her 20 bucks on a 3 dollar tab next time I saw her. I'm so glad that she and a couple others stood up for me and had some extremely kind words for me that night. I also ended up getting so extremely generous tips from customers that saw what happened. This whole ordeal was that guy trying to get free food and it's absolutely disgusting that people like him exsist.
Be kind to wait staff and be as patient as possible with customers. We are all people. ❤️
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ccrsow/ex_server_here_i_normally_have_an_extremely_thick/
| 334 | 17 | 1,563,038,281 | 14 |
generous tip
|
top
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17xs01
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Bible Belt Pastor's Response to the Infamous Applebee's Receipt
|
Today while I was at the dentist, my dentist was looking over my information and saw that I'm a server. We chatted for a little and of course the Applebee's receipt came up. My dentist told me that his pastor told everyone last Sunday that 20% should be a starting point for tips when they go out to eat, particularly when it's a Sunday and it's obvious that they're coming from church. That generosity and kindness is the way to represent their church and their religion well. He then mentioned that he once had pretty bad service, the server was in a bad mood, but instead of taking it out on her tip he left her $20 and a note saying "I hope your day gets better."
Made me so happy to hear that. Religion should never be used to justify putting someone else down (like the receipt or discrimination). But here's someone who is instead telling his followers to be loving, kind, generous. Hope some of them take note and follow his instruction!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/17xs01/bible_belt_pastors_response_to_the_infamous/
| 294 | 36 | 1,360,080,982 | 14 |
generous tip
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top
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2hil7g
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
"Wait! This is two fifties"
|
For background, I cocktail at a very relaxed neighborhood bar with a small staff. The clientele is, I'd say, ~65% regulars. Our regulars bring in friends and cohorts from time to time, and this is one of those tales.
At around 6 pm (which is two hours into my ten hour shift) a couple of our regular guys come in. I snagged their drink order before they could start their tab at the bar because I knew they'd be sitting on the patio anyway. That's how service began!
Two rounds into their tab, I checked up on them and found a third party had joined. I took his drink order, delivered it, got their water order, delivered it, got regular #2's home spun shot order, delivered it, got new guy's order for a round, and delivered that. It was about this time that new guy said, "I never started a tab!"
He pulls a fifty dollar bill from his wallet and hands it my way. I held it for an awkward moment and said, "hey, I know these guys, and I have separate checks going for all of you. I can hang on to this if you want, or we can just settle up when you're ready."
He laughs and takes his fifty back, which relieved me because I'd rather hold your ID than cash so that I can avoid arguments over denominations of money that may or may not have been handed over.
In the end, regular #2 has to close out quickly to leave, and he makes a joke about the now two rounds of shots that are "inexplicably" on his tab. He knows my usual response of, "if it comes out of your mouth, it's on your tab!" Lol's are had, he signs and takes off, and new guy gets a round for he and regular #1.
When I'm inside handling some other business, new guy meets me and says he wants to close out everything else- he and regular #1 together. "Not a problem!" I say, and I combine their two checks to the sum of $30.
I told him his total, he hands me two bills, and he tells me the change is mine.
Okay. So, in my head, I'm expecting a decent tip cuz these guys were cool and I feel like I made new guy feel at home. At a glance I assumed I had received two $20 bills, but when I turned around I realized what I was actually holding. So I turned back quickly before new guy left to say:
"Wait! This is two fifties." (Now imagine me politely holding them where new guy can see)
New guy's response? "I know. I said I'd take care of you."
I thanked him politely, and I refrained from telling him how much I need this money for a dress for a friend's wedding in a few weeks. And I felt bad for a minute for kind of, like, calling him out on giving me too much money. But he was nice and generous, I was polite and gracious, and then they left.
The thing is- out of that whole interaction- I don't recall him ever saying "I'll take care of you!" I don't know how I missed it, but, regardless, I'm very thankful!
So that's my tale of unfounded prosperity that I felt compelled to share.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/2hil7g/wait_this_is_two_fifties/
| 295 | 29 | 1,411,726,835 | 14 |
generous tip
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top
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e5wq0x
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Needy old lady surprises me with generosity
|
Let me preface this by saying my (27F) SO (35M) lost his job 2 weeks ago. Not going into the details of why or what or any of that, I’ll just say I absolutely love this man, he comes with 2 kids who are my WORLD, and he basically took care of me for a long time while I worked minimally and took care of the kids. So it’s my turn to take care of him and the kids and I am 100% ok with it. (Skip to next paragraph for my wonderful lady story)
Today though, I was having really bad anxiety all morning. It’s the holidays and I really want to be able to spoil him and my little ones. Plus we have bills like normal adults so I’m worried about making them on time. It’s season so you’d think I’d be swimming in money, but it doesn’t seem to have hit for me yet. So I’m stressed and worried. we have savings and he’s thankfully getting unemployment and food stamps so it’s SOMETHING! We got the EBT card yesterday but who knows when we are going to get the unemployment check. And guys THIS MAN has worked so hard to find a job he has been on the computer non-stop, has been reaching out to recruiters and has had a lot of people calling him. He’s a QA and I’ve realized in his line of work it takes awhile to get something to stick. Unlike in our industry where you walk into any restaurant and can basically get a job on the spot.
Any way, here I am at work, in my head, freaking the fuck out about life where my first table are these two older ladies. Sweet as can be, but needy and indecisive as well. I don’t have much going on so I am giving them their time and telling them not to worry. To enjoy their time together. We weren’t busy enough to where I’m trying to turn in burn. At the end of their experience their bill come to $70 and the needier lady says she’s paying the bill. Cool. She hands me $100. I bring back $30. I count of the change for her and she tells me to keep it all she just wants a copy of the check. 40% tip? Cool. I start crying. Cause it’s generous and really nice and I wasn’t expecting it. THIS LADY is stunned that I’m full blown crying to I explain to her that my SO just lost his job 2 weeks ago and she proceeds to tell me “give me that change back” so of course I do and she freaking pulls out another $100 bill and tells me “this is for you, not for you to share with anyone in the restaurant, not to claim, but for you and your family. So of course I start bawling even harder, bc how else do you respond to kindness but by crying right? But that’s not all, she then takes $20 from the change I just gave her and tells me “this is your tip for the bill” I’m not in a position to tell her no, you wanna spoil me right now I going to accept it as ugly crying and gracefully as I can. Bc of her I made $301 on a 12 hour SLOW double (with an old drunk man walking out on his check... you best believe that’s another thread). I’m so beyond grateful for this lady, and people like her remind me why I love this job.
TLDR; older, needy, indecisive lady gives me $120 tip off a $70 check bc I was super patient with her and her friend and did my best to make sure they were happy. Basically I did my job and she appreciated it. She made my heart full though.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/e5wq0x/needy_old_lady_surprises_me_with_generosity/
| 287 | 14 | 1,575,451,401 | 14 |
generous tip
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top
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cxb91r
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
It happened. It finally happened.
|
This might be long I apologize in advance but I just need to talk about my night to someone who understands 😂 TL; DR at the bottom
SO- I’m working a split, at a chain seafood restaurant (take a wild guess which). It was extremely dead today. I started back for dinner after my lunch shift at 3:30 and had 1 table until 5pm. My second table was the sweetest family - the kids (probably 8&12) were SO polite and just so nice and the mom and dad were so nice. The lady pointed out my nails and said she loved the colour (teal blue) I said thank you and that it was my favourite colour, I even have a lighter this colour. And she says, oh my goodness, well I should give you one of my pens!!!- and pulls out a teal blue pen. We’re all servers, we know how much pens mean to us- so of course I freak out! Anyways, I was super thankful and they tipped 20% on $120 - great! Feeling good about the rest of my split.
In comes a guy, says there will be 5 of them and goes on saying that he will be paying the bill and also there will be a table of 3 coming in and he wanted to take care of there bill later as well. “You’ll get tipped well if you do” I said sure no problem! So they order; a little weird but super nice and ordered a bunch of add ons instead of a meal so that helped me in the end. The one guy from the beginning pulled out his card and I brought him their bill, plus the other tables. Their bill was $255 and the other tables was $110.
The other guy he was with, pulled out a $50 bill and the guy paying said nah I got it but he gave me the $50 anyways. The guy paying says, give the other server the red one and you take this, and puts out his hand and gives me money. I didn’t really look but got a glance. And he paid for the bills and I said thank you and walked away. I went to go close their bill and noticed he tipped for the other table, 20% plus the $50 bill from the other guy. And I looked at the bill from my table and it was 20% on $255 so $50 PLUS $150 CASH. This dude tipped me $200 total and $70 to the other server!!! Like what the heck!! I went back and said are you sure??????? And said how thankful I was for it. It was such a surreal experience that I felt SICK to my stomach and just couldn’t get any of my words straight. I always hear about that happening but never thought it would actually happen to me.
I probably would have went home with $70 if it were not for this guy. Maybe he won a ton of money and just felt generous or maybe he is dying and feeling generous WHO KNOWS but I just can’t believe this finally happened to me. Also when I went and told one of my co workers who’s the bartender he told me this guy had ordered a virgin Caesar before he sat down and tipped the bar $20. What a night. So insane.
TL; DR - super dead night on a split, SUPER NICE first table in an hour and a half gave me a teal blue pen (my favourite colour) (which is a big deal to a server, obvi)
Second table tipped me $200 on $255 bill - $50 on the machine and $150 cash and paid for another tables meal and tipped that server $70.
CRAZY night- can’t believe it finally happened to me
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/cxb91r/it_happened_it_finally_happened/
| 200 | 15 | 1,567,134,622 | 14 |
generous tip
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top
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3rhx5l
|
TalesFromRetail
|
The biggest upsell ever.
|
I worked in the electronics department of a major retailer. However, this particular retailer also included books and media as part of electronics. This first part isn't the main story, but the set up. Because only those who have had to maintain electronics and books know how rough it is. Even though it's comparatively a small department, keeping stuff like CDs organized is a nightmare. The true terror though, is the kid's book aisle. For whatever reason, kid's hands are always sticky. It doesn't matter if they've just been washed, they're already sticky again. And working in a large retail store, parents tend to get so distracted by everything they don't always keep an eye on their kids. Or they just don't care what havoc their kid brings.
So I'm organizing the kids book section, and this little kid is following right behind me undoing everything I'm doing. The mom is talking loudly on her cellphone and can't be bothered to watch her kid. Pretty sure I saw him stick a lollipop in one book and pull another lollipop out of a different book (Not really, but that's a theory as to why they're always sticky). So in the middle of what can best be described as the Sisyphus of retail punishment, I hear a man yell from 30ft away
> "Hey you! Hey! I'm talking to you!"
I figure it's a guest yelling at another guest. Then I hear it again.
> "Excuse you. Listen up!"
And he snaps his fingers. I finally look over and see what can best be described as a douchier version of Guy Fieri. Loud. Fat. Frosted tips. Wearing his over-sized sunglasses in the store. He snaps at me again and signals I come over to him. Henceforth, he'll be referred to as 'C'.
So I put on my mask of friendliness and ask how I can help him.
> Me: How may I help you?
> C: About time you got over here. No wonder you're working here and not a real job. I need one of them HMI.. MDI? HDI? MHD? Whatever they are...
> Me: HDMI cables?
> C: Yeah. Whatever. I need one.
> Me: Four isles down on the left hand side.
Normally I'm more than happy to show someone where they are, but this kid back in the book section is missing his lollipop again and I see books on the floor.
> C: Naw they ain't there.
> Me: Alright, let's go have a look.
And of course it's fully stocked and there are multiple hooks full of cables. Also of note, usually when someone came in to buy a cable, I'd refer them either to a discount retail store in the same plaza. Or if they could wait, I'd tell them to order online for way less. This guy though... he was paying.
> Me: Here you go, one HDMI cable. Anything else?
> C: Haha, naw, this'll be great for my new [gaming console] on my sweet new 70 inch [expensive brand] plasma TV.
> Me: Oh? [game console]? You don't want that brand cable, you want the one made by the manufacturer. Plus, that one comes with a spare charging cable for a second controller.
I don't usually upsell useless stuff either. It's cheap garbage most of the time. Upsell total: $20 -> $50, + $30
> C: Oh sweet. I only have one controller though.
> Me: Well this is a great chance to buy a second one!
> C: Yeah, I guess it is.
Upsell total: $20 -> $110, + $90
> Me: This way you can play multiplayer in your favorite games.
> C: I don't think I have any of them.
> Me: Oh! I can highly recommend this title.
I blindly point to the game case for the console he owns and hope for the best. I ended up pointing to a popular basketball game that thankfully is multiplayer. He agrees to buy it. Upsell total: $20 -> $170, + $150
> Me: It's multiplayer up to four, you said you only have one controller, right? If you want to make full use of this game, I'd recommend having four controllers.
> C: yeah, that sounds good.
Upsell total: $20 -> $290, +$270
> Me: With charging cables.
Upsell total: $20 -> $320, +$300
At this point I figured he'd have to break soon. I wasn't even being subtle about tacking stuff on.
Nope. He purchased everything and I probably could have kept going, but there was now a pile of kids books and it was shimmering with a coat of slime I knew would never come off.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/3rhx5l/the_biggest_upsell_ever/
| 1,513 | 155 | 1,446,648,455 | 14 |
tip
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relevance
|
skgdmj
|
TalesFromRetail
|
When working customer service, you have to be quick, otherwise they'll get the best of you!
|
By my title, I don't mean quick with food orders, deliveries, groceries, though that really does help, but I am referring to humor. I have worked in customer service for 6+ years and what I've never lost is my sense of humor. You deal with the most outspoken, you could say, people in life, more than most I'll dare to protest because they really get their panties in a twist when something doesn't go right.
But humor saves me every time, even if the customer doesn't laugh, it was still great for me. This one time, not a huge example, but enough for the point, an older gentleman gave me a quarter for a tip, now I'm not saying you HAVE to tip generously, but anything under $2 even is still a slap to the face, really makes you feel so low as a person, question everything you did, sucks to say the least. Anyway, the man proceeded to make a joke about "now don't go spending it in one place," his wife looks over horrified at her husband's remark, me a cocky kid with no feelings to care about, I snap back and add, "oh yes, that gumball machine looks real great!" Ended with a wink and walked away with a "have a great day." I come back to the table and there's five dollars and a quarter left on it, I'd always assumed it was the wife that left it, but could have very well been the man, I'll never know. Moral to the story, even when someone is trying to be a jerk, kill their attitude with humor, for them or for yourself! I have definitely way more stories about "outspoken" or unique customers as it is an interesting career path, you really see the worst, best and intriguing part of humans you don't see on a normal basis.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/skgdmj/when_working_customer_service_you_have_to_be/
| 622 | 40 | 1,643,989,527 | 14 |
tip
|
hot
|
ovu3mx
|
TalesFromRetail
|
Customer Orders Something. Doesn’t Give Gate Code To Get Into Where She Lives.
|
So this happened Friday. Both funny and annoying.
I work in a retail business that sells lumber. My job is mostly just deliveries. I had two deliveries loaded onto my truck. The second delivery was for in a town that we very rarely deliver too due to distance, which was over a hour drive away. But it was decided since I was 3/4 of the way there with my first delivery, I’d drop off the item. The customer was called by staff in the store to let them know I was coming that morning as far as I’m aware.
The item was a roll of plastic 8 feet long, but light. I finish my first delivery, and try punching in the address for the second in my gps. There were some issues with the location because the road names weren’t matching on the gps with what my order form said.
I give the customer a call to confirm the address, but all I get is a voicemail. So I leave her a message, saying I’m on my way, but to call me back so I can confirm where they were. I drive to where the gps took me, and there was no road or house number that matched.
I try calling the customer again, no answer. So try googling the street in my phone, and a result came up for a little retirement trailer park on the north end of town, and I was on the south end. After fighting through traffic for over 10 minutes, I arrive.
I recognized the park right away. This place required a gate code to get in. This gate is only meant for stopping vehicles. There were sidewalks on either side. I call the customer again, no answer. So I call the administration for the park, and explain the situation. They said if I type the customers house number into the keypad, it will call down to their unit and they have a override. But if the customer didn’t answer, I unfortunately can’t get in.
So I tried the keypad, nothing happened. I look up a map, to see where her unit is, and it was about half a mile from the front gate.
I call down to my store, and talk to the worker who did the order. They were pissed with the customer, saying “Her telling us there is a gate would be very helpful to know.”
She tells me she’ll try phoning, and to hold tight. After 10 minutes, I get a call back from my coworker, saying she can’t get a hold of the customer either. And she didn’t want to have me not deliver the item since it would be a long drive back.
So she told me if I could walk to her unit, let her know I am there, I can walk back, and get my truck to deliver her item. As I prepare, I figured I might as well bring the item with me. It wasn’t heavy, and it would save going through the park twice.
After 10 minutes of walking, I arrive, and peer into the back yard, and see the customer working. I call out, informing who I am. And I was pretty blunt in saying we had called multiple times, because we didn’t have any code to get through the gate.
She asked me how I managed to get here, and I told her I walked with her item. She immediately started saying how sorry she was. How embarrassed she was, just saying sorry again and again and again. I just simply said “If you order anything more in the future, just remember to give us the gate code.”
She kept saying how sorry she was, and told me to wait. I realized she was getting me a tip, so after a moment, she came back, giving me a five dollar bill. I know kinda bad to think, but I thought “I walked a half mile with a large roll of plastic and you give 5 dollars.”
I just kept polite and said thank you, and walked back to my vehicle with her saying how sorry she was. So on my walk back, I phone my coworker, let them know what went on, and they told me when they phone the customer later, they’ll be charging her a larger delivery charge considering what I had to do. This delivery probably took closer to a hour longer then it would have under normal circumstances.
So that was my fun. I had to drive back and have a short lunch because I had at least 8 more deliveries to try and complete before the end of the day.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/ovu3mx/customer_orders_something_doesnt_give_gate_code/
| 1,092 | 77 | 1,627,831,554 | 14 |
tip
|
hot
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zybmq
|
TalesFromRetail
|
Ok TFR, I need your advice on how to handle this.
|
So I went to my local Bear Rock Cafe. For those who don't know, it's a *fancy* sandwich shop, and my local one has been going downhill for a while. But they make delicious breakfast flatbread sandwiches. I decided to treat myself and get one this morning.
I have to be at work at 11. Work is ~5 minutes from Bear Rock. So allotting for prep time (5-10 minutes), I arrive at 10:35 and order. The woman at the register couldn't speak English - fine. She charges my card, and I'm waiting at 10:38. Note - I am the only one in the shop. I left my phone in the car, so I didn't really quite know what time it was. I guessed about 10 minutes went by, and I checked my phone. Yup. 12 minutes. It was now 10:50. I had to leave within the next few minutes to get to work on time.
So I glance through the window, and they are just now pulling the ingredients for my flatbread. I walk up to the register and ask the cashier to void the transaction. She can't figure it out. 3 minutes of her printing off blank tickets, with no proof that mine was voided, I ask for my original receipt back and leave. I make it to work with less than 30 seconds left.
I figured OK - I'll go back tomorrow and ask them to make it right - either refund the transaction or give me the food. Preferably refund the money. I looked at my bank statement because a google review said they automatically charged them gratuity. They charged me. I signed off on a $4.19 ticket, they charged me $5.03 - a 20% gratuity on a take out order.
So, TFR, how should I handle this tomorrow morning when I go in? I don't want to be a dick, but I don't want to be a little girl about it either.
***TL;DR*** - Shop takes >20 minutes when I'm the only one in there to start on my food, I leave without food so I'm not late for work, and then shop charges me a 20% (unauthorized) gratuity on top of my food. What do?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/zybmq/ok_tfr_i_need_your_advice_on_how_to_handle_this/
| 34 | 21 | 1,347,760,519 | 14 |
gratuity
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relevance
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2o6bfg
|
TalesFromRetail
|
The Secret Password (Swearing)
|
Here’s a good story a buddy of mine (we’ll call him Buddy) told me recently about when he used to work in a little family-owned Chinese place near a college campus. Sadly I can’t really mimic his superb acting in writing but you might still get a kick out of it.
It’s a slow weeknight and in walks one of the regulars, who we’ll call Reggie. Reggie comes in once or twice a week for dinner and is basically everything you want in a regular customer. Orders “the usual” every time, knows that $3 or $4 is a more appropriate tip for a $10 meal than a percentage and has been stopping by the place since his freshman year. Also, the dude is quiet as a church mouse and *always* minds those p’s and q’s. Here’s the comprehensive list of every sentence Buddy has ever heard from this guy:
* “The usual please.”
* “More water please.”
* “The food is delicious, thank you.”
* “I’m still fine, thank you for asking.”
* “Check please.”
* “Have a wonderful evening.”
So Reggie heads toward his usual table while a little ways behind him comes another customer who sits at the table next to Reggie. We will call him SS, for reasons that will be clear later. My friend goes to take his order and the conversation that follows reads something like:
>**Buddy:** Hey, welcome to [generic restaurant name]. What would you like?
>**SS:** (looks Buddy over) Ok, I’m going to do this slowly because you don’t look too bright. I want a [shitty import beer], and it better be *ice* cold and here in 2 minutes. I want eggrolls, fried rice and cashew chicken here in 7 minutes. I throw a lot of money at this place all the time and I expect good service for it.
>**Buddy:** (has never seen this guy before) Uh…yeah, I don’t know about that time limit but I’ll go tell the kitchen.
SS proceeds to get his food and complain about how crappy it is even as he stuffs his gob nonstop. A quick check with the staff, including the owner, confirms that nobody knows who this guy is. Meanwhile Buddy is worried because Reggie’s been giving the glare of death to an oblivious SS through the whole meal. Of course the real kicker is when TS gets the bill.
>**SS:** Hey! You didn’t put my discount on here. I’m a regular!
>**Buddy:** (so over this by now) Regulars get discounts? I can’t seem to recall that. Hey Reggie, you’ve been coming here for how long?
>**Reggie:** Hm, I’d say about 3 years now.
>**Buddy:** And do we have discounts for our regulars.
>**Reggie:** (suddenly grinning) Only if you know the super-secret password.
>**Buddy:** Oh right! I’d almost forgotten. (leans over so Reggie can whisper in his ear)
>**Reggie:** (perfectly quiet) That *shit stain* needs to learn some **fucking** manners.
Buddy then had to spend the next five minutes slumped over a chair trying to stop laughing his ass off. Meanwhile Reggie is just leaning back and sipping his drink like he owns the joint. Apparently this confused SS enough that he just sheepishly pays his bill and leaves. Buddy ended up going to the owner and begging to be allowed give Reggie 20% off his order. They were fine with that but *nobody* believes Buddy when he says he actually heard Reggie curse.
Really wish I had a Reggie where I worked.
Edit: Format (of course)
Edit 2: Please note that in real life, swearing is not the super-secret password to getting free discounts. Quite the opposite really. The (swearing) in the title is just to alert people that this tale contains some language.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2o6bfg/the_secret_password_swearing/
| 651 | 73 | 1,417,630,784 | 14 |
restaurant tip
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relevance
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1lz9xq
|
TalesFromRetail
|
For every five minutes she says add another five.
|
[first story](http://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1lyhly/my_time_has_arrived_xpost_from_justiceporn/)
I got a request for a story of my time managing a sushi restaurant from my first post last night. I'm going to give a little background first...it's a weird situation and I have a TON of these stories and this one big chuck of background will help a lot in the future. :)
I say I managed this place because not only did I pretty much give them an entire year of my life (will be explained later) but we usually only had three people in this restaurant at a time. Sushi chef, one kitchen chef and me (waitress, hostess, help with kitchen prep, bartender, busser). So I think that equals management and the owner only talks me up as a reference now so I think it was just a quiet acknowledgment of my awesomeness...or being extremely gullible.
Now I spent some time in Japan and took four years of the language in high school. So, when this little hole in the wall restaurant popped up I was super excited. I went in and saw a little Asian women (mid thirties) working at the register. This wouldn't be my first job (who hasn't worked at McInedible at some point in high school or a different fast food monstrosity) but my first adult job.
Diino: Hi! I'm Diino and i live right down the street and noticed your sign went up. I was wondering if you were hiring at all.
The little Asian woman looks up at me (We're going to call her B) and just tosses an apron at me. "Yeah. You serve before?"
I said no, but I spent a lot of time in Japan and sushi wasn't a stranger to me. She says perfect, gets down all my tax info on a little sheet of paper, gives me a log in to the computer and tells me to play with it while she goes and calls her accountant. Not even kidding, that was the easiest interview of my life. It was then that I noticed that B was yammering on the phone in a language that I didn't even know.
Now behind the register is the sushi bar and the chef was standing there prepping for the evening. I waved and introduced myself and we'll call him David for funsies. Well mostly that's because his "American" name. Turns out their from China and they speak Mandarin and I'm thinking how I'm in all sort of trouble now.
Now when I say "we" I mean B, her boyfriend and co-owner A, David, and the various kitchen chefs that just came and went so I never got to know any of them in the year I worked at that place. David spoke broken English and through the year I actually started giving him lessons in exchange for Mandarin so I could use basic communication with the different chefs (there was only ever one chef on a night).
They started by paying me under the table. I'd get 80% of the tips (10% going to David and 10% to whatever chef was in the back) and then they asked if I wanted to step up and work full days, not just the dinner shifts (it was summer and B wanted to spend some time with her young kids). I say I'd love to, I'm not going to school and I have nothing better to do. So I started working from 9am-2am six days a week for a thousand dollars a week. Which is not bad for selling your soul to the Chinese. B became a really good friend and she would do nice things when I needed it like giving me a hundred in advance, or letting me take home tips for the night if I really needed the gas money. (at the point of "full time" i was working "salary" so all tips were going into the store).
At this point I learned that most of our clientele was coming from this big Asia buffet they ALSO owned across town. They would tell their regulars that if they wanted a more "romantic" sit down feel to try us...we also do take out.
Take out is where the problem occurs about 90%. At this point B was only in the restaurant if I got slammed on a Friday or Saturday night (we were closed Sundays) or if she needed to make herself some lunch on the run. When she's there she demands that she answer every single phone call. At first I was totally okay with it, but somehow these people coming to pick up their take out were always super duper early and had to wait like upwards of fifteen minutes, which always ended up in me giving them a free appetizer or a beer. Which made B mad because I was giving away free stuff and losing the store money.
One night I happened to be standing next to her ringing in a table's order as she was writing down a phone order and hear:
B: Yeah. Okay. Got it. It ready, ten minutes. *click*
Diino: Um. B, that's like five sushi rolls, three things of soup, a big salad, and a bunch of fried stuff. That's going to be at least thirty minutes.
B: People don't like wait thirty. Ten is good.
Diino: Yeah, but there are three other orders in before the take out. These people have been waiting at least twenty. There's no way Kitchen Chef will have that done in time.
B: You make sure on time. That your job.
Diino: Everything about this place is my job.
So I go off to start this huge salad in the kitchen, while trying to do the soup at the same time, and trying to chatter in broken Mandarin to the kitchen chef saying that I want the take out order done right away, while trying to get David to stop goofing around and do his job, while trying to keep other tables happy. This was my normal day.
The customers showed up after tne minutes, was told it would be another fifteen at least. Apologized, sat them at a table, got them each a glass of wine on the house. Got yelled at for giving away stuff to keep people happy, ignored B, went on with my shift.
Thinking about this woman gives me headaches. She's nice as hell and had my back, but the Chinese and their inability to wait really fucks with my mojo.
This was mostly just a set up story. I've got quite a few really screwed up ones from working here. Customers and coworkers included. I'll get some little ones out and about soon. :)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1lz9xq/for_every_five_minutes_she_says_add_another_five/
| 195 | 38 | 1,378,660,765 | 14 |
restaurant tip
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relevance
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2gblwh
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TalesFromRetail
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The Lady Who Wore too Much Makeup and the Classiest Guy I've Ever Seen
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Ok so during a shift a few days ago I had a couple of the strangest encounters with customers I've experienced within the two months of working at a grocery store. One good and one really not good.
The first was not so good. I had lady with virtually no eyebrows and about 10 pounds of makeup come through my line and she was pretty snappy and made threats at me that I'm still not sure if I should have called a supervisor over.
>Me: "Hi, did you find everything alright tod-"
>
>
>Too Much Makeup (TMM): "F*ck no! You're out of bananas and those damned Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies that are on sale!"
>
>
>Me: "Well I'm sorry but the truck is running late today. I can write you a raincheck so you can get everything at the sale price tomorrow?" (Truck was running late as it was around 8:30)
>
>
>TMM: "Nah screw that it's not worth it"
>
>
>Me: *scans and bags groceries in silence*
>
>
>TMM: "Stop filling my bags so full! I need to go up a flight of stairs to my hotel room" *whips out EBT/food stamp card to buy $100 in mostly junk food*
>"And if you squish my bread I'll come back here and cut your head off!"
After that I was kind of scared so I finished up in silence and said the usual thank you have a good night kind of stuff and moved on until I realized that she forgot the bread on the bag carousel. Great. She'll probably threaten to cut my head off again now.
Now at this point I just wanted to go home as I was supposed to be stocking the shelves but my supervisor who doesn't have a clue called me up front to either cashier or get stuff people couldn't find for the rest of the night. Because of the large amount of people that can't read the signs above each aisle telling them what's in the aisle I was sprinting around the store getting people their stuff. That was between the times I was cashiering and I was getting winded. Anyways..
I hollered to the guy behind the Courtesy Counter that we had another forgotten bag. He said one word to me.
>Him: "Run!"
I basically just booked it and made it in time to catch them before they drove away. Nothing special it happens usually once a day or so.
As I come back in the store I see a familiar customer walking towards me with some awkward combination of items like usual on his way out of the store
I've seen this guy buy everything from a cart full of on-sale TP to exactly 73 bottles of ketchup to 3 of the biggest cans of spaghetti sauce I'd ever seen. Maybe he owns a restaurant or something... I know the amount of ketchup because I was the one who took the carry out call to get all that. It was heavy.
He also dresses like a complete gentleman every time. Usually a brown or blue suit with a little top-hat type hat only smaller and more subtle than a full blown top hat. He also has a beard and a little curly mustache. Yes I realize that this describes Mr. Monopoly pretty well but I've seen this guy plenty of times in only a couple months.
He comes up to me and tells me how he's seen me running around the store and out in the lot just to make all these ungrateful people happy all day and that I've been earning every penny of my wage. I kinda agree with him.
Apparently this guy has some money to throw around too because he thanked me for my work verbally and with a $10 bill. This is about $2 more than I make per hour after taxes so I was really thrilled. Normally I don't think we can technically accept tips, but my supervisor who's a really laid back guy that just stays out of everyone's way (seems kinda shy) said I work harder than all the slackers (AKA 80% of the people here) and that I should just keep it.
Those slacking kids (heh, I'm only 17 myself) do everything from taking walks when they're on cart duty to sitting in the bathroom for an hour because the supervisor in charge of them is too oblivious to notice. Also they get paid about the same as me which pisses me off.
I left work with a smile on my face as the only other tip I'd ever received was $1 from an elderly lady that I helped for about 5 minutes with loading up her stuff into her car.
It's funny how a relatively small act like that can turn a whole day around. I spent that $10 bill on a surprise Reese's McFlurry for my girlfriend and still have about $6 of it floating around in my wallet.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2gblwh/the_lady_who_wore_too_much_makeup_and_the/
| 184 | 29 | 1,410,645,954 | 14 |
restaurant tip
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relevance
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1kdfw5
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TalesFromRetail
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Crabby Crone at pancake house
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This story was observed from a few tables over, last year.
An old lady in the restaurant started off complaining that "the coffee doesn't taste like it usually does." The waiter very gently and patiently apologized (for something beyond his control) and offered a replacement beverage. They go back and forth about the coffee for a minute. I was also drinking the house coffee and it was fine. The waiter tried to exit the table on a gracious note saying, "it won't happen again". The crone refuses to let a potentially awkward moment pass, and barks out, "see that it doesn't." My partner and I are cracking up at her weird voice but trying to keep it sly.
There was some more nonsense from this entitled, complaining whiner, but the waiter was cool and professional the whole time. The old lady's friend was as old as she was and seemed pretty much checked out, but the crone loved to talk to her wordless companion. Then she drops the bomb "Hmmm, I'll leave a $2 tip. I don't want to SPOIL him." That was about a 5% tip for two people. My amusement turned to anger, but I stayed quiet.
The crone then goes on to ramble on about her money supply, saying that she should sell some more stocks to have some disposable cash in her checking account. Apparently her net worth in stocks and savings is over $300,000. I got the strong impression the lady had never held a job in her life. Who's really spoiled, you old hag?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1kdfw5/crabby_crone_at_pancake_house/
| 122 | 13 | 1,376,512,907 | 14 |
restaurant tip
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relevance
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1mdsyw
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TalesFromRetail
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Cinema Employee from Vegas (Part 2)
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Hey guys, sorry been busy, but here is part 2! Part 1 can be found [here!](http://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1lkp97/stories_of_an_excinema_employee_in_las_vegas_part/)
After being "promoted^1" and given a raise I made my way to working in the Cafe. This was honestly the only part of my job I enjoyed because since I was out of high school I monopolized the morning shifts and most that worked there were in school still. This allowed me to constantly have regulars coming in to have a good chat with. Excluding THESE people:
- Lady asks for a vanilla latte w/ skim milk. I explain since we are not an official starbucks we only have 1-2% milk, she understands and agrees. Order is exchanged and I give her the drink. She says it tastes funny and to remake it. I remake it 3 times after this point, even tasted it myself, let my manager and the cafe veteran taste it, and it was normal (obviously not from the cup itself). I offer another type of beverage since this one was not to her liking she says it's OK and finally takes the drink with her. Not 20 seconds later throws it into the trash bin so hard you can see the milk rebound out, groans, and goes to her movie.
- We sold Super Nachos at the cafe (though you could still get the normal nachos with the cup cheese at the concession). Freshly melted cheese, salsa, sour cream, and olives. Lady with 2 kids come up who already got on my nerves by kicking the ice cream glass while waiting on the mother to order. I start pouring the cheese over and tell her to tell me when to stop. She made me stop when all of the chips were covered, pays, heads to film. 5 minutes later shoves her way to the front of the line (*uhm excuse you*) to have me make a new one because there was too much cheese and her kids were getting it all over the seats^yaaay.
- Honestly I don't have problems with kids. But I can honestly say children film releases were probably the worst film releases in terms of cleaning. You literally have 30 minutes or less before the next crowd. The fact that we sold ice cream only ever made it worse. Even though we scheduled a lot of ushers during these releases the concession workers sometimes had to help as well. Usually there's only 2 people per theater. We needed about 9 for our biggest theater after the release of **Happy Feet**. Ice cream on seats, popcorn caked into the rug (had a special machine for this), and often instead of taking their baby to the restroom mothers would **change them right there**, but I guess the upside was that we would often find unopened candy boxes that would be left behind *yay sugar*.
- Aaaand then you have your repeat offenders who stayed and movie hopped with only 1 ticket purchase. There was this couple that always tried to get away with it and every time they would ask for a manager when they got caught. Well, at least until I got promoted to Assistant Manager and then they tried to do this during the night shifts and ended up getting their faces on our wall. GG.
- It wasn't always bad. I remember we did a prescreening of one of Adam Sandler's movies at our cinema one time. We had private boxes in our largest theaters (had 2 of them) for these occasions as they happened often. Sylvester Stallone stopped by a few times, for an example. So to avoid ultimate hassle we would often assign them a "waiter" of sorts. I got to be it this time. **I was ecstatiiiiicccc**. He came in with the two "gay" guys from Big Daddy. Near the end of the movie Adam had tried to tip me $100 for taking care of them, but at the time we had to turn in any tips over 100 for taxes. So he made me go "buy him a hotdog" told me to keep the change and the hotdog as well. **TL;DR: Adam Sandler tipped me $100 and bought me lunch when he learned it would be taxed and let me keep the change.**
Thanks for reading. I think my next post will be about the shit we did when we were bored and after hours and *that* manager.
^1 By promoted I mean I learned a new branch of work to do in the theater. In order from bottom to top: You had your Ticket Takers, Ushers (theater cleaning duty), Concession, Cafe, Box Office Cashiers, Assistant Manager, Projectionists, and so on and so forth for Manager positions. :)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1mdsyw/cinema_employee_from_vegas_part_2/
| 33 | 5 | 1,379,177,396 | 14 |
waiter tip
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relevance
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zl607
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TalesFromRetail
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Servers and tips - trickery or not?
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I hope this is the right place to ask this, was pretty positive there wouldn't be a better place than here.
About a week ago I went out with some friends for some food. Our server was cute, in school like us, you know the story. Our total bill came out to be just over $60, and one of us had a $100 so he just used it to make things easier.
The first time she came by our table, she said "Thank you guys so much! Y'all are too kind" or something like that. She thought we tipped her $40. We all just laughed, didn't really say anything since we didn't know she was being serious at the time.
Second time she came around, she said "You know, I wasn't being sarcastic!" and left to go help another table. At that point, the guy with the $100 just got up and asked her for his change back. She was apologetic, but seemed surprised that we actually hadn't tipped her $40.
Now, don't get me wrong, she was attentive to our table, got us our stuff quickly, but was she hoping we'd just say "she's right, she *did* give good service) and leave/not make a fuss? I've never worked as a server, so I don't know.
And before anyone calls me out... our table left $15 as a tip. I added a $10 on top since she constantly was filling my cup (she left a pitcher for the rest of the table) and gave me some free stuff at the end.
**TL;DR: waitress assumed we left a 66% tip when we paid with a single large bill**
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/zl607/servers_and_tips_trickery_or_not/
| 40 | 17 | 1,347,162,463 | 14 |
server tip
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relevance
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16dxmkr
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TalesFromYourServer
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Photos of IDs have never been and still are not valid. Got no tip tonight because people somehow still don’t know that.
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A young couple came in for dinner tonight. After ordering drinks I asked to see their IDs. The woman said she left her ID at home but she has a photo. I apologized and explained that I’m not supposed to accept photos of IDs. I explained to her that it’s not a valid form of ID and I could lose my job. She began arguing with me and giving me attitude, saying “why would I lie? You know it’s me. But whatever, it’s up to you I guess… ugh, can you ask your manager for me?” I said I could but I know what the answer will be. She said whatever and it’s up to me. I restated that I won’t be serving them. Her boyfriend ended up going to his car and getting his ID. I said I could only serve him and the woman asked to speak to my manager. As expected, my manager explained it was against the law and they have no way of telling if it’s a real ID without the physical copy. She ended up ordering a Shirley temple and her boyfriend got a couple shots as well throughout the meal which she probably put in her drink. Frankly I didn’t have time to babysit and watch them, I already did my job in not serving her. They gave me attitude the entire meal. The bill came to $139.57 and they left me $140 cash. I was so pissed off and also surprised how stupid and evil some people are. To be so irrationally upset that you can’t drink that you must take it out on me, I don’t even make the rules. Like I literally couldn’t care less if you left your ID at home. It’s not my problem you forgot it, and if your date is that ruined by not being able to drink, maybe you should go home and get it or reevaluate yourself. Losers!!!
Edit: there seems to be some confusion from a couple folks. This was not an Apple ID or verified virtual ID, merely a photo that they took
Edit (again): stop commenting that tipping is corrupt and the system is corrupt and I didn’t deserve a tip anyways because my bosses should be paying me a living wage. In a perfect world or not in the US yes but that’s not how it is and also not the topic at hand
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/16dxmkr/photos_of_ids_have_never_been_and_still_are_not/
| 2,765 | 904 | 1,694,238,200 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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r04n16
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TalesFromYourServer
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How to handle "I don't tip" people.
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So I've known a few people that are against tipping. They either say "on principle" or "because a server's pay shouldn't be my responsibility." Ultimately, I think those are fundamentally the same, but I've always found that position does not hold up in any way. Here's an example conversation I've had with those people.
"Hey, why didn't you tip?"
"Because I don't think I should have to pay the server's wage."
"Okay, then why did you come here?"
"Because I like the food."
"So you refuse the 'responsibility' of paying for a server's wage, but you're totally okay with supporting a business that pays their employees 2-6 dollars an hour, and then not helping out the people that get paid that much?"
"..."
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/r04n16/how_to_handle_i_dont_tip_people/
| 2,318 | 466 | 1,637,641,028 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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nltob1
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TalesFromYourServer
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Dipshit lowers my tip after I didn't act excited and gracious enough when he verbalized how much he was going to leave me
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These four guys came in and sat at one of the high-tops, and they seemed disappointed when I introduced myself. "No cocktail waitresses working tonight?" Great, a bunch of machismassholes. I roll with every stripe of personality, so I won them over after they started making fun of their friend who ordered a lite beer by dropping off a kid's menu and asking if he wanted a bib. (Aren't played out gender stereotypes dandy?)
They started ordering a bunch of top-shelf shots, and a general rule of thumb in service is the higher the shelf, the lower the tip percentage. These dudes racked up a pretty hefty bill.
They were there for over an hour, four rounds, big meals, and the total bill came to $240, and one guy hands me his card. I wasn't expecting much, but I've been in the industry for so many years that I'm perpetually nonplussed. When I drop it off, the guy grabs the pen, stares at me with a big grin, and goes, "Hey buddy, I'm gonna leave you fifty bucks, how does that sound?"
More relieved than excited, I go, "Oh, cool."
His friend leans in, "Isn't that your biggest tip of the night?"
"Yeah." (Granted, it's only mid-evening.)
They all kinda look at each other. "Aren't you excited?"
Getting kind of awkward now. "Yeah, great, I appreciate it. Thank you." And turn around to go take care of other stuff.
I guess I wasn't *enthralled by their generosity* enough because when I picked up the book, the guy had only written in $30.
Whatever weird mind game power fantasy these guys were playing, I'm happy I had no part in it.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/nltob1/dipshit_lowers_my_tip_after_i_didnt_act_excited/
| 3,174 | 289 | 1,622,069,459 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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1agap6t
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TalesFromYourServer
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Server told me not to leave a tip
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Had dinner last night at a favorite Thai restaurant in Utah. When the server handed me the bill she asked if I could leave the tip in cash. I said I didn’t have any cash. Then she said I could choose the “no tip” option on the credit card machine. When I said that I would leave a tip she said, “No I’m telling you not to leave a tip because we won’t get it and I don’t want you to waste your money.” I asked who gets the tip then and she said the owner.
I’m appalled and disappointed by this. It’s a really good restaurant with a pretty young wait staff and I hate them being taken advantage of in this way. My initial thought was to put a post about it on our local subReddit but I don’t want the wait staff to get in trouble. But I do want them to get their tips and for customers to have this knowledge!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1agap6t/server_told_me_not_to_leave_a_tip/
| 1,860 | 119 | 1,706,793,210 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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1je6tju
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TalesFromYourServer
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My Whole Team Secretly Kept Tips While I Put Mine in the Tip Box—Why Did They Decide to Fool Me?
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I recently left my job at a restaurant, and one of the biggest reasons was realizing that my entire team had been secretly keeping tips while I was honestly putting mine in the designated tip box for monthly distribution. For months, I trusted that everyone was following the system, only to find out later that they were splitting the money among themselves in secret—without including me.
What hurts the most is that they didn't just exclude me but actively deceived me. Whenever I stepped away, I noticed that sometime tip folders from my tables would disappear. I never saw who took them, but they were a gone sometimes when I returned. Later, I even caught some of my teammates sharing tips among themselves,
Even new employees, including a girl who joined around the same time as me, were included in this secret system, but I was kept out. I never asked about tips in the beginning, assuming everything was fair. Maybe that was my mistake.
What made it worse was that even on big tables where multiple people worked, they would still secretly split the tips among themselves. I saw this happening on my last day—and that’s when I decided to leave.
Sometimes, I was working as a runner, so I never asked for my share because I genuinely believed everything was going into the tip box. Was that my fault? Or was my mistake putting tips into the box ?
I’m so tired of this industry. Have you ever been in a similar situation? What do you think led to this? Was it my silence? My trust? Or just workplace politics?
They made this group were everyone was following unspoken rule and never let me know and lied to me .
So they can earn more than me which is basically stealing from me.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1je6tju/my_whole_team_secretly_kept_tips_while_i_put_mine/
| 1,101 | 51 | 1,742,309,605 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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rvacls
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TalesFromYourServer
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I purposefully don’t give great service to people I know don’t tip
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We have a guest that comes in every Sunday brunch towards the end of brunch service that is probably one of the worst guests we get. No matter how much syrup/cream/butter you bring him, he always sends you back to get more, if not twice, and orders his multiple meals at different times throughout his visit. He complains if your not on him like white on rice, and only if you wait on him hand and foot will he tip you appropriately, which consequently means you can’t care for your other tables correctly.
I typically just leave a pot of coffee on the table for him, over serve him all his condiments in hopes that he doesn’t send me back multiple times and check on him only when I have the spare time. Am I am asshole server? Yes, idc. Brunch sucks and I would rather treat my other good tipping guests like vips than to only treat this one man as a vip and get a decent tip.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/rvacls/i_purposefully_dont_give_great_service_to_people/
| 3,132 | 171 | 1,641,239,585 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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kcxou5
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TalesFromYourServer
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I'm genuinely curious, why are tips paid in percentages? Like why does it matter what the food costs, if they're being served in a similar plate?
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For example, why should I pay 20% for a plate of Chicken Caesar Salad that costs $10, but also expect to pay 20% for the exact same type of plate but with an expensive steak that costs $100. The waiter in both cases does the same thing, punch in the order, wait for the order, brings it to the table, asks us if we need anything else, gives us water...etc. But in the end I pay $10+$2, or $100+$20 for the waiter basically doing the exact same thing. I just want to understand, thank you!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/kcxou5/im_genuinely_curious_why_are_tips_paid_in/
| 1,496 | 479 | 1,607,952,808 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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1jujdfr
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TalesFromYourServer
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A couple to remember
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I (23f) started working in this fine dining restaurant and that was my first serious job as a server, I usuallly worked in bars, nightclubs ect. So I honestly got the job just by luck and charm and they were understaffed and bussy so I got lucky. All of my coworkers were older guys and most of them are sommeliers so they didnt rlly aknowledged my work and usually they gave me some easier tables and guests to practice untill I knew the whole wine card and menu. It was rlly not a problem cus at the end of the day we all shared the earned tips from that day so it was a win for me. We had a reservation for two and a man brought a bouquet of flowers with a jewelry box and told us to hide from his wife as the restaurant is very small and with a few tables as we only worked for reservations so she could easly see it when she came in. The guy seemed pretty chill and down to earth so the guys gave me to work their table. When they came I started as I would with any other guest with suggesting some starters and appetizers. They declined and orderd some chicken with a side salad. As this was a fine dinig restaurant and that was the cheapest dish on the menu I figured this will not be pretty special table and I couldnt expect anything from them. But anyway I was realy nice and profesional to them so they could still feel fancy cause I figured the husband wanted to do something nice for his wife and it was a special occasion for them so I wanted them to have a great time as i knew how expensive we are. They wanted a bottle of wine but didnt rlly know what to get and so I brought them some really good quality wine but also pretty affordable for them as they seemed like they were on a budget. They were really nice and firendly and I got in a conversation with them and found out what they were celebrating. They told me it was their 28th annieversary. It was the time for me to bring the wife the present so I had an idea to treat them on the house with some desert and to write down on the plate with chocolate number 28 and to put a candle so it looked cute. My coworkers were laughing at me and said that I shouldnt treat unimportant guests cause they didnt spent a lot of money for the reservation and wont leave any tips at the end. I said I dont rlly care i just want them to enjoy the night. When I brought the presents and cake the wife started crying and hugging her husband and they both started thanking me for everything I did for them for tonight. I felt awsome cause I just made someones day. I waited for them to finish. When they were done the guy called for me to come to the table, they thanked me once again and the wife was still crying and was really happy, I sad to them they were really nice guests and wish them happy and long marriage. The guy asked me to bring the bill. I got back to the bar and my coworkers started guessing how much he is gonna leave for the tip, they all said it was gonna be like a couple of bucks tops and I did all that work for nothing. The bill was around 100euros, a little less maybe as it rlly was a slow table. The guy came to the bar and in front of all my coworkers paid the bill with 100euro bill and looked at me and said it was the best night for a long time he and his wife had and pulled out two more 100euro bills and gave them to me. They all stood shocked as they couldnt believe the guy they made fun of just left me a double tip from how much the bill was. I thanked them both, shoked his hand and wished them a good night. From that shift every other bigger table was mine and i earned some respect from everybody. So dont judge a book by its cover as they say :)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1jujdfr/a_couple_to_remember/
| 504 | 31 | 1,744,133,556 | 13 |
tip
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hot
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1j4b66c
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TalesFromYourServer
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They don’t understand how their sweetness isn’t always so sweet
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Tuesday nights til close at our restaurant run crazy because we get *wave after wave* of 7-10+ tops from a youth group that lets out at 9. They come in for $5 desserts, tip between $0, $0.40, $2 bucks each. By the end of it we’re all frazzled but thankful we survived another night.
Being at this restaurant for 2 years I’ve had many a desserts group table, and a lot of them recognize me now and enjoy my service.
Last night a girl came up to me soo excited, she had a gift for me. A button for my uniform! It had “[My name], AKA best waitress ever!” So sweet.
…but my name was spelled wrong on the button.
The picture on it too is a picture of the 4 guests at one of our round booths, with the most slender-man looking candid shots of one of our food runners behind them. 💀
While I didn’t have this table last night, I’ve had this group sooo many times (last 3 Tuesdays before last night) that I know each one their split check orders. But they don’t know how to spell my name that’s shown on each check 😔
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1j4b66c/they_dont_understand_how_their_sweetness_isnt/
| 782 | 51 | 1,741,201,978 | 13 |
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hot
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1ic7tzs
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TalesFromYourServer
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Golf People are the best
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(NOTE: EDITED FOR A COUPLE SMALL GRAMMAR CORRECTIONS)
So for context, in college I worked two jobs; a Pizza restaurant and a grocery store. This story is from the former. I worked for two locations of this same chain of Pizza restaurants (there are about 8 total, it's a local chain), but the particular location I worked in at the time this story took place tended to have a lot of "Sport" groups come in from time to time, usually from the local high schools that were nearby or local parks. However, more importantly, we were right down the street from a major Golf Course, where the PGA tours would come through at least once a year. My manager had wanted to try to get some of the golf crowd, but hadn't been successful in previous years. He therefore got the owner's permission to run a 10% discount on the entire meal ticket if you had at least one person wearing a golf course pass lanyard (the ones they give the fans) in your party, and 15% off if the party had a caddie/crew/groundskeeper with ID in it.
So remember I mentioned we had lots of "sport groups" come through? Usually these were ill-behaved, demanding, unpleasant people. The kids or teens would be messy/rowdy and the adults entitled and bratty. Also, it wasn't uncommon they'd come in groups of like 20-30 with no reservations and then complain when they had to wait a long time for seating, and deliberately leave as big a mess as possible for us when they left with little tip, out of spite. When I heard about the discount, which was being heavily advertised locally, I and the other employees were preparing for the worst.
Fast forward to the first day of the tournament. It was about two or three PM when it suddenly poured rain for about ten minutes in one of those classic Southeastern-USA pop-up cloudbursts, and the tournament was suspended for a few hours while they waited for the grass to dry afterwards. When the rain started, I heard one of my coworkers say "Here they come", and sure enough, soaking wet people in DROVES were coming right towards us from the golf course, waving their course passes. My manager broke out every wet-floor sign and towel that we had, and in minutes our restaurant was slam-packed with soaking-wet golf people leaving little puddles everywhere. We casually asked a few of the customers why people had walked in the complete torrent of rain instead of waiting the short cloudburst out, but the general consensus was they'd been caught unawares with no umbrellas and figured they couldn't get any wetter than they already were.
Despite all this, instead of being cranky or grumpy, they were all extremely nice and apologetic about being wet (some even went to the bathroom and tried to dry off with paper towels, and tried to use napkins to dry their seats and the floor. Some of the guys took off their shirts and wrung them out under the awning before coming in) , and left good tips despite getting the discount. They also ate quickly because they wanted to get back to the course, so we got through them pretty quickly, and no one had to wait too long despite the fact we were overwhelmed with people. So we all thought, "That wasn't as bad as it might have been". Dinner that night was about the same, though drier and with less people since most had already eaten during the rain delay.
Fast forward again to the last day of the tournament. (I didn't work the two days in the middle.) I came in during the "Dead time" between two PM and four-thirty PM and noticed two things - the floor was GREEN (little grass clippings from the lunch crowd's shoes) and needed to be swept, and the restaurant was very, very hot. We had large pizza ovens that get to 800 degrees or more, and we also had, up until that point, an excellent HVAC system, but it had died. I found my manager frantically trying to get hold of an HVAC person, while the assistant manager had every ceiling fan we owned running at full blast and had run a block away to the hardware store to buy floor fans for the kitchen staff so they didn't overheat. We learned that the landlord only allowed one HVAC company to touch his stuff, and that said company didn't have anyone free to come until the wee hours of the next day.
By this point, some of our regulars had come in and done an immediate about-turn when they realized it was as hot (if not hotter) inside as it was out, saying they'd come back another time. Fearing the loss of the golf crowd, my manager did something ludicrously desperate, saying "They'll never go for it, but I'm trying anyway". At this location, we had a very large patio out back, which had ceiling fans of its own but was very low-ceilinged and had much better air circulation than the lofty-ceilinged interior of the restaurant. My manager had us push all the patio tables together into one long cafeteria-like row, and move every table we could spare outside to make a few more rows until we were at the maximum the fire marshal would allow for the patio. Then the mass of golf people arrived as the tournament had just ended, hungry and ready for a pizza discount. My manager greeted them at the door and made a grand announcement, expecting most of them to turn away, but immediately people swarmed our patio and sat down in rows like a bunch of kids at school lunchtime, saying "we don't care, this works fine!" Complete strangers sitting in rows.More regulars came and refused to join the throng, but the golf people loved it/treated it like it was an adventure. It was very tricky serving food that day because of all the tables being in the "wrong" places, but we did manage. One party of two grounds-crew men even made a point of summoning the manager and telling them it was the best pizza they'd ever had in their life. So I reiterate my title point - other sport groups can be jerks, but in my experience, Golf people are awesome.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ic7tzs/golf_people_are_the_best/
| 102 | 3 | 1,738,087,451 | 13 |
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hot
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1i4htaf
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Tips
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For context I know what a tip pool is.
As a server at a bar/restaurant, How would you feel if ALL of the tips made by whoever was on a shift together, get put together and split evenly every shift??
This is a small restaurant with a total of 3 servers and 2 bartenders. Not everyone is on everyday. Since it’s been slow there’s only been one server and one bartender per shift lately.
*I’ve been noticing that I’m not even getting back half of what I make due to this…
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1i4htaf/tips/
| 7 | 13 | 1,737,235,486 | 13 |
tip
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hot
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1hzljou
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
My first night as a waiter, did i do well?
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Good morning! Yesterday I worked my first shift as a waiter in a restaurant-bar. I have 5 years of restaurant experience, all as a bar-back and I am 22 years old.
During the evening, I was literally destroyed by a group of 8, 13 and 12, around the same time. I also had at the same time, already at the meal but very meticulous about the service, 3 other tables and 2 others who were added when a waitress left, 30 minutes later.
I also want to point out that my section was completely at the other end of the restaurant, with no clear view from the POS.
I unfortunately had about $60 worth of food/drink ordered but not distributed (i was able to cancelled them before the bar/kitchen does them), the customers still added that I seemed in control for a first day, that they liked my service and I finished with a total sale of $2900 for a total tip of $450.
Is that not so bad for a first day? Any advice if this happens again? I really need to improve my organization but I really think that I didn't have it easy for a first evening haha
I have a group of 30 in 3 days, any advice? I think it's an office party.
Thanks for reading and for the advices :)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hzljou/my_first_night_as_a_waiter_did_i_do_well/
| 7 | 18 | 1,736,684,504 | 13 |
tip
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hot
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1hseuwm
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Employer uses tip jar to buy snacks for the restaurant
|
I’ve been working her for about 6ish months, and I was told that the tips from it were divided up at the end of the year for Christmas. However, when Christmas came and went, nothing. So I asked, and was told it was used through the year to buy snacks. I was wondering if this was legal or not. It’s not direct tips because it’s a fast food place but I’m not sure. Any help would be appreciated (in NC if that matters at all)
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hseuwm/employer_uses_tip_jar_to_buy_snacks_for_the/
| 130 | 24 | 1,735,881,042 | 13 |
tip
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hot
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dbeage
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Was I Wrong to Let My 4-Year-Old Explore the Restaurant While We Ate?
|
Not sure if this fits within the sub’s rules, but I saw a post on an [advice column](https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/09/kids-running-around-restaurants-care-and-feeding.html) I thought you’d appreciate:
Q: My wife and I and our 4-year-old son were out to dinner last week. It was a medium-nice restaurant, not fast food, but not super fancy either. My son is a normal, active little boy, and it’s hard for him to sit through a whole dinner, so we let him explore the restaurant a little. I noticed our waitress giving him the hairy eyeball, so we asked him to stop running. He was pretty good about it after that, but he did get underfoot when she was carrying a tray, and she spoke to him pretty sharply to go back to our table and sit down. I felt it was completely uncalled for, and she should have come and spoken to us personally instead of disciplining someone else’s child.
I tipped 5 percent and spoke briefly to her manager, who gave noncommittal replies. My wife agrees with me, but when we posted about it on Facebook, we got a lot of judgy responses.
A: Yeah, this is your fault. It’s hugely your fault. Of course it’s hard for a 4-year-old to sit still, which is why people usually stick to fast-dining establishments while working on restaurant manners. It’s why one parent usually responds to a fidgety kid who wants to “explore” by taking him outside the restaurant, where he can get his wiggles out while not taking laps around servers precariously carrying trays of (often extremely hot) food and drink.
A kid “exploring” a restaurant is not a thing. When you did intervene, it wasn’t to get him back in his seat. It was just to instruct him to “stop running.” You weren’t parenting, so a server did it for you. She was right. You were wrong.
Your son is not ready to eat at a “medium-nice” restaurant again until he is capable of behaving a little better. You can practice at home. You can practice at McDonald’s. You can try a real restaurant again with the understanding that one of you may need to take him out when he starts getting the urge to run an obstacle course.
I doubt that you will do this, but I encourage you to return the restaurant, apologize to the manager for complaining about your server, and leave her a proper tip.
Mend your wicked ways.
EDIT: Just to reiterate, I did not ask the original question. Just read it on the advice column and posted it here.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/dbeage/was_i_wrong_to_let_my_4yearold_explore_the/
| 10,588 | 1,263 | 1,569,861,646 | 13 |
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top
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137ycr7
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Waited on a bus of 110 children
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My manager asked if I could work last night because she needed an extra server to help with a bus of 110 8th graders returning from a field trip. I'm never one to pass on an opportunity to make money, so of course I obliged. My co-workers and I began stocking early to prep for their arrival. When the kids arrived, I noticed that they were ALL so polite. Each time I would drop off drinks, rolls or straws, I was met with smiles and "Thank Yous". The kids didn't make much of a mess either. They also asked for trash bags to clean up some of what they had left. One little dude called me over and said, "Excuse me, here's a tip for you. I didn't want to hold onto it any longer". He gave me $10 on his own. So sweet! Overall, my co-workers and I enjoyed working.
Edit: Wow, I'm so glad you all enjoyed this! Shout out to the parents, teachers, and positive influences in these lovely kids lives!
Update! I wrote a thank you letter to the school and included a $200 donation for the students to have a pizza, ice cream, or any gathering of the Principal's choosing. The Principal was touched. She stated they're going to come back every year and request me :)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/137ycr7/waited_on_a_bus_of_110_children/
| 5,806 | 188 | 1,683,230,830 | 13 |
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top
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r0wpqi
|
TalesFromYourServer
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To the table of seven college kids having brunch today
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You guys were obviously catching up on Thanksgiving break and enjoying each other’s company. So polite, so wholesome and laid back. You figured your bill out with Venmo or whatever and paid with one card. $40 tip on $160. Made my day. I have a long week of work ahead of me and you kicked it off perfectly.
Best wishes to all of you and Happy Thanksgiving
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/r0wpqi/to_the_table_of_seven_college_kids_having_brunch/
| 4,971 | 169 | 1,637,729,197 | 13 |
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top
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ahuout
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Seven year old wants to be a waitress when she grows up
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I am about to break in half from exhaustion but I had to share this adorable thing from work.
Got a twelve top, all middle aged/elderly people and *one* seven year old girl who was clearly bored out of her mind. She was rearranging everyone’s silverware when it fell out of place and asking everyone what they were planning on drinking.
She kept asking to see what I was writing on my pad and I thought maybe she wanted some paper to draw with or something, but no, her mom is like “Tell her Sophia. Tell her what you want to be when you grow up.”
She’s shyly like “A waitress.”
Her mother explained the family rarely goes out to eat so at home she practices asking everyone what they want to eat, writing it down, and telling her mom (the chef), and carrying multiple plates out.
Since just about none of us wanted to be waitress when we were younger or want to be waitresses now (we don’t hate it, we like our jobs, it’s just not what we laid in bed dreaming of or anything) we were so psyched about her enthusiasm for waitressing and immediately whisked her away to do our tables with us.
We took her on a tour of the kitchen and showed her how to write a ticket and gave her a trainee badge. Then we took turns having her ask our tables drink and food orders and running food with us to tables (we’d give her like a cup to carry over with both hands or a cold side salad.)
She had a blast. We couldn’t believe it. We kept waiting for her to be like “Never mind I definitely do not want to be a waitress.” But it never happened. If anything she got more excited the more we showed her.
And this girl made mad tips in the ~45 minutes she spent waitressing. Almost every table she touched left our tip on the card and then left cash specifically indicating “For the trainee.”
She took her tips home and we said to come back and start full time when she’s 16.
She was *sooo* excited, it really made our night and made us view our job through an entirely different lens. I’d started off the night already really moody and out of it, so this was exactly the gratitude check I needed. Had to share.
Edit: Thank you so much kind strangers for the silver and gold!!!! I’ve been feeling off all weekend and this was such a treat to wake up to. Thanks a lot.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ahuout/seven_year_old_wants_to_be_a_waitress_when_she/
| 4,960 | 194 | 1,547,962,505 | 13 |
tip
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top
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f28w0l
|
TalesFromYourServer
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I was petty with a customer and it worked.
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Rude lady's tab was $16.05. She gives me the book and says "it's all yours". There was $17 and a nickel in the book. A dollar tip. I walked back with the dollar bill in the book and said a bit loudly in front of her friends "Here is your change ma'am. Have a great day."
She leaves quietly. I pick up the book, four singles. I kind of feel badly because I probably embarrassed her, but it seems like she learned a little lesson. So..
🤷🏼♀️
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/f28w0l/i_was_petty_with_a_customer_and_it_worked/
| 4,924 | 501 | 1,581,430,550 | 13 |
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top
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ax7k7h
|
TalesFromYourServer
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My wife’s tip
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My wife and I work at a small family owned casual restaurant that is very popular locally. Sundays we do an insane amount of business.
Last night an older woman came in alone and seemed like something was bothering her. It was close to the end of the night and business had slacked off so my wife decided this would be the last table she picked up. She sat down with the woman and asked if everything was okay.
The woman broke down in tears telling her that her husband had been beating her for 40 years. Said she had tried to leave him many times but never could get away. Said that she finally managed to save enough for a cheap used car and he took it and totaled it almost immediately. All kinds of horrible abuse and very personal stuff.
My wife did the best she could with encouraging words and they hugged and cried. She gave her cheesecake on the house. (we are famous for the owners homemade cheesecake. People come from all over just for it.)
Not a lot but she did what she could.
My wife signs the bill “Hope” (they have to sign the bottom of the ticket to ensure credit card tips go to the right person) and the woman says that it must be a sign from God to not give up hope. They hug again and she leaves.
There was a napkin with the tip and [this](https://i.imgur.com/gwShlw5.jpg) is the note she left on it. My wife came into the kitchen line to show me.
You can never know how bad someone’s day may be going or how much a little kindness may mean to someone.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ax7k7h/my_wifes_tip/
| 4,712 | 141 | 1,551,708,804 | 13 |
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top
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edaoz6
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Thank you to the table that left me 1$ on a 140$ bill..
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At least you left me something! Also you left me an unscratched scratch ticket.. naturally I scratched it and won 50 dollars. So thank you for the 51 dollar tip on 140, it’s a little bit much but I’ll take it, it’s the season of giving anyways!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/edaoz6/thank_you_to_the_table_that_left_me_1_on_a_140/
| 4,701 | 284 | 1,576,851,106 | 13 |
tip
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top
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9tucl9
|
TalesFromYourServer
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$220 on 500
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Not sure if it was on purpose but it made my week, 12 top came in last night, I did the best I could, but I would say they got 8/10 service because we were really busy and I'm the most useful employee (only person who is cross trained on bar and serving and is authorized to use the manager card) so these slackers I work with have me in the weeds. Guy comes up to me and says that he sees how hard I'm working and hands me $100 and says the bill comes to him. Shit, for a $100 bucks dude, I'll draw a fucking portrait of your dog on the check too! But drop the check, expecting a "cash" in the tip line but if you read the title and can do math, it another $120. Made my week I'll tell you what boys.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9tucl9/220_on_500/
| 4,340 | 234 | 1,541,254,028 | 13 |
tip
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top
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k4wux0
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I just got fired for “stealing”
|
This lady called in and said she didn’t leave a tip that I put in. According to my former manager, this happens all the time, people call and lie about it to try to get the restaurant to reimburse the tips. But apparently my managers can’t find the receipt (I guess I lost it??) and couldn’t prove that she did, in fact, tip, so they fired me instead
I know for a fact she fucking tipped me because I remember being pissed about how low it was, $2 on a $50 check.
I’m kinda in shock and really upset right now. I just lost my job during this pandemic because someone lied and I was careless with my receipts.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/k4wux0/i_just_got_fired_for_stealing/
| 4,306 | 452 | 1,606,865,034 | 13 |
tip
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top
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prg5nk
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Got arrested on the job wondering if I will be fired
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UPDATE: After begging my manager for another chance I am no longer employed here. However, I told my boss at my gas station job and he offered to help me pay for a lawyer, said I can have as much OT as I want, and even gave me a $2.40 raise.
Strange turn of events but I was serving this guy and his family, and he says I look familiar. I kind of brush it off. After I bring them their food and they are done i bring them the bill. The guy goes “you really look familiar. What is your last name”? I tell him and he pulls out a badge and tells me I’m under arrest. Apparently I had a warrant for my arrest for failing a UA. He works in the same probation office as my PO and we live in a small town.
Is there any chance I will keep my job? I am going in tomorrow to talk to my boss just wanting to know what I should say. The whole thing was extremely traumatic and several people customers and employees and even my manager filmed me.
EDIT: I forgot to add, my boss already knew of my legal troubles as I began working here after losing my last job due to it. The probation is just for a misdemeanor, and I am not worried about him firing me because of that. Mainly worried because I was led out of the restaurant in handcuffs. He was also showing off for his wife and kids he said see this is why you don’t do drugs you’ll end up like this loser serving tables at 40. So humiliating. I obviously didn’t resist or anything but it was still a scene that half the place stared at.
EDIT 2: I don’t have a drug problem. I am on probation for misdemeanor DUI. The failed UA was from a prescription that I forgot to warn my PO about. The lawyer says that the violation will be tossed when I have my hearing.
And for those of you wondering, he tipped me $2.91 on a $77 dollar tab.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/prg5nk/got_arrested_on_the_job_wondering_if_i_will_be/
| 4,181 | 535 | 1,632,084,432 | 13 |
tip
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top
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139azi0
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Left one penny even though I added gratuity?
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Okay so, as the title says. Party of 10 come into our hibachi restaurant, no reservation. It's already packed I'm the only one on hibachi. One person has a problem with the added on gratuity. They talk to the manager blah blah. Separate checks. On two of the checks they left 0.01. Even though they clearly know gratuity was added on because we require them to initial next to it before they pay. (Idk why legal reasons) what is the significance of leaving one extra penny? Is it an insult? Because I still got tipped. Im left very confused. Maybe that was their goal?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/139azi0/left_one_penny_even_though_i_added_gratuity/
| 413 | 69 | 1,683,344,576 | 13 |
gratuity
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relevance
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1as3k6u
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Campaigning for auto gratuity. Any tips?
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So I work at a corporate restaurant that does not do automatic gratuity on large parties. We’ll get parties of 20+ people who will come in, take up multiple server’s sections, and then barely tip anything. This happens on a daily basis. We’ve been begging our managers to let us have automatic gratuity but that decision has to be made at the district level. I’m going to write a petition to try and get things to change. Has anyone else done something like this? I don’t want to seem entitled, but we need to be fairly compensated for our labor.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1as3k6u/campaigning_for_auto_gratuity_any_tips/
| 16 | 14 | 1,708,071,299 | 13 |
gratuity
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relevance
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w7gjr5
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
A regulars wife stiffed me of my tip and tried to stiff my aunt next…
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So earlier today my aunt was serving a table of 10 for dinner. The couple was our regular who comes here often and the husband usually leaves a generous tip. I’ve only got to serve them once, and at the time, the husband had to leave early so he left $200 for the wife to pay and I personally overheard him tell her the change was tip (the change was almost $50) but the wife ended up keeping the change, so she pretty much stiffed me of my tip money. Knowing this, I warned my aunt after she sat them down to keep an eye on the wife.
Later on after everyone was done with their meal, the husband paid for everyone’s dinner and personally handed my aunt a $50 bill, my aunt was so excited! She then told me that she was afraid they will ask for it back because she overheard the wife and mother in law ask how much did he tip her and they then proceeded to read through the receipt. Not even 5 minutes later, his mother in law came up to my aunt and asked for the $50 back because they ‘didn’t know the tip was in the gratuity’ and my aunt hesitantly gave her the money back.
I could tell my aunt was really upset and told her ‘you should have handed the husband the money back personally instead of giving it to the lady, maybe he doesn’t know about her asking for the tip back’ and I even offered to speak with the wife and mother in law about it but my aunt was too embarrassed she said to ‘just let it go’.
Now I was already angry that the wife had stiffed me from my tip, so I wasn’t going to let her get away with it this time and especially wasn’t going to let her take away from my aunt who works really hard! So when the time finally came for them to leave, I swear it was perfect timing, the mother in law walked to the bathroom and the husband was right behind her getting ready to walk out the door so I tapped him on the shoulder and told him ‘you tipped my aunt $50 and it really made her day, but I’d just thought you should know that someone (I didn’t say who) came and asked for the money back and she’s really hurt about it’ and he looked a bit shocked and said ‘oh really?!’ Then he asked for my name and my aunts name and asked what our closing time was.
Right before he left, he looked at my aunt and said ‘I’ll be back to speak with you later’ and my aunt looked worried until I explained to her what I did. Later on he showed back up and asked to see my aunt and I ran and told her that he was back and wants to speak with her. He explained to her what happened and personally handed her $100 and the glow on my aunts face nearly made me cry! Sometimes you just have to speak up if you know something isn’t right!
TLDR: A regular customer came in with his wife and family and treated for dinner, his wife stiffed me of my tip before, so I warned my aunt to keep an eye on her. When it came time to pay, he gave her a $50 tip and later the wife got the mother in law to ask for the tip money back without the husband knowing. I told the husband about what happened and he later came back and handed my aunt $100.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/w7gjr5/a_regulars_wife_stiffed_me_of_my_tip_and_tried_to/
| 2,053 | 129 | 1,658,727,247 | 13 |
gratuity
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relevance
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or8gp4
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Tonight was the second time this happened.
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Yesterday, Friday night, we had a party of 12 that called ahead so we got everything set up. Then they walk in with at least 25 people and say they have 10 more coming. Start moving tables on their own and complaining that we don’t have enough chairs, literally in the middle of dinner rush when we have maybe 4 other parties of 10+. Whatever, we survived by putting the extra 10 on the wait list separately.
Today, Saturday night, we had a party of 24. They walk in with 35 people!!!! We literally had no room for them and had to split them up. Not to mention we don’t get automatic gratuity. So I was worried about the tip since this was obviously frustrating to them. I made $3.
Do people seriously think they can just walk into a restaurant on a weekend night and make all kinds of demands like they’re the only people we serve???
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/or8gp4/tonight_was_the_second_time_this_happened/
| 2,084 | 118 | 1,627,205,004 | 13 |
gratuity
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relevance
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xzocwh
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Advice on how to get 20 percent gratuity
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I feel like I do a good job pre bussing refilling drinks but sometimes I don’t get 20 percent tip even after exceptional service
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/xzocwh/advice_on_how_to_get_20_percent_gratuity/
| 7 | 9 | 1,665,329,270 | 13 |
gratuity
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relevance
|
9ljcd9
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Auto Gratuities?
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Been stuck in a debate with management and ownership on the notion of auto gratuity on any table regardless of size of parties. What we were thinking of, was an automatic 10% gratuity on every table, regardless of a two top or a six top. We've heard both the pros and cons of this notion, but what are y'alls thoughts on this? We basically want to ensure that every server gets to make some money. The area of the city we reside in is notorious for bad tipping, so we personally think this will keep staff from being disgruntled. In a perfect world, the establishment would compensate the wait staff accordingly instead of relying on the tipping system, but as of now, this is what we're rolling with.
Could this be bad for business?
Has anyone ever worked with this kind of system?
How did it work out?
What are customers' thoughts on this kind of system?
Btw, this concept will revolve around cocktails, food will be served through independent food trucks. Servers are essentially booze salesmen and runners.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9ljcd9/auto_gratuities/
| 19 | 32 | 1,538,715,330 | 13 |
gratuity
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relevance
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db6riy
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TalesFromYourServer
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Group decides not to eat because they don’t wanna tip
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I work as a hostess and at my restaurant we have automatic 18% gratuity for groups 8 or larger. Today, there was a group of 10 that came in looking for a table. This was no big deal as we had some space saved for larger groups just in case. One lady from the group comes up and asks about our automatic tip policy. Me (M), Stingy Lady (SL)
SL: “Do you guys do automatic tip for large parties? How many in a group do you do it for?”
M: “We do it for parties 8 or larger, and it will be 18%”
SL: “What if the bill is split, do you still do it?”
M: “Yes you may split it however you want but we will still add gratuity for the whole group”
SL: “Ok how about if we sat two tables “
M: “We actually are going to have to put you at two tables anyways because of what we have available, but yes it will still be added on”
(At our restaurant we cannot physically move tables so we give larger parties two next to each other, so we have one check going for both tables involved)
SL: “Ok thank you, there is about 10 of us”
So from there i go to set up the tables for them and warn the other waiters in that section that they might cause some trouble about tipping. Them and the manager all say yeah they’re gonna get it added no matter what they do. I return to the front to get them seated and the same lady comes back up to me.
SL: “We want to split into 7 and 3 actually.”
M: “Okay but its still gonna be the same tables and we will bill it as group of 10”
SL: “No we are two different groups”
M: “Unfortunately we can’t split you guys up like that, since you came in as a group of 10 we have to treat you guys as one large party”
SL: “No we are not 10 we are 7 and 3”
M: “i’m sorry but i have no way of splitting you guys up like that, its gonna be charged the same however way and we don’t have any other tables available right now”
SL: “Well it doesn’t make sense because we are three different families we can’t be all one group”
M: “i’m sorry but i was told i cannot split you guys up at all theres nothing i can do, it is just our policy”
From there they decide to just leave because they don’t want to tip. We were glad they decided to leave because we could just tell they were going to be a difficult group no matter what. I just can’t believe they wanted to be that cheap and still be one large group.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/db6riy/group_decides_not_to_eat_because_they_dont_wanna/
| 1,207 | 178 | 1,569,819,898 | 13 |
gratuity
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relevance
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1ebp91i
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TalesFromYourServer
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worst manager story
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it’s been a few months and i’m still processing working at this place. i felt this page might get a kick out of it. this is by far the worst manager i’ve ever worked for.
about a year ago i applied for my first ever restaurant job as a hostess. i used to work at disney doing attractions and wanted a change of pace. my moms bf was a bartender in my hometown and thought i would do really well in the restaurant business. i got this job in hopes to work my way up to a server. the job posting was on indeed and said i would make $100-$500 a shift. this is pretty comical looking back considering the most i made in one shift there was $150 (and that was a freak occurrence. it was christmas morning and we were the only place open in the area. the only reason people were tipping me so much is because they felt bad for the restaurant which was clearly in the weeds all morning). on average i walked out of my shift with $20 plus my $6/hr wage.
i interviewed with one of the lead servers and then was called in to a second interview with the manager and was hired on the spot. during the interview the manager kept yelling at other servers and not in a joking manner. she was very short with me and did not make much conversation. i didn’t think much of it at the time because i thought maybe she was having a bad day or just wasn’t a talkative person.
later on i started seeing her true colors. the first instance was when a black woman walked into the restaurant asking for an application for a server position. i walked back to get the manager and she came up to the host stand. she asked the nice lady “how many years of serving experience do you have?” the woman replied “two years”. the manager turned her away and said “we only hire servers with 5 plus years of experience.” and walked off. a day later a young white blonde girl came in and asked the same question. the manager asked her the same question and she replied “i don’t have any serving experience but i’ve hosted” and she walked her back for an interview and hired her on the spot. i thought it was weird but once again brushed it off because i thought maybe she wasn’t hiring as of yesterday?
a couple of weeks later a customer asked the manager about why they added auto gratuity on their check and the managers response was “because the blacks don’t tip”. i was appalled, as was the customer. let’s just say that led to a not so nice google review. at this point i was actively job searching to get out of this place, as i did not want to work for someone so disgusting and hateful. she would constantly make racist jokes to me, expecting me to agree or laugh with her. she was always yelling at everyone over nonsense and being really rude and abrasive towards customers. my final straw was when her daughter started serving there over the summer and she would come to the host stand and manipulate the rotation so her daughter would get more people, and then blame it on me, saying i sat them in her section. most of the servers knew and were on my side but it still made me feel so unsupported and anxious every day. i finally quit without any notice because i couldn’t take it anymore.
on top of all of this i was being harassed by the creepy old dishwasher and there were two specific servers that would yell at me over follow rotation all the time, expecting me to give them all the tables because they were older and had bills to pay. like no, i’m not giving the two older and bitter servers who don’t ever tip me out more tables over the college girls like me who need to pay tuition and literally will give me $20 just for bussing their tables. it was honestly a nightmare job and what gave me a bitter taste on working in a restaurant. i may try again one day but omg. literally insane.
i want to add in all of this that i was a really great hostess. i constantly got compliments from regulars on my work and was told by 2 of the servers that i was the best hostess they had ever worked with. i always got waters, bussed tables, followed rotations, swept during free time, helped servers with side work, and really tried my best to make sure everyone was getting equal amounts of people. the servers would literally hover over the rotation and watch and criticize my every move. it was so tiring and i felt like almost everyone (there’s 3 servers that did really have my back and appreciated me) was looking for me to mess up so they had something to complain about.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ebp91i/worst_manager_story/
| 32 | 1 | 1,721,894,053 | 13 |
gratuity
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hot
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14c7vdu
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TalesFromYourServer
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Need serious advisement on how to proceed (terrible restaurant practices)
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Hey everyone. Apologies for posting from my phone. I need some advice/guidance. I will try to keep it short. But I'm drunk.
Career server. Got hired at this very "insta" popular joint in a very busy section of my city. Completed training (what a joke. Supposed 7 days, I tested out in 2), added to schedule. FUCKING NIGHTMARE. Already quit after 3 full shifts.
Here's my gripes, questions on how to proceed will follow:
This place has asked me to/requires servers to:
*upsell drinks but does not pour top shelf. Instead they pour well; drinks are not returnable in any event
* told me to claim zero tips when cashing out ( as in not even credit card tips)
*was approached by a "senior" staff member and told exactly this " hey you. Looks like that table didn't tip you well, let me see their cc slip so I can make a note of their name and add a reservation note so we know to autograt them next time" (my response was like uhhh, ok. Later for that, weirdo)
* Was told that even though the menu states a gratuity policy (18% on 6 20% on more than) we can add gratuity on any check, just don't tell the guest. Like if they "look" like they're not gonna tip (their words, not mine) just add it, who cares? Racial/misogynistic/sexual profiling much, you assholes?
*A wealth of other health code violation stuff, rude and untalented/uncaring staff and just gross ass food and practices led me to quit.
My questions are:
How do I report this? Never in my career have I dealt with the thought that I might want to snitch. And I'm not disgruntled; easy come, easy go, and on to the next.
But this shit seems so unethical that I feel like I must blow a whistle. What do you guys think? And if you agree, how do I go about reporting these business practices?
*Footnote: not asking for health department advice. I can figure that out on my own. I need advice on how to attack these unethical business practices. Who do I contact to address these concerns?
Thanks in advance, keep fighting the good fight pals. I love you all.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/14c7vdu/need_serious_advisement_on_how_to_proceed/
| 17 | 6 | 1,687,052,689 | 13 |
gratuity
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hot
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11xgp93
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TalesFromYourServer
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Hibachi waitress advice and legality
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UPDATE: I also just discovered I was not being paid minimum wage for over a year, and my social security and Medicare being taken out was/is going in their pocket! She also as not logging system for tips other than a tiny little book primarily used for tracking the number of tables we have.
Hibachi waitress here, i just got some questions. I recently went back to an old job only to find things have changed a little. Here are some of them,
6 waitresses total, if one person has the day off in BOH or sushi bar, all waitress are required to be there and denied vacation or time off, does this sound normal?
In addition, should 50-55% be taking out of my tips daily to pay the salary of the cooks? In addition to bussers and sushi bar workers? Is this normal?
I also haven’t received any tax forms from them previously and not even sure that they tax the tips they are taking from me. I believe they are just flying under the radar..
A decent bit of favoritism, the girl who’s been there the longest is allowed to take parties of 15 or more, though the rest even with our experience are forced to split, and owner Denys requests all the time to add gratuity. This also occurs a lot and she chooses to only add gratuity on minorities
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/11xgp93/hibachi_waitress_advice_and_legality/
| 446 | 65 | 1,679,404,924 | 13 |
gratuity
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hot
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wbjf7z
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TalesFromYourServer
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A few things I hate about my restaurant:
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Parties bigger than 6 are NOT allowed to have a reservation? What? Walk in only.
Parties of 8+ are given auto gratuity of 18%. 18. You can’t take it off either, it’s a requirement. So even if you know they’ll tip higher, sucks. And they can remove the gratuity.
The Togo area only has one cashier at a time. Meaning, if there are 4 people working Togo and the cashier walks away, the other 3 are just supposed to stand there and ignore customers. They can’t do anything bc they can’t log into the register.
Some nights they only schedule one busser. We have 60+ tables open, varying from 2 tops to 8 tops & also pushed together to accommodate parties of 20+. One busser.
The hosts are completely unmonitored. So if they hold a grudge, they can refrain from seating you for as long as they want. They can seat your whole section all at once. If you tell a manager, they just say “the hosts are probably just doing what they can.” No, dude, they’re cliqued up and deciding who gets what.
We released a new menu 3 days ago. Did we revise the old menu? Yes. To contain new pictures. Not the new menu, which is now found on a SEPARATE menu entirely. On top of another menu we have for lower calorie options. So we seat guests with one menu that is 30 pages, one that is 2, and one that is 1. Three menus. Not one item made correctly.
On the new menu, we have not even released the items yet. Therefore, for the last week I have had guests yelling at me for not having the new items but having them on the menu. It’s not me ma’am, it’s corporate. Thank god tomorrow we actually start making the new stuff.
Why do I stay? I’m working on getting a new job. Service industry days are coming to an end for me. But damn, if I don’t hate this restaurant. We have lost every single GM in the last 6 months and had to replace them. It’s awful.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/wbjf7z/a_few_things_i_hate_about_my_restaurant/
| 148 | 14 | 1,659,138,946 | 13 |
gratuity
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hot
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8hbbjp
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TalesFromYourServer
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Read the contract you signed!
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I served a private party yesterday. Nothing major. 25 people for a small room. They paid the deposit and signed the contract for the room 2 weeks prior. 3 hours for $175, plus the 18% gratuity, as stated in the contract they signed.
We set the room up for them and according to the contract that they signed, delivered the food into the room at the specified time that they requested in the contract that they signed.
They then showed up 1.5 hours late to their party, and promptly complained that we sent the food back to the kitchen to be stored in the warmers. So I quickly brought the now still hot food back to their private room for them to complain about one missing container of salad dressing, as I'm scrambling to fill drink orders for the 25 people that walked in at the same time, 1.5 hours late.
One thing after another, these people complain about everything that was already discussed to them and written in the contract, in which they had signed.
"Why is the food cost so high?
"Why is the room charge so high?"
"Why are the drinks not covered in the room charge?"
"Why is there an 18% gratuity?"
ALL OF THIS WAS AGREED UPON. NOTHING WAS ALTERED IN ANY WAY. THEY SIGNED THE CONTRACT FOR A SERVICE AND THE SERVICE WAS DELIVERED AS SPECIFIED.
But no, we're the shady business running a scan and stealing people's money. Yeah, sure thing lady.
One of the moments that made me seriously consider just walking away and stop serving.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/8hbbjp/read_the_contract_you_signed/
| 1,103 | 51 | 1,525,563,278 | 13 |
gratuity
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top
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vg8hic
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TalesFromYourServer
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Survived Father’s Day, but not without a note from my table
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I work at a country club, and we have a 20% auto-grat for groups of 8+ (which saves my ass frequently with mahjong biddies and the like). Today the club ran a special for Father’s Day: ribs, corn, potato salad, and banana pudding for $17.95. (It’s nuts, I know) we were swamped from the moment we opened for lunch, and my section had room for a 10 top, and three 4 tops. The table in question couldn’t figure out how many people they were gonna have, and had me make an 8 top specifically for them (after pouring the first 4 top drinks, supes inconvenient) then they complained about every aspect of their meal, and got upset I didn’t bring it quickly enough even though we had a restaurant completely full of people. When it came time for checks, I added the %20, split it, and got everyone paid up. By the time I got back to the table after taking care of my other 10 top, I found that one of the patrons had left me a WONDERFUL note on top of their check “You did not earn the %20 gratuity that you added to our checks.” After discussing this with my hostess, I also found out, the customer can call the office here, and have the gratuity REMOVED if they feel I didn’t earn it!
TLDR: Fathers Day is hell, and auto grat will ALWAYS succeed in pissing somebody off.
Edit to add some backstory:
1. The auto grat they paid was $14 on a $70 tab.
2. The club had been advertising the special on Facebook all week, but on Sunday they only had 45 portions prepared.
3. My other table was an 8 top, which mitosised into a 10 top, because two people migrated from another servers table in her section over to mine, after ordering food and drinks. When I looked visibly taken back after I saw they added even more people (after having removed the other settings). The HBIC of the table said “they’re familyyy”, as if that helps at all.
4. The kitchen (2 cooks and 1 person doing salads and paninis) were completely backed up with regular menu orders AND churning out specials. I was incorrectly told three different times we were out of specials, when we did have some left. So me having to backtrack saying we were out of specials to my table probably didn’t help.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/vg8hic/survived_fathers_day_but_not_without_a_note_from/
| 567 | 58 | 1,655,684,275 | 13 |
gratuity
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top
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mato5z
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TalesFromYourServer
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Faith in humanity restored
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First time poster, long time lurker, yadayada. I work at a restaurant in a resort hotel that has a roughly 400 person occupancy post covid and to say I’ve been getting burnt out is an understatement to the nth degree. After a rough Friday/Saturday (50+min ticket times, 1hr long waitlist and just complete dumpster fire start to finish) I had absolutely no desire to go in yesterday. My faith in humanity was decimated. But I went and holy shit was it the best decision I’ve made this year.
Last table of the night 22 top youth basketball team with 8 adults (high key pissed thinking they’ll make a mess and a million split tickets) Then an angel from the walk-in in the sky blessed me with their presence. All one ticket. More or less well behaved kids. Everyone was nice and patient. Food came out right. I thought I was having a stroke or another work dream. This angel of a man who was taking care of the tab tipped me $1200 on top of the included $240 gratuity.
I have never in my life cried from happiness at work in my life. Sad cry? Yes. Angry cry? Abso-fucking-lutely. Work July 4th lakeside, and the kitchen catches on fire cry? Just the one time. But never happy crying. This man gave me over $1400 and could not have been nicer. And I almost called out. My faith in humanity is restored and my eyes are puffy from crying. To think I was dreading coming to work and almost called out.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/mato5z/faith_in_humanity_restored/
| 487 | 17 | 1,616,435,705 | 13 |
gratuity
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top
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31uo71
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TalesFromYourServer
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Walk out on your tab? Ok, have fun getting fired from your job and stranded in a different state....
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So I work in a hotel restaurant in a little ski town resort. I am a server but this story is about some guests at the bar, and the bartenders. I was working this day but they weren't my customers.
Construction workers, maybe 8 of them, were staying at the hotel. They came in to the bar around noon and started drinking. Company was paying for hotel room and for food, but not for alcohol (pretty standard) and these guys ran up a $200+ tab of alcohol alone. Started being belligerent assholes and the bartenders cut them off. So what did they do? Walked out on their tab. Uuuuugh.
Bartender adds a 20% gratuity, goes to the front desk of the hotel and finds out what room they're staying in and charges the tab to their room... Which happens to be on the company credit card. Within an hour they're back in the restaurant bitching out our manager because they got fired! Oh man karma is a bitch, but she's a sweet bitch when she's not taking her wrath out on you.
TL;DR: customers walk out on $200 tab, get charged a 20% gratuity and then get fired because we charged the tab to their hotel room, which was on the company credit card. Fired, stranded in a different state and forced to pay for their own hotel and their own way back home. Karma bitchessssss!
Edit: so apparently I'm lying and made all of this up. Or so I'm told. A few points of interest:
-management approved the room charge, it's policy at our place. I realize that's probably not how it works everywhere. But this is a small town, small business, privately owned. Not corporate at all, so different policies.
-seriously small town shit here. I've been in the corporate restaurant world and this privately owned stuff is a whole different animal. Many policies that we consider "standard" at corporate places are non-existent in the small business restaurants.
-I'm fairly certain these guys were problem employees for their company. Repeat offenders I suppose. They've stayed with us before and there's always been some kind of problem but nothing ever this extreme.
-not all of the guys got fired... only two.
-their managers talked to our managers before anyone got fired. Saying they were back within an hour was an exaggeration, but it was the same day. Realistically it was probably four hours.
-if I was making this up it would be a lot better than this. And it would have happened to me and not my bartender... And I would know a lot more details to maybe actually convince people I'm not a liar.
-believe me or not, I don't care. I know it happened and I know I got a bunch of petty glee out of it. All I wanted was to share a story about asshole customers actually having to deal with consequences to their actions. Take it or leave it.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/31uo71/walk_out_on_your_tab_ok_have_fun_getting_fired/
| 339 | 68 | 1,428,480,192 | 13 |
gratuity
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top
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7q0edw
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TalesFromYourServer
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Stories from the graveyard shift
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Okay I just found this subreddit and boy do I have some stories to tell. So here is a list of shit that's gone down at my restaurant. I work at a 24 hour breakfast place as the only graveyard server, so my nights get pretty interesting. Anyways here we go
-I have drunk regulars who typically tip me 30-50 bucks despite only eating 20 dollars worth of food. They're both always so wasted that I can't even understand them.
-I once stopped a dine and dash from happening. These two boys were sitting around and one of them had forgotten their wallet. He asked if they could go check the gas station they were last at for the guy's wallet. I knew they were gonna dine and dash so i kept an eye on them, as they were the only customers in the restaurant. My manager came out and talked to them, telling them that if they don't leave some form of payment, he was gonna call the cops. So one of them stayed while the other went to get his wallet. Thing is, he was gone less than 5 minutes and the nearest gas station is 2 miles away. They paid in cash and didn't tip, but it was still satisfying to stop them.
-One of the old night cooks got mad and threw a frying pan full of eggs at me. It landed on the passbar counter and I just put it back into the window, unsure of what to do. He ended up still putting the eggs on the plate and I served them. For that same table I had to serve the table slightly burnt onion rings because I knew if I asked the cook to remake them he'd probably throw those at me too. He ended up getting fired that morning for completely different reasons.
-When it's dead me and my manager turn on the Charlie Brown Christmas song and dance to it
-A lot of customers seat themselves despite our “please wait to be seated” sign and then get mad when it takes me awhile to get to them. Like I didn't even see them. Bitches.
-Once had a 40 top that tipped me 150 dollars on a 400 check. Bless. And that was on top of the 80 dollar gratuity. Same people come in regularly around Halloween in smaller groups since they work at the local haunted house. They always tip really well.
-Ive had multiple customers ask me out. One time this guy tried to ask me out and I laughed because the entire time he thought I was a woman. He was so embarrassed and ended up tipping me really well.
That's all I can think of for now. Graves are so entertaining.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7q0edw/stories_from_the_graveyard_shift/
| 283 | 23 | 1,515,797,163 | 13 |
gratuity
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top
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10t9yxo
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TalesFromYourServer
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The worst party I have ever worked in 30+ years of doing this.
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This took place a few years ago. I was working as banquet captain at a fine dining restaurant, that also does events, in Orange County.
The event was a large wedding. I'm not going to describe the people in attendance, but I will say that they were not the kind of people that could really afford to eat at the restaurant regularly.
From the very beginning of the event there were problems. One of the first people to arrive was the DJ. He seemed nice enough and he told me he was the cousin of the bride and he was doing the gig as a favor. That wasn't the problem. The problem(s) started when another guy showed up with his equipment, and thought that he was going to be the DJ.
When I saw him roll in with his stuff I immediately started asking him what he was doing, because I remembered him from other events. It turns out the bride had already booked him months in advance and he had a signed contract for the gig. As I recall, he was due to be paid $500 not including the deposit.
So, before the event even started the bride got into a screaming match with the DJ because she forgot she booked him. It ended with him screaming "I have a contract and I'm going to fucking sue you!!!". Only he didn't say it that nicely.
The event itself was booked for 100 people, so we had 2 bartenders and 5 servers. That may seem like a weird number for a party that big, but all the booze was cash and carry(guests pay for it themselves). The guests arrived and everything was cruising along fine up until after the ceremony was over and it was time to feed the animals.
As soon as everyone sits down the whole place starts reeking of weed. this was before it was legal in CA. We can get shut down if the health inspector drops in and the place smells like Burning Man.
The manager had to tell the bride and groom that we will stop the event if they don't stop with the weed.
Meanwhile, the wedding party is wrecked. They got to drink as much as they want, so shots of fireball and Hennessey.
The food for the party is three courses. Everyone gets the house salad, which is a basic mixed greens with a vinaigrette. It took almost half an hour to get the salads out, because so many people had to have ranch instead.
When it came time for the dinner to be rolled out, it took even longer. So many people had moved we couldn't figure out where the food was supposed to go. Also, tons of meatheads completely changed their minds when they saw the prime rib.
*"Oh, can get that instead?"* or even better *"that's not what I ordered"*. It was a shit show. We ended up with dozens of extra entrees that we threw in the trash. Also, almost every single prime rib came back because it wasn't well done enough.
When it came time for dessert they had an ice cream based item that had to be in the fridge right up until we serve it.
The fridge broke and all of their ice cream was soup. It was hot summer that year. The broken fridge wasn't on them, but it really added to the misery.
After all the drama, I'm ready to just get my guaranteed auto-grat and get out of there. I gave the couple the bill and they immediately want to speak to the manager.
They had him remove the auto-grat, because they said they were paying in cash and wanted to leave the tip in cash too. I know, that makes no sense.
It turns out they didn't leave any tip at all. 7 servers and bartenders worked 7 hours for these people and they stiffed us on a $6000+ check.
We did, however, make $43 each from the cash and carry tips.
That night I went home and googled the names of the bride and groom. the first thing that came back were mugshots.
TLDR: I got stiffed by some really awful people.
Edit: I noticed there have been a lot of comments about how the manager took off the auto-grat. When he was booking the party, bride and the groom had already told him they were likely not going to leave a tip. CA law doesn't allow you to compel people to tip. It does allow you to add a "service charge", but then the employer has to pay tax on that and the company was unwilling to do that. After that event the service manager that did that was told that we don't book parties that don't tip anymore.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/10t9yxo/the_worst_party_i_have_ever_worked_in_30_years_of/
| 1,280 | 129 | 1,675,499,965 | 13 |
service charge
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relevance
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w6gpe1
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TalesFromYourServer
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$1 an Hour + Commission
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This is going to be long so bear with me.
I moved out to the West Coat a couple months ago and got a serving job for a Fire and Vine company. In the state I'm in, tipped workers recieve minimum wage plus tips, which turns out to be a pretty good deal.
Anyways, that aside, I was hired with the belief that I would be making minimum wage plus tips and deemed it as fair compensation. About a week and a half into the two week training, I was informed that no, I would be making $1 an hour plus commission, not minimum plus tips, and because it's a different way of paying employees, it was, according to them, legal.
There was a document during orientation, yes, that said something along the lines of an automatic gratuity being added on every check that the company would recieve and split between employees. It would be counted as a "commission", but also employees would be compensated for their time depending on their job position. The wording seemed so vague that I felt it could mean anything. I should have seen this red flag, but i was already starting employment almost a month later than originally promised (another red flag), and I was in desperate need of money and assumed that compensation was minimum wage.
So now we have several problems, I was started later than initially promised, my wage was not what I initially thought it would be, and it feels like guests have no choice but to pay the service charge, no matter how good or poor the service.
I of course, started asking questions, and I felt I was met with vaguely worded answers. At this point they extended my training and after training, it felt they would pull me aside and barate me for simple mistakes such as forgetting a brown sugar and a butter for tableside. I was initially under the understanding that I would be getting 4 to 5 shifts a week, but found out that because of their pay structure, most people are on call, and it got the point where I was only getting called in once, maybe twice a week, and had only had a few shifts outside of training.
I was planning on finding another job anyways, but this expedited the process. I felt I was being singled out for minor mistakes, and honestly, the culture seemed toxic. People didn't seem afraid to report each other to management, and I felt like I would often hear a server getting berated for missing a serving spoon that could be grabbed from a drawer 5 feet away or something of a similar level of petty mistake.
Anyways, as of today I no longer work there. I got called into the office today and told that because they're overstaffed and I'm the newest person there, they're going to let me go. They said there were some small performance issues, but it didn't feel like they had any solid examples (maybe it was that brown sugar an butter I forgot?). They said it seemed like there was a disconnect and that being 3 steps ahead of the game isn't enough and that I need to be 10 steps ahead.
I was planning on quitting in a couple weeks anyways since I have another job lined up, and I just wanted to make sure it worked out first, but I guess they pulled the trigger first. I almost didn't sign the slip that said they're firing me, but I never planned on staying there long anyways (I really knew after my first couple of days the environment seemed toxic).
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/w6gpe1/1_an_hour_commission/
| 80 | 33 | 1,658,617,293 | 13 |
service charge
|
hot
|
ikxw4p
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Fellas, if you’re gonna put your number on the receipt, and then leave me less than a 15% tip, you’ve already failed.
|
That’s it, that’s the post.
Edit: thanks for the Doot Doot award, kind stranger!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ikxw4p/fellas_if_youre_gonna_put_your_number_on_the/
| 770 | 109 | 1,599,011,863 | 13 |
15%
|
relevance
|
wuv0hr
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Tips less than 20%
|
Do you guys ever get a poor tip (5-10%) but then stop and think “yeah that makes sense…”
I’ve been in the industry for about 11 years and of course I go out of my way to make sure everyone has the best possible experience but every now and again, despite my best efforts, some tables just don’t get the best service. It happens. Something with the kitchen, or I got slammed and that beer took way too long, I got caught at a table, I wake up at 3 am thinking SH*T THEY NEVER GOT THAT RANCH, etc etc.
Then the fateful moment when you go to get the check… 10%. I will stop and think “yeah…that’s fair”
Just wondering if we all analyze ourselves like that. I mean if I give great service, everything is perfect and I get <10% then yeah you suck. But I also think that no one is perfect, and sometimes it happens, I get why, and seek to improve.
Anyway, cheers!
(Also I’m on mobile so sorry if formatting is weird)
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/wuv0hr/tips_less_than_20/
| 186 | 46 | 1,661,178,225 | 13 |
20%
|
relevance
|
dijzmg
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Fallout from confronting a friend who is a bad tipper.
|
I’m curious if you or anyone you know has ever confronted a friend or family member for being a poor tipper when you go out with them. What was their reaction? Did they see the error of their ways? Or did they double-down?
I confronted my former roommate and he was super appreciative. He was young and had never worked in the industry. My boyfriend, on the other hand, was not so lucky.
He has a really close friend that is a horrible tipper. He told me they’ve fought about it before and he’s finally resigned himself to having to bring extra cash or tip more on his share when he hangs out of with her. This is a woman with a full time job, no children or pets, who lives with her parents rent-free. Her only bill is her cell phone. She gets her hair and nails done all of the time, maintains eyelash extensions and tinted eyebrows, just took an international vacation, and recently had a nose job. Her reasoning for tipping poorly? *She can’t afford it.*
Recently she took him out for a birthday meal... and proceeded to leave 6%. My boyfriend called her out on it and said he would gladly Venmo her some money if she would please just leave 20%. She got pretty upset and hasn’t really spoken to him since. I feel bad that his friendship seems to be ending, but also kind of relieved I won’t have to hang out with this person. I know it seems petty and dramatic, but people who cry poverty as a reason to tip poorly are generally just selfish assholes. Not people I want to spend time with.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/dijzmg/fallout_from_confronting_a_friend_who_is_a_bad/
| 68 | 40 | 1,571,199,477 | 13 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
6nkns1
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
How stereotypes are perpetuated (a response to the "bad tippers" thread)
|
I've had this on my mind for a while now, but it fits in really well with [this thread.](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/6ni50r/stereotypical_bad_tippers/)
Before I go into a rant rife with self-pity, let me say that things are going pretty good for me right now: I've got a stable job in the restaurant industry (hence my activity on this sub) and will be transferring to another one while I start a new life at a fairly prestigious college, and have kinda just been focusing on me for the summer.
However, there was a time in my life where I really didn't have much. I've never been a social butterfly, and I still don't really have any friends (though I've kinda given up on making new ones, since I'm looking forward to a fresh start in college). I tried to find people to hang out with me on weekends, and every single weekend I was blown off and/or hit with the cliche "I'm 'busy.'" So, after trying (and failing) to find someone to hang with, I'd go to dinner alone.
Now, I've worked in the restaurant industry for over a year, so I understand servers' plights and try to go out of my way to be nice and, if I got decent service (it's pretty hard to upset me), tip well. However, I've heard it said time and time again that certain groups just don't tip well, and as a recent high school grad, I happen to fall into one of the main groups.
I worry that servers see me at my table and instantly assume that, as a (fairly unattractive) single teenage boy, I'm not going to leave much of a tip (as noted, this is far from the case). I've talked before on this sub about people who go out of their way to find a reason why not to tip (I should mention at this point that I've literally never stiffed/left pocket change as a tip), and I'm most certainly not one of those people, but it really does seem like I have consistently bad luck with servers. Every time I go out to eat alone, the server tends to act cold and disinterested towards me no matter how cheery and upbeat I try to present myself as. I saw someone on the aforementioned thread say that they try to "get [teenagers] out as soon as possible," and that seems to be a pretty apt description of how servers treat me: no matter how nice I try to be, they just can't wait for me to leave.
Another thing that really struck me about the thread in question was somebody who fit into another one of the "infamously bad tippers" group who shared similar sentiments as mine. I've thought about this a little bit, and I realized that, while there are definitely a lot of bad tippers out there (some of which may happen to all into certain groups--as a host, teenagers do tend to be pretty rude and obnoxious), going into serving a table with the attitude that said table won't tip well only creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Again, sorry that this was a huge rant, but it's been something that I've been thinking about a while.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/6nkns1/how_stereotypes_are_perpetuated_a_response_to_the/
| 43 | 24 | 1,500,183,124 | 13 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
7j0oul
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
My (f) coworker (f) constantly disciplines bad tippers .
|
My co worker Laura will tell you straight if yoy didn't tip her good enough. She does it to customers and staff. Tonights she hauled me to the side and told me how disrespected she was last night when I didn't tip her well enough. Some back story on last night, she was upset that we were there because she wanted to leave, but it was only 1130 pm on a Saturday. She was hostile and rude and I poured my own drinks. So what exactly did yoy do for me?
Even as a waitress I don't believe you should show up and get 15 percent cause it's the norm. She literally did nothing and when confronted about her attitude had nothing to say other than 'that's not how we do things in the industry'
Am I in the wrong here? How do I smooth this over?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7j0oul/my_f_coworker_f_constantly_disciplines_bad_tippers/
| 61 | 17 | 1,512,976,983 | 13 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
nselay
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Yesterday I received a $0.01 tip for the first time in 7 years
|
I haven’t posted here in a while and just woke up remembering what I did last night and thought y’all might get a kick out of it. It was a slowish night last I had 3 tables at the time. One of them was a 2 top of young teenagers. Boy and a girl. We were vibing. I’m 28 but still able to keep up with the younger generation. They both got waters to drink and a cheaper entree. By the end of it I show them how to pay which the girl did, we say our goodbyes and they seem super grateful for the awesome service I provided (most of the time younger teens like that get shit service because they’re judged as bad tippers.) I’m a money hungry little bitch so I’m in the side station printing my tip slip to see what they left. ONE SINGULAR PENNY. Not a big deal, I wasn’t even mad tbh. I walked with $248 in 6 hours after tip out on $900 in sales. Soooooo.... I decided to do something that could get me fired if not handled properly.
I go back to the table right before they get up to leave and say, “hey, I gotta level with you guys and tell you something.. but you gotta promise not to get mad 😂.” The boy is kinda confused but all about it, I think the girl knew where this was going. I put the tip slip down on the table and explain to them super nicely, “when you guys go out to eat, the servers can see what you left as a tip immediately. Now to me this isn’t a big deal, I’m not upset, I’ve made phenomenal money tonight so I don’t want you to think I’m mad at y’all. This is just information for the future. You guys can’t tip a penny man.” The girl says she’s sorry but she’s broke. I come back with “ya I totally understand (which I don’t cuz ya know... cook at home) but if you can’t afford to tip it’s MUCH better to just tip zero instead of going out of your way to leave a penny. You see that’s the highest form of insult to a server/bartender. It’s essentially telling them to go fuck themselves.” They were shocked lmao. I once again reiterated I wasn’t mad, I made great money, and I still hoped that they had a fantastic evening... but please to never ever do that again. Just stiff them if you’re going to not tip. They boy again thanked me for everything I had done, and then they practically ran out of the restaurant hahaha. For whoever serves them in the future, you’re welcome 😂
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/nselay/yesterday_i_received_a_001_tip_for_the_first_time/
| 166 | 41 | 1,622,838,263 | 13 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
o6hsoz
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Big Promotion Little Tip
|
Yesterday I get to work and my opener bartender/server tells me one of our customers just got a big job promotion so drinks are on him tonight. He apparently got a $50,000 bonus and doubled his salary and some Amazon shares. Well anyway him and his friends come in fairly regularly and he’s always a cheap tipper. However, his friends make up for it. Well he makes sure to tell me about his promotion and that he’s buying tonight about 15 times and asks for some weird stuff he’s never ordered before like a French 77 etc.... He then starts buying my other regulars drinks. All said and done his tab was only $127.00 not too bad. I was really curious to see if he was still going to be a bad tipper now that he got a promotion or if it was gonna improve. . Well worse than normal. $3.00 ... LOL smh.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/o6hsoz/big_promotion_little_tip/
| 22 | 13 | 1,624,469,715 | 13 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
5wf7e4
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
When one really sweet table's gesture makes up for some jerks
|
I'm a bartender at a popular chain, and on weekend nights, we usually have two bartenders on - one on tables and one in the well/serving the bar top. We split tips 50/50.
Anyway, to set the scene, we had a large section this evening and I was on tables. We have some large corner booths where about six people can fit comfortably. I served a fairly demanding table of 8 - 3 adults and 5 small children who were continuously screaming over me and grabbing at me without being corrected. I could pretty much sense that it would be a garbage tip, but I didn't think it would be as bad as $2 on $80 - I didn't let my forecast of the tip affect my service because a) I'm a professional and b) it's very easy for an unhappy guest to leave a bad survey comment that could come back to bite me in the ass, so I brought them about five sprites apiece and all the refills/sauces/etc they asked for, so when I got to the table and $2 cash was left among their empty glass wreckage(because god forbid I pre-bus, those empty glasses might be worth something someday???), I'm sure the look of defeat on my face was palpable.
One booth over, a really sweet, easy couple were enjoying their dinner and we were joking about and I snuck her some of the little brownie bites we keep behind the bar. I didn't catch them before they left because I was stocking and getting ready to leave, but they left me $15 on a $21 tab with a note saying that they saw what happened and had been there and hoped it helped. It did - I was mostly cranky on principle, the $8 each we would have received was only a minor annoyance when it came down to it - but it really made me feel appreciated and validated and slightly less disgusted with our industry. I can only hope that all of you experience this kind of equilibrium if faced with bad tippers!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/5wf7e4/when_one_really_sweet_tables_gesture_makes_up_for/
| 22 | 0 | 1,488,176,481 | 13 |
bad tipper
|
top
|
2dnxyr
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
"I'm a good tipper"
|
I work in a breakfast place that is near many offices. We have business suits come in a lot. They usually have their meeting around breakfast. Very rarely do people come in just for coffee, though they do get an unlimited pot on their table.
My co-worker sat this lady who was waiting for someone else. She tells my co-worker, they're doing business. I get to the table and there are laptops and folders and binders and pens, but the table is made for four people so it's more than enough room for everything.
I bring over some coffee and before I can say hello she interrupts to tell me they're doing business. Ok, business lady, got it. Let me put on my business introduction, so there isn't any confusion.
"Hello, would you like some coffee?"
While I pour, I tell them about the specials. And she tells me they aren't eating. Just coffee and business.
Business.
"I'll take those menus, can I bring you some water? " I go and get a pitcher for their table but she doesn't want the 'whole' thing. "We're trying to do business and it's taking too much room up" I look at her and the table with all the space I thought a pitcher could fit on and then back at her and smile. She says "Don't worry, I'm a good tipper"
She sits in the middle of my section for three hours, literally stinking the restaurant up with what I think is peppermint essential oil. She must have washed her hair in it, because it actually makes it to the back of the kitchen.
Any who, check time is here. "As soon as possible" (oh she's in a rush now?) She leaves me two dollars.
Twelve people could have sat at her table in the time she's been here, each tipping two dollars.
But it's okay guys, because she's a good tipper.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/2dnxyr/im_a_good_tipper/
| 289 | 59 | 1,408,133,670 | 13 |
good tipper
|
relevance
|
kmb0ro
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Why do people go out if they can't tip?
|
I asked to have this week off to spend time with my family. Got scheduled anyway. Whatever I'll go in. Got a group with a rude man that kept asking me to remake his entree 3x until the manager finally just comped the meal. Of course he graciously offers to pick up the tab in front of his friends but leaves zero tip on a $150 bill (would've been around $170 if the entree wasn't comped so he definitely had the money to tip). Whatever it's fine it happens. Go to my next table. It's a couple so I try to be extra nice to try and make back some of the money I lost hoping they'd be good tippers. Nope. Another big fat zero on a $50+ bill. Got a lovely "you were wonderful" written on the tip line though so I guess I'll just pay my bills with that?? I'm just so over this job. Like I gotta bend over backwards to meet your every little demand and then basically pay you for the honor of serving you? Just don't go out to eat if you can't tip. And it just makes it worse when they make small talk with you about the pandemic and how it must suck to be working. Like yes I don't want to be here but I gotta make money somehow and you not tipping me isn't helping with that. Anyway sorry for the rant, I'm just done with all this rn.
Edit: wow this got a lot more controversial than I thought it would be. To answer some questions.
1. Get a different job: I can't. Trust me I'm trying. I've applied to ~30 internships in just the past week and I've been applying consistently before that too. But until I find something in my major, I still need a job to help pay the bills
2. Well tips help out a lot of people by allowing you to make more than what would be a $15 job: good for you! Honestly I'm really happy that's the case for you but the reality is that it's not the case for everyone and it's not the case for me. That's why I made this post.
3. Don't be mad at the customers be mad at the owners it's their fault: don't worry im mad at them too. And I'm mad at the politicians that allow for laws that basically make my job minimum wage while dangling a carrot in front of my nose teasing me that I could have more. This is a complex issue and no one is entirely at fault but everyone (in my opinion) carries some blame
4. You're in an industry that doesn't appreciate you go somewhere else: in this economy? Where? A lot of people aren't hiring and those who are aren't as long term as this job so I'm stuck here until things get better
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/kmb0ro/why_do_people_go_out_if_they_cant_tip/
| 619 | 275 | 1,609,233,347 | 13 |
good tipper
|
relevance
|
t71gn0
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Tired of working for crumpled up dollar bills
|
This is a type of tip I get often, no matter the amount on the bill. 40 dollars? They leave 2 or 3 crumpled up dollar bills. 90 dollars? Same thing.
This happens whether they seemed rude or not. A lot of times they’ll even compliment me and tell me I did a good job before leaving. Maybe this is a cultural thing in my area (I live in Louisiana) because my partner from up north (New Jersey) who is a server says he’s NEVER met customers like the ones I tell him about. (Not saying this never happens to northern servers but according to him definitely less often because this happens to me every shift)
The good tippers make up for this so it’s not like I take him 20 crumpled up bills at the end of the night, but it’s still very frustrating. I’d like to know yalls experience. What’s yalls most common shitty tip?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/t71gn0/tired_of_working_for_crumpled_up_dollar_bills/
| 10 | 6 | 1,646,454,595 | 13 |
good tipper
|
hot
|
1149136
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Explaining my disability to the rudest FOH...yeah it went really well
|
I'm dying to know if anyone else works as a server with disabilities? Because I do. We had a mandatory work night at the restaurant I work in last week. It was absolutely slammed. Under stress I sometimes I have daydreamer seizures. They aren't usually severe or detrimental to my work. Most people couldn't even tell I have them unless I tell them and explain the signs then they say ooooohhhhh that makes sense. Slurred speach at random, starring into space for a few seconds, being a little overwhelmed if I feel like I lost any time...those sort of things. They last a few seconds and are over no one I work with has had a problem with this and to be clear before I was hired I informed them I have dyslexia and siezures so I may be a little slower but it truly has not hindered me until it allegedly did...
We have a FOH that I have butted heads with for many reasons. She has also had problems with customers claiming she would not allow them in when she was working, which she has zero authority to do and has had multiple arguments and issues with other employees. Don't ask me why she still has a job. I'm looking for another one. She spent the entire night undone about what people did on the shift before (not cleaning properly-also I didn't work this shift) I could really give a sh*t they didn't clean up, I get it, we make $2 and some change an hour....so I clean up the mess and never said anything about it because I don't care. My GOD she did though. I had to endure her wrath for the next few hours. I was backhandedly called stupid at one point which I forgot about until another coworker came to me and said she thought that was uncalled for because it had to do with reading and they all know I have dyslexia she actually did this 3 times in the night (making problems about me typing in wine names instead of searching through the one f*cking hundred wines we have on the computer). She was all over me about being to slow to get several different wines, teas, sodas and waters for a large party where some people ordered more than one drink. At this point in the night after about 10 different things she said that I can't really remember all of because there was nothing educational or helpful I start getting upset. I had a small seizure right before getting the drinks and another during when I was making sure the wines were filled evenly, I had other tables too so I had some stress. I felt it happen, I moved on but she dug in about how long it took (after delivering the drinks my table asked for more time with the menu-I don't even think it took as long as she said because of this, but I can't be sure). I had enough though later in the night when I thanked and hugged the people at the table for their very generous tip ( we had a good vibe going I asked if I could give them a hug they said yes.) She was undone and said we don't behave like that with customers. I literally don't care. (This woman yelled at me that she would fire me because she had an argument with another coworker like 2 weeks before this whole event....I won't be taking her advice on how to treat people.) They all freaked out that I made over $100 on my first 4 tables....I treat my customers like they matter because it means a lot to me when they give me literally anything because they don't have to. I left in the middle of the shift after I worked 2 hrs. I apologized at a later date to her about my reaction because at one point I told her I no longer gave a shit about what she had to say (I should have just kept it at that). After apologizing and explaining that I was having a seizure when she was getting on to me that night....this actual f*cking b*tch said, "that's a problem." What the actual f*ck is that...? I've never heard something so heartless in my life. My response was that everyone who mattered in the hiring process knew I had disabilities and they chose to hire me anyway and her constantly berating before, during, and after a seizure in no way helped anyone, not even one person. She glazed over that to tell me I didn't wipe a station the day before that apology......y'all that station was f*ucking spotless I can't stress that enough 😂 I can not with this petty drama. I'm literally dying and no one knows except the people who read this. I have kidney damage (which is a possible trigger for the seizures) that is seemingly getting worse. Can't afford the medications I have to take which is why I work this job in the first place outside of the owner really needing employees -kill two birds with one stone and all but I can't imagine why no one would want to be around this hateful firebreathing she-devil. Literally spent precious time I barely have scrubbing food of the floor on my f*cking knees for it to not matter and to get treated like dog sh*t the entire night anyways. Y'all as soon as the opportunity arises I am getting the f*ck out. I can't anymore.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1149136/explaining_my_disability_to_the_rudest_fohyeah_it/
| 35 | 20 | 1,676,603,142 | 13 |
generous tip
|
hot
|
z1719m
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Total vs tip line discrepancies?
|
Had some guests the other week that had a $40-ish tab - they wrote $40 on the tip line but had written $140 as the total, so I immediately ran over to ask them which amount they actually wanted, but they had already left when I went back to their table.
We're told to ultimately go with the total for math discrepancies since the guest expects that amount on their card statements, but that didn't sit well with me in this situation since it's a $60 difference with an already extremely generous tip. I absolutely would hate to take advantage of my guests' generosity just because it works in my favour, but after discussing with management, I was told to stick with the total. What would you have done?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/z1719m/total_vs_tip_line_discrepancies/
| 10 | 7 | 1,669,057,249 | 13 |
generous tip
|
hot
|
xw2lfp
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Did my trainer take my tip? Or am I feeling too entitled?
|
I F(21) just got a job as a server at a fast food
restaurant and I've been training for about 4 days. As
many of you may no trainee servers do not get tips
which i understand because technically we are not to
seat of serve tables but more so to watch and ask
questions sure we grab refills and ect. The other day
however a couple walked in and my trainer wasn't up
front but in the office flirting around, one of the
managers asked to me grab the table and I did, I
spent about 5 minutes talking to the couple getting
to know them joking building a relationship with them
and I ended up doing the entire table myself food
drinks and appetizers. They left a very generous tip
and said how great of a server I was only for my
trainer to come out and take the tip. I feel like it was
wrong and just greedy. I might be over reacting but
this just made me really upset am I over reacting is
this how it usually goes? If not how do I approach this
moving forward considering I have about another
week left in "training
TLDR; Trainer takes too after I serviced the table the
entire time
I see a few of you saying something about taxes getting taken but we get to keep 100% of the tips. The customers were very nice they even left a note on my receipt to me, I’m guessing the didn’t know I was a trainer I’ve worked in fast food a bunch so it’s common for me to know how to keep a conversation going they never met my trainer and that day was my first time meeting her as well however I do understand the sections being theirs but she came in and took over the entire floor the other two servers went home because she asked them to so I was doing the refills taking orders and bussing down every single table alone. I didn’t know anything about the generous tip until the lady found me as she was leaving and told me how great I had did.
I’m new to this but it still feels greedy in my opinion I get it’s the game and she didn’t have to train me but I didn’t learn anything new, i was just doing the running around for her to collect the tips all day this particular customer was all me, she didn’t even greet them.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/xw2lfp/did_my_trainer_take_my_tip_or_am_i_feeling_too/
| 26 | 35 | 1,664,950,569 | 13 |
generous tip
|
hot
|
wpjnli
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
That Time a Customer Pushed Me Too Far!
|
Not my proudest moment (even 15 years later), but this was a busy Saturday night, we'd already had two servers call out sick, so I had the front room all on my own (12 tables, 4 top minimum, usually room was split between two servers).
I ended up getting a 12 top in the middle of the room, all around a nice extended family get together. Until I met the Matriarch (M), I would say late 70s/early 80s (for any Office fans out there, think Sylvia, only meaner).
I was going around putting water down for everyone, introducing myself, and telling them the specials as everyone was getting settled when M cut me off saying, "Shut up and go away, we'll send for you when we're ready". I kept a neutral expression and said sure thing and went off to my other tables, very aware that most eyes in the room were now on me (three of my other tables were some of my regulars). After my third convenience pass to be seen/present without hovering, I heard snapping and turned to see M summoning me with that most hated of entitled hand gestures that most servers dread. I got to the table, started with M and worked my way around the table, the whole time I kept getting interrupted by M saying things like, "you better make that just a salad for her, she's getting porky" and "you can't afford that, he'll have the burger instead". Not one family member escaped the critiques unscathed, and none of them reacted. Dinner came and went with only a few insults hurled my way by M. I started collecting the dirty dishes and asked if anyone would like dessert menus, she responded with a crusty, "obviously, or we would have been standing waiting for you", I inwardly cringed, but didn't say anything. I came back with the menus, only to get told by M that she wanted a specific kind of pie, brought out, sliced at the table and served to everyone. I started telling her that we don't slice the pies at the table, the pies are cut for six slices not 12, and the pie she requested is out of season and thus not available. Before I could finish saying any of this, M interrupted me with, "Just because you can't hack it at a real job, doesn't mean you get to suck at this one!" An immediate quiet fell over the entire room and I could see my other tables all turned, fixated on M and I, that was it - the breaking point. I bent down, leaned over the table with my hands planted so we were eye to eye, then I said loudly, "Just because you can feel Death breathing down the back of your neck, doesn't mean you get to take it out on me or anyone else in this room!"
I stood up and stormed away quickly, humiliated that I let her get me to (and past) that point. I was about to enter the dish room when the manager grabbed my shoulder, spun me around and started to tear into me about how he saw me being rude to customers and to go clock out, because I was fired. As I was heading into the kitchen to punch out, one of the guys from the table came rushing up telling my manager not to fire me because, "I've been wanting to tell her that for 30 years!", he handed me a $50 bill as a tip then went back to the table. Once dessert was done I went back with the check and M snatched it out of my hand without a word. Found out later that she left me a $50 tip on the charge receipt, not to mention all my regulars in the room all left extra generous tips. Yes I did break character, and yes I made out very well for it; but I still regret letting that old bat push me that far.
Fortunately, I did not get fired, he later said he was just making an empty threat; but, about a year later we learned that he was the only manger that couldn't actually fire people.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/wpjnli/that_time_a_customer_pushed_me_too_far/
| 101 | 20 | 1,660,620,821 | 13 |
generous tip
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hot
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8um6iz
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TalesFromYourServer
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Would you mind terribly if I asked the customer to lower their tip amount?
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I work at a shitty dive bar in the midwest. We allow smoking so there’s ashtrays everywhere, bottles hanging from the ceiling with bras randomly strewn about them, pornographic posters in the bathroom. It’s not for everyone. It’s barely for anyone. People that randomly walk in will usually stay for a drink to not be rude but I’ve had people walk in and then right back out the door. So basically, our regulars are our bread and butter.
Awesome guy (AG) comes in a couple times a month. He owns his own successful business and has a couple shitty kids he frequently talks about not wanting to leave money to when he dies. Last month AG was in and there were two other younger customers in who also work in the service industry. We’re all talking about life and work etc and AG whips out three $100 bills and says it must be meant to be, hands us each one and tells us to to pay off some bills. Flabbergasted, we all try to refuse and he insists. We thank him profusely.
Later it’s AG, me and only one of the younger customers left. AG whips out another $100 bill and gives it to the other customer (OC). i love OC and she’s saving for a big move soon so even though i was working and she was drinking and made more money than me i wasn’t (too) salty about it.
Fast forward a couple weeks and AG is back and insisting on buying drinks for the whole bar, “all night, it’s on me!” It was all regulars and people that know AG so i obliged. i did try to take money from people when they ordered shots but AG would call me out from across the bar and insist i take his money. Closing time rolls around and AG tries to leave me a big tip. I tell him everyone has been extremely generous with their tips since drinks were free and he doesn’t have to leave that much. AG refuses and leaves a generous tip nonetheless.
Last night AG is in and again, “drinks on me, all night!” I tell him i don’t know or like the people on one side of the bar and i won’t allow him to buy their drinks. Ended up having to kick those people out anyways so small celebration for my instincts being spot on.
The bar owner (BO) is bellied up to the bar which is unusual because he’s usually gone early if he’s there at all. AG is trying to pay for BO’s drinks as well but i never take AG’s money for drinks BO doesn’t pay for (directly) anyways.
As we’re approaching closing time BO pulls me aside and asks me if I’d mind terribly if he asks AG to pick up the $100 bill off the bar because he’s assuming (as was i) that AG is going to try to give that to me as a tip and AG “acts like he has a lot of money but he really doesn’t.” (BO has no way of knowing this.) I tell BO i’ve tried to do that before and AG refuses but he’s welcome to try. Now really, i want that goddamn $100, who wouldn’t but what am i supposed to say to BO? So i just hope AG will do what he always does and leave the money regardless.
What i was not expecting was for BO to essentially badger AG into taking his $100 back. But that’s exactly what BO did and then he had the nerve to keep me there an extra 30 minutes after close talking about what a great bartender i am and if i want any other shifts to let him know. How bout if i’m such a great bartender you let people tip me what they wanna tip me then, damn! I still don’t know how to feel about all that...
TL;DR Regular customer (RC) has $100 bill on bar to tip and bar owner asks bartender if they can tell RC to take that back because it’s too much. Owner badgers RC until he obliges.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/8um6iz/would_you_mind_terribly_if_i_asked_the_customer/
| 258 | 39 | 1,530,211,053 | 13 |
generous tip
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top
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1l1bxn
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TalesFromRetail
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Is there a reason your hand is in my tip jar?
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I was working at a coffee shop. It was a slow day so only two of us were there. My co worker was in the back doing dishes and I was cleaning up a table in the lobby. Two teenagers walk in and go up to the counter and my coworker stops the dishes and ask what he can get them. They ask for waters and as he turns around to get them.I finish with the tables and walk up to the counter. As I walk up I see one of them reaching into our tip jar. (We had had a few incidents recently where people had grabbed our tip and run out). So I stop walking and say in a loud voice "is there a reason your hand is in my tip jar?!?!" He turns and sees me and looks shocked at being caught. He stammers out "umm oh I was um putting change in..." I say " I highly doubt that" my co worker at this point had turned around to see what was going on and sets the waters on the counter. " I say "I think you should take those waters and never come back." They grab them and literally run out of the store. My coworker was so blown away that I had caught them and confronted them. For weeks he called me ballbuster and told my other co workers about how I saved our tips. I never did see those two in the store again and our tips weren't stolen while I was on the clock!
Ps I hate thieves.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1l1bxn/is_there_a_reason_your_hand_is_in_my_tip_jar/
| 406 | 31 | 1,377,397,947 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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m6aht6
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TalesFromRetail
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Little kid figures out how to shop at a dollar store
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During a lull in activity, a little boy came up to the register with two pieces of candy. He was being quiet and pacing back and forth, making me think he was waiting for someone. He said "Hold on, let me go get something" and turned around to grab a Slim Jim from the counter behind him. I had never heard someone excuse themselves to get an impulse item, so for a brief moment I waited for him to go back into the aisles as he fidgeted back and forth.
Then I noticed he didn't have a mask on, and was awkwardly trying to cover his mouth with his coat. I reached into the cashiers' drawer, pulled out a disposable mask, and gave it to him. "Hey kid, take this."
I scanned his three items, asked if he wanted a bag, and he said "no". Then I told him the total and he asked if I had change for a twenty. I did, and I gave him his $17. He turned to leave, took a few steps, and then came back around with the five dollar bill I have him. "Here," he said, "have a tip."
I gotta say that the little guy is gonna be a favorite customer some day.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/m6aht6/little_kid_figures_out_how_to_shop_at_a_dollar/
| 2,319 | 74 | 1,615,905,437 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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1gk3ol
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TalesFromRetail
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Best 'customer' I've had in a while.
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This homeless man always comes to my cash so I can give him some bills for his change. He's young, in his twenties, and instead of simply begging on the street with a cup, he plays some good music with an old guitar. I'm the only person who will take the time to open my cash and sit there counting his change and give him bills so he's really appreciative. He's been a regular for a few months.
Today, as a thank you for me changing his money, he left me a nice tip (only my second tip in a year of working as a florist), and told me how much he appreciates my help. I tried to not accept it, but he just smiled and left. That man was more generous than 99% of the rich snobs that I cater to.
He made my day.
Edit: Wow! First page on TFR! Thank you! I wish all that karma goes straight from here to him!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1gk3ol/best_customer_ive_had_in_a_while/
| 2,526 | 134 | 1,371,520,645 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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2x5n2f
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TalesFromRetail
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I am so sorry.. I don't even know what to say..
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First time poster, been meaning to share this for a while.
So I used to work in a mom and pop restaurant as a server. It was a great job, and I was regularly recognized as a great server. I loved my job, and being good at it gave me a lot of pride. I would typically work after school and from 8am-9pm Saturday. Saturday’s were typically crazy busy, a lot of older folks, in for the good deals and great food. It wasn’t uncommon to be completely full for 4-5 hours in the morning, and sometimes we’d take tables in other server’s sections to help with the load. One Saturday things were going as normal, and I was chugging along. It got to be about 11:30 and lunch was beginning to come out of the kitchen. When I noticed something, it took a moment to hit exactly what I was looking at. There was a table of an older married couple, that I recognized.. but why did I recognize them…? OH MY GOD… They were MY table, from another server’s section. A rush of blood went straight to my face.. This table got here at about 8:30.. what time was it? 11:40.. It couldn’t be. I felt sick.. I hadn’t seen them in at least 2 hours. So I go over, and the exchange went something like this.
Me: I.. I am so sorry.. I don’t even know what to say. It has been a really busy morning and I just lost track of things.. I can’t begin to apologize enough.. I am so sorry.
Him: (With about the warmest smile I ever remember seeing, he takes his wife’s hand and says) Don’t worry about it. We enjoy each other’s company.
It was the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. I tried comping their meal, but he had none of it. They paid in full and left me a $5 tip on about a $10 bill. To this day, it was one of the most forgiving and genuine acts of love I’d ever seen. I’ll never forget it.
TL:DR; I’m an idiot and left a table sitting for damn near 2 hours. After I realized, the old man assured me that the time spent with his wife wasn’t wasted.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2x5n2f/i_am_so_sorry_i_dont_even_know_what_to_say/
| 1,791 | 153 | 1,424,899,188 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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1zdxd1
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TalesFromRetail
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A quick tip for people who use apps like SnipSnap (Bonus: story inside!!)
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Recently, apps like SnipSnap have become the bane of my existence as a sales associate. For those of you who are saying, "FMML, what on earth is SnipSnap?", you are lucky enough to have never had to deal with a customer with it. So I will explain it.
SnipSnap, and applications like it (there are many out there) are applications where users can submit a coupon from an ad, a special promotion, etc. to the application, and other people who use the application can then bring those coupon codes to the appropriate retailers for the given discount. Now, personally, I have no problem with giving people discounts where they are deserved. In fact, I love helping people find more ways to save a little bit more on their purchases. But here's where the concept goes sour:
Customers who think that having this app ENTITLES them to a discount.
Let me explain something from the retailer's perspective for you all. They are on to you. They know exactly what you are doing and they are going out of their way to make sure that their coupons aren't abused. Incoming story!
At work, as usual. Customer comes up with a few things to ring out. Immediately, these dreaded words come out.
Customer: I have this SnipSnap app, and I have a few coupons I want to use.
My mind is now going over how many ways this can end badly.
FIRST SCENARIO: Coupon does not work. The usual message shows up on my register: Coupon declined - Overusage. I inform the customer that the coupon has been used too many times. They go into a rage because "I'VE NEVER USED THIS COUPON!" and while this may or may not be true, 500 million other people HAVE used this coupon, and the company is having none of that. Your coupon is no good, and no, I will not just cut the price for you just because you have an app on your phone that says I should give you 10% off.
SECOND SCENARIO: Coupon does not work. Customer says "Oh, well how about this one?" pulls up another. Nope. Another. Nope. Another. Nope. This goes on until the customer gets sick of trying, which could take all day.
THIRD SCENARIO: Coupon works. This rarely happens. But when it does, they usually try to use another one. Fortunately, we only accept one coupon per transaction. Which throws some people into a rage.
The actual result was the coupon did not work. They got pissed off because "I've never used this coupon!" to which I explain to them exactly how their precious little app works, and why I can't give them their discount. Disgruntled noises as I finish their transaction.
So, here's my deepest, heartfelt advice to all of you out there who use apps like this. I have no problem with you using them. If you can save a few dollars, by all means, do it. But please. PLEASE. For the love of all that is good in this universe, do not think you are ENTITLED to this coupon just because it's on your phone. And don't sit there for five hours going through digital coupons, most of which are not going to work, looking for one that has not been overused. The coupons typically get marked overused within a day or so at the company I work for.
And, as always, do not shoot the messenger. I didn't make up these rules. I didn't invent SnipSnap or whatever app you're using. I didn't mark your coupon overused.
This has been another rant, brought to you courtesy of (insert big name store here)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1zdxd1/a_quick_tip_for_people_who_use_apps_like_snipsnap/
| 53 | 20 | 1,393,803,889 | 13 |
tip
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relevance
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17owce5
|
TalesFromRetail
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Some Wholesome Gift Shop Stories
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I was reading through this subreddit the nicer stories reminded me of some experiences I had back in college. I was working for just above minimum wage at a little tourist attraction my college ran. I was the only person willing to work in the gift shop, which was in a little outdoor trailer. It was honestly the easiest work so I have no clue why no one else wanted to be in there, but I digress.
Not much about the group in this first story stuck with me, but I do remember the older lady (maybe in her 50's or 60's) who is the main person of this story. She walks in with some other people in her group and looks around, looking more and more indecisive as she looks at our collections of rocks, toys, and souvenir items. She comes up to the register and picks up a souvenir magnet, then asks what I would recommend for her to get for the rest of the family, consisting of a few adults and a slightly larger number of children. By this time, I had been the sole stocker of this gift shop for 6 months and knew our stock and where it was like the back of my hand. I had also picked up how to be an amazing salesperson at some point, so I start recommending several toys for the kids, books and postcards for the adults, and a few collectibles for everyone. The lady thanks me and starts picking up probably 10 paper plane mystery bags, 2-3 snake plushies, a handful of collectible rocks, maybe 15 postcards, and a few other items. The rest of her group also brings up anywhere from 1-3 items per person, and the total ended up being over $100. One of the group members remarked that they thought they were only spending $50, and the main lady said something about getting things for the whole family, sending postcards to her friends, and supporting the attraction. She paid for everything and even added some souvenir bags onto the purchase when I asked if she would like plastic bags or to pay a little extra for the souvenir bags. The group thanked me and left, and the whole situation just made me feel good about my ability to sell way more than someone originally intended to buy.
The second story involves a set of parents and their children, a little girl and a little boy. The little boy loved the bouncy rubber balls we were selling and asked his dad for one, while the girl was looking at some plush snakes but seeming a little disappointed in the options. I decided to point out the 5' 6" plush snakes on the top shelf. The girl looked at the giant fuzzy snakes, then turned to her dad with the most excited look I had ever seen. The dad looked at me with an exasperated smile and asked "Why did you have to point those out?" as the little boy also started looking excited about the snakes. The family bought the snakes and the children immediately put them around their necks like scarves and bounced happily out of the shop. Another triumph for my salesmanship.
This last story is not about how good I was at upselling. On a very slow day, an elderly man walked in and bought a few things. He paid in cash and the change ended up being a few cents over $5. As I started to hand him the change, he put up his hand and said "You need it more than I do," then smiled. We were allowed to accept tips as long as the customer told us to keep the change, but most people would only have received change under $1 when they said this. That kind old man let me have $5. I almost cried as I thanked him. I know $5 isn't a lot, but I was a broke college student at the time.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/17owce5/some_wholesome_gift_shop_stories/
| 92 | 7 | 1,699,251,033 | 13 |
tip
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hot
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i61nbi
|
TalesFromRetail
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The time I was told I needed to give change
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Long time lurker, first time poster, mobile, yadda yadda.
So I used to work graves at a local gas station where we're very limited on the amount of money we have access to. Ironically, I also worked in an upper middle class neighborhood where Teslas and Mercedes were no stranger.
It was about 11pm which was an hour after my start time. Tills had been swapped and money deposited. Only money I can withdraw is from a safe that distills coin rolls only. A man walks in, probably mid 40s early 50s, and throws - doesn't place down, slap down - THROWS a $100 on the table and wants it changed out.
> Me: "Sorry, my shift started an hour ago and if I were to change you out now that would be impossible for others to get change throughout the next 7 hours."
> Him: "You have to though, that's legal tender."
I have low tolerance for people who try to skirt the system with buzzwords and so I drop the polite act.
> Me: "I can assume it's legal tender, but I don't have to *do* anything with it if it's going to interfere with the rest of business."
> Him: "But I bought gas! I'm a customer."
> Me: "You paid with a card. Had you paid with cash I'd have been able to do something for you."
The exchange went on for maybe 30 more seconds at most, but I tried to put on my most stern face that a late 20s nerd could muster. He ended up taking his $100, muttering to himself and leaving. He didn't buy anything in the store. He did, in fact, use a card to fill up on gas. Had he used that bill instead I could have worked with that, as he drove an SUV so average out $45-60 for a tank on E that would have made perfect sense.
This was about 3 years ago, and I'm no longer with them, but it's still one of my favorite stories aside from when I was tipped 2 pennies and the missionaries that did it said "I'm contributing to the cause" to their friends.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/i61nbi/the_time_i_was_told_i_needed_to_give_change/
| 93 | 18 | 1,596,902,969 | 13 |
tip
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hot
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cav1gf
|
TalesFromRetail
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Almost got short changed for the second time
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A little over a year ago I was shortchanged, I knew nothing about the scheme at the time. It was a pretty slow night and a women came in with other people, she was friendly and seemed to be in a rush. She right away asked for change for a $20, reading other comments she did it a bit differently. Once I gave her the change, she claimed to be a dollar short. Then it became a very chaotic situation, out of nowhere there was money everywhere and I kept my drawer open, which is where I messed up. We kept exchanging money, and I had no idea what happened but all I knew is that I was robbed in plain sight. Once she was finished all she bought was a can pop that was less than $2! and to top it off she gave me a dollar tip for the help!
My sister and I work together, she knew about what happened because we were both working that same night. Now fast forward to today, we're both at work and it's been pretty slow, a man walks in asking how much is a cookie? I tell him it's $1.99 so my sister rings him up and he pays for it right away, but he tells her to keep the drawer open because he wants a $20 dollar bill. Right away we both knew what he was trying to do. My sister closes the drawer and as she's counting the money he gave her, she notices she is a dollar short, but he's shoving money in her face and trying to distract both of us by telling me to go put his cookie in the oven to cook more. When he tried to give her the dollar, she kept closing the register which was not beneficial to him or anybody trying to do this scheme. She then give him his money back and went to grab the manager. He obviously knew we were catching along because he got very heated and even wanted a refund for his cookie, he ended up leaving because he knew it wasn't going to work.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/cav1gf/almost_got_short_changed_for_the_second_time/
| 224 | 42 | 1,562,641,149 | 13 |
tip
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hot
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am8u42
|
TalesFromRetail
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A nice surprise
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I work at a bubble tea cafe/comic book store. It’s located in the “downtown” area of our city, and parking can be a nightmare, so we have a parking lot with about 6 parking spots designated for our store.
We are next to and across from the two most popular bars in the surrounding cities, so our parking spots have signs saying that if they park there, they will get towed.
Now, we have towed maybe one car since we’ve been open, and it was so much drama that we generally don’t even bother. Usually the fear of being towed is enough to stop randos from parking there.
Today we had group of teens come in, and while they were waiting to order, an older women comes in behind them.
Her: “Hi so if I buy their drinks I will be a customer right? And then I can use your parking lot?”
I was confused at first by what she was asking.
Me: “You want to buy their drinks?” I thought she was with them, and wanted to sit at the cafe.
Her: “Yes, then I will be a paying customer, and can use your parking lot, correct?”
Me: “Oh! Yeah, that’s no problem!”
The lady threw a $50 on the counter and ran out the door. After the drinks were paid for, there was still an extra $36 that I guess we are keeping as a tip? Which is nice because we will be lucky to leave with $5.
Honestly though had she just asked nicely , I definitely would have just let her use our lot, so I feel bad keeping the money.
TL;DR: Lady pays $50 to use our parking lot. Me and my coworker get to keep it.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/am8u42/a_nice_surprise/
| 153 | 5 | 1,549,067,951 | 13 |
tip
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hot
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33iwxl
|
TalesFromRetail
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I honestly don't care how you look ma'am.
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So I'm at work at my auto part store trying my bstt not to kill the many idiots that we get. So this lady comes in yo the store, well she was dressed like a lady but you could tell it was a guy in drag. Now we don't get many people like that but I have had a few run ins so I'm not really surprised or even care.
So she comes up to the counter and asks for some power steering fluid. I go and grab it for her and ring it up. She then asks me if I could help put the fluid in for her and I said sure why not. So we go to the car and while I'm opening up the hood we make small talk. Right when I finish she takes out a $20 bill and tries to give it to me. I tell her I can't accept tips but if she did that customer survey it would help me out more. She agrees and then asks why I treated her normal. I get what she meant and I just tell her " honestly I don't care how you look ma'am, we all deserve to be treated the same no matter how you look." She thanked me and gave me a hug which felt weird cause I don't usually get hugs from strangers and then she just puts the $20 in my shirt pocket and leaves. It made me feel happy knowing that I made her day by just being casual. My coworker then asked me if that was a dude and I just responded with it doesn't matter, all customers look the same to me and smiled. And with that, I felt good and made today a good day until 30 seconds later I get another idiot trying to buy washer fluid to put in his radiator.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/33iwxl/i_honestly_dont_care_how_you_look_maam/
| 1,179 | 84 | 1,429,739,828 | 13 |
tip
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top
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6duayw
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TalesFromRetail
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Why you should always hide...
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... if you are in your store after hours.
Tailor shop owner here...
_________
On Saturdays I close at 3pm. I've done so for the past 2.5 years. If I work after I've locked up (more likely on Saturdays), it is in a back room and the light is dimmed to the outside view by a drape. This makes it easy to hide from customers who arrive too late.
Yesterday I actually finished my work at about 2:45. My sister was picking me up, but she didn't get off work until 3:15 and then it would be another 20min or so until she got to my shop. For my last 15min I was sitting at the front desk, surfing the web. 3pm hit and I locked everything up and turned off all the lights. I was in a rolling computer chair, so I stayed at the front computer. If someone came, I could easily kick off and scoot into a hallway behind me, out of customer view.
About 3:10 I saw a car pull up. I scooted back into the hallway. The person came up to the door and tried getting in, but it was locked. I peeked into the front room and saw that it was actually my shops landlord. I was expecting him to pick up an order, so I ran back to grab it and got out to him before he drove off. He wanted to drop off another pair of trousers for hemming... thankfully he knew what measurement he wanted, so he told me and I said that I couldn't ring him up since the computer was shut down but he could pay next Saturday.
I wasn't mad that I had to help him. Like I said, he is my landlord... and he is actually a good one. I like him.
About 3:30 I figured that my sister would be there any moment. So I went to the front door and sat in the chair there (I would usually go outside and lean against the building, but I pulled something in my back the other day and need to sit). I opened my little window to catch the breeze and waited for her.
Of course, that is when another car pulled up. I wasn't able to hide... since I was right in the front window, he saw me. He got out slowly and walked around the back of his car to the back passenger side, hauled out a load trousers on hangers and slowly started walking up to the door.
Since my window was open, I shouted out "Sorry sir you are too late today!"
> Him: What?
> Me: You're a bit too late sir. I've closed up already and I am just waiting for my ride.
> Him: So you won't let me in?
> Me: I really shouldn't since she will be here any moment... What do you need done to the trousers?
> Him: Hems!
> Me: Do you have to try any of them on?
If he can just tell me his inseam measurement, then the transaction would be like 2 minutes... I'd just need to write it, his name and his phone number down. Then I could put it into the computer on Tuesday when I'm back.
> Him: No I don't.
> Me: (internal sigh) Yeah I guess I can let you in then.
I unlock the door and he comes in. I grab a pen and a scrap of paper.
> Me: Okay, so what measurement do you need? (poised to write)
> Him: I don't know.
But you said you didn't need to try them on, implying you knew the measurement! AUGH!
> Me: So you **do** need to try a pair on?
> Him: Well, I like the length the ones I am wearing are at. Can't you just measure these? (said in a very entitled voice)
> Me: I am afraid I can't while you are wearing them.
> Him: (indignantly) Well why not?!
> Me: I'd have to get all up in your business to measure from the crotch seam down and I am afraid I am just not comfortable with that sir. So you will have to try one of these on so I can pin them... but I am very fast at pinning. You can go behind the gold curtain there and change!
He meanders further into the shop. It is still really bright out and if he went into the first change stall it was light enough (it has a little cut out window at the top of the wall) but of course, after I have to say again where he can change, he goes into the stall in the corner, so it is much darker in there.
> Him: (with the curtain drawn) Hmmm it is so dark in here! (he says this quietly, but I still hear him, so I flick on the overhead lights.)
Being an old man, he takes forever to change. I pin his hem very fast. As he changes back, I write down his information on the scrap paper and use a calculator to total what his bill will be.
> Me: Okay, so these will be ready next Saturday. On Saturdays I am open from 10 until 3. You can pick up right at 10 if you like.
> Him: Oh, I don't need to come by that early!
> Me: Alright. Well, since I closed a half hour ago, I can't ring this up until Tuesday, but when you pick up, your total will be $39.86 (or some cents amount really close to the whole dollar).
> Him: Well, we'll just call it $40 then! (cheerily as if giving me a 14c tip is amazing)
He shuffles out the door, slowly. I follow and exit as well, locking the door and window behind me. Of course, my sister has been waiting outside nearly the entire time, wondering where the hell I was.
Always hide. I mean... it wasn't a giant deal, but he acted very entitled the whole time. I didn't have to let him in. I don't need the $40.
I told my sister the story and she was like "Never let someone in after hours! He could have been the one that robs and murders you!!" So at least that gave me a laugh. Like an 80 year old man who couldn't catch up to me (a very out of shape, fat woman) could murder me.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/6duayw/why_you_should_always_hide/
| 868 | 35 | 1,495,984,868 | 13 |
tip
|
top
|
57eofq
|
TalesFromRetail
|
You never know the impact your service can have
|
Years ago I was an assistant manager for a children's clothing store. If you can survive there, you can survive anywhere in retail. There was a regular who would come in and most associates would avoid her because her visits usually consisted of rummaging in the stockroom for items, pulling out arm loads of product and she'd pick through it for over an hour before finally settling on a few cheap pieces. It was known that my store had all the best, cheapest clearance of the other locations in town. Since we were so heavy on clearance a lot stayed in the back since we didn't have room on the floor.
This went on for months were she would do this and I'd be the only one who would help her. One day she came in and I was working alone. Policy is that on single coverage we were not supposed to go to the stock room for checks. We either had to 1. Have them leave the store, lock the doors and then perform the stock check or 2. Write down their request, name, number, etc and call them when we have double coverage.
Since it was a relatively slow day I decided I'd make a quick few trips to appease her. Nothing I was bringing out she cared for. She then asked if she could go to the back and check. That's a typical "no" no matter where you go but I decided I'd let her. She was maybe back there a half hour and I kept poking my head in to see if she was ok. She came out with tons of stuff and bought several hundred dollars. I rang her up, sent her on her way and didn't think much of it.
She came in a week later saying she was moving her pediatric practice to the other side of the country and that's why she needed a new wardrobe for her kids. She thanked me for all my help and gave me a card. It was the sweetest thing. I opened it after she left and a $50 bill popped out. Now it was also policy that if we received tips we were to put them in the register and include it in the deposit. My store manager saw it fall out and told me to put it in my pocket right away instead. Needless to say I was blown away.
Those one in a million interactions make up for a lot of crappy ones.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/57eofq/you_never_know_the_impact_your_service_can_have/
| 852 | 27 | 1,476,419,679 | 13 |
tip
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top
|
1j2l9x
|
TalesFromRetail
|
Sir, you are a fat-ass.
|
*Edit: since it appears to be unclear to some, this is a funny story, not a weird sex-fetish story or a demoralizing terrible story*
*I'm writing a story my GF just told me, as she dictates.*
This was a couple years ago, and I was working as a cashier at a local frozen yogurt shop.
A married couple comes in with a male friend. The couple gets up to the scale/ register first, and pay together. The husband is pointing back at his friend, saying "look at that fat-ass, piling all those butterfingers on his yogurt - what a fat-ass."
Then he says to me, as I'm ringing them up, "I'll give you ten bucks if you call him a fat-ass." To which I replied, I don't think I can really do that." He insisted "Just do it, just do it!" and they moved past as their friend came up to the register.
"What were they saying about me?"
"Sir, they really want me to call you a fat-ass. They said they'd give me $10."
He laughs and says "Heck, I'll give you $10 for calling me that!"
And that's how I got $20 put in the tip jar with only 2 transactions.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1j2l9x/sir_you_are_a_fatass/
| 830 | 49 | 1,374,805,540 | 13 |
tip
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top
|
594yfm
|
TalesFromRetail
|
"I'd like to return this"
|
I had a customer try and return a kickstand for a bicycle. Pretty cut and dry, right? They tell me they lost the receipt as I'm glancing at what they have in their hand. Ok, we can trace it by your purchase history, I just need your name. I don't find this purchase under their name. They have me look up a different name, there it is... from 2 years ago. It was purchased on sale, 2 years ago. The customer wants cash back for the full retail amount. I politely explain our store policy regarding purchases over 30 days, sale pricing and all can be applied to store credit only. The signage explaining this is right behind my head. Customer is becoming a bit flustered, but I remain calm. I check the merchandise for use/wear. I know the package is damaged but that's easy enough to fix. This is when I notice that the kick stand is used. Heavily. It has been cut to size, bolted on and spent some time on a bike. I refuse to return the item all together now. The customer is now starting to lose his cool. My boss steps in. The customer is now explaining to my boss how rude I was, how he shops here a lot.... etc. and just needs his money back for this stupid eleven dollar kickstand. My boss had heard the whole conversation. Told the guy that he is not getting a full cash refund on a 7 dollar purchase his buddy made 2 years ago for something that he has clearly used. The tipping point where I had to walk away? The customer finally blurts out, he gave it to me 2 years ago and now I don't even own that bike so why shouldn't I get my money back? I bit my cheek the whole time to keep from laughing in this guys face.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/594yfm/id_like_to_return_this/
| 730 | 29 | 1,477,321,315 | 13 |
tip
|
top
|
153h67y
|
TalesFromRetail
|
No, you cannot have a $3500 fridge for $1800.
|
This happened back in 2012 at a now-dead big box chain that anchored malls. The company was in decline, but it was still the largest retailer in large home appliances. Our store was in a more affluent area, and out of all of the stores I worked in, this one had the most entitled customers. I was a commissioned sales person, but I was senior enough that I had an approval card and would handle general customer service issues.
A customer (C) and his wife (W) had bought a Store Brand side-by-side refrigerator for $1800. It arrives, and unfortunately it's a lemon. The compressor won't engage at all. Normally in these cases, the delivery team would automatically set up a next-day delivery for a working one. **NOPE.** The customers refuse. Store Brand has insulted their very existence! They will never buy Store Brand again!
They come to the store and tell me their tragic tale. Their lives have been turned absolutely upside down by this horrible tragedy. They have picked out a new fridge, a Name Brand, which retailed for $2000. They had a friend recommend it to them, and all of the reviews and industry ratings looked great. But here's the catch: *it's the exact same fridge*. Name Brand makes the Store Brand side-by-sides, and this happened to be the exact twin model.
I try to avoid taking a $200 hit:
Me: "Sure, we could do that exchange, but I wanted to make sure that you're aware that Name Brand actually makes our Store Brand side-by-sides. They have the exact same compressor. You'd save $200 if you kept the Store Brand, and you'd still end up with the same fridge."
C: "I know that! I don't care, I am never having another Store Brand in my home ever again. And we're not paying that $200. It's not our fault that you sent us a faulty product! Now we have to wait, and it's frankly insulting that you'd even imply I should pay the difference."
I know the Name Brand often goes on sale for $1800, so I am safe to give it for the same price. As I'm double-checking that I have the margin to make the discount, I notice something: it's backordered. It will be over two weeks before Name Brand can deliver.
Me: "While normally you would need to pay the price difference, I understand how upsetting this is. For your inconvenience, I can offer an even exchange. I did notice that Name Brand is currently out of stock on this model, so it will be another week before we can deliver. Does that work for you?"
You would think I had *kicked their freaking dog*. W gasps and covers her mouth. C turns an interesting shade of red.
C: "That... that is outrageous! That will absolutely not work! You expect us to live without a fridge for a week?"
I will point out now that **they still had their old fridge which was in working condition**.
Me: "Sorry, but I really don't have a way to get one faster. The manufacturer doesn't have any at all until the next batch are ready."
W: "But <Customer Name>, we neeeeeed it now!"
C: "Do you see that? My wife is about to cry. We need to find another solution."
Me: "Well, we do have more fridges available across multiple brands. I'd be happy to show you other options in the same range."
This is where I think they were trying to rip us off: they immediately go for Other Brand's top-of-the-line French-door refrigerator. It's not even in the same category. The thing is *on sale* for $3500.
C: "I think this one got good reviews," *it in fact had some of the best reviews*, "is it available?"
Me: "It looks like it is. We're still early enough I could have it delivered tomorrow. The difference comes to $1700. Did you want to put that on your Store card?"
The wife's jaw drops to the floor.
W: "What do you mean the difference?"
C: "You said you'd do an even exchange!"
Me: "Well, yes, on the Name Brand side-by-side. This is a completely different brand, and it's not even the same type of fridge. I can't do an even exchange, but we will waive the 15% restocking fee and refund the delivery fee for the trouble."
C: "I want a manager now!"
I call the department manager who is equally confused at the demand. He offers to take off the same $200 we would have for the Name Brand. Of course, that's rejected with prejudice. He takes it up to 15%. That's $525! But no, they demand an even exchange. He's now at the point he has to flat-out refuse.
Manager: "That's not something I can do. You can get the Store Brand tomorrow, you can wait a week for the Name Brand, or you can get the Other Brand tomorrow after paying the $1175 difference. What works best for you?"
W: \*With tears in her eyes\* "You... you... this is bait and switch! Bait and switch!"
She literally screamed this next bit to the point it echoed into the mall entrance.
W: **"BAIT AND SWITCH!"**
As she did this, the manager was calmly doing something on his tablet. I will never forget this: once she's done screaming, he hands her the tablet with a dictionary definition of bait and switch.
Manager: "Ma'am, you seem confused. A bait and switch would be us advertising one product that isn't actually available for us to sell, and then trying to get you to buy something else. I can get you that Store Brand any time you want."
W is visibly confused for a second, and then she shoves the tablet back into the manager's hands. She takes her phone out of her purse, hands shaking.
W: "You know what? I'm calling my lawyer! I'm going to tell my lawyer about your bait and switch!"
Aaaaaand that was it. Manager and I look at each other. I swear he was holding back a smile.
Manager: "I'm sorry, but since you have decided to pursue legal channels, we can no longer assist you at the store level. I can get you the number for our corporate legal team. You'll need to direct any further questions questions to them directly."
W: "No, you're going to talk to my lawyer right now, and—"
Manager: "I can't continue this conversation. I'll notify the delivery team to cancel your order. You'll get a refund to your original card. It might take 3-4 business days for your provider to show the refund."
C: \*Looking mildly concerned\* "Now hold on, my wife jumped the gun a little, we—"
W: "No! I am calling our lawyer. We are not going to be taken advantage of."
Manager: "I'm sorry, but we can't keep interacting with you."
C: "But—"
At this point my manager and I walked away. The lady sat over in mattresses apparently waiting for her lawyer to answer for a few minutes. Her lawyer must not have cared too much for her business because he apparently never answered. Her husband awkwardly paced small appliances before he walked back to her. He wildly gesticulated while... yell whispering?... to her until they left. Transaction was refunded and I never saw them again.
Remember this, fellow retail travelers, a customer threatening legal action is always the fastest excuse to get out of an annoying situation.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/153h67y/no_you_cannot_have_a_3500_fridge_for_1800/
| 975 | 133 | 1,689,731,145 | 13 |
15%
|
relevance
|
13s8imn
|
TalesFromRetail
|
“You are making a big deal over $10”
|
I am once again back, sorry in advance for any formatting issues. Summary at the bottom
C: Customer
M: Me
For context I am at a clothing store that ranges from tee shirts to suits and a man comes in with his wife looking at suits. Ignoring my manager and I they are going through displays looking for sizes. The man tries a jacket on only to find it is far too small, gets frustrated and gets my attention. After helping him with his size he then asks me to grab his size in 2 more jackets and matching pants for each jacket. We need this boost and this sale is looking incredibly good for us. After trying on the suits my manager leaves as she is finished for the night and I am closing in 4 hours at the time (late night trading for us, Friday night).
C: “I like these two suits, can you put these aside for now, I will look around for some more stuff to grab”
M: “Not a problem at all, gives me time to hang these all up and bag them”
C: “Actually can I get a new suit jacket?”
The customer notices a single loose thread which is not actually attached to the jacket so I go out the back and take the thread off. This happens twice for each suit jacket. Once he is satisfied with them he goes off on his store walk
After doing a store walk he comes back to the counter and looks at our shoe display
C: “I need shoes” *staring at me*
M: “That’s no problem, but I need your shoes size and which shoes you want”
C: “Oh okay”
The customer picks two pairs and ultimately decides on the one pair to grab. Throwing the shoes on the counter he then asks
C: “What discount am I getting for all this? Also I will only get one suit, not both”
M: “Well the suit comes in a deal so I can’t discount that since it won’t let me override it and the deal is better than any sort of discount I could have given”
C: “I don’t have an account here btw, only in (other country branch)”
This is where the issue stems from as I am feeling somewhat generous and he is spending over $200 worth of stuff and he can’t use his account where I am. Usually when you sign up it takes a couple days at most and then you get 20% off any **full price items**
M: “That’s no problem, I can resign you up for an account for here and apply your discount now. You will get 20% off the shoes but because the suit together is in a deal it won’t take anything further off that.”
C: “You’re telling me I can’t discount the suit??”
M: “Yes, the suit together gives a bundle where if bought together they take $20 off the pants”
The customer just nods and I proceed to put the customer through. I make his new account, fill in his details and discount the shoes. After doing so I read the total out and let him know what’s discounted and by how much everything is discounted. He happily pays. I give him his receipt, give him his bags and he starts to head off. He suddenly turns back to me
C: “I just realised that I could have bought the jacket and pants seperate, discount the jacket and I would technically pay $10 less”
M: “Yes and no, for the suit total yes you would save $10 but then the shoes wouldn’t be discounted because I can only use your discount in one transaction”
C: “So refund me the suit and then we shall do it that way”
M: “I’m sorry? I can refund you the suit but can’t give you a second discount. I don’t have that power”
C: *laughs* “sure you can, come on”
M: “I think there is a misunderstanding. I have already used your discount on your shoes. Even if I was to refund your discounted shoes along with the suit, I don’t get that discount for you back. You only get one discount for signing up and I can get in trouble for just giving out discounts.
C: **”Why are you making such a fuss over $10?!”**
M: “Sir, it’s not a fuss, I am just stating I can’t just take back your discount and then apply it multiple times over multiple transactions. Even if I somehow could I am not a manager and therefore don’t have that sort of power”
C: *sarcastically* “*Yeah no it’s whatever, just don’t understand why you are making such a big deal out of $10?* What’s your name and your manager’s name?”
Happily gives those details to him before he storms out
TL:DR
I give a man a discount and put through a transaction for him. He thinks and realises he could have gotten a cheaper deal but that required me to just be able to give him multiple discounts across multiple transactions
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/13s8imn/you_are_making_a_big_deal_over_10/
| 404 | 29 | 1,685,094,180 | 13 |
20%
|
hot
|
1xl74a
|
TalesFromRetail
|
Tips, skates, and trays
|
Hello TFR! I've been reading a lot of stories dealing with "credit card fraud" So here is mine.
Background: I'm working at a drive in where we wear skates, and its tourist season and its summer break down in the south. I'm one of the girls that skate around and delivers food. There is about three of us that wear the skates, and back then you could walk if you didn't feel comfortable with the skate. Typically if you are one of the skaters, you make a lot in tips.
Story: I've been working here for 2 years in high school, and i've seen many people come in and out, but this lady was the worst. Its the weekend, and i'm working the morning shift to late afternoon. The lot is packed with tourist and there are three of us girls skating around delivering food. Some of the previous weekends, i've been making around $100 in tips for 8 hours, that's the average. When we cash out, we report how much in tips we made, 2 of us made about $80 each, while the other lady made $200. I should also add, that she isn't one of us that skates. I'm thinking that's impossible, i've taken out more trays than her. Maybe she had some generous tippers. Okay, so we fast forward it to the next weekend. The same thing happened again, she was making $200 plus in tips and taking out less trays... something wasn't right here. For out of the blue, we noticed that she didn't start coming in for a while, and I was minding my own and helping customers.
A couple weeks later, we were getting calls from corporate saying that people were getting charged twice for food that they didn't order. My manager decides to do some digging and figure out who was doing it. Low and behold, it was the lady getting $200 plus in tips. She was using people's credit cards to charge other customers food, and making extra money in tips from those charges.
Needless to say, she was fired, and sent to jail a couple days later for credit card fraud.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1xl74a/tips_skates_and_trays/
| 25 | 2 | 1,392,095,290 | 13 |
generous tip
|
relevance
|
1ihcpm5
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I know people are divided with tip culture… but really?
|
I had a seven top come in during dinner rush and stayed for about two hours. They were young and obnoxious, I had several complaints about their heavy use of profanity and loud animal noises they were making. Two older couples had their orders to-go because of this. Well they’ve had their check for about half an hour at this point.
They finally waved me over and handed me their check and said “uhh, just a heads up, we won’t be tipping. We’re students and can’t afford it.” They ordered like the most expensive entrees and desserts but whatever, I kept my smile and said “no problem. Have a good night.”
On the bright side, another table left me a $50 for dealing with their crap❤️
Edit: I did ask my manager if we could ask them to leave, but he said something like “all customers are equal, we can’t kick someone out just because others are uncomfortable” Obviously thats BS but what could I do?🤷♀️
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ihcpm5/i_know_people_are_divided_with_tip_culture_but/
| 1,607 | 110 | 1,738,655,719 | 12 |
tip
|
relevance
|
p5jwlu
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Couple of regulars come in. Promise to tip me more if I promise not to get vaccinated.
|
I guess because they know me pretty well they might trust me.
Jokes on them, they tip me 20$ regardless of the tab and I'll lie to their face everytime..
I got my vaccine. But I'll tell you I didnt if that's what it takes to get your money.(Name Redacted) if you are reading this, your sons are going to grow up idiots and your leading them to a life a failure.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/p5jwlu/couple_of_regulars_come_in_promise_to_tip_me_more/
| 3,418 | 229 | 1,629,132,312 | 12 |
tip
|
relevance
|
7q383u
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Stopping a walkout is the most satisfying thing, even when you don’t get tipped.
|
I was working a Sunday double at my restaurant, and at about 5 o’clock I have a table come in. Generally rude and vague about what they want, never really look at me the entire time that they’re seated. So the meals come out, I check back, everything is fine. I go about my business for about 10-15 minutes or so, keeping a loose eye on all my tables while running food and the like. After these 10-15 minutes, I go to make a round in my tables, see who needs refills, boxes, all that Jazz. On my way to this particular table, I notice bussers cleaning it.
Obviously, I hustle over and tell them that these people aren’t finished, I haven’t even dropped off their check (~$60). The busser replies that he saw them quickly all gather their coats and head to the front of the restaurant less than a minute ago. So I give chase towards the host stand.
Now our restaurant isn’t too hard to navigate, but more often than not people head toward the cave (a partly separated room with more tables) than the exit, thinking it’s the way out. Well, it’s not, unless you want the emergency alarm to start blaring when you open the door, which these dashers definitely DON’T want while trying to run out on their bill. So on their way back towards the real exit, there’s me, leaning on the side stand and waiting for them all in their coats and bags and keys out, ready to leave. Naturally, I calmly stare the parents down and ask,
“Where we goin’?”
So they all stutter about looking for the rest rooms (which are in the back of the restaurant, close to their table), so I tell them
“Let’s head on back to your table and I’ll show you to the restrooms while you also settle your check.” What else can they do but comply?
Of course, I got no tip, but damn...that felt good to catch them in the act and corner them into paying. Idiots.
TL;DR my table tried to dine and dash me, but couldn’t find the exit. I caught them and brought them back to the table and made them pay on the spot.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/7q383u/stopping_a_walkout_is_the_most_satisfying_thing/
| 3,536 | 223 | 1,515,829,453 | 12 |
tip
|
relevance
|
1jfusuz
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Anyone else just exhausted with…
|
This possibly more so applies to servers in states without a tip credit, but..
Is anyone else exhausted with trying to help non-industry people understand that we are not getting these massive paychecks ON TOP of our tips? Almost weekly I see a post on Reddit by someone wondering why they should be tipping us at all when we still make minimum wage just like them? And you try to politely break down the pay and tax structure and how our paychecks for a two week pay period are barely scraping $200-300? I tend to not care what others think of me but I am also tired of these idiots calling me a liar when presenting them with well articulated fact? I’m just tired of it all 😴
**Adding as a general response to any and all fellow service industry folks that have commented with your paycheck woes, I just would like to say that I think it’s utter insanity that this is even allowed in some states. I hope nobody reads my post & feels that I am being insensitive to those that live in states where you are getting no paycheck at all. We all deserve more reliable income and healthcare, etc PERIOD.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1jfusuz/anyone_else_just_exhausted_with/
| 282 | 113 | 1,742,492,791 | 12 |
tip
|
hot
|
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