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ppewsy
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TalesFromYourServer
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Owner/Chef taking 30% of the tips. Is this normal?
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This is my first job as a waiter and when i started we were told 30% of the tips go to the kitchen. Now 2 months later after talking to the kitchen i found out they dont get shit. The chef and also partly the owner, and gets all of it. There is no way this is okay right? Im working in austria btw.
Edit: i checked what the law is and yes, it is illegal.
I will see what i can do about this. There is no way they will fuck me over and get away with it. Thank you for the help.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ppewsy/ownerchef_taking_30_of_the_tips_is_this_normal/
| 1,141 | 77 | 1,631,804,246 | 11 |
waiter tip
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relevance
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fbqxoy
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TalesFromYourServer
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Chronically understaffed? Want to harass me every day? Hope you like being even MORE understaffed.
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So I recently got a job at a local brewery. For the most part this job was...lets say, *decent*. They were basically a 2-star restaurant posing as a 3.5-star; they wanted the waiters to memorize the ingredients of all the food off-duty, memorize the beermaking process despite literally nobody asking about that, they had tests you had to take after a while or they'd withhold your tips...
Despite all that, 95% of the staff were decent human beings. Except for one. *Jeff.*
First, a little context. They claimed that they'd give you 4 days of training before putting you on the floor. Theoretically, you'd be paid a decent wage during that time, except for the fact that once you started actually working the floor they just combined your untipped wages with your tipped wages, so you're basically working for four days at 3$ an hour without tips.
Still, you need to train, I get it.
* Day 1: The restaurant is swamped with customers and they have only one server in the front. I spend the whole day running dishes.
* Day 2&3: Actual training.
* Day 4(really day 3?): They get swamped again, and they decide enough is enough, and give me tables.
* Day 5: Introducing **Jeff!** Note that at this point I should only be on my first day actually being a server, with 2 extra days of training under my belt. He introduces himself by asking me if I'd been telling the truth about being a waiter before, as it certainly didn't look like it.
Talk about an introduction. I was busy, so I didn't have time to respond, but this sets the tone for our subsequent meetings.
Now we're going into the holiday season, so things are *very* busy, and I'm working full time. And while everyone else is supportive and encouraging, Jeff finds it utterly impossible to say anything in a positive way. I'd forget a soup spoon and he'd make it out to be the literal work of satan; meanwhile the kitchen is consistently sending the soup out at 70 degrees and the dishwashing staff are leaving 8 or 9 tubs of dishes in a line, forcing the waiters to basically do everything but throw the dishes into the dishwasher for them.
This culminates in probably the worst day of my life. I'm extremely sick, to the point where talking or moving makes me miserable, but I don't want to leave them shortstaffed, so I mention in passing to a different manager that if someone else wanted my shift, I'd be happy to let them have it, if they wanted some extra cash. Mid-shift, I have a rare 3 minutes where we're caught up, and one of the other servers checks our respective takes, and finds that mine is a full *50%* higher than either of theirs, so I offer one of my tables (that I'd already seated and taken their order) to the waiter with the lowest take, which he happily accepts.
About an hour later, this phenominal *douche* has the gall to come up to me and tell me that I wasn't pulling my weight. Because he heard I was asking to 'take it easy' and have less tables.
He follows this up by saying that, since I wasn't pulling my weight(remember, +50%!!!) He was going to have me switched to being a busser after the holiday crunch was done. And he still didn't believe I was telling the truth about being a waiter previously.
*Seriously!?*
I very nearly blew up right then and there, but I was tired and sick and didn't have the energy to deal with his *bullshit*. So I kept on going, hit the end of my shift, folded every bit of silverware I knew to find, and asked a different shift manager if I could leave, and he said yes.
I clock out, and this absolute assclown comes up to me and says he didn't give me permission to leave. He sends me back to start folding more silverware, off the shift, using the crappy stuff they keep for the waitstaff. Not only that, but he said that I was going to have a test on the ingredients *the next day*, despite having barely worked there for two weeks, and the official policy being you were tested after a *month*.
I was raised not to be rude. But that night was the angriest, the darkest, I've ever felt in my life. I wrote some very dark things when I finally got home.
I knew I couldn't hurt him in any meaningful way. Nobody would take the word of a new employee over an established manager. And I didn't want to overly burden my actually good coworkers.
But at this point, I have nothing left to lose. If I'm going to lose my job anyway, I'll do it on my terms.
So the next day I went to the office, told them I was going to work **one** more day, told them everything about the shitty manager, that my leaving was 100% his fault and everyone else was good.
That last day I worked my *ass* off. I worked harder than any two other employees combined. I gave one of my most helpful coworkers a chunk of my tip from the previous day, as thanks. And I left with my head held high.
I dunno, maybe it didn't hurt him at all. But even little things can stack up. And I hope that, someday, when his career comes crashing down, it was my straw that broke the camel's back.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/fbqxoy/chronically_understaffed_want_to_harass_me_every/
| 1,442 | 47 | 1,583,049,308 | 11 |
waiter tip
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relevance
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1d1vpn5
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TalesFromYourServer
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The previous post about Dr. Pepper made me remember a similar experience.
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I used to work at Chili's #1 in Dallas. During high school football season we were a favorite destination for the kids after home games. A long stream of Suburbans would drop the kids off and for a couple of hours we would be wall-to-wall teenagers. To their credit, the parents of these kids did a good job raising and they typically tipped us well. But even though they were relatively well-behaved they were still teenagers and were prone to showing off.
On one of those nights I got a three-top of guys who I would guess were sophomores. As I was finishing up at another table I overheard them bragging to each other, "Well last time I was here I had eleven Dr. Peppers!" "Oh yeah? I had twelve!"
So rather than doing my usual greet I went to the back and pulled three water pitchers and filled them with Dr. Pepper and just a little ice. The MoD saw me and said, "We're not supposed to do that." I told her what I had overheard and she smiled and said, "I don't see anything."
I greeted the guys, put down three straws in front of them and said "Dr. Pepper for you! Dr. Pepper for you! Dr. Pepper for you!"
They looked up at me with awe and said something to the effect of, "dude, your the best waiter we've ever had!"
I took their order and put it into the pos. When I came by their table they were pounding those pitchers hard. By the time their food arrived they were ready for refills. So I got three more pitchers of Dr. Pepper and brought them to the table. They didn't seem as excited this time.
After a bit I asked them how things were and they said everything was great. I pointed out that they still had a lot of Dr. Pepper left. They said something like, "Kinda getting full." I asked them, "Didn't you have twelve last time you were here?" To which I put on my best imitation of a coach and said, "IF YOU WANT VICTORY YOU HAVE TO **REALLY WANT IT!**" I was surprised how well they responded to that ploy as they started chugging those pitchers again.
When I got back to the table they asked for their tickets as their ride was there for them. They tipped me 25%. I have to admit, I kinda felt guilty as I watched them stagger out the door all looking like they were going to hurl.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1d1vpn5/the_previous_post_about_dr_pepper_made_me/
| 260 | 31 | 1,716,827,722 | 11 |
waiter tip
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relevance
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6zp0ju
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TalesFromYourServer
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I hate being forced to tip.
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Lower your pitchforks and lanterns, it's not that kind of post. For context, I normally tip 35-50% depending on service. I've been someone living paycheck to paycheck, and I have the luxury of not being that way any more. People who work their jobs and bust butt are my favorite type of people, and I see them in the service industry constantly. I'm always asked if I made a mistake on my bill when I tip 13$ on a 17$ bill when the waiter/waitress was phenomenal.. but here is my gripe.
Today I went in to a sit down restaurant with an optional "buffet" area. My waitress was a young lady who asked us if we needed a menu or wanted the buffet and asked for our drinks. Both me and my brother were doing the buffet, and got our drinks and went to fill up a plate. I came back go our table with 2 drinks and a check on it, a personal pet peeve but no big deal. We eat, get a 2nd plate, and sit talking for about 35 minutes. No waitress the entire time, no refills no "how are you doing" nothing. Completely empty section. I left and when I paid, I left a 6$ tip on a 27$ meal... Why do I have to feel obligated to tip for some of the worst service of my life? Who honestly cares if I won't be back.. I shouldn't have had to leave a single penny for someone who couldn't bring a refill, yet I'm so conditioned to tip that I did it anyways. Just a rant, probably a wrong place for it.. I'll take my downvotes and go home now.
Edit: just wanted to say I appreciate the positive and constructive conversation this thread spawned, much better than the outcome I thought this was going to cause!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/6zp0ju/i_hate_being_forced_to_tip/
| 528 | 93 | 1,505,242,322 | 11 |
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relevance
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1fa17ec
|
TalesFromYourServer
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A tale from a customer (long)
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I love lurking here and y’all’s stories and comments helped me deal with a difficult dining situation.
Restaurant Week just ended in my city. My birthday is in the last week, so I like to go and take a couple of friends who have been really kind/caring to me that year as a thank you. I had just put down my beloved Shih tzu two weeks prior.
“Popular Steakhouse” has been my favorite place to go for RW—it’s a great value, supports our local food bank and I always order a good bottle of wine and drinks to make up for the lower food bill.
So when I saw that Popular Restaurant was back after COVID, I book a table for 3.
We showed up, on time, went to our table.
Our waiter gives us the menus, with PR’s very expensive prices. I asked for the wine list and to speak to the sommelier for help choosing. When waiter comes back, I ask him for the restaurant week menu (still $60 per person).
He gives me a look, snatches our menus and ****tosses the RW menus at us****. Then he walks away AND NEVER COMES BACK TO THE TABLE.
I was so embarrassed. I learned from you guys to speak to the manager instead of tip revenge. My friends (two middle aged white ladies) didn’t want me to make a scene, but F it I don’t play that. I may be black but my money is still green.
After 20 mins, I go to the host station and ask to speak to the general manager and calmly (learned from you guys) explained the situation.
Two minutes later, the assistant manager comes over and tells us that the wonderful Marcus will now be our server. The sommelier immediately shows up, helps me pick a nice burgundy. Marcus brings the cocktails we never got to order. Assistant manager comps us appetizers and desserts from the regular menu to take home.
She explained that this is the first time they’ve done RW in four years and some of the staff were having trouble dealing with the hoards of clueless diners (my reading, she never said that specifically).
I get it—this guy has been getting stuffed all month—but he was so weird and rude. I asked my guests if they thought he was high.
Marcus was great and I pointed him to this sub (hey Marcus!) and tipped 30%. He gave me a knowing nod when I told him that Original waiter never “touched” our table.
Thanks for letting me rant.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1fa17ec/a_tale_from_a_customer_long/
| 120 | 11 | 1,725,580,120 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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1dg4x0o
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TalesFromYourServer
|
Constantly expected to "help out" in service, but not getting any tips
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I'm currently working the cocktail bar in a pretty large restaurant. When I signed on, the manager explained to me that despite there being tables directly at the bar, we do not have our own tables at all, we're purely supposed to produce, and maybe hand drinks over to the people sitting right at the bar. We do not have access to the POS system, we cannot take orders, we cannot cash people out. In exchange for us having no customer contact, the tip out is not particularly large. I dont work in the US or Canada, mind you, but for reference, our tip out averages out to about 25% of our hourly. Servers make (roughly, with one to two bucks leeway depending on seniority etc.,) the same hourly, but even the servers that just arent doing a good job are easily at least doubling their hourly with tips alone.
Fair enough, at least we dont have to deal with customers... except our FOH managers love sending waiters home early only to have us place people, run drinks and food ourselves, clean tables, roll silverware, and if it becomes really dire, take orders by memory and then pass them along to a waiter.
It's starting to really frustrate me. It seems like the schedule is set up to not overload the servers while still letting them rake in their money, while we're scheduled as tightly as possible behind the bar and then still regularly expected to help out. What's worse, the tip out is "capped" at a sales point that the larger sections hit pretty much every day. So if other servers are sent home early, we help out for *literally zero benefit* cause we dont even get the tip out anymore.
Hell, I've had days where I've placed a table, took their drinks order at the same time, made their drinks, ran their drinks, sent them a waiter to order food with, ran their food, took their dessert order, ran their dessert, then sent them a waiter to pay with, and seen about 20 cents from that based on tip out, while the server gets a 10 buck tip. This is the extreme, to be frank, but it shouldnt be happening at all.
I mainly took this job over others where I would've made more money cause it's the easiest stepping stone back into management - and I've already gotten promoted and am slated to take over the bar entirely - but i'm halfway out the door again cause of this shit.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1dg4x0o/constantly_expected_to_help_out_in_service_but/
| 8 | 3 | 1,718,409,367 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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1d900al
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Can store owners keep a portion of servers tips?
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So I just started my first server job last week and I can already see a few red flags about the company itself, but today the store messaged all of us about how tip distribution works at this restaurant. He said 80% of credit card tips go to servers based on hours worked, and cash tips can be split however we decide. In the same text, he said kitchen prep and cooks do not get any tips.
However, when I asked where the other 20% of credit card tips go and he said “Always has gone to the chef” Even though he just said the kitchen staff and cooks don’t get tips?
When I continued to ask about this he gave vague, contradicting answers, and since english isn’t his first language it was hard to understand what he even meant.
Also to add context to some of the other red flags i mentioned, we just had an inspection and had about 5 things marked down for us to fix, (including adding a sink that can get hot enough water) and the owner just sent a picture of the report in the group chat and told us to “get everything fixed asap.” (Multiple things we can’t really fix as servers and cooks)
Another weird thing is that both of the owners are married and live in las vegas, so they only visit this store when they have to interview people or check up on something, and as far as I can tell, no one in the store has even met the man (which is the one who always messages us about things we need to fix). However, he has tried on multiple occasions to get servers to go to his air b&b in the next city over to “clean it.” When I first started he even asked me to meet him at his air b&b so we could “talk about paperwork”, and because “i might have to help clean it sometimes.”
I know this is shady asf but for the most part the guy seems harmless, and I don’t think anyone has ever actually gone to his place. My main concern is about the tips because i looked it up for my state (Utah) and everything I found said that employers cannot take a portion of servers tips.
Like I said, this is my first server/waiter job so I’m not super sure how all of this stuff usually works anyway, but I do think there is some shady business going on, so any tips for how to go about exposing/reporting/fixing these issues would be appreciated.
UPDATE:
So turns out the 20% if going to the “Chef” which is apparently different from “cooks.” We have one “head chef” and one or 2 other cooks, so what they’re doing is taking 20% of the tips left for servers and giving it to the one chef.
I’m still wondering if that’s legal? I looked it up again and it said with tip pooling, the tips should only be split between workers who typically receive tips, which does not include cooks or “chefs”.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1d900al/can_store_owners_keep_a_portion_of_servers_tips/
| 20 | 28 | 1,717,619,341 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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wv2bet
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TalesFromYourServer
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cash over credit
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I am a long time lurker first time poster.
My question to all of you is it better to get a tip with cash compared to putting it on the credit card? I typically give cash to the waiter/waitress. It is usually above 20 percent of the ticket but if I have to leave it on the table I will put the tip on the receipt. I am afraid someone will still cash left on the table. What is best for you? I know you don't have to (wink wink claim all cash tips as well), and that is another reason I like to give cash.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/wv2bet/cash_over_credit/
| 3 | 13 | 1,661,195,477 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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wqkhwl
|
TalesFromYourServer
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Why do you stay in the industry?
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Genuinely curious. I really like this sub and find it super interesting, and 50% of the time or more people are upset that they got stiffed. I get it—I was a server at a Mexican restaurant in college and literally chased a group of older women out the door bc they didn’t leave a tip. You forgot something! I yelled while waving the bill collector thing in my hand. Growing up American you just are raised to believe 20% tip is standard and anything less is you being cheated. Now that I’ve traveled all around the world and not seen this tipping culture literally anywhere else I find it quite bizzare. The employers need to pay a proper wage—period.
Long term waiters, why do you stay? Do the nights where you lose money (ie have to tip out more than you made) balance out with the nights you made hundreds? Is it that you feel stuck and unsure of another career path? Just seems totally unreliable as an income source to be a waiter, especially if you have a family.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/wqkhwl/why_do_you_stay_in_the_industry/
| 12 | 18 | 1,660,728,612 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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vywb1n
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TalesFromYourServer
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Tips on sub total or taxed?
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Lurker here. Much respect to those of you who grind it out and keep the sunny side up through the long hours to take care of the rest of us.
What is the expectation of most servers with regard to how the tip is calculated? Normally we tip well above the expected minimum of 20% (US), but when service is not up to par and we tip on the lower end near 20%, should we tip on the sub total, or taxed amount?
Btw, following this sub had taught me to pay tips in cash, and be patient. Last night our service was painfully slow and when our waiter appeared, I said “You must be busy!” He said “I am, and thank you very much for your patience. They just sat 10 tables in my section when you were seated.”
He provided service the best that he could given the circumstances, and we took care of him accordingly.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/vywb1n/tips_on_sub_total_or_taxed/
| 5 | 15 | 1,657,806,433 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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vdzbva
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TalesFromYourServer
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Tip question
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I went to an all you can eat kbbq place and I ended up tipping my waiter 40% due to his exceptional service. My question is: will he even care or look at the tip line anyway since he has to split the tips with other people? I feel like if I was him, I’ll only care about the tips if it was in cash. Thanks
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/vdzbva/tip_question/
| 22 | 12 | 1,655,423,182 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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uwbgnq
|
TalesFromYourServer
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When did the norm to tip servers turn from 15% to 20%?
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First off, if this comes off as abrasive, it’s not intended to. Just trying to educate myself. It’s been awhile since Ive been in the serving industry. I waited tables in the late 2000’s until 2013ish. I’ve worked at small/medium sized restaurants and have worked for corporate restaurants as well. So I have some experience but it has been awhile. The norm during those times were 15%. Recently, I have noticed that some receipts have shown the lowest tip share is 20%. In addition, to reading stories on this sub the norm is usually 20%. Is it because of the recent times we’re in? Or is something else? I’m assuming the rise in tip percentage has to be due to inflation or some other outlier.
Maybe waiter/servers that have been waiting for decade or so could chime in. I’m just trying to learn so that I can educate others when this comes up.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/uwbgnq/when_did_the_norm_to_tip_servers_turn_from_15_to/
| 23 | 84 | 1,653,342,945 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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svo678
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TalesFromYourServer
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Tipping question from a Non-Server
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What do servers recommend a customer do in case of terrible service? I usually leave a 15% tip instead of 20% but I am not sure that is the right way to go about it. It is very rare but recently we had a very rude waiter who just made us feel so inferior and it was infuriating. Ex: When my husband ordered the seafood spaghetti, he acted like he had no idea what he was talking about. He said "we have pasta but not spaghetti, we are not an Italian restaurant". Then when it came out, it actually was spaghetti. He acted like we were ignorant when he was the ignorant one. That was just one of the rude things he did. He also told us that if we wanted better service we better order our drinks and food at the same time and then proceeded to take our drink order and walk away before we could order the food. Anyway, just wondering how to show our lack of appreciation without offending him so that he doesn't mess with our food?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/svo678/tipping_question_from_a_nonserver/
| 56 | 46 | 1,645,207,137 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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reg3s1
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TalesFromYourServer
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Holiday party bonus cards
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I had posted what to tip at my holiday party with an initial tip of 22% Recommendation was to make it a good holiday for the servers and to use cards to make it a gift and not a tip. I had 3 waiters and a bar tender. Gathered them all up at the very start, said that I understood that the house 22% was getting split lots of ways. Gave each of them a card with a ~5% tip (so 20% over the 22% )and said the contents of the card was for them, it was a gift, it was not a tip. They all nodded understanding.
It was a great evening, we had a ton of food, great service, everyone at the event had a great time. Thanks reddit for the idea, I think it helped smooth the way. 10/10 would do again. Happy Holiday!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/reg3s1/holiday_party_bonus_cards/
| 33 | 4 | 1,639,280,207 | 11 |
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hot
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qgmli8
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TalesFromYourServer
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Does anyone else feel an unspoken pressure to tip your coworkers extra when you go to eat at work?
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I want to come eat at my restaurant but I always feel this pressure of "I know you, I work at with you, I should tip you unusually high." Rather than just leaving 22% - 25%? I never eat at the restaurants I work at because I end up tipping way fatter than normal. I also have this thing with my girlfriend that when we go to restaurants we don't work at that once we tell our waiter we're also waiters that we are now obligated to tip higher. So if we really like someone well say "Yeah at our restaurant we do the same," to let them know we in the biz and we got you.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/qgmli8/does_anyone_else_feel_an_unspoken_pressure_to_tip/
| 17 | 12 | 1,635,302,260 | 11 |
waiter tip
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hot
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ot3dwq
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TalesFromYourServer
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Cooks cooks cooks •_•
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Recently a waiter where I work at informed me that the cooks have been talking and telling him that I have been stealing their tips and that they were going to tell the boss. He told me this because he referred me to the job and thought I should know. It’s frustrating because I’m new to the restaurant/ food industry and I don’t get as much tips as the others do! I have always been respectful and nice with them but then they talk behind my back. I’m still getting the hang of it but I’ve been getting good tips recently. Maybe they thought this because we only give them 30% of our tips? I did not appreciate this accusation it’s annoying that they would even be telling this to a friend of mine. They can even look at the cameras or our tip out book and see that I always give them the correct amount of money. They make me not want to go to work anymore I know I shouldn’t take it personal it’s just difficult. I know I should just ignore it but ughh. Does anyone have any similar stories?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ot3dwq/cooks_cooks_cooks/
| 10 | 13 | 1,627,449,201 | 11 |
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hot
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daukgc
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TalesFromYourServer
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"He deliberately served me a dish I'm allergic to!"
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First time posting here!
Background: So over the last year I worked at a local village pub in the village I grew up in in England, between my MA and the start of my PhD. It's a tiny little village with two pubs, a church, a cornershop and a chippy - that's it other than houses. On the whole it's been a pretty great experience - it's only a small place and the village is in the middle of nowhere so it's not particularly busy and you get to know lots of the locals and regulars who were mostly nice people. Although I was hired as a mostly part-time bar staff, I ended up doing lots more, particularly waiting on the tables as we have a small restaurant and we serve pub food in the bar as well. I'm more comfortable behind the bar but we only have a very small number of staff so we all end up doing pretty much everything anyway (serving drinks, waiting tables, changing beer barrels, sometimes even helping out the potwash on busy days) We have a few room upstairs which function as a kind of B&B and we often get businesspeople staying there between their visits to some of the bigger nearby cities. This happened maybe 2 months ago, and was the first and last time I ever received a formal complaint.
So there's a couple who are staying for 2 nights in one of the room upstairs. First time I'd seen them since I checked them in and gave them the keys earlier. We're basically rammed in the bar, there's me, the manager, and a waitress with about 13 tables and 3-4 covers per table. So I go over to their table to take their order. "Hi, how's your day going? Happy with the room upstairs? What would you like to order?" etc. It's a Friday which is a curry night for us, so the wife ordered a Chicken Balti curry and the husband ordered one of our 'Chef's Specials' dishes which was basically a salmon/rice dish which looked lovely. Anyway, it's totally rammed, the kitchen are backed up because there's only two chefs here, so about 35 minutes later their dishes are ready and I bring them out (in the meantime I've been apologising for the wait and getting them refills etc.)
Here's the crux of it: As I put the dishes down, the wife says "I'm very sorry, I should have said earlier, but I actually have a deathly peanut allergy, so can I check if this dish has any nuts in it?" Internally I'm thinking: Well you should have fucking said that when I took the order, or at literally any point in the last 35 minutes shouldn't you?? What I actually said was "Okay, I'm going to go straight to the kitchen to double check, please don't touch it until I come back just in case there are nuts in it." We do have an allergy chart but because the curries are basically mix and match on a Friday (curry vs filling, plus sides etc) it's not always obvious, and they change pretty frequently. So I basically run to the kitchen and the chef runs down the list of ingredients and says that the curry paste has peanuts in it so she probably shouldn't have it. Shit. Okay, so I run back to their table and explain "I'm very sorry but the curry will have nuts in it so it won't be safe for you to eat it. I can run it by my manager but I'm sure he'd be fine to offer you another dish which is suitable for you" (The manager is super chill and I'm 100% certain he'd be fine to just get them another plate of food and have them leave happy. In the end he gave them a drink each on the house to apologise) Thankfully the husband just switches their plates, so he has the curry and she has the salmon special (which is nut-free). I checked in on them 10 minutes later and they were both enjoying their food. I also cleared their table at the end and brought them the bill where they again said how happy they were with the food. I apologised again for the confusion (even though it's 100% on them; if you have a serious peanut allergy you'd think you'd let the waiter know so the kitchen know too!) and they left a decent tip. Anyway, I clocked out about an hour later, had a pint at the bar and went home thinking all was fine. I definitely do take *partial* responsibility because in hindsight, I probably should have specifically asked them if they had any allergies as I took their order, but a) I was rushed off my feet and b) you'd think if you knew you had that allergy you wouldn't just let the waiter walk away, and then wait 35 minutes, without saying anything.
A couple of days later I was in the pub as a customer, just having a pint outside and reading my book when one of the two owners comes over and says "Hi \[me\], can I just have a quick chat with you about something that happened the other day?" "Sure, what's up?" And she explains that the husband went to his room after the meal but the wife ended up staying in the bar for hours and getting very drunk on wine, and then spent ages outside on the terrace drunkenly complaining to anyone who would listen that "The waiter deliberately served me a dish I'm allergic to!" So she was there until close and later (probably til about midnight) drinking and slandering myself and the pub in general to every single customer there, potentially damaging our reputation and business. Not only that, she submitted a formal complaint about it to the hotel booking company she went through! Thankfully I explained the situation to the boss as I did here (that I took their order, brought it out 35 minutes later and only then did she make us aware she had an allergy; they swapped dishes, both of them enjoyed their food, and seemed to leave happy) and she was totally cool about it, she's had difficult customers before. I'm one of the most reliable staff they've had in a while and I do a good job so they tend to have my back in these sorts of situations. One of the most annoying customers I've had there. Why would I *deliberately* try to kill you with your food??
tl;dr if you have an allergy, particularly a severe one, *make sure your waiter is aware before they take your order or bring you your food*
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/daukgc/he_deliberately_served_me_a_dish_im_allergic_to/
| 423 | 53 | 1,569,760,536 | 11 |
waiter tip
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top
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eejce7
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TalesFromYourServer
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Inspired by the "Worst Coworker" post, here's mine: "The Ungrateful Dead (Weight)"
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The Ungrateful Dead (Weight) - Does a fraction of the work, but demands a 50-50 tip share.
I worked with a lot of people who felt this way in my years serving. Usually, it's one or two knuckleheads who haven't been in the business long enough to realize the difference in work load. Or sometimes they're just bad waiters and haven't quite figured that out yet.
But my first bartending gig was special. For the first and last time in my career, I found myself standing amongst my otherwise smart, witty, and hard working coworkers being the only one at the tip-split cult meeting without my glass of Kool Aid. I'm pretty sure if my old coworkers see this story they'll know I'm talking about them, but I also think they've all grown up enough now to appreciate how ridiculous it was.
TL:DR Below.
Story Time:
My first bartending gig was opening up a small "Coffee and Cocktails" spin-off shop downtown from our very successful original location in the suburbs. The main location had a 15-seat bar, a coffee roastery and kitchen, and was staffed with 2 bartenders, 2 baristas, and at least 1 barback. It was awesome, and it was always packed. Some of the best coffee roasters in the southeast teamed up with one of the best Mixologists around and made something pretty spectacular as a result. Naturally, with all of their success, they wanted to expand.
The new spot was in a not-yet-finished new "Entertainment District" downtown, with a 6-seat bar, and attached to a hotel (on the other side of the building from a sports bar). It only needed 2 staff, one bartender, and one barista. It was quaint, cozy, and absolutely perfect for the area. The biggest downside, however, was that 80% of that entertainment district wouldn't open for business for another 6-12 months after it's Grand Opening. For coffee, this is ok, since the hotel is no competition. For the bar, though, being the smallest, priciest, and most remote bar in the building is an uphill battle. Having no outside foot traffic is really unfortunate. And having an established, better-in-every-way sister bar just 10 minutes away is a nightmare.
But we made the best drinks, we had the most complete training, and we had industry connections. We made it work by being a bartender's bar, by building lasting relationships with our regulars, and slowly picking off the people from the main location who wanted a more quiet "1 on 1" vibe for their cocktails. We weren't making as much by half, but we could call the bar our own, and that was enough.
With only 1 bartender and 1 barista on the night shift, we would naturally have to act as one another's support staff. If coffee got busy, the bartenders would make pour-over coffee or run the register so the barista could focus on running the espresso machine. If we got slammed, we'd ask the baristas to run dishes or get ice. We tipped them out at 30% regardless of whether we needed their help that night. We had both just spent 3 months barbacking at the original location during our training, and we understood that a well-bribed barback is worth their weight in gold.
At some point, though, somebody tried to put on their thinking cap and realized that the bartenders were bringing in more tips than the baristas, and thought that ridiculously unfair. At some point, they must have shared this thought with the other baristas, and a while after that they passed this complaint on to management.
About a month into this new venture, I got a text around noon from our other bartender explaining that we were going to have an all-staff meeting before her shift, and that I needed to "drop everything and get down here." So I dragged myself out of bed, threw on some clothes, and made my way downtown.
Somehow, (after "careful consideration") management had decided they were going to institute a 50-50 tip share for the night staff. Baristas were starting to fight over weekday morning shift, and someone had brought it to their attention that the bar staff were "only" doing 30% tip share.
We had a staff of about 10 baristas, 2 bartenders, and 2 barista managers. (Bar management was run by the Original location. We were trusted to run the bar ourselves, but not for manager pay, naturally). They were all in attendance before I got there. Apparently they had told our other bartender of this new policy, she said "Ha, no", and an all-staff had been called so she could state her case, and I could make my own decision, get in line, or find a new job. I did not know this.
Apparently, I was the only one. As our manager explained the situation to me, I was dumbfounded. I checked my phone to see if it was April already. I scanned the faces of the room hoping to catch someone break from the prank. Our other bartender explained that if this is their decision, she's walking, then left the room to cool down, have a smoke, and try to get ahold of our bar manager/senior bartender. (We found out later that he, too, was not informed of this decision, but shift had started at our sister store and he wouldn't have been able to make it anyway).
Then they asked me what I thought. I don't really know how long I just stared at them. I wasn't mad, I was just so confused. I couldn't piece together how this made any sense, how management could with a straight face call this "fair", or what all my coworkers really thought was going to come from this. But my first response was the same, "No, thanks".
After spending a few minutes composing my thoughts, texting my manager to no avail, and ignoring the increasingly uncivil threats from management, I realized there was no way to explain this without sounding incredibly patronizing, but I didn't have any alternative. Sometimes people need things spelled out for them I guess.
I tried to explain that if the bar is doing any business at all, the baristas should all be making more than day-shift by half (in fact, they were). That maybe hosting a high-school Bible study on Friday nights isn't ideal for opening a bar. That it shouldn't be shocking to anyone that people's desire for coffee tends to wane a bit at night if they want to sleep. That being the third bar in the building, but the only one not labelled as a bar (you can only see the coffee shop from the lobby) is not a great way to bring in late-night customers. That in spite of all of that, yes, selling liquor brings in bigger tips than coffee, mainly because we spend an hour or 2 with our customers instead of 30 seconds. I don't know why I had to explain these things to grown adults, but here we are.
Then I realized I was just circling the issue. I realized that management didn't just decide to do this out of the blue. That someone had been complaining about it, and that everyone (or at least a majority) looking back at me had agreed it was a good idea. That they felt they *deserved* a 50-50 split of the tips. It clicked all at once...
and I was pissed.
I fired back by explaining that we spend more time helping coffee staff than they do helping us, but we've never demanded a penny of their tips. In contrast, we *always* tip them out, even on nights when they *don't* help out. If they want "fair" then I should keep my tips, and they can keep theirs. My customers can wait an extra 30 seconds when they see I'm busy. It's a 6 seat bar, we're never *that* busy.
I explained that 30% is on the high end for most barbacks at busy locations, but we're NOT busy, and they're NOT barbacks. In our 3 month training program at the home location as barbacks we were never tipped out more than 30%, and we were making drinks, taking orders, running dishes and ice, managing customers, refilling water, restocking the well, squeezing juice, and cleaning up for 2 bartenders there, On top of the training program. Getting ice once or twice a night isn't barbacking, but we've sure as hell been paying you like it was.
At the end if it all, I tried as gently as possible to explain to management that this boneheaded decision would sink the business. We made more barbacking at the original location. So much more. We spent 3 months getting trained to be some of the most knowledgeable bartenders in the city, and there are no trainees in the pipeline right now. That 80% of my customers are other bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts who come back because they want to learn something new from me. That If just one of us quits, they'll have to choose between closing the bar on off-peak nights, or paying 20 hours of overtime until a replacement can be found.
Most importantly... They **won't** find a replacement. We can get a job anywhere in the city at this point, I'm literally working at the sports bar down the hall on my off days and I didn't even have to interview. The bar staff of our city are my best customers and not a single one of them would take my place under those conditions. No bartender would willingly choose a bar with no customer base and 50% tip share for 90% less help when there are dozens of other bars in the city. And that our bar manager would never allow it, and if they tried to pull this stunt without telling him you know there will be hell to pay. Then, I left too.
To this day, I don't know who complained. Our bar manager called me later that night to say it's sorted, business as usual tomorrow afternoon, and yes he read them the riot act. Our other bartender got an offer from Patterson House and moved to Nashville a few weeks later. A few of our Barista-managers tried their hand at tending the bar on off days, but quickly abandoned the idea. I don't know why management thought it was a good idea. I don't know how they thought it was going to go over. But nobody ever complained about their tip share again.
TL:DR - Bartenders make more than Baristas in tips, Baristas make more with a bar than without one, but want 50-50 tip share. Bar staff says "Lol, no". Baristas hurt themselves in their confusion. Critical hit.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/eejce7/inspired_by_the_worst_coworker_post_heres_mine/
| 227 | 3 | 1,577,099,631 | 11 |
waiter tip
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top
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amq6o0
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TalesFromYourServer
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Lady wanting comped food gets rekt
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I was the other customer (probably ATA also), the server was totally cool. Nice hole in the wall place in a tourist town, I'm sure they've dealt with it all.
It's an Italian place, this lady orders a calzone, they must have arrived 10 minutes before us. After she's almost completely done eating it when the waiter checks on her she says "Are there new people working this evening or something?"
And the waiter says "No, same people, is your food ok?"
"Not.. really..."
"What's wrong ?"
"The sauce is just really..... watery I don't know if it's just some... new people working back there or... "
" No.. same people, I'll mention it. "
" Can you.. I just... could barely eat it."
" Ok I promise I'll talk to them"
We ordered basically the same as them, definitely not watery, definitely trying for free food... I am on high alert from being subbed here.
We are at the adjoining booth, them both sitting facing us from about 8 feet away, he was a real big dude and she looked corn fed as well.
The waiter, being so close checked on us,
"How about you guys?"
I said "Not really..."
"Oh, what's wrong?"
"My sauce... It seems really dry, do you have new people I think they forgot water. "
My whole table realizes what I've done and loses it and I couldn't hold it together either.
Co-worker grabs my water and pretends to dump it in my food.
The waiter managed not to clench his face muscles and not laugh.
The lady murdered myself and family members with her eyes multiple times as her husband tried to calm her down after that. She of course got something comped on her bill as she was wanting.
I left him a 30% tip on our party of 5 since I figured they'd stiff him after the humiliation.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/amq6o0/lady_wanting_comped_food_gets_rekt/
| 222 | 24 | 1,549,205,551 | 11 |
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top
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rmpwul
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TalesFromYourServer
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Dear servers, Feel free to share this with your friends & family. Hell, print it out & laminate that shit! 😜
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List of shit you (as the customer) do that actually annoys the FUCK out of servers (your welcome):
[ ] Asking for a photograph: We have shit to do. Standing at your table taking 10 pics so you can get the perfect one, is irritating AF & wastes our time. 1 pic is acceptable if we are not busy)
[ ] When you stack your plates: (I know, I know. You think you are helping. In reality, 1) it's bad etiquette. It advertises to other diners that your server is not doing their job clearing dishes. 2) there's a method to our (& the bussers) madness. You are fucking up that method. Please stop.
[ ] When You Try To Hold Your Glass During a Refill: Again, you might just be trying to help your waiter out, but holding your glass during a refill really makes it harder. It doesn't work and one of us is going to over compensate and a spill will happen. Just no.
[ ] When You Choose Your Own Seat: Restaurants have a very specific system when it comes to how they're seating. There is usually a rotation, so every server has an equal chance at getting tables & making money. It's just straight up fucking rude when you seat yourself, & you are fucking up our feng shui.
[ ] Ignoring us/ answering our greeting with your drink or food order: When we greet you for the 1st time, it us unbelievably rude to either a) completely ignore us like we don't exist or b) respond to our greeting with something like "I'll take a coke" What, were you raised in a fucking barn? Learn some damn manners!
[ ] Verbal tipping: You know who you are. "You are SUCH an amazing server! You gave me incredible service, I will definitely be back & recommend your restaurant to everyone I know!" You might say a variation of this compliment 10 different times, & that's when we get nervous. Bc you, my nicety spewing cheapwad, believe your words=money, & we don't need an actual tip. Your amazziingg words will make it totally worth a 0 tip. News flash: YOUR FUCKING COMPLIMENT WON'T PAY OUR BILLS NUMBNUTS!!
[ ] Camping: Do we really need to spell it out for you? W-E D-O-N-T M-A-K-E $ W-H-E-N Y-O-U S-I-T A-T Y-O-U-R T-A-B-L-E F-O-R 3 FUCKING HOURS!! Eat and GTFO!
Please don't be an ignorant fucktwat when you dine in our restaurants. We generally make wayyy less then minimum wage hourly, & we have to put up with an unspeakable amount of bullshit on a daily basis. Be nice, be polite, and TIP us AT LEAST 20%!!
Please and thank you. 😘
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/rmpwul/dear_servers_feel_free_to_share_this_with_your/
| 0 | 18 | 1,640,243,472 | 11 |
waiter tip
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new
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yr08aj
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TalesFromYourServer
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My manager made me tip out another server 20% of my tips and I want to know if I'm being unreasonable.
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So to start I should be clear, my fiance and I are in serious financial trouble. We are trying to financially recover from medical emergencies, moving for my fiances job, and him getting laid off for a while due to a strike that started a month after our move. Also I haven't been a server or bartender for very long, so I'm not sure what the norms for tipping out are.
I work at a sports bar, it's been insane lately and we are extremely understaffed, so when it got crazy last weekend my manager had our closing waitress come in a little bit early. He told me after he called her that we would have to tip her out, I agreed since we would have the majority of the tables but also she ended up taking quite a bit as well. All of my tables came at once so they all left pretty much at the same time. At this point I had no tables and the closer had most of the current guests.
When my manager was getting ready to leave I asked him how much I would tip out the server and he said 20%. I was pretty taken back because that seemed like ALOT. on top of that, the closing waitress is new and one of my orders had disappeared, I know it was her since she closes out my checks all the time even though I've asked her to come and get me. I couldn't find my customers meal I had put in and when I went to check, the order was closed and someone had paid for that bill instead of their own. I asked my manager if we could give him a discount or something and he wasn't liking the idea so I offered to pay for it (which is really stupid and I won't be doing again). It all happened very fast and right in front of the customer and I was trying to make our mistake right.
THEN to add to that a guy from the kitchen keeps coming out to help us buss tables and such, which is awesome but my manager said I need to tip him out 15-25$. I'm fine tipping the kitchen guy out when it's super busy but he's started to do this even on days when it's really slow. I would rather buss my own tables and keep my tips when its slow since those days i dont get much in tips anyways. Plus TWICE the kitchen guy took someone's meal because they went to the restroom. When they got back they were justifiably angry that the rest of their meal was thrown away and both times they left me no tip (i understand why their angry it just sucks that I'm the one that has to own the consequences). So now when it's super busy I have babysit my tables to make sure someone's not taking their stuff!
So with tipping out the other waitress, paying for a patrons meal, tipping out the kitchen guy, and tipping out the rest of the kitchen as usual I lost ALOT of my tips. I asked the manager if I could talk with him in the office but he refused to have he conversationaway from the bar. It was really uncomfortable because the other waitress was right there.
I told him I feel like I'm losing alot of my tip money, when we're essentially servers/bartenders/hosts/bussers I feel like I've earned most of my tips. He didn't yell or raise his voice but it definitely felt confrontational in the way he was responding. He basically said that she did 20% of my work and kept asking questions like "shouldnt you pay people for their work??" "Do honestly think she didnt help you at least 20%??" it felt like I was being talked down to or being blamed for something. I asked him to calm down and he immediately relaxed and was like "I'm not yelling at you, you don't know yelling".
I explained that it wasn't a fair comparison because we all help each other out. I help run his food and her food when I see it in the window, I help buss both of their tables when it needs to be done so is she going tip me out too?? Even though it was busy I still ran her food, made her some drinks, and bussed a few of her tables. What I'm saying is she probably did help me alot, but I help her alot too. In fact I make most of her drinks because she's new and has never bartended before. So I don't feel like 20% is fair.
I told him I would feel better about it if I wasn't also paying for someone else's meal but he said he was proud I was taking accountability and that I was the one that offered. To be frank; I DONT take accountability for that because it wasn't me!! I was already upset from being yelled at by customers who were mad they had to wait and by losing so much of my tips so I just told him I didn't want to talk about it anymore. I was already tearing up and I didn't want to cry in front of everyone so I just walked away.
He followed me and kept trying to talk to me about it but I was just done. I told him I didn't appreciate how this was handled and that I didn't want to talk about this in front of the other waitress because I didn't want her to think I wasnt apprecative of her work. I was trying to walk away so I wouldn't cry but he kept following me and wouldnt stop and I ended up crying.
To his credit I will say he did end up apologizing and said he will walk away to have conversations from now on and that he really appreciates how hard I worked. I let go of the 20% but I've been home the last two days and I can't stop thinking about this. I feel like it wasn't very fair and that I should've been able to keep more of my tip money. Am I being greedy? I think 10% would have been more then fair. I've never asked her to tip me out for making her drinks.
Also not sure if it matters but the new waitress is a friend of the manager.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/yr08aj/my_manager_made_me_tip_out_another_server_20_of/
| 381 | 109 | 1,668,039,777 | 11 |
server tip
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relevance
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1h5qlah
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TalesFromYourServer
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Tip pool - head server only tipped me out 90% last night?
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Hi! So, this is my second serving gig. First time in a tip pool. This is my third week, I work 3-4 days a week. Last night when it was pay out time, the head server told me I only get 90% because I didn’t run enough food. I just nodded and said okay, but I was working with a 17 year old, and she kept asking me to get alcohol for her tables (about 3 tables needed alcohol about 2-3 times) so I was doing that for most of my shift. I ran some food but I was busy getting alcohol a lot while also serving my tables. I didn’t say anything last night, but now it’s a new day and I’m dreading going to work. Is she only going to tip me 80% tonight? 90%? 75%?? I just don’t know what to do. I still need the money. Any advice, words of encouragement, wisdom, etc would be most appreciated 😢🫶🏻💕 editing because idk why I’m getting downvoted lol. This is my first experience with a tip pool.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1h5qlah/tip_pool_head_server_only_tipped_me_out_90_last/
| 38 | 33 | 1,733,241,232 | 11 |
server tip
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relevance
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103mm9z
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TalesFromYourServer
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first time server- is this how tipping works starting off ?
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So I might get offered a job for working at an AYCE sushi bar & restaurant and it’s my first time as a server so I’m not sure how tipping works ! so I just wanted to see if this was normal or not.
The manager said the first week of training I wouldn’t get any tips, although I would get paid hourly wage, which I think is understandable. they then said that at the beginning, that I would be making about 25 to 50% of my tips, but didn’t specify how long the duration would be- but he did say that I would be able to get 100% of tips eventually, but it’s more just when I’m at the level of the other servers there is when I’ll be able to get 100% of tips.
So in a way, I am basically told that until I have become an efficient server I wouldn’t get to keep all of my tips. I mean this does sound reasonable, but I am also just wary of getting caught in a trap of being stuck somewhere that doesn’t allow me to have all my tips, but he did assure me that once I was on the other level as all the other servers that I get to keep all my tips. Is this common or normal in the restaurant industry ? again sorry I’ve just a first time server so I don’t know how any of this is supposed to work lol
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/103mm9z/first_time_server_is_this_how_tipping_works/
| 79 | 66 | 1,672,884,855 | 11 |
server tip
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relevance
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1h8fczu
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TalesFromYourServer
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Dysfunctional Couples
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My bar does Hawaiian Tiki Christmas themed decorations every year before Thanksgiving until NYE where we also have this cool menu of drinks!
With that there’s a surplus of customers catching the Christmas spirit- or their best attempts to.
As a server (22F) I’m pretty bubbly and kind to everyone, answering questions blah blah blah but I always it seems like now every day have an awkward couple where the men are way into me than the women are. It becomes uncomfortable because I can feel the tension build up where the wife/girlfriend starts to resent me when I’m trying to give the same amount of attention to everyone. I’m also a lesbian so I don’t want your man!!
With both times this has happened this week (and it’s only Friday) the man has given me a big tip (over 22%) and the women ask for a receipt- which I print and then soon after they start yelling about I overcharged them! Girl what your boo tipped me and now you’re mad about it? It’d make sense for the man to say, “Oh I put the wrong tip amount” or “I think I’m was overcharged” but no it’s the women running up to me with the receipt and his card while he’s sitting there at the booth waiting for his spouse to interrupt my peace. Doesn’t help that my manager is a pushover and gives it back and says, “No big deal.” UM YES IT IS!! That’s not fair.
I’ve been applying for jobs in my field for over a year to plenty interviews yet no offers. I don’t want to keep working here if I’m not being supported and where envious women are trying to embarrass me because they don’t think I deserve a tip when the cardholder- their men, are selecting it themselves.
I had a breakdown last night, thanks for listening to me rant 💗
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1h8fczu/dysfunctional_couples/
| 48 | 11 | 1,733,529,109 | 11 |
server tip
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hot
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1h8m4hm
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TalesFromYourServer
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best server ever = corporate complaint (tiny rant)
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this happened a few months ago but i was reminded of it today at work and it made me mad again so here i am.
It was a saturday morning shift, and i got sat with a family of 6. they were literally so nice, we chatted and laughed and they were super easy. it was pretty slow so nothing took that long and they were done and gone in like 45 minutes. their bill was pretty high and they tipped me like 35%, going on and on about how i’m the best server they’ve had in years and blah blah whatever flash forward like 4 hours and i’m still at work when i hear my managers whispering about me!! so obviously i’m like hellooo whats happening over here and they tell me that that family submitted a CORPORATE COMPLAINT literally right after leaving, naming me and everything! they made up a whole story about how long it took me to greet them and then when i finally got around to it it was like another 30 minutes before i came back to take their order and they had to hunt me down because i just completely ignored them and just went crazy making things up lmao!!! thank GOD we use tablets. our system keeps track of everything so there was a record of exactly when they were sat and when i sent their drinks/food so obviously my managers didnt care because they could see that these people clearly are unhinged and weren’t even gonna tell me about it but like wtf??? they woke up and said let’s try to get our server fired today?? let me just get through my shift damn!!! i liked y’all too 🙄✋🏼
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1h8m4hm/best_server_ever_corporate_complaint_tiny_rant/
| 129 | 21 | 1,733,551,433 | 11 |
server tip
|
hot
|
1goyrsr
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
For those who share tip or tip out
|
So I’m a regular at an establishment and I usually try to make sure I sit in the same servers section because she is awesome. I make sure to tip at least 30% but I know she shares tips. I have never served but that does not seem fair. Why should another get a piece of her tip that she earned.
Should I dual tip like give her cash and put a small tip on the receipt so she keeps the real tip? Or will that get her in trouble? I haven’t asked her yet, I just wanted to get a consensus.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1goyrsr/for_those_who_share_tip_or_tip_out/
| 8 | 27 | 1,731,348,536 | 11 |
server tip
|
hot
|
1g4eqgp
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Late tips have been rough
|
I’ve been serving for about 2 and a half years now and worked at a few places. My last two servings jobs I was laid off due to it being slow and them having to cut on labor. I went from make $250-350 a shift at Job 1, to $150-200 at Job 2 to now $50-$140 if I’m lucky. I average between 19-20% in tips at all jobs. My point is, has anyone else noticed less people eating out and making less as a server than they used to due to the economy or am I just working at the wrong place right now???! I serve because I enjoy it but also because it used to pay significantly better than most jobs without a license or degree but lately it doesn’t even feel worth it anymore.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1g4eqgp/late_tips_have_been_rough/
| 60 | 24 | 1,729,016,975 | 11 |
server tip
|
hot
|
adfhp0
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
"Thanks for not flirting with my boyfriend!"
|
It was suuuper quiet today during my day shift, so it was just myself and the bartender. When a couple stroll past the 'please wait to be seated' sign and seat themselves down in a six-top booth then snap their fingers at me.
Sigh.
I greet them, pass over the menu and am immediately given their order by the girlfriend. Her boyfriend doesn't speak or make eye contact.
They get their food, I quality check and she said everything was great (once again this guy doesn't even look up when I go over to them).
At the end I go to take payment and she LAUNCHES into this speech; "I just wanted to say everything was good, the food was awesome, your service was great..." Then she pauses and I'm ready for a BUUUT -"I just wanted to thank you so much for not flirting with my boyfriend; I normally have a really hard time with waitresses but you didn't flirt at all! My sister is a server and she's such a flirty bitch I hate it. Anyway, thanks for abiding by the girl code!" I stand there and stutter you're welcome (had no idea what to say in response to her). Then she hands me a $20 (on top of the 20% she'd tipped already) and they walk out without another word!
I'll be honest with you guys, he wasn't even that hot lol. He looked like he was being held captive and taken to lunch.
Thanks for the tip, crazy girlfriend!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/adfhp0/thanks_for_not_flirting_with_my_boyfriend/
| 3,398 | 167 | 1,546,847,332 | 11 |
server tip
|
top
|
euxyuf
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Made them miss their show
|
Our worst regulars were 2 old ladies who ordered very little, drank only water, tipped very little. Stayed for way too long. They insulted the female servers more than the guys, but we all hated them.
I saw them pull in and park illegally, in a triangular area painted with the diagonal stripes that was tight between the last legal spot and a low retaining wall. The only reason they fit was because the car in the spot next to it was a small 2-door.
When they're seated they tell me they are in a hurry because they're going to a show. No problem, I'd like them gone ASAP anyway.
Midway through their meal everything was going as usual, and I see through the window that the car next to them was leaving. Suddenly I have a wonderful, terrible idea.
I asked one of our dishies to move his huge beat up king cab pickup into the open spot and be sure to block in the other car. Done and done - and once he parked it, there was like 2 inches between them. But the pickup was legally parked.
They finish, pay, tip their usual 5%, and head out. I can see them stop in their tracks, walk around their car like there's some magical way to extract it, then storm back in.
The next few minutes went just as you'd expect. They're yelling and screaming, my manager is asking them "what do you want me to do? You parked illegally, it's a busy shopping area, I can't move the truck. It could belong to anyone in a 10-block radius."
Now they're yelling from the hostess station to see if anyone in the place owns the truck. No response. I suggest they they should call an Uber or taxi but they don't have Uber and don't want to spend the money on a taxi.
After about 25 minutes someone comes and picks them up. I'm pretty sure they missed their show. Once they were gone we moved the truck.
And yes, they left a shitty review on Yelp that service was so slow we made them miss their show. They were half right.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/euxyuf/made_them_miss_their_show/
| 3,320 | 85 | 1,580,173,458 | 11 |
server tip
|
top
|
1dhpwhx
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Just a friendly reminder that for every bad table, there’s a fabulous one around the corner.
|
It can be hard not taking it personally when you’re undertipped or stiffed all together. Especially when you *know* your shit. There’s a lot of jerks out there but there’s also plenty of decent people and lots of good people.
Tonight I had a 6 top celebrating Father’s Day. They balled out & got their check up around $620. The person paying asked if we did auto grat on parties 6 or more since a lot of places do. I jokingly said “only if I get bad vibes from them” which is totally true. He laughs and tells me to put the 20% on. Then proceeds to leave me $200 in cash. This may have been my most enjoyable night of serving in almost 15 years. I had 3 tables tonight and left with $300 after tip out.
You’re next!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1dhpwhx/just_a_friendly_reminder_that_for_every_bad_table/
| 69 | 6 | 1,718,599,278 | 11 |
15%
|
hot
|
qeokoc
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Customers want to dine in and have a three course meal one minute before closing time
|
I'm so fucking mad.
This group of customers who always orders a three course meal called at 2pm to say they'll be there at 2:15pm and let's me know they're ordering the banquet, despite me telling them MULTIPLE times on MULTIPLE occasions we CLOSE AT 2:30. I said okay, 15 minutes to eat, whatever, I didn't want to argue.
They got here at 2:29!
I firmly told them we're closed and an argument pursues.
To sum up our argument, they said it was bad customer service and TheY'Re NoT LatE. I said it's bad etiquette to come in at closing time, one minute before we close is cutting it very close, and I'm leaving for lunch.
This probably wasn't the best way to go about it but they've done this so many times before. The other servers and the kitchen staff do not like them either but are too polite to turn them away. I've fucking had enough. :/
If they're not going to respect us, they're not getting any respect back.
Edit: Apologies for the rant, emotions are running high right now. I'm usually not the confrontational type (at least I hope not) so it was quite the experience for me. ;-;
Edit 2: Thank you all for the comments! Really appreciate them :)
For those saying it's managements fault and us needing a better policy, you're 100% right, I wish we actually had a set time for "last calls". I'll be sending the owner (who's also my uncle) a message tomorrow morning. It's an old family restaurant so our closing policy is very "relaxed" unfortunately, especially when the owner is here. He very rarely turns customers away. I'm very nervous bringing this up with him, so hoping it'll go well.
Edit 3: Just to make it clear, 2:30 is our restaurant closing time. The customers are fully aware of that. When I say "Sorry **we are closed**" there shouldn't be any confusion.
Update: Talked to the owner about it. We can now tell them kitchen closes at 2:15 🥳
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/qeokoc/customers_want_to_dine_in_and_have_a_three_course/
| 2,472 | 157 | 1,635,066,619 | 11 |
15%
|
top
|
155bltn
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I had my first table ever to get angry over autograt tonight
|
Where I work now we are allowed to autograt 20% to parties of 6 or more. I had a table of 9 come in. They seemed pleasant and polite while I was serving them. They did go through many drink refills which was annoying but I stayed on top of keeping them filled so they were never out. It comes time to drop off their checks. I check on a couple of other tables afterwards and I circle back around to them. There were 3 separate checks and one of the men were gone when I went to pick up payment. They said he walked over to the bar area so I grabbed the 2 cards I could and go find the other man. He is over there yelling at my manager about the autograt and how awful his service was, how ridiculous it was to have to pay 20% on his bill.
He finally just walks up and hands me his card, I go back to the table and drop it off. He snatches it from my hand very rudely and says again how the 20% grat was not deserved because of how awful of a server I was. I gave them exceptional service. They cleaned their plates so they obviously were happy with the food, drinks were refilled constantly, their plates were prebussed as soon as I saw they were finished. Everything went very smoothly. I have no clue what got into this man.
To top it off the table directly next to them started yelling at me afterwards because they weren't happy with their beers. They accused me of giving them the wrong beers when I did not, i gave them exactly what they ordered. I had to educate them on the beers they ordered. They overheard the whole interaction and were staring the whole time so I guess they decided to be mean as well. People are awful.
.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/155bltn/i_had_my_first_table_ever_to_get_angry_over/
| 2,168 | 427 | 1,689,908,651 | 11 |
20%
|
relevance
|
wd1j7f
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
A walk-in group of 20 + football players storms out because we can't serve them quickly enough
|
I work at a restaurant which is part of a very big hotel. Every year, my city hosts a huge football tournament for youths, which has thousands of kids and teenagers travelling from across the country, and world, to take part. As a result, our hotel is packed with teams and coaches throughout the week of the tournament (You can imagine the aftermath, but that's another story). As part of their package, the teams can also book lunches and dinners in the restaurant. These are meals designed to be appropriate for teenage football players (pasta bolognese, lasagne, roasted chicken filet with potatoes, etc etc, all served with bread and salad). All prepared in advance, so that we can just plate the food and send it when the teams show up, as they are often in a hurry to their next game. In total, we had 6 teams booked all week for lunch and dinner, every day. All very happy with the food, no issue there. This meal also happens to be our 'lunch of the day' as well as the 'eveing special' served to other guests, as not to overwhelm the kitchen. We also do an à la carte menu all day, but obviously that is prepared to order. Classic hotel food: burgers, Caesar sallad, steak - you get the picture.
Of course, we have more than 6 teams staying in the hotel, and today another team (not booked) decided to walk in for lunch. Imagine 20ish teenage boys, and their two coaches, just walking in and seating themselves. I, coming out of the dishroom, spot them and greet the coaches with my biggest smile.
Me: "Hello and welcome, are you after some lunch for your team?"
Coach: "Yes, we want some food for the boys"
Me: "Okay great, then I would strongly recommend that you get the lunch of the day (chicken curry), as that will be rady for you quickly. I am sure you guys are both hungry and in a rush for your next game"
Coach: "No we do not want that, we want the boys to order from your other menu" \*gestures to à la carte menu\* "The boys get whatever they want"
Me: "Okay... But I will have to let you know that if you order from the à la carte menu, there is going to be quite a long wait for the food. We only have 2 chefs in the kitchen at the moment, and it is a going to be a challenge for them to complete over 20 separate orders at the same time. Normally, we ask for groups of this size to prebook as well as preorder their food, as that really helps the kitchen to prepare. Again, I strongly recommend that you get our lunch of the day - I will be happy to look into alternatives for any vegetarians, vegans, or players with allergies"
Coach \*very annoyed\*: "I told you, we do not want the lunch of the day. How long would the wait be for the other food?"
Me: "It's hard for me to give you an exact time, but it could be up to an hour, unfortunately"
Now, Coach did NOT like that. He yelled that they absolutely could not wait that long, and then he gathered his team of annoyed looking players and stormed out. I wish he had stayed so I could have told him that they might be better off going to the nearest McDonalds. Which, unfortunately, is at least 20 minutes away.
​
On the flipside: Another team came in later that same evening, I told them the exact same thing, They told me they were happy to wait, and did a team meeting in a corner of the restaurant in the meantime. The kitchen was s l a m m e d so they had to wait 45 minutes for 6 pizzas and 6 large fries to share. Tipped 25%
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/wd1j7f/a_walkin_group_of_20_football_players_storms_out/
| 284 | 37 | 1,659,308,430 | 11 |
20%
|
relevance
|
1fcmso1
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
So, we started pooling tips - how do I bring it up with manager?
|
As of this past week, we started pooling tips. I would have no problem with doing this with one of the colleagues (that is MIA at the moment) BUT we are ALL doing it.
Problem is, that my tips are higher than of the rest of coworkers. On first day of pooling, I was just curious what would the difference be - well, I made 86e, when the two of them made 81e. I don't think it's fair. They started doing that, because boss was mad, that we didn't fairly tip the kitchen - we give them 30%. And as far as I hear, I'm the only one that is doing so.
So now, we're pooling, so they get their fair share. This system is taking away my main motivator for working here - it sounds shallow, but I LOVE to give good service, I very much enjoy when people compliment my service (usually 1 - 3 times a day) and I love that I get along great with our regulars and know their order. I don't see them changing the tipping back to it's past way, but I would still like to approach boss about it, because it's really taking away from my experience and consequently from guest's too. I just have no will to go the extra mile, to make jokes and be light hearted. I do my job, that is it. And it shows in tips and compliments. And tbh I couldn't care less, why would I try to make money for coworkers who are grumpy and don't know how to serve well.
That was for the question. Down, is just general rant, cuz I'm in love with this job and it's making me so miserable lately ...
Problem is, I'm here the longest (aka a year, so.. yeah). I know my shit. I'm go to person for all questions other have. I have to correct people daily, so I don't listen to my boss when he is annoyed AT ME when OTHERS don't do their job. Any time I'm off, I need an hour in the morning, to just do evening shift's duties. And I never complained. Until a month or two ago. And ever since then I can't stop complaining. I come home exhausted, I know I'm underpaid, but I don't have courage to talk to my boss about it, because I know my weak spots. I'm in process of getting diagnosed with ADHD, I know I look confused and forget some stuff, even the operational stuff I KNOW I know. But I know I'm a good worker, so if I last so long so I get medication I'll ask for promotion to supervisor or manager. Because I'm doing it already anyway. And probably get paid less than the newcomers.
A nail in the coffin was my new coworker raising his voice at me, because I didn't said something in the right tone. I'M BUSY WITH MINE AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S WORK, I don't have time to watch how I'll let you know that the guest need to wait 5 minutes for a table to be prepared other than tell you 'yes, they can sit, but have to wait 5 min so I can make a table'. He did that two times when boss was on vacation (oh also, they are childhood friends, shocker) and the second time there were others around, I checked if I was rude, and they told me nope. He then tries to spin a story, that I started it. Which was working until he raised his voice at me when boss was standing next to us. Because I asked him (even said please!) not to point fingers at guests - he did a pose with fingers pointed to somebody I have already taken care of. So that ended his yelling at me, when boss had to said to chill it the fuck down lol.
I'm just sad, because I was claiming I’ll stay here until I finish college and start my own business. I really loved working here. And I still do. I'm just more and more miserable. I work 50 - 60 days a week and that is only because we are closed on mondays. Only have a full day shifts, because boss kicked out 5 workers and one left for other job. So there was TWO of us a month ago. Now that coworker has some back issues so I've been alone with 3 new guys that I had to make sure that work as they should. And out of that only one is okay-ish and I can rely on him to do things as he should. And it's not even my authority to manage them, so nobody listens to me, when I tell them basic things.
Me and kitchen gave up on telling them to de-serve plates and cover up the bread box. We have a 'if a plate is ready, you take it to the table, even if it's not yours' - why is my food always cold, because they walk in and out of the kitchen 5 times empty-handed. WHILE I'm taking care of THEIR tables. It's just making me sad.
I always said, that work is a relationship too and if it's toxic, you should leave it. But when it's me in situation, I just want to make it work. Honestly I think I'm at point, that I can't. I know I should just find other job, I have like 2 offers already and I could get higher pay with more tips if I just reached out to some fine dining places. I have so much love for this place and respect for my boss (he's also the owner), I was really proud that I was loyal to this restaurant. Idk what to do. Or when reading this back, I know exactly what I should do. It's just that this is small town (well, 250k people) and most restaurants in city centre are owned by maybe 20 people - that all know each other.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1fcmso1/so_we_started_pooling_tips_how_do_i_bring_it_up/
| 7 | 28 | 1,725,880,199 | 11 |
20%
|
hot
|
6llrfy
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
How to tell a friend he's a bad tipper?
|
Hey all!
I've lurked here for quite awhile and should get around to posting some of my own tales, however today I come asking for advice.
My friend comes to the restaurant I work at fairly often. He's never been a great tipper but yesterday he left my co-worker 4 on 35 after watching him get absolutely buried in tickets and bar customers (said co-worker made him a priority the whole time). Now my coworkers are asking me to talk to him and I don't know how to start this talk... I seriously had to talk the other bartender down from walking to friend's shop and returning his bad tip.
How would you tell a friend?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/6llrfy/how_to_tell_a_friend_hes_a_bad_tipper/
| 28 | 23 | 1,499,348,022 | 11 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
13p42tl
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
How to deal with friends/family that tip poorly?
|
I am not a server but try to be a good patron.
I recently went home for Mother’s Day and went out on two separate occasions with friends/family who are poor tippers. In both instances they were the ones picking up the tab. I felt bad because I knew the server was going to get 15% max but wasn’t sure how to address it. Should I offer to cover the tip since they are footing the bill?
One group is older and grew up with 15% being the standard and the other group is just cheap. So, unfortunately, no amount of reasoning will get them to change.
It really makes going out with them less enjoyable but I also don’t want to have to pickup the tab every time we go out. I try to “make up” for it when I pickup the tab but that doesn’t change the fact when I don’t, the server is going to get screwed.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for all you folks do!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/13p42tl/how_to_deal_with_friendsfamily_that_tip_poorly/
| 12 | 20 | 1,684,791,121 | 11 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
pjtzfd
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Elderly Tippers
|
I’d like to preface by saying I am not currently a server, it’s been a long since I got out of the industry - early 2000’s in fact. But I do like this sub even though it does give some crazy flashbacks at times, lol. It’s a good reminder (for the most part) of why I got out.
My issue now is that I often go to places with my grandparents, spending time with them while I still can is super important to me. However they’re really, really bad at tipping. My grandmother has gotten better but my grandpa is stuck in the past.
He tips barely 15%, many times 10% - in ‘his day’ this was generous. He CAN afford more, and I do get onto to him all the time. If I have cash on me I’ll add to the tip (he argues sometimes about this) or just grab the bill before he can if I can afford the entire bill. Splitting it would offend him. My grandma even pesters him but the tip can still be less than I’m comfortable with.
So I guess I’m wondering how you feel about elderly tippers especially with the current world events? Is this common, and/or brushed off as ‘well, they’re old’ or do you get super upset with them? When I was a server my main thought was ‘they’re old’ but my grandparent went above and beyond in raising me so I’ve had a soft spot for the elderly.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/pjtzfd/elderly_tippers/
| 19 | 25 | 1,631,042,653 | 11 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
38cy11
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
"I'll just wait in the car": What should have been a nightmare table turns out better than expected!
|
So the restaurant I work at is entirely outside and we have had an unseasonably cold week. Most people know we're outside and so we just won't be busy if it's cold. But to help ready ourselves for the few that might show, we often set up a few tables inside. It's still not SUPER warm inside, though.
A family of five shows up. They're not from here so they don't know that we're not seating outside. I explain this to them but it takes a while for them to understand that outdoors is just not an option. It's raining and super cold for being the start of June.
The mother seems really upset. She find it super cold (it's not) and says to her husband, defeated, as they're sitting down, "I'll just wait in the car." Her husband is going, "Noo, everything is fine, you will sit right here!" (It sounds like he's being harsh but honestly she's being a huge baby and in the context of the situation it didn't sound rude.)
I hate that shit. So I kill them with kindness. I bring all five of them blankets. I bring out a little room heater that we had in the closet and set it up near them. I close one of the doors to stop a draft. When the lady orders a coffee I inform her I'll make a new pot and I warm the cup.
I help with most of the choices they make for their appetizers and wine, and later the meals. I make lots of conversation--but not so much that I'm annoying. The lady perks up and even smiles at me, doesn't complain once more for the rest of the meal.
Their couple of glasses of wine, meals, appetizers, and coffee all come to around $127 and they end up giving me a 35% tip! Either they were used to dealing with the mother's shit and felt bad or they were just impressed, or maybe they're just good tippers. Either way! I thought I'd share a story of hard work earning what it deserves sometimes.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/38cy11/ill_just_wait_in_the_car_what_should_have_been_a/
| 189 | 26 | 1,433,334,237 | 11 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
9xe91z
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
What is the one thing that will always affect the amount you tip?
|
I feel like I'm a pretty easy tipper but always wondered if I was considered a lower tipper than average. Any time drinks are there and always full no matter the rest of the service I automatically tip between 10-15%. And because I don't feel like anything should be given unless earned I only tip 20+% when everything else is good. I understand that my food isn't made by the waiters/waitresses but as someone who once worked in the industry long ago I knew that if things were slow I would always make sure my tables knew why.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9xe91z/what_is_the_one_thing_that_will_always_affect_the/
| 2 | 36 | 1,542,309,256 | 11 |
bad tipper
|
relevance
|
204qbk
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
14 Top Walk in Weekly Regulars. Every Sunday. 45 minutes before closing. (Long story)
|
To start, I will say I was pretty happy to be working. I've been hustling up shifts left and right.
I was scheduled for a patio shift that night (Sunday). But, I had a feeling I'd get called off since it was overcast that day. Well, I got a call after leaving the gym and answered to the voice of my manager asking me to come in an hour early. Woo!
One of the veteran servers volunteered to stay home since it looked less busy than expected that day, but since it picked up they decided to reschedule the section and just put me there instead. Totally fine. I'm always willing to work.
Sundays are steady. Mostly after church families. We don't get a lot of Sunday Funday types. We are surrounded by locally owned eateries that take up all that business and we are a corporate chain. Fine by me. I worked at one of the smaller ones for a while under the owner from hell. I'm kind of weird and appreciate the structure and organization a lot of corporate companies have. It's always been a more comfortable environment for me and I could never understand why.
Back to the story. I'm supposed to get phased out pretty early because I'm also supposed to break the closer that night. Hostess walks up and tells me I'm done and hat the manager said to break the closer. So, I head over and the closer looks at me and says, "How about I break you? I don't feel lime closing and I know you want to work." Deal.
We inform the manager and get to it. My manager pulls me aside and tells me that for the past few weeks a 10 top has been coming in late. They are a theatre group of sorts, older. They all want split checks and order lots of booze and stay late. He said they aren't the best tippers, but they tip around 15%. I shrug and figure it can't be that bad.
Fast forward to 10:15PM. We close at 11 on Sundays. The backwaiter has started to clean to line and dumped out most of the rice and keep the rest in a warm tray. I tell him to wait just in case, he said it was plenty of rice and it would be fine. I shrug it off. He usually does a good job so I'm fine with his decision.
They walk in. The hostesses have all been cut. So my manager and the other closer who is finishing her sidework set up the party. I have 5 other tables at this point. 1 has the check dropped. 1 is on dessert. 1 is closed and hanging out. 2 are finishing up apps and I've just fired their entrees in the kitchen. I go up to them and swap out their dirty things for fresh plates, grab refills, and let them know I'm about to go MIA and nod over to the new party. They laugh and understand. *phew*
I turn around and the back waiter has already brought out a big tray of water. Usually this is a big no-no unless the water is ordered, but it depends on who is managing. The manager at the time wanted to keep them occupied until I could get over there to start drinks. So, waters it was. He's a new transfer from a store that closed down and i couldn't be happier. He's level headed, funny, and encouraging. I had a bit of a rough run the night before and every time i messed up i went to him and he just told me shit happens and to keep busting my ass as i always do and that I'm doing solid work.
Before i can even get past the big table to grab a couple last things for my tables who I'm about to go MIA on, i get waved down and orders are getting thrown at me without so much as me being able to say, "I'll be with you in one moment, my friends." Off we go.
Multiple people inform me to split the check, one reminds me of the Moscow Mule she had last week that didn't have enough ginger. She asks if i remember. I didn't even close that week. I tell her no but i inform her that I'm on it.
Well, we've all had trickle-in parties. They didn't do that. They arrived together. 14 of them. But they all ordered at different times. I made a good 5 different runs to the bar for the first round alone. I've got a lot of energy and have had a good night, so I'm okay at this point. My manager is checking on my other tables for me. Every time I try to escape, they wave me down and want more. Luckily, the other tables all understood and even left pretty good tips.
Now, drinks are all on the table and I've already started taking orders for round 2. The other closer decided to stick around for a bit until the group settled in. She's been getting me refills on water and non-alcoholic drinks.
I work with mostly amazing people who always look out for each other. The vets help me out a lot because they know I want to work and I'm always their go to guy if they want a night off. In return, they always have my back in tight situations. My managers (mostly) love that shifts and hours make me more giddy than a kid in a candy store. They also have my back.
I finish off bringing the 2nd round and someone asks when I'm going to start taking food orders with some snark. I smile (genuinely, because the further along we move, the closer I get to getting them out - it is 10:30 at this point) and bust out my book and pen.
Each order. EACH order of food. All 13 of them (1 person was just drinking) had a modifier. Often times a mod that I could only type in. There was on specific Asian lady who liked to snap and point at me who's food was modified quite a bit.
I manage to take all food orders in one round, match them all to the drinks according to seat numbers in Aloha, get them fired off at the same time, and not have any voids due to my own faults. I had one void of a change in order because she didn't enjoy her food and sent it back (aka dinner for the back waiter and me).
At this point, I head back and start clearing empty glasses and getting another round of alcohol. Shortly after, entrees hit the table and they start eating. I go off to bus my other tables who have now gone. Every time I try... They call my name and want more stuff.
It is now 10:45. We are supposed to close in 15 minutes. Faces in the kitchen are grim. Though, finally, the party has settled for a bit and I can munch a little in the back.
After a minute or two I head back out and people start asking for boxes. I grab a bunch and start boxing food. The box requests have also come in the trickle-in format. I make multiple box runs.
At this point I've become gassed. I was running circles for the party. I went into fuck it mode and figured I'd clean the other tables altogether after they leave.
As I box food I hear someone mention fortune cookies. Before I can say anything I look up and Ms. Snap-Her-Fingers Asian lady is grabbing cookies from the server station.
THERE IS NOTHING THAT ANNOYS ME MORE. That is a station for WORK. Get the fuck out of there!
Now everyone has cookies. Whatever. It's 11:15. Two people flag me down and want to-go food. The kitchen is already halfway shut down. They have to reopen a few things and cook. Groans are heard (can't blame them). I finally get the last orders out and the food boxed.
They ask for the checks. I print them out all 1-by-1, put them in books, and send them out. Trickle-in payments. 1 here
3 there. 1 here. 1 there. 7 there, etc.
Slowly but surely, I get them all closed out. They even swarmed a bit because they were "in a hurry." which obviously doesn't explain why they were all there still at 12:15.
FINALLY. At 12:20, they trickle out. The cleaning crew is already there and working. I plop down for a bit to breath. I close all the checks, adjust the tip entries, and run my check out so he can get into the office and start closing down the system. At this point, the dishwashers have already turned off and cleaned the washer for the night. I had to leave 4 bus tubs full of glassware and plateware for the morning crew.
The cleaning crew help me reset the dining room and wipe down the tables. Finally, I settle into the back and finish up closing sidework. Marry glass racks, break down soda machines, pull fresh glassware to the Bev stations, etc. I burn the ice, wipe down the line and FINALLY clock out at 12:50am. Just 9 minutes before I hit over time. The cleaning crew and kitchen were already long gone. I take the elevator to the basement (too tired at this point to want to deal with stairs) and head to the office to hand in my clock out. My manager was surprised I was still willing to be so thorough with closing work and that he's almost never seem a server in the building after cleaning crew leaves.
He asked how they tipped. I shrugged and said exactly how he told me they would. Not bad, but not great. He laughed and told me if it made me feel any better I managed to accrue 33 hours this week (CA servers get state min. wage so hourly is a nice addition to tips). It was a good feeling when so many others are complaining about not working enough (yet, not piping up to mgmt or asking others for shifts).
He thanked me, told me to enjoy my day off, and I headed back up. I got on my bike and did my usual 9 block cruise home, dodging club rats and bar hoppers half the way.
What a shift. What crazy people. Probably gonna do it again next week
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/204qbk/14_top_walk_in_weekly_regulars_every_sunday_45/
| 132 | 25 | 1,394,537,770 | 11 |
bad tipper
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relevance
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3dt3w7
|
TalesFromYourServer
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When Young People are Better the Others
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I've noticed that I'm spread pretty thin, due to slow kitchen times and bad scheduling, that it's always the younger tables that are the most understanding. I worked alone a few days ago, and got slammed. I had nearly 30 tabs open, to go and eat in, so it was pretty rough. I had a manager helping clear tables and what not, but I was alone for customer interaction. Everyone received the same treatment, and honestly, the drinks were up quickly and the food was well within 30 minutes for every table, which while slow for us is within reason.
I had two tables sitting next to each other. They both came in at the same time, both ordered roughly 50$ in items. Young couple that I had to ID for liquor, that young, tipped 25% and repeatedly told me it was fine, they got that I was busy, etc. I forgot their drinks for about 10 mins too, but they were chill.
The other table is 50 something year old women, two of them. The coffee, freshly brewed, is too strong. The ice water is too cold. Their well done burger is too well cooked. Zero on a 52$ tab where I comp'd half of the burger because she did eat it all.
I know young people get shit for being shitty tippers and what not, but honestly, I think they're some of the most understanding I've served. So thanks random young couple, you made my shitty day a bit less shitty.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/3dt3w7/when_young_people_are_better_the_others/
| 72 | 25 | 1,437,281,656 | 11 |
bad tipper
|
top
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5a8753
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
How do I let me server know that I WILL give a good tip without seeming like a pretentious jerk
|
So here's a question from the other side. I'm actually a pretty good tipper. But I don't dress fancy and I like my comfortable jeans and comfy shirts. I don't look like much and sometimes I'm convinced that servers are writing me off as a potential tip and as a consequence I get fair to neglectful service most of the time. If it's not outright horrible, I still leave 15% to 20%, but I usually tip even more than that for decent service. (Yes, I used to be a server and I know this is a hard job)
Places I go regularly have now caught on and I get excellent service all the time, and I leave great tips there. But when I go to a new place, I often feel like they assume the worst, treat me badly, sometimes to the point that I feel badly about leaving a generous tip in vague hopes that I will get better service in the future.
So, what to do. I never got a tip BEFORE serving a table when I was working, but maybe that's a way to let people know I'm going to give a decent tip, so it's worth their effort to try to do a good job. Are there any other ways besides sticking to places that know me, to better signal that even as a dumpy looking nothing special guy I'm going to reward decent service well, and excellent service spectacularly?
Okay here's an example. I met a friend for lunch and we were kind of leisurely about the whole thing. Catching up and talking for a while after we finished the meal. Service was fine, nothing special, but as we're chatting afterwards no one made any move to hurry us along or try to get us out of this table. In my opinion, this is great service and I left a great tip (more than 50%). But I can also see that it could have gone differently and more often than not it does, which I attribute to servers not thinking there's likely to be a good tip from the scruffy guy. This lunch worked great, but what can I do to increase my odds of good service. I'm willing to tip appropriately in appreciation of good service. How do I let servers know this in advance without sounding like "I'll take care of you" guy, who likely stiffs them in the end.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/5a8753/how_do_i_let_me_server_know_that_i_will_give_a/
| 28 | 30 | 1,477,860,524 | 11 |
bad tipper
|
top
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hkwdhd
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I feel like a gangster
|
I work at a local Tex Mex restaurant. I have been serving all through high school and college, and I have had some good times, and also wanted to scream at a lot of people. However, Sunday is my last day because I have accepted a full time teaching position. Today I finally said something that has been on the tip of my tongue for years.
We had a lot of poor tippers tonight (2-3 percent is something I have seen a lot at this restaurant in particular. I have worked at three restaurants, and he clientele here are by far the poorest tippers consistently.)
Cut to the end of tonight. A good friend of mine had the last table, and after they racked up a bill of over 100$ they left her 5$. This friend supports her kids on this job, and is pregnant. She is very kind and competent. Well I have sort of been waiting for the right table to do this, and this was it.
I opened the doors as they were getting in the car and said "Hey, she has kids, and there is a pandemic, so next time tip at least fifteen percent." And I went back inside. The doors had been locked already, and the lady tried to come back in. She started shaking the doors violently, but I didn't go back. Then the phone rang. The assistant manager said she started to shout about how they didn't HAVE to tip, so she hung up on them.
It feels so good to finally say something to one of these assholes!!!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/hkwdhd/i_feel_like_a_gangster/
| 967 | 160 | 1,593,832,361 | 11 |
good tipper
|
relevance
|
11d2auq
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
BEWARE: People are also too good to be true…
|
Just thought I’d give a short precautionary post for all the new servers out there. If a table is acting overly nice to you, DO NOT loose vigilance. One of two things will happen: you have a great table, or a terrible one. I hope this helps you prepare and avoid any confusion or shock.
1) the verbal tipper : constantly over thanking you for existing. Overly appreciating everything you do. Complimenting you to the moon, even if you were having a shit day. They were very VERY happy with the experience and your service. They’ll leave you 10% or less.
2) the fine dine and dashers : these people will charm the living crap out of you. They are not concerned with what they are ordering. They will probably offer to buy you a drink (on their tab, of course). They are either chain smokers or callers - usually step out twice or three times before the fourth and final departure. They’ll ask for another round or the check, go for another smoke/call and never come back.
3) the activated creep-azoid : they start subtle, slowly increasing the frequency and intensity of their “kindness”. Eventually, casual touching becomes less casual and boundaries are harder to establish. Shut it down early.
4) the honest Ed’s - they are genuinely good (and fucking rare) patrons. Take care of these people. Make them your regulars.
Good luck out there! Our community is always a typed post away ❤️
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/11d2auq/beware_people_are_also_too_good_to_be_true/
| 102 | 15 | 1,677,470,977 | 11 |
good tipper
|
relevance
|
15xss22
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Being the open minded one, and my various regulars
|
I am a former service industry employee and just wanted to see if anyone else had this experience. When I became a server I had the "undesirables" as regulars, the ones the others would cast aside and loathe. On occasion the guest would have one other server they may request, but usually it was me. My first regulars where actually in theory, truth be told I hadn't been promoted, but was taking tables on the side with the assist of some servers and a few bartenders who rallied behind me. Anyway, classic alternative couple, didn't comply to societal standards or gender stereotypes. Really in love, but not overly affectionate. Couldn't quite wrap my head around they where unlikable, but I digress, great tippers, very responsive and warm.
My true first regulars where an older couple, they enjoyed the Southern atmosphere of my current job at the time, she was quite stoic and when she did show emotion it was very empassioned, "I love this vintage doodad! This side dish is so flavorful, my utmost compliments to the chef! Oh sweetheart you did that thing you set your mind too, I'm so proud!" He was more open and bubbly, kinda had a John Schneider vibe about him, but really cool and would often show me pictures he took, no training, dude was a natural shutterbug. I found out they weren't liked because they where related to a server that no longer worked at my job, and nor had I met them during my time. I've heard horror stories about that individual though. They where pleasant and sometimes we chatted about religion which was nice, but they always tipped 20%.
Same job, different regular, older woman- a widow, very frail, but had enough appetite for Catfish. Was originally being taken care of by a now ex coworker, who tolerated her, didn't dislike her, but knew she was a squatter. I would always have the good fortune of having 4 other tables to flip, whereas my coworker would have only 4 tables, so essentially this was a kindness for a 5-7$ tip at the loss of probably 2.5 hours where she could make more money by flipping tables. I inherited her as my regular and we bonded over instrumental music, she showed me her favorite symphony (Lalo, Edouard- Symphonie Espagnole), and I showed her my artwork. I wish we'd kept in contact, but sometimes people are in your life for only a certain amount of time.
So I was just feeling cathartic and wanted to post something lighthearted, do you have similar regulars who are amazing, but misunderstood by your coworkers? Tell me your stories in the comments.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/15xss22/being_the_open_minded_one_and_my_various_regulars/
| 3 | 1 | 1,692,672,856 | 11 |
good tipper
|
relevance
|
tuadjn
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Taking a Poll.
|
Have a question out of curiosity. When I have worked in the industry for about 12 years now. Worked as a line cook, up to sous chef, got tired of killing myself from working so much and so hard that I decided to transition over to the FOH. I now spend my time about half and half between bartending and serving. I work in two polar opposite restaurants. First is PF Chang’s where I bartend, and the other is a super shwanky fine dining establishment connected to a 5 star hotel downtown. So I see a little bit of everything as far as clientele goes. When I go out to eat personally… when the bill arrives at the end of my meal, without even thinking about it I lay down 20% for a tip, usually closer to 25%. If I have a server or bartender that really went above and beyond and took fantastic care of my party, I will give them a huge verbal praise, and follow it up with a tip I am sure will make their night! I feel it is the right thing to do first of all, and a little good karma for my next shift doesn’t hurt! My question is when you go out to eat, what is your bottom line for a tip as a worker in the industry? Are you an immediate 20% without considering anything lower? Or does it really depend on the type of service you receive? I never consider tipping below 20%, unless something went horribly, HORRIBLY wrong. Not trying to sound like I have a huge ego or that I am better than anyone, because that’s not how I feel at all, and not what I am trying to say! I just feel that it is the right thing to do, and part of dining out. Always take care of your server!!! Their livelihood depends on it. So, what kind of tipper are you?????
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/tuadjn/taking_a_poll/
| 3 | 14 | 1,648,873,574 | 11 |
good tipper
|
hot
|
io3cno
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Restaurant karma in my favor
|
Today started out pretty crappy for me(personal involving housing and money woes, not work) then I went into work to see I’m down a shift on next weeks schedule. I asked my manager why, and I was docked a shift because of 2 “customer” complaints. One from an anti masker that I refused to serve and handed off to another employee(our restaurant does not support refusing service) and the other was a delivery service driver, not the actual customer, to complain that we missed an item and should really try harder because it’s not fair to the customers. But then the good karma. Tonight I was slammed busy and almost every table were extremely generous tippers(20%-50%) I walked with double or more for a typical night, so my docked shift is covered and I’ll be enjoying a day off.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/io3cno/restaurant_karma_in_my_favor/
| 26 | 2 | 1,599,464,904 | 11 |
good tipper
|
hot
|
a78lmf
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
The award for the Most Entitled Asshole of the Day goes to: Retired Army Veteran
|
Story time: this is lengthy, so hang in there.
I work in a fast-casual cafe-style restaurant. It is owned by a well known family in my area, but none of them actually work in the restaurants. Overall, it is this family's most successful business venture (they have many, which is relevant later). I have worked for this family for almost 7 years, at three different locations. So, I have heard my fair share of "Well I know the owner(s) personally, do whatever unreasonable thing I ask you to do without question" in various situations.
For background, we offer a lot of really great discounts. All employees get 50% off, on and off the clock, and a free meal for those working a double. We also offer college student discounts (10% with student ID), and discounts to the non-restaurant businesses nearby to us. In addition, all military, police, fire, and paramedics receive 25% with ID (including family members who have IDs, and retired military), or 50% off if they're in uniform. For this reason, a lot of our business comes from these folks and their families. However, the discounts do not apply to alcohol, salmon, lamb, or turkey, which are our most expensive items. Even employees pay full price for these things.
Even so, the aforementioned receivers of discounts have a ton to choose from, and have no problem paying full price if they want more expensive meat and/or alcohol. Except for the asshole I dealt with today. I'll refer to him as EA for Entitled Asshole.
EA comes in for lunch today. He strolls up to the counter and immediately says "I'm a veteran. I want some lamb, but make sure you put my 50% discount on there. I'll take a beer and cold mug too." I proceed to tell him about our discount policy (which is posted on a sign right next to his face, I might add), and how he will have to pay full price if he wants those things. I then tell him that the biggest discount I can give him is 25%, but only if he chooses something else from the menu.
He then says in a snarky tone "well I AM in uniform, SEE?" He's wearing a ball cap, plaid shirt, and jeans. He pulls out a photo of himself that must have been fifty years old, in full uniform. Like...he legitimately thought that was a good substitute. He thought he was being hilarious, but I wasn't having it. I've been nice up to this point, but I'm getting visibly irritated. In a firm, but polite voice, I again tell him that he won't be getting half off on his meal today, and that if he wanted his discount he would have to order something else.
EA: "You know, I'm a big tipper when I get good discounts." He then winks, creepily. Twice.
I can't help myself, so I say "Oh, so you're only willing to tip if you don't have to pay civilian prices?"
Then, he hits me with "Well I know \*middle son\* and he ALWAYS gives me 50% off no matter what I order. Is he here so I can tell him how you're mistreating a man who fought for your freedom?" He then proceeds to list off his entire military background, awards & accolades, etc. as if that would justify him getting 50% off.
Unimpressed, I respond: "No, sir, \*middle son\* is not here, and he never is here. He's likely working on one of the new restaurants the family is about to open."
EA: "Oh? What is that place called? Maybe I can reach him there?"
Me: "I don't recall the name of the newest place off the top of my head, sorry."
EA: "You don't recall off the top of your head, huh?"
EA then puts his hand in front of my face, puts his fingers underneath the front of my beanie, and tries to look inside. His hand was inside of my hat, on top of my head.
This happened so quickly that I didn't have time to respond, but my face said it all. I was beyond pissed. He noticed and said "Hey, calm down. I was just looking for the name on top of your head."
Ha fucking ha. Hilarious.
He ended up ordering close to $40 worth of food (including discount), only left me a $5 tip, and acted as though he was doing me a favor.
I don't mind giving discounts to other veterans and military, but sometimes I hate waiting on them. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the sacrifices they have made. But, that doesn't mean they should be able to walk into a place of business and demand free shit. It definitely doesn't mean they can put their hands on people they don't know.
Has anyone else dealt with a similar situation?
​
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/a78lmf/the_award_for_the_most_entitled_asshole_of_the/
| 90 | 11 | 1,545,115,026 | 11 |
good tipper
|
hot
|
1suu6t
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I Cried Tonight
|
First off, MY regular came in. Our store has many, but this one is mine. He is awesome. I cherish him.
But the main event, the table who set the tone for my biggest take home total at this restaurant to date, is a two top. Couple in their 40s or so. Out for a date night or what have you.
For a bit of context, my corporate restaunt location is in Mystery Shop Mode. For more context, that means people will be/are coming in to our restaurant to tattle on/score us for assessment purposes. So we are being drilled to hit all the formal points (rewards, upsells, booze). I play this game well. It's just how I am, love it or hate it.
Back to my darling couple. We did the whole liquor dance. Don't recall what he got, she got a virgin daquiri 'extra sweet'. Well these people are nice, bar is slow, I get her the most delicious strawberrytastic virgin with a small mountain of whipped cream. That is when I won this table, I think.
We do apps, entrees. They persue my manager once to gush about me. When she runs their food (I'm working 6 booths on a Friday night at this point), they go on and on about me again. Manager is used to this. Trogtor is awesome.
Evenings continue, table is happy. He gets a coffee after dinner, I drop the check and that whole dance happens.
When I return the check, I explain the corporate survey, because I will play whatever games I need to to get good shifts amirite? Of course they'll do the survey, they want everyone to know about me. Imagine here just the most giagantic string of specific and blush inducing comments while husband fills out and hands me the credit slip. I palm it blindly, thanking them as the compliments continue. She asks me about school (unenrolled, broke and waiting for debt from the first attempt to clear). I haven't even had time to process them as verbal tippers.
Gentleman looks at me with a big grin, gestures to credit slip. 'Is that enough?'
Fucking. $20. About 70% on their modest bill.
I tear up. My restaurant is in a shitty neighborhood. I get stiffed multiple times a shift. Tonight I had a guy short me $1.50. Just because he only wanted to pay $15 I guess. I am used to $5 on anything from $50-$100. This was just unheard of. We have two regulars we fight over because they leave 20%.
Good Friday nights, good closing shifts, good guests, and good money. These are the things that keep me going.
TL;DR: Sometimes, people don't suck. And I need a good lie about being a student.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1suu6t/i_cried_tonight/
| 171 | 15 | 1,387,008,583 | 11 |
good tipper
|
top
|
133fr64
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
RANT: group of 30 drunk people left no tip
|
hi all, im a server at a very large restaurant and theater where we regularly sit crowds of anywhere between 900-1400 people, sometimes three times a day, on a timed schedule. so servers can typically get sections of like 30-60 people. anyway just to give you an idea of what i'm dealing with.
so today, during the third show i get a 37 people section. 7 of them were a part of a larger 105 person section, and the other 30 were their own smaller section.
the group of 30 people all decided to come in one by one, sit at the wrong tables, and then when i asked if anyone had any allergies or dietary restrictions they all said, no, only to tell me once i brought out a giant rotisserie chicken that they don't eat meat because they're vegan, and ask "if i had any humane options."
then i told them about 6 times that if they wanted to order from the bar they'd ask to ask someone who works at THE BAR. they then proceeded to rush me with appetizers as if they hadn't just sat down. (mind you, we work on a TIMED schedule, that every guest is made aware of when the doors are opened)
as i'm trying my hardest to accommodate these idiots they proceed to get more and more belligerent, and at this point some of them can't even understand that they're being spoken to. then towards the end of the show one of them goes "we're supposed to get coffee" (they're not). just so i don't lose my job i ask how many of them would like coffee, and the most unfortunate-looking one goes "well i think everyone would" (spoiler: i brought them out, everyone did not want coffee)
and then, 2 hours later, they left, trash everywhere, including their bar receipt showing they'd(one person) spent over $200 on alcohol at once (and more beforehand considering they had bar drinks before they sat down), and didn't leave a dime! oh also did i mention they were all wearing fucking costumes?
if by any chance that group stumbles upon this post, you were the worst fucking people ever and i hope you all puke in your ubers and get fined $150, and then you wake up with the worst hangover possible, and find that your account is overdrawn from the amount of alcohol you bought <3
EDIT: apparently i have to justify why i work here! the shows we work normally end in at least $100 in tips per show. three shows a day... yeah except when they don't tip
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/133fr64/rant_group_of_30_drunk_people_left_no_tip/
| 1,134 | 112 | 1,682,829,025 | 11 |
no tip
|
relevance
|
1b3566w
|
TalesFromYourServer
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hey all! recently got accepted for a job as a busser. my pay is $8 per hour, i get paid bi weekly and i’m guaranteed 40 hours. however my pay ($8) just doesn’t feel right. i wondering if tips will help to add it up? or as a busser u get little to no tips.
| null |
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1b3566w/hey_all_recently_got_accepted_for_a_job_as_a/
| 4 | 43 | 1,709,225,868 | 11 |
no tip
|
relevance
|
1hn4t3d
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Not happening.
|
This was about a week ago but I want someone else’s input on it.
Woman makes a reservation for about a dozen people for a Christmas gathering where I work. She comes in, tells me it’ll all be one check, I’m thinking, “Hell yeah!”
She then goes on to ask, because it’s a work gathering, if it’s at all possible for me to ring in their alcoholic drinks as food items, so it doesn’t look like they were drinking on a work card. I said no, due to inventory purposes, and because food tickets go through to the kitchen, so I can’t load up the kitchen screen with fake food orders during a rush. Best I could do was split off the alcohol and they could pay for it with a personal card.
She then follows me to the bar and asks AGAIN, and tells me she wouldn’t have made the reservation if she knew we wouldn’t do this for them. She asks if that’s “just a bar thing” or if it’s an “us” thing. I said it’s an everywhere thing, as I don’t know of any business that would do something like that.
And honestly, I’m not sure but it sounds illegal. Like if something were to happen to them after they left and their ticket only showed 10 appetizers and 12 entrees or whatever. It at least feels like some sort of violation of our liquor license.
I work in a small business where we have “open food/liquor/beer” buttons so I *could* have, but I just didn’t want to take the chance.
What do you guys think?
ETA the conclusion: She stayed, had me put her guests on a 2-drink cap (annoying), left everything on one tab, paid with a personal card, tipped around 18%, and gave me side eye pretty much the entire time. She didn’t even have to pay the entire tab, like I said, I would have put alcohol on a separate check, but I think she wanted to stick it to me by doing something that didn’t affect me at all.
And I did not call her company to report her because I don’t need the drama, or to lose the other 11 people at the table’s future business.
Also, thank you to everyone who let me know that liquor is taxed differently and how much trouble I would have gotten in if I did that. I didn’t know for a few reasons (new job in a new state, and I’ve never been the one who does reports/liquor orders) but it just sounded shifty.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hn4t3d/not_happening/
| 930 | 127 | 1,735,266,871 | 11 |
no tip
|
relevance
|
1gdusz4
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Picky children
|
Today I served a picky kid. She got a pancake and her parents got eggs. The brother got no food. I went to check on them and the parents had licked their plates clean. I asked if they needed anything else and they replied “no she didn’t like it” I said oh I’m sorry do you want something else to which they replied no, and then I asked if they wanted a box and they said AGAIN “she didn’t like it”. Only reason I offered a box was because maybe the parents wanted it. Also this girl literally peeled 1cm of the top of the pancake off. She didn’t eat try a full bite and the parents clearly didn’t encourage her to have more. I even showed my manager and said I shouldn’t take this off right bc she didn’t even try it/not my problem you don’t like a perfectly edible pancake, she said no. Brought the check and the dad gave me the card without looking. When I went back after they left they left a “review” on the ticket. Said she did NOT like the pancake so it should’ve been taken off the check, and then tipped like 5%. Such assholes but I’m just posting this because I’m astounded that people actually think I can just take your food off because you don’t like it. I was even more baffled because she didn’t even have a single bite of it. Crazy that people act like this.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1gdusz4/picky_children/
| 768 | 125 | 1,730,093,338 | 11 |
no tip
|
hot
|
jrn44m
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Children's drinks are for children
|
One day, I got a family of four. Right from the get go, they were pretty unfriendly. Whatever. It just means I'll keep our conversation to just asking what they need. One of the adults orders a lemonade (which we hand squeeze the lemon juice each morning and make it fresh, so it's $3.99 for an order, but free refills.) She guzzles down 4 glasses of it while she's there. Since the bartender has to pour the drinks, it's pretty frustrating. She also ordered a kids meal which is absolutely okay because of you don't feel like eating much, it's a perfect size. I'm thankful corporate doesn't go full Gestapo on kids meals because honestly, what difference does it make?
Anyway, they're rude when they speak and give me the cold shoulder the rest of the time. I drop off their check and go make sure the rest of my tables are okay. The lady stops me from going to the back to get something. "I thought drinks with the kids meal were free?" I explain that yes, they're free of you're a kid under the age of 10 (because a kid under the age of 10 isn't going to drink four fucking glasses.) "But I always get them for free with my kids take out order!" Yes, because we are unable to verify that it's not going to kids. Luckily, my manager stepped up and confirmed what I had just said. They paid and left. Less than 10% tip but that's okay because I no longer had to deal with them. Also, when I said thank you for coming in and have a nice day, they couldn't even bother to respond.
Must suck to be that hateful.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/jrn44m/childrens_drinks_are_for_children/
| 3,732 | 244 | 1,605,022,748 | 11 |
no tip
|
top
|
so4yi1
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
A Big Tip, For a Funny Reason
|
When I was in high-school, I was a waitress at a local Cafe, almost 30 years ago. I worked weekends during school, and all the hours I could during the summer months. There was a chicken factory just out of town, and one of the employees would come for lunch almost every day. He would sit as far from the other patrons as he could. I always waited on him with a smile, and he always left a decent tip.
One day, he told me I wouldn't be seeing him anymore, as he had gotten a job in another town. He gave me a $100 bill, and told me how much he appreciated the fact that I never commented on how bad he smelled from his job. I thanked him, and wished him well in his new career.
(I couldn't smell anything until I was 28 and had sinus surgery and a turbinate gland removal that opened my nasal passages.)
The boss at the Cafe told me he smelled like rotten meat, and no one else could wait on him without retching.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/so4yi1/a_big_tip_for_a_funny_reason/
| 271 | 28 | 1,644,382,243 | 11 |
big tip
|
relevance
|
k4gxnv
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
My manager knowingly exposed me to COVID, and I only found out by eavesdropping.
|
On Thanksgiving we did carryout.
Part way into my shift I hear my Big Boss talking to the front desk about a particular guest who is COVID positive, so we'll drop his stuff off on a table and stand back.
He's paying in cash... which goes in our giant jar of carryout cash, which is used to make change for other cash customers.
Also, he apparently came in the day before for normal carryout and "was just so sad and nice."
Normal carryout goes through the bar.
Guess who was working the bar and not informed that one of my customers was positive for COVID.
Guess whose boyfriend with a heart condition now has issues breathing but hasn't been tested because we can't spare $300 to test us both?
Guess who's still going to work tomorrow since no one here gives a fuck and I'll be homeless if I can't work for two weeks?
Fuck all of this.
EDIT:
This post should be dead by now, but for future historians...
I talked to my management team, and they understand my discomfort and are taking new steps moving forward through the second wave. I honestly love and respect these people in general, am grateful for my position and the waty they tend to have handled things prior to this incident. We are one of the only non-chain-restaurants in the city wearing masks, even if it is only 90% of FOH.
I didn't get tested. I'm asymptomatic and the nearest free testing requires about an $80 rideshare (pre-tip) if they're even willing.
Also, thanks for the awards, I guess. And the offers to send me money.
Please just support your local foodbanks and make sure your support staff and BOH are okay right now.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/k4gxnv/my_manager_knowingly_exposed_me_to_covid_and_i/
| 2,248 | 258 | 1,606,810,952 | 11 |
big tip
|
relevance
|
1aoz68y
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Cash tips.
|
The party I had left me 26 on 176. No big deal but I was second guessing myself on what I did wrong. They had a wonderful birthday thanked me so I was confused. Well I show up today got pulled into the cash room and to my surprise I got 134 dollars in cash. Basically 100% tip, not flexing just know you should always hand the server cash. Management bussers host food runner's other servers don't need to know or see it. Rant over
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1aoz68y/cash_tips/
| 48 | 48 | 1,707,741,839 | 11 |
big tip
|
hot
|
at5p7h
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I turtle shelled into my shirt in front of a customer when he said I didn't have big enough tits.
|
Background- I am a Male Server with a beard (important later) in a truckstop in the middle of MO. Truckers are predominantly men. Truckers dont really socialize for 3/4 of their day. Most truckers in my Missouri truckstop are loud, obnoxious, sexist, racist braggarts.
&#x200B;
As a male server in this world, I have to rely on my charm and abrasive sense of humor. When truckers are used to oogling the girlys and talking down to them because they think they can bully the waitresses; I can't bat my eyelashes and expect a 10% tip from them. But when I serve over 50 people in 8 hours with average tips between 2-5 bucks, I suck it up.
&#x200B;
Since I am no nonsense and back everything I say up with what I do, I also get away with a lot more than I normally should. In a normal restaurant, hell no. In an establishment when a guest can go to the bathroom for 10 minutes and return to tell on of the female waitress "You are just so sexy I had to go to the bathroom and rub one off.", I am allowed to clapback when I can.
Last Sat I was running a 50 seat section by myself, 9 booths, 3 tables, and 25+ single seats at the bar. I hustle and bustle to keep everything clear and moving and wont stop to entertain your wild conversations because you think your the next Eddie Murphy RAW. One guy wouldnt let it up though. Every chance he got when I came by, he would say something to try to be edgy and funny; which I brush off by asking if that was a result of his food or not. At the end of his meal, Trucker and Me went through this bit of dialogue-
**Me**\- So is there anything else I can do for you today?
&#x200B;
**Trucker**\- I just have one complaint about the service. My waitress didn't have big enough tits and to much hair on her face.
&#x200B;
At this point I had had enough. I don't condone sexist comments if I can help it, and I will go out of my way to make you as mad or uncomfortable as I can if you are a bother to me or my coworkers; tip be damned. Only enough seconds go by for me to see the smug look on his face before I start.
**Me**\- "You want big tits? You got it bud."
I start pulling my arms into my shirt.
&#x200B;
**Trucker**\- "What are you, no no its oka--"
&#x200B;
**Me**\- "Remember, you wanted this."
&#x200B;
I pull both my arms into my shirt and pop my elbow out like inflatibreasts. Then I remember his comment about my face and I tuck my chin into my shirt. Everyone is just staring/laughing at him as I ask him if he want me to shake them as I move my elbow up and down at him.
&#x200B;
He laughed uncomfortably and I went back to wondering why I just don't look for work closer to home. Manager thought it was hilarious and we all had a laugh at the recording from the cameras afterwords.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/at5p7h/i_turtle_shelled_into_my_shirt_in_front_of_a/
| 2,392 | 80 | 1,550,769,504 | 11 |
big tip
|
top
|
jpp2lw
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
A night of tears...this time NOT in the walk-in
|
This is my first post here, but I had to share this story!! It's a bit long and I'm on mobile, so I apologize for formatting issues in advance.
I have been serving in the same restaurant for almost 2 years now, but have been a server for almost 23 years total off and on. Last night was the normal busy Friday, long waits, crabby guests, mediocre tips, with the smattering of amazing people in between.
One of my last tables was a couple who were fun from the beginning, joking and laughing, truly acknowledging me and allowing me to say everything I'm required to say. After ordering, the wife tells me they're in no big hurry as this is the first time they've been out alone together in over a year. I had expected her to say "since Covid", since I hear that a lot, but was surprised at it being over a year. I asked if they had come out to celebrate something, or if they just didn't get to get out much and she replied that they didn't get out much because they have a lot of kids. Of course I was curious, so asked how many kids qualified as a lot. She responded, nonchalantly, "ten". TEN KIDS? My mind was going ape shit. I can barely afford one kid right now and trying to keep him sane during all of this has been a struggle, how are they surviving with TEN? I replied with something along the lines of ten really being a lot of kids and asked the age range of the kids. She told me 18 to 9 months. We joked about how there must never be a dull moment in their home and laughed a bit. Then, she shared that all the kids had been adopted! The 18 year old most recently and she had been surprised when they told her they wanted to adopt her...apparently, her exact words were, "you want ME?" That's when I got misty eyed. These two people were so full of love, so kind hearted, just grateful to have a night for themselves, I wanted to do something for them.
I went to my manager and said, "I want to ask you a question and you can tell me no, but I have to try." I then told him their short story and asked if we could comp their app or do something, just to make their night more memorable. He didn't even hesitate and told me he would do whatever my heart desired for them. They got my employee discount. 30% off their entire check.
They enjoyed their meal, packed up their leftovers, attentively listened to the donations and gift card spiel I had to give them, and made a donation even. I then surprised them with the check. I told them that I wanted to do what I could for them, so I had given them my employee discount. I said I wanted to give back a little bit of kindness to them that they had given to so many. The wife asked me, "why are you like the sweetest human ever?" I told her that I felt moved to do something and this was all I could do for them at the moment. She was crying, he was speechless, I started crying. It was just a touching moment. One of those pure heartwarming moments. The discount they received was about $17, their check was around $53 still, and they left me $30, then told the manager I was the best person they had ever had the joy of meeting.
Moments like these are why I still enjoy serving.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/jpp2lw/a_night_of_tearsthis_time_not_in_the_walkin/
| 1,975 | 48 | 1,604,747,213 | 11 |
big tip
|
top
|
c7va30
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Apologizing to all of you hard working people
|
I just realized I’ve been aiding and abetting a major offender. I’m an old dude, never been in your industry but I’ve been an asshole magnet all my life so I consider myself sensitive and I always stick up for people who need it, when I can.
I have realized I allow some shit and I have to make it stop. I have a very elderly friend, mid-80’s, and we go to lunch often because we have some big things in common that we love to talk about. I’ve already been editing her tone, explaining for her, and trying to buffer her sometimes shitty disposition to soften it for the servers.
I have realized one of her worst offenses. It was explained by a family member. We’ll be sat down, our server will ask for our drink order and after my usual, this lady will say every time, like explaining to a fool, “WATER, with a DISH of LEMONS” making a bowl gesture with her hands. I always would mildly think “shit honey, just talk to the kid, they greeted us just fine they can communicate” but we get off to our conversation and it sort of gets swept aside.
Now I realize with great shame what she’s up to. I saw her do it. She blows through the sugar packets on the table to make “free lemonade.”
I feel such a douche for missing it this long. I really want to apologize to all of you and let you know I have always padded the tip on my always more expensive check, I order a whole plate and sip whiskey the whole time. Usually I make it about 50% to make up for this Depression baby at your table.
Well now I’m also going to jump in and just order her the fucking $2.50 lemonade too because good god, that’s ridiculous.
Thank you all for all for all that you do. Having a meal out is a nice treat and it really ought to be fun for everyone, y’all included.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/c7va30/apologizing_to_all_of_you_hard_working_people/
| 1,793 | 144 | 1,561,999,094 | 11 |
big tip
|
top
|
k8asej
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Selective Generosity
|
My last table last night was a one top. The couple at the next table decided to pay his check. They left, and the tip on both bills (their own and my guest’s) was around 10%. They were being served by the bartenders who are both good, longtime employees and they appeared happy with their service.
My guest had a small check and I’d already worked 11 hours so I wasn’t particularly concerned about that tip but it’s just weird to me that people will do something generous like that but not take care of the people taking care of them (especially now).
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/k8asej/selective_generosity/
| 656 | 227 | 1,607,320,070 | 11 |
generous tip
|
relevance
|
axv2bb
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Mother has very inappropriate argument with son, proceeds to leave generous tip
|
First. They come in super happy. Taking pictures together and stuff. They’re friends of the bartender.
Second. They try to sit at the bar, but they have a tiny dog with them, I tell them I’ll serve them if their dog is behaved.
Third. I get some drinks, put their food in. Got ice cream for their dog. It was the last time they were happy together.
Four. I don’t know how it started, but the mother starts berating her son. (The party is a mother, her boyfriend, and her 19 year old son. And their dog.) the boyfriend sits drinking his beverages.
Five. I have to start sweeping. She’s full on yelling. Voice raised, every few sentences she switched to Spanish. She’s talking about how grandmothers can hit their grandkids.
Six. She’s all “GET THE FUCK OUT” to her own son and boyfriend. Turns to me, yells she needs a check. This has been going on for over 30 minutes.
Seven. Her bill was $54 and she gives me 100. I cash it in. Count out her change, but by the time I turn around she’s already out of the restaurant. The boyfriend came back in and asked the bartender if she tipped me. When we said yes he asked if it was a good tip. I said yes. And he thanked us and left.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/axv2bb/mother_has_very_inappropriate_argument_with_son/
| 43 | 9 | 1,551,848,981 | 11 |
generous tip
|
relevance
|
tjwyoh
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Trainees receiving tips
|
I have been training a new bartender at my restaurant over the last couple days, and during our last shift, we both worked the bar together-I would take customers’ orders and he would make their drinks. I also took a section of tables, which the trainee did not touch.
Management expressed that I should be tipping out the trainee 20%. I interpreted this as 20% of my bar tabs, not my tables (also side note, I’ve never heard of trainees receiving a mandatory tip out anywhere I’ve worked). At the end of the night I added up the tips from all of my bar tabs and tipped out 25%, because the trainee did a good job and I was feeling generous.
Today I get approached by my manager and told that I was to tip out 20% of the entirety of my tips. I expressed to him how unfair that is. 75% of my tips were from my tables that the trainee never touched. My manager sympathized with me and now the GM has to weigh in on the situation.
I really hope I get to keep my tips. Am I being unreasonable? I don’t want to give away money I earned fair and square. If the GM insists that I need to share money from my tables, what do I do? Also, would it be illegal for management to take tips from me without my consent?
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/tjwyoh/trainees_receiving_tips/
| 169 | 56 | 1,647,931,940 | 11 |
generous tip
|
relevance
|
1ad3pt8
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
adding a tip option on card terminal.
|
I run a UK based cafe. Not quite a greasy spoon but not much above it.
I've noticed a sharp decline in the tips the staff are getting since we moved from 80% cash to 98% card payments. Should I add a tip option on the card machine? It seems a bit forward to me but tips are certainly lee than they would have been.
This is the UK where s 10% tip in my sort of place would be generous
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ad3pt8/adding_a_tip_option_on_card_terminal/
| 17 | 25 | 1,706,451,762 | 11 |
generous tip
|
relevance
|
1fmpwih
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Ofc my last shift had to be terrible
|
I finally finished up my two weeks. it’s been a pretty slow week and it was busy last night. usually not a problem but i couldn’t give less of a fuck. but i’m in the habit of stressing so much my one coworker said “working hard for your last day”. my tables were good for the most part even tho we were slammed we had a decent amount of staff for a place that’s always understaffed. i’m going to print my check out and hear a guy yelling and he storms to the bar and starts screaming at the newer manager “this place sucks! i’ve been here three times and it’s always sucked!” she just stared at him blankly and asked
“what’s the issue is it the food or the service-“
“it’s the stupid server! they brought one appetizer but didn’t bring X”
at this point a few customers piped up “actually she’s awesome im sure she was getting it” and then the other manager came over and was like “hey! what’s going on?” and he just stormed out. apparently he called my coworker stupid and was muttering and swearing about how awful she was and she said “sir if you’re gonna talk to me like that you can leave”. that’s when he got up and started yelling. idk what compels someone to get in a woman’s face and scream over mozzarella sticks
i was talking to the new manager and i said “if it’s so bad the first two times why did you come back a third?” and she said “i was so close to just saying that”. the other tables in my coworkers section were good tho and tipped well. and they stormed out so we got to eat all the food they already ordered. i also had a biker table and got a 50% tip so that made up for it, I love serving those guys they’re so nice and funny and generous. I’m so glad my time at this place is over
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1fmpwih/ofc_my_last_shift_had_to_be_terrible/
| 22 | 4 | 1,726,999,863 | 11 |
generous tip
|
relevance
|
12z9afr
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
High End Restaurant Tips
|
My wife and I had a discussion at a nice restaurant tonight. Both of us used to work in the restaurant so we are generous with tipping but it brought a question up about higher restaurants and tipping- servers who work in high end restaurants… do you see an average of 20% or do most people tip less because it’s more expensive? Just curious…
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/12z9afr/high_end_restaurant_tips/
| 5 | 18 | 1,682,492,208 | 11 |
generous tip
|
hot
|
iikaxo
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
I'm getting sick of it - A TaleFromYourTakeoutSpecialist
|
**I'll start off with a bit of background:**
I work at a national seafood restaurant as 1 of 2 takeout specialists (the other being my girlfriend.) When you place your order through GH, UE, DD, our website, in store, or over the phone, I'm the person who deals with it. I like what I do and, at the risk of sounding arrogant, I'm pretty good at it.
At the start of the virus, when our restaurant switched to takeout only, it was my girlfriend and myself as the only FoH employees. Surprisingly, our total business really didn't change that much; it was now all takeout orders. Which was a very inundating task.
Throughout the months of takeout only, we really learned the ropes and became very precise, efficient, and accurate when it came to takeout.
It was also during this time that those who ordered takeout really seamed to care and appreciate what we were doing; which was very nice. This is where we ran into some of the nicest customers who were very sweet about tipping graciously. Things were bad, but it could have been worse.
**Cutting back to today:**
When it comes to takeout post re-opening in this day in age, we're doing approx. 90% more takeouts than before the virus. All that while in a restaurant where to-go's were very obviously an afterthought just to jump on to the takeout band-wagon with no real planning or renovations.
There definitely aren't as many to-go orders as during takeout only, but it is still a very high number -- that's fine; it keeps me busy.
I know this sub has mixed opinions about tipping the takeout person, but people have started to really hold back; which is fine, I've really learned not to expect a tip, but it's just a little disheartening running around for hours with well over a page of takeouts, with 7 to 8 tickets at a time, while you're the only one who will do them, to have maybe a total of 5 people out of probably 50 or 60 people actually leave any kind of tip at all. Oh well. It happens.
There is one thing that has really started to get to me. The thing I don't like is the people. The people who have no respect for hospitality workers. The people who don't wear their mask, then scoff at you when you ask for them to put it on. The people who think that the world is there only to revolve around them. The rude DoorDash drivers who shove their phone in your face after you say hello. The people who weren't there when we were doing takeout only.
&#x200B;
>"My food was cold!"
I'm sorry. Who knew that ordering food, waiting for a delivery driver, and driving it to your house would take time and allow the food to cool down.
>"How long has this been sitting out?!"
About 25 minutes. Your pickup time was for 6:15 and you didn't get hear until after 6:35. If you don't want your food to sit out, get here on time.
>"I've been sitting in my car for the past 15 minutes! Why hasn't my food come out?"
I'm sorry. You never called to let someone know you were here. I have no way of knowing who is/isn't here unless they call. You also didn't order curbside.
>"You're late! Now my rating is going to go down!"
Actually, you're 15 minutes early and I brought your food out on time. I *really* don't care about your rating.
>"Why did they get their order before me? I was here first!"
Just because you were here first doesn't mean you ordered first. Do you know how queues work?
>"Does the tip money I left on the app go to you or the driver? Oh, the driver? Good."
Thanks...
Now that the usual crowd is back, so are the people who will look for ***any*** excuse to get free/discounted food. It is absolutely awful how some of these people will literally lie straight to your face when they don't remember that you're the one who gave them their food, or when they don't know that you're the one that *just* put everything together for them back in the kitchen; tearing through the bags looking through their 5 entrees and 10 sides for *any* kind of problem:
>"The biscuits are in here?" They sure are. "And the cocktail sauces, butter, tarter, etc." Yep, I put it together myself. "Oh you did it? What's your name?"
I really don't want to sound like all I do is complain. I really do like my job. I like my coworkers. I like the industry (for now.) I just needed to vent a little bit. I know we're all having a rough time right now, and I hope everyone gets through it.
Just as a favor, the next time you get takeout, give the person a smile, say hello to them, and if you're feeling generous, maybe even throw them a couple of bucks. You'll probably become a ray of sunshine in a stormy day.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/iikaxo/im_getting_sick_of_it_a/
| 52 | 7 | 1,598,666,606 | 11 |
generous tip
|
hot
|
fjgywd
|
TalesFromYourServer
|
Thank You, couple who sat on the patio
|
I work as a server in a tourist town. This is normally our most lucrative time of year. It’s when we gather up nuts for the winter, or summer in our case.
At this point, though our business is down about 75%, I’m grateful that we’re still operating and that at least some people are still coming out. My heart breaks for those in the service industry who don’t have a job to go to tomorrow.
A middle aged couple came in tonight, and sat outside. They sat next to each other instead of across, in a sweet not gross way, and just seemed really happy to be there. They weren’t particularly chatty, but they asked me if we’d taken a big hit business wise this past week. I told them that unfortunately we had but that we were all just hoping for the best. I didn’t say this, but the truth is, this week has been bloody abysmal and depressing. I’m scared of what’s to come.
Anyway, they enjoyed a couple of beers, apps, dinner and a desert. Their check was around $50. I dropped off their credit card slip, thanked them and went inside. The hostess, who cleaned off the table and retrieved the cc slip, practically ran through the restaurant to bring it to me with a gigantic smile on her face. They left me $100 tip. The wrote my name (which I never told them but is printed on the top of the ticket) and “God always provides”. My mouth dropped open and my face got all flushed and then my eyes watered up. I walked outside, but they were already gone. I wish I could tell them what an enormous difference their generous gesture of kindness made in my life tonight. I have a bill due and a vet appointment tomorrow and was really sweating it. They lifted such a weight. In what can at times feel like a thankless job, I was truly moved that these people who don’t know me and will probably never see me again cared. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you kind couple who sat on the patio. My dog thanks you too. And I wish I could hug you. But I couldn’t anyway because of this asshole virus.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/fjgywd/thank_you_couple_who_sat_on_the_patio/
| 315 | 8 | 1,584,343,115 | 11 |
generous tip
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top
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1duzdj
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TalesFromRetail
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"I refuse to leave a tip"
|
I work at a national pizza chain that does delivery. Our drivers make less than minimum wage and rely on tips to make their money. At least once a day some asshat says "oh your prices are too high so I will not tip the driver" or "you don't still have the special that I wanted to get so I'm not going to tip" like they are proud of ripping of someone who has nothing to do with the prices or marketing. Of course, we still have to take their order, but I always feel so horrible sending a driver out on an order that is just a waste of money and gas for them.
Moral of the story: don't be an asshole to your delivery drivers
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1duzdj/i_refuse_to_leave_a_tip/
| 730 | 312 | 1,367,933,658 | 11 |
tip
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relevance
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2yn8yz
|
TalesFromRetail
|
Bruce Willis gave me a math test
|
A little backstory first: Back in 2009, I was having a lot of family issues at home, so I went to visit my mother's two sisters in Idaho, for a change of scenery. There's a resort there, owned at the time by a billionaire who also owns a line of gas stations that use a dinosaur for their logo. It's a very high end resort, drawing some of the nation's most rich and famous. Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Clint Eastwood, and many other people of that caliber visited and/or owned vacation homes there. I liked it so much, i decided to make the move long term, and found an apartment and a job as a baristo in a coffee shop (not S-Bucks). That's where the story starts...
It was about 8pm, and I remember it being either November or December, mostly because of all the snow. The shop closed at 9, and I was doing some cleaning ahead of time so I could get out of work at a decent hour. A man walked in, the ball cap on his head pulled down to cover his eyes, and his head down against the biting wind blowing in from the mountains. I greeted him, and when he looked up, I recognized him. I was told to act normal when a celebrity walks in, as they justifiably don't like being mobbed by fans out here.
I took his order, which I remember as 2 small lattes. He was alone, so I assumed he was in town with his wife and she was either at their vacation home or shopping at one of the many expensive shops there. The total came to $6.47 (It's funny: I can't remember what I had for breakfast, but I remember the total of Bruce Willis' coffee order from 6 years ago). *Growing up the son of an accountant with a strong desire (borderline obsessive sometimes) to gain my father's approval, I learned to do change in my head at lightning speed.* Less than 2 seconds after seeing the $50 he was about to hand me, I told him his change would be $43.53. He paused, a little smirk on his face.
**BW:** Did you do that in your head?
**Me:** Yes sir.
Bruce then puts the $50 back in his wallet and pulls out a $20 bill, two $1 bills, and three quarters, totaling $22.75 and asks me what the change is. I tell him $16.47. He proceeds to repeat this a few more times with different combinations of cash he has on him. I don't know if some combination of fatigue and jet lag put him in a condition where he found my petty math amusing, but he was having fun. I finally had to end it, since I still had stuff that needed to be done (cleaning the soft serve machine takes no less than 45 minutes).
**Me:** I have to get back to work, so I'll do one more. If I get it right, you have to tip me!
That last part was a joke obviously. He agrees and pulls out $72.45. Before he can move his eyes from the money to mine, I say it's $65.98.
**BW:** That's pretty cool
**Me:** ...
When you're 19 and Bruce Willis tells you something that you take for granted is cool, it tends to leave you speechless. I made his coffee, gave it to him, and wished him a good night. Before he left, he dropped $20 in the tip jar and told me I earned it. He was such a cool guy, lots of respect for him.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2yn8yz/bruce_willis_gave_me_a_math_test/
| 4,094 | 208 | 1,426,048,364 | 11 |
tip
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relevance
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2iizpf
|
TalesFromRetail
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I got tipped in socks
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To preface this: I work in a major electronics store, specifically the camera department. I know my stuff and my default face at work is usually an honest smile. I like my job, what can I say?
Anyway, I had a return customer today who wanted to buy the new GoPro. He looked for me, but I was on lunch, so my coworker was helping him. When I came back from eating my clam chowder and watching some sort of cooking show, I saw him and immediately remembered him. He's pretty easy to recognize and I knew he'd come in at some point to buy the Hero4.
Originally, I'd sold him the Hero3 a few months prior. He wanted to play with it, but knew that a new one would come out for the holidays, so he planned to give it to his mother as a Christmas gift after he got the new one. I spent a long time with him and we didn't exactly stay on topic for most of the conversation, but it was a fun sale and left an impression.
This time around, he bought all the stuff he'd need and then a couple of Pelican cases to store everything in. When I rang it out, he asked if I could hold the Pelican cases for him since he'd have to make two trips home. He rides a motorcycle, so it was pretty obvious that he couldn't safely carry it all in one trip. I told him I'd do it even though we're not supposed to. We then pack everything up that we can, I stash the Pelican cases under my register and tie a copy of the receipt around them, and he leaves.
Forty minutes later, he's back to pick up the cases. And this is when things got strange:
While waiting to get access to where I'd stashed them (coworker was using the register and blocking the cubby), he starts to reach in his pocket, saying he wanted to give me something for my help and remembering about his mom. I'm afraid he's going to tip me money; refusing tips feels awkward and tacky. But nope: he pulls out an awesome pair of knee-high Halloween socks to give me instead. They've got rainbow colored skeletons on them and everything. And for some reason, my managers all have a sock-thing at my store. I don't know how much money they burn on socks, but they love showing off their socks. So yeah, now I can show off *my* socks too.
Anyway, that's how I got tipped in socks.
edit: [The socks.](http://i.imgur.com/v2I2vb9.jpg)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2iizpf/i_got_tipped_in_socks/
| 315 | 32 | 1,412,656,562 | 11 |
tip
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relevance
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1tbmue
|
TalesFromRetail
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Christmas Tips
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Long time lurker, first time poster, pardon the format, blah blah blah.
So I work in a little coffee shop as an opening manager in my town. The owner of our store if very cheap so I don't make much over minimum wage, and for what I do I know I should, but I really enjoy my job so I never really push it.
One of my favorite things about my job are my customers. Yeah I have the shitty ones that always make my life hard, but I won't lie I have my favorite customers that I love seeing every morning and they love to see me. During the holidays, I like giving gifts and making cards for them. For halloween I made homemade pumpkin cards and gave candies, Thanksgiving I gave out pumpkin roll, and now Christmas time I've just made cute little cards and gave out kettle corn.
In return, some of my more well off customers have given my holiday cards with cash inside. Yesterday, the owner of my store came up to me and told me he's had complaints that I've been 'pocketing tips' and not putting them in the tip jar to be split. After going back and forth about it we went to the two employees that complained and they said I should feel obligated to put my Christmas card money in the tip jar because it's just not fair. Now I didn't go about flaunting that so and so gave me cash for Christmas, I opened the cards and read them and put them in my office. It just makes me so mad that I build relationships with my customers and whiney kids feel like they deserve moneys given specifically to me.
End rant.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1tbmue/christmas_tips/
| 91 | 20 | 1,387,546,100 | 11 |
tip
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relevance
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1j1jtri
|
TalesFromRetail
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Wrong Cigs
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Customer came in on my night shift at the gas station, wanted to buy some Black n Milds, she was kind of hard to understand but I heard wood tip, and seeing as we only sell the original wood tips the couple years I've been here I grabbed those, rang them up, she paid and didn't notice anything wrong. When she picks them up she sees they're the original wood tips and she tells me she wanted the wine ones instead, so I tell her we only have the wine plastic tips and we can't refund tobacco products at all here, the system just doesn't even do it.
We had a back and forth about it, she's mad she had to pay a little under a dollar more for stuff she didn't want, etc etc which I get, but also I can't do anything about it, and since it's in the middle of the night I can't really call the manager to ask what to do anyway. So I tell her that her best bet is to either come back in the day or call to see if they can even do anything, because I sure can't. All I can do is give her wine plastic tips instead of the original ones and she's just gonna have to have overcharged, because I can't refund nor just give her the difference. She is adamant about not leaving until I do something for her right that instant, and I say again, I personally can't do literally ANYTHING for her right now and she's just gonna have to get in contact with the manager in the morning, most I can do is talk to my manager about it myself when she comes in the morning, because they do not answer their phones at night- ran into that issue before during crises that were more of an emergency than this one.
She just insisted to take the ones she wanted instead of the originals she paid for, left, and said she was gonna talk to a manager during the day. I'm sure I'll get in trouble for this one, but I am too tired and brain fogged from night shift and morning college classes to care right now.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1j1jtri/wrong_cigs/
| 85 | 3 | 1,740,894,055 | 11 |
tip
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hot
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37ekzh
|
TalesFromRetail
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My dad asked me if I was proud of him today.
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I went to visit my dad today. He wanted me to bring my dog so he could hang out with her for a couple of hours while I got my hair done and ran a couple of errands. When I got back, he asked me if I remember telling him about how crappy my day was at work at my old job, and I would sometimes get a tip from a customer which would cheer me up.
>Me: Sure, I remember.
>Dad: I think you'll be proud of me. I went to get lunch at [chicken place he goes to often] and there was a new girl working the front. The people in front of me had a really big order and they were making the order really confusing for her. She asked her coworkers for help, but they ignored her or told her she's gotta be able to figure it out on her own. She kinda reminded me of you when you were younger, and she looked like she was about to cry. She ended up getting the order for them done, and when it was my turn, I told her she did a good job getting my meal for me, and I tipped her $5.
>Me: Oh, cool! Yeah that was really nice of you, could you tell it brightened her day?
>Dad: Yeah, she was really surprised!
It made my cold retail heart a little less icy today. It'll be back tomorrow, I already got two emails about a customer with a cluster of an issue to fix. Just thought I'd share!
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/37ekzh/my_dad_asked_me_if_i_was_proud_of_him_today/
| 1,618 | 80 | 1,432,690,543 | 11 |
tip
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top
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2d4b8e
|
TalesFromRetail
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"How can you charge so much for something you got for free?!"
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Upfront apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes.
I work in a large thrift store about 40 miles outside of Birmingham AL. It's a Christian run organization that has several ministries that it gives to and the one we give to helps battered women and children. Each location has it's own that it gives to. I think last year is was somewhere around 51% of our net profit that we gave them. Several million dollars easily. And while I am not Christian, I love what the store does and the people who work there are awesome.
Now on to the real meat of the story. Our basic operations is run through donations. People can come to the store and drop off their junk where it's taken to the back, weighed, counted, processed, graded, labeled, and then finally put onto the sales floor. One piece of clothing will pass between four to five people before reaching the customer. And we also do what we call 'specials' which is when we send our trucks to your house to pick stuff up. Mostly furniture.
Now, when all is said and done, we have invested labor, space, time, and fuel into getting these items to sell at our store. But this is semi rural Alabama. To say people are cheap would be charitable and there is always someone who wants to haggle and barter. We don't do either. And they will throw out a line like "But you got it for free!"
No...no we didn't. But out of all of those times I have been told this, one in particular sticks out and still makes me rage a little.
I was helping out the front end while the main lady was taking her break. No big deal. It's not busy, we have all our cashiers in, and there hasn't been many calls for specials. Overall a pleasant morning. That is until Miss Alabama walks up to the counter decked out in hounds-tooth and red, carrying a very nice handbag, with a such a sour expression on her baboon ass lips that you might begin to wonder if baboon ass wasn't what she was tasting.
In her hand she is holding a small statue that I had helped my assistant manager research online just that morning. It was a smallish sculpture by some famous artist that was worth a good $200. It depicted a man being held up by angel Jesus set on a wooden base. Campy and old, but we are firmly planted in the buckle of the Bible Belt. Jesus sells here. We had a sticker on it for $24.99.
I smile and ask her if there was anything I could do for her and she immediately snaps a quick, "Yes there is! Tell me how can you charge so much for something that y'all got for free?"
It took me a moment to formulate an answer. "We price our items based on their value."
"Well it's missing a finger!" Yes, Jesus did not have a right index finger anymore.
"That's why it's only $25."
"That's outrageous. And look at it! It's dirty!"
"Oh, the dirt is free." It was a bad attempt at making her smile or at least bring the reigns in a bit, but no dice. If anything it just pissed her off more.
"This is a thrift store! Not an antique shop! You can't sell other people's junk and charge this much!"
"We do give half of what we make to [Charity's name]. And they have to pay us somehow."
"I'm not paying thirty dollars for a broken knick knack."
"That's actually [Insert name of piece] by [artist's name]. One just like it sold on ebay for $200 last week." (I've long since forgotten both pieces of information).
Baboon lips intensify and her eyes narrowed. Now I know her scheme. We have plenty of people who come to buy stuff and resell it on ebay. It's not new, we don't discourage it, and in fact most of them are valued customers. One guy I'll call Joe comes in and buys up to $400 worth of shoes at a time to repair and resell. He's awesome. This lady? I don't like her.
"I'll give you $4."
"Sorry, our prices are firm. $24.99."
"Well then I don't want it!"
She plants the statue down on the service desk and stands there expectantly.
"Alright," I said and put it in the 'go back' box. Her face morphed through several varieties of indignant rage before she marched off. The regular service lady returns from lunch and I am free. A few minutes later I see Miss Alabama walking around with the statue again and she approaches the floor supervisor. The floor supervisor is a sweet older lady who is devoutly Christian, but with just enough sass to make her one of my favorite coworkers.
"This didn't have a price on it," she says sweetly. "How much would you say this is? I found it over near the knick knacks."
So much lies. But I've been in retail long enough to know going up there to declare her a liar is all forms of nope. So I just sit and listen.
"Oh yes, I remember this piece! Such beautiful work!. You know, I love me some Jesus!" She says this all the time, but it's still funny when she says it to customers. "Too bad it's busted and so dirty. So I'll say..."
She hummed and thought about it for a few seconds before turning back to the lady and saying, "$34.99."
The face of Miss Alabama baboon lips was so delicious. She looked like she wanted to start in on the floor supervisor the way she did me, but bit back her bile and simply said, "Oh...well thank you."
She marched up to the register and by the time she got up to check out, the original "$24.99" sticker had miraculously returned! I waited till she had left before going up to my supervisor and telling her about what had transpired between Miss Alabama Baboon lips and myself.
"Oh, I know. Best way to get people trying to scam you out of paying the sticker price is to quote them a higher one when the sticker goes 'missing'. If there's one thing I won't tolerate, it's stealing from those trying to do God's work!"
TLDR: Have you found Jesus? Yes, he's down at the thrift store for $25.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/2d4b8e/how_can_you_charge_so_much_for_something_you_got/
| 2,236 | 231 | 1,407,640,344 | 11 |
service charge
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relevance
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ugpkhq
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TalesFromRetail
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Sir, That's Sales Tax...
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So, I work at a certain GameStore that recently had a Stock Thing happen. My position is somewhat equivalent to what a Shift Lead would be at other stores, but we call it something kind of stupid. In essence, I am the lowest form of management that you can get in-store. I can open and close the store by myself, I can make some calls without needing permission, but my power only extends to a certain point.
&#x200B;
Another thing of note is that I just moved to my state less than a month ago, but I've been working with this company long enough to have a decent idea of what i'm doing, with a little bit of variance because I'm in a whole new store/district/region. Unfortunately, at my new store, there's pretty much only three of us. There's a manager who's only running the store temporarily (she basically does what I do but can order supplies and make schedules) and one other person of my own status.
&#x200B;
A week or two ago, I'm in the store with my coworker, Benny. I work at a slow store, so we were goofing around as we were processing our shipment behind the counter and the phone rings. After a quick argument of who answers, I take the phone.
&#x200B;
Me: \*cheery\* Thank you for calling (GameStore) at (Area of town) Where you can still preorder (Unreleased Game), this is u/brigittes_thighs.
&#x200B;
Customer: Hi. I bought an Xbox series X bundle at your store not too long ago. Why does it say "CUSTOMER DECLINED WARRANTY COVERAGE" When I asked for the warranty?
&#x200B;
Me: Oh no! We must have rung that up wrong, if you come in to the store I can-
&#x200B;
Customer: Well I drove an hour and a half to get this, and I wont do that again, but I paid for the warranty.
&#x200B;
Me: \*confused\* Sir... If your receipt says "customer declined warranty coverage" Then you didn't pay for the warranty.
&#x200B;
Customer: But I did. The bundle price was $650, and I paid $689.70
&#x200B;
Me:\*still confused\*... Hold on for just a second, I haven't been at this location long, let me ask one of my coworkers about this.
So I turn and relay the problem to Benny, who frowns and goes to the register. "I don't know what he's talking about. That's the price of the bundle after taxes." I nod a little, because that sounds about right. He scans the bundle and the details come up. Sure enough, $689.70.
&#x200B;
Me: \*unmutes phone\* Okay, sir. So it looks like you did not get the warranty by what your receipt says. if you come in, I can go ahead and-
&#x200B;
Customer: But I paid for it.
&#x200B;
Me: No sir, the warranty would have been an additional $50 to the bundle price, but I can-
&#x200B;
Customer: The bundle price was $650. I paid $689.70
&#x200B;
Me: Right, but that was the sales tax. On a purchase that size i would expect it to be almost $50 in sales tax
&#x200B;
Customer: Then WHY didnt that cover the $50 warranty? I paid the extra money! Do you have a manager I can speak to?
&#x200B;
Me: I am the manager on duty, but I'd like to try and get this resolved. What was the name on the receipt?
Customer: Benny. And I remember him too. I spent a long time talking to him.
&#x200B;
Me: Great, he's here today. Let me talk to him and see what I come up with.
&#x200B;
So I dont mute this time and ask Benny about this guy. and I get, "I dunno man, we had like ten of those things that week. I dont remember everyone that came through for one. that was like two weeks ago." Which is fair enough, we see quite a few people and some will drive from quite far if we have something they want. I nod a little, going back to the phone.
&#x200B;
Me: Okay sir. We can get you set up with a warranty, but since you declined it at time of purchase-
&#x200B;
Customer: No, I spent a long time talking to Benny, and he convinced me of it, so I wanted it
&#x200B;
Me: Right. And that's on us, so what I can do for you is: if you come in with just the receipt, I can do a return and resell you the bundle with the warranty attachment for the $50 Warranty.
&#x200B;
I'm confirming this with Benny too. He nods, says that sounds reasonable and that maybe he remembers the guy.
&#x200B;
Benny, off to the side: I \*think\* I remember talking to someone a while? But that guy definitely told me no to a warranty.
&#x200B;
Customer: You know what- said you were supposed to be the manager and you've had someone else talking to you. I dont have time for this. \*click\*
&#x200B;
I look at the phone, and he's hung up. Okay.
&#x200B;
He calls back a few minutes later and I dont answer the phone. I dont want to talk to this guy again. It rings again a few minutes after that and I hand it to Benny. "I dont want to deal with this." I huff. Benny proceeds to have a similar conversation, with the added personal touch of the customer trying to make Benny feel guilty that he doesn't remember him. The 'I paid for the warranty.' and the 'then what's this extra money' come up again and apparently he just isn't having that about $48 is a 6% sales tax on a $650 purchase. He gets mad that Benny dosen't remember him and hangs up.
&#x200B;
So we go on with processing our shipment and the phone rings. I groan, but this time instead of Customer's name, it says GameStore - 0000 Those four zeroes \*should\* be a store number. But they are not. This is a call from somebody at corporate. I didn't know this at the time.
&#x200B;
Me: Hi, GameStore, this is GameStore, what can I do for you?
&#x200B;
0000: Hi, this is Jake from GameStore customer care. I had a call from a gentleman about an Xbox bundle...what can you tell me about that?
&#x200B;
So I go on to explain that from what I understood, this person cannot grasp the concept of sales tax, and thinks that, because he paid an extra $48 in sales tax, that he is entitles to the $50 warranty because he paid for it. Which, is still in fact, not how that works. Sales tax is sales tax. The government always gets their cut. Jake asked me what I wanted to do to solve this. I told him if Customer can bring in his receipt, I will do a return on the bundle and resell it all exactly as-is, but with the warranty attached, but he would have to pay the $50 dollar difference to \*actually\* purchase the warranty. Jake agrees that this is, in fact, reasonable, and lets me know he will convey very clearly to the customer what I said.
&#x200B;
After this, of course I have to play phone tag with my temporary manager and my district manager in case this guy kept trying to go over our heads with this. He never came into the store for his warranty.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/ugpkhq/sir_thats_sales_tax/
| 1,175 | 115 | 1,651,497,850 | 11 |
service charge
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relevance
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7bvvz4
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TalesFromRetail
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Yes, I'm completely hiding extra fees from you.
|
I work in a showroom that sells kitchen and bath products- faucets, toilets, sinks, all of that. Our showroom is large, but our stockroom is tiny, so most things are special ordered (which is fairly common in showrooms). We carry the basics, such as the valves you need and the most popular items, but the rest gets ordered. Normally not a problem, and shipping usually only takes a week. Most people expect a freight charge and we give them a warning about it. Because things are special ordered, we rarely allow returns (we will if you are nice or if we know we can easily resell). This is stated on quotes and on order confirmations, as well as your final receipt.
A woman comes in and orders a few showers and faucets for her remodel. I write her up, explain that freight will be automatically added to her bill when the invoice arrives -which was also included on the original quote I emailed her a few days before she ordered-, and write down an estimate for her on her order confirmation. High end would be $15, so I put $15. Her order comes in, and yay, the freight charge is only $11. She comes in to get her order. I show her everything, she approves, we sit down to do the final payment. She's going to be SL, for stupid lady.
>SL: "What is this $11 charge?"
>Me: "Oh, that is the freight charge we discussed. Good news is that it is actually lower than I originally told you."
>SL: "We never discussed a freight charge."
>Me: "We did, ma'am. I wrote it on your confirmation and the estimate was included on your original quote under 'freight charges'."
>SL: "No, it was not. I'm not going to pay surprise fees."
>Me: "It is a freight charge, ma'am. We had to order these from the manufacturer, which means they had to ship them. It was included in your quote and a note was added to your order confirmation."
>SL: "I've already given your company thousands of dollars. I shouldn't have to pay a cent more!"
>Me: "Ma'am, our company does not keep the freight charges. It is paid to the manufacturer to cover their costs for shipping the product to you."
>SL: "I'm not going to pay it."
>Me: "If you don't pay for the items completely, you cannot take your order, ma'am. Payment has to be made in full."
>SL: "Then I want a refund!"
>Me: "You can get a refund, but you will be charged a 30% restocking free by the manufacturer themselves."
>SL: "Are you refusing to give me my money back?"
>Me: "The manufacturer sets the restocking fees. I can give you 70% of your money back, but 30% of the total order is a restocking fee."
>SL: "This can't be legal! You can't get away with all of these extra fees!"
I pull up the email I had sent her with her original quote and point to it:
>Me: "The estimated freight charge in this quote is $15. It ended up only being $11, which actually saves you 4 dollars in the end. On this quote, you will see that it specifies that *if* a return is accepted, it is subject to the manufacturer's restocking fee. This brands fee is 30%. If you have your confirmation paperwork with you, you will see my note about the freight charge and a warning about returns that is automatically printed on the paper. I can give you back 70%" -which was about $2100- "but the freight charge itself will be a part of the money that isn't given back to you."
>SL: "Fine."
>Me: "Are we going to be doing the refund or the final payment?"
>SL: "The final payment."
I run her card, get her paperwork and signature and help her get her things to her car. As she is getting ready to get in her car:
>SL: "You know, to customers who spend a lot of money here, you should not charge them extra fees. It's rude and it's bad customer service."
>Me: "Have a nice day, ma'am."
It's $11. That you knew you would be paying. What the hell, lady.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/7bvvz4/yes_im_completely_hiding_extra_fees_from_you/
| 1,764 | 133 | 1,510,257,674 | 11 |
service charge
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relevance
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1zzf2s
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TalesFromRetail
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When Haggling Backfires, or: "Sure, I'll get fired for 20 bucks!"
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So I work at a small mom-and-pop stationary store. Yesterday, I had two [ethnicity stereotypically known for haggling over everything] customers (Douche1, Douche2) come in with packages of latex balloons they wanted inflated, 50 in all. (This is a rare occurrence, 99% of the time the customers buy and inflate the balloons in-store.)
They go up to the only other employee, a girl (K) that's somewhat new and still a little shaky on the more advanced parts of the job. I'm over on the Lotto station, and the two stations are on opposite ends of a somewhat long counter. The ear I'm deaf in is facing that end, so I have pretty much no idea what's going on until I hear:
K: "Marx0r, do we inflate balloons?"
Me: "Yeah, the price sheet is on the wall by the tank."
It's a pretty uncomplicated sheet, but there are different prices for just the balloon, just the helium, or whether it's Mylar, latex, or one of those jumbo balloons, yadda yadda. K apparently read the number for buying just a latex balloon (60¢) as opposed to inflating a balloon, (85¢) and quoted that number.
Douches: "Oh, you can do better than that." *blank stare*
K has no fucking idea what to do, so she calls me over. I still have no idea what's going on. I send her to the Lotto station to take care of the line that's forming as four of our regular heavy players all decided to come in at once.
Me: "Okay, so what's going on here?"
Douche2: "We wanted to inflate these balloons, they say... (carefully looks over the packages) helium balloons... helium balloons... helium balloons. They're all helium balloons. Can you inflate them?"
Me: "Yes."
Douche2: "With helium?"
Me: "...Yeah, that's all they really use to inflate balloons. It's 85¢ per balloon."
Douche1: "She said 60¢ apiece."
Me: "Did she? (looks at the sheet to double-check) Oh, I think she must have accidentally read the price for just the balloon. It's 85¢ to inflate."
Douche1: "But she said 60¢!"
Now, if they had initially agreed to 60¢ when K said it, they would've paid, gotten inflated, and left, probably without me ever noticing. Even if I did notice, I would've honored the price they paid and done the job, I would've just spoken to K afterwards. But they declined the 60¢ offer, and now it's off the table.
Me: "I'm sorry, she misquoted. It's 85¢ to inflate."
Douche1: "Oh, you can do better than that."
Given that they didn't know what kind of gas goes into a balloon 5 minutes ago, I assumed that statement wasn't based on any kind of knowledge about the helium market, so time for some education.
Me: "I really can't, actually. There's a helium shortage (true) and the gas costs us far more than the balloons themselves. (true) There's also labor, because this is going to take us upwards of half an hour to do. (true) If you're going to do 50, I guess I can price-break 15% (the same deal we do for a dozen balloons) but that's it."
D1: "What does that come out to?"
Me: "$36 and change, I'll even round it down to $35." (If there's one thing I'm good at, it's mental math.)
D1: "Are you sure that's right?"
Me: "...Yes."
D2: "Can you check on a calculator?"
I give the baby his bottle and punch the numbers into a calculator, with Douche1 craning his neck over the counter to look at the screen. Lo and behold, it comes to $36.125.
Me: "Yeah, $36.13, and like I said I'll go down to $35, but that's the absolute lowest I can go."
D2: "What does that come to per balloon?"
Me: "70¢ apiece."
D1: "Are you sure?"
Me: (puts calculator away) "Yes."
D2: "[Chain] does it for 40¢ apiece!"
I'm well-versed in our competitor's prices, and last I heard it was 69¢. But who knows, maybe they decided they didn't like making money anymore.
Me: "If that's what they're offering, than I suggest you go there. We can't go any lower than $35 for everything."
D2: "They're all the way in [neighboring town]! We don't have time to go there! This is for a party in an hour."
Oh good, one of these people. Improper planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
Me: "I'm sorry, but that's our final price."
D1: "Get the manager."
Me: "I am the manager." (Somewhat true, we don't really have titles but I'm definitely ranked above most of the other employees in terms of authority.)
D1: "Then the owner, get him."
Me: "*She's* next door at [clothing store], *she'll* be back in a bit."
D1: "Can you call him?"
Me: "Yeah, I'll call *her*."
I call her, she doesn't answer, I leave a message. I find out later that she left her phone in her office.
Me: "Sorry, there's no answer. I can promise you she won't go any lower than $35, though."
D2: "35 dollars for balloons is a lot of money!"
Me: "...Well, it's a lot of balloons."
D1: (takes out $20, puts it on the counter) "You know, I'll pay in cash. You said the owner won't be back for a while. (No I didn't.) You don't have to ring it up, he doesn't have to know."
Even if I felt like ripping off my boss, (I don't, she's great) there's no fucking way I could've gotten away with that. K would've seen the whole thing, the owner has a fucking voicemail talking about the balloons, the helium tank would've been noticeably emptied, and the owner would almost definitely have returned before I was done. This isn't to mention that he's operating with the subtlety of a Wayans Brothers movie, and two of our good regulars are standing right next to him and heard the entire thing.
By this time, K is drowning in a sea of complicated lotto orders and this one dickbag regular with no patience for anyone that can't read her mind. I don't have time to explain how miserable he is at bribery, I need to get these cheap fuckers out of the store so I can help her.
Me: "Look, it's $35 for all the balloons, or 85¢ per. That's the best I can do. Now if you'll excuse me, I have paying customers to attend to."
I walk away and start taking the line of people, they talk to each other in some foreign language for a bit, and leave the store. We get the line down, laugh about how stupid they were, and out of curiosity I call the store with the purported 40¢ fill-ups. Turns out it's 75¢ apiece, and they don't do any price breaks for fill-ups. About 20 minutes later, the Douches return with two more people in tow (Douches 3&4). They start asking all sorts of ridiculous questions about all the different costs for all the different balloon-related services, if there's anywhere else nearby that can do them cheaper, (like I'm going to tell them) until we get back to:
D4: "So how much is it to fill up a balloon?"
Me: "85¢."
D3: "But [same chain as before] does it for 60¢!"
D2: "No, it's 40¢!"
Me: "Actually, I just called them and they said 75¢. If you're doing 50, I can price-match that, so it'll be $37.50 for everything."
D1: "But you said $35!"
Me: "And you said [chain] charges 40¢."
D2: (Puts one bag of 15 balloons on the counter) "Okay, we don't have any time, so you'll inflate this bag for 75¢."
Me: "No, I can only price-break if you're doing it in bulk. 15 balloons will be $12.75."
D2: "But we don't have time for all 50 anymore!"
Me: "I'm sorry, but that's not my fault. I can price-break at 50 or it's 85¢ per balloon."
They jabber in their language again and storm out, balloon-less. If they were telling the truth about their time crunch, they either got no balloons or went to the chain store (paying more in gas to get there than they saved) and were very late.
My boss didn't even care about losing the sale once I told her the full story. I have instructions to ban them from the premises should they come in again.
**tl;dr:** Grown adults spend half an hour haggling over a few bucks. They end up gradually raising the price and failing miserably at bribing me.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1zzf2s/when_haggling_backfires_or_sure_ill_get_fired_for/
| 1,392 | 160 | 1,394,391,497 | 11 |
service charge
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relevance
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ku78j7
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TalesFromRetail
|
That total just doesn't SEEM right...
|
I work in a drugstore that also has photo printing services. This incident happened a few weeks ago, during peak holiday season.
A lady and her husband come in to use the self service photo kiosk and prints off, we'll say 173 photos. While they're printing, she shops around while her pictures are printing and picks out 1 item. I dont remember what it was, but we'll say it was a chapstick. (It was something less than 4 dollars)
Once her photos are done printing, she brings the pictures plus her chapstick up to the counter, and hands me a coupon for $1 off Healthcare items.
Now, were really busy, and the way our system works, you have to scan a barcode for 4x6 photos and enter the quantity to make the system calculate the total. The max you can enter is 99. So if its more than 99, you have to scan it a second time, and do the math manually to calculate the difference. Theres a HUGE line, so I really didn't feel like taking the extra 5 seconds to figure it out. Usually when I do this, I err on the side of caution, and intentionally undercalculate by a couple photos to avoid someone coming back and saying I overcharged them.
So I scan it once for 99, then a second time for like, 40. (I admit, this was my mistake, but it was the holidays and I was feeling generous. Shouldnt have done that.)
I scan the chapstick, and the coupon. The coupon rejects, because chapstick doesn't qualify as a "Healthcare item" I explain that we can't use that coupon, and her husband immediately says, very aggressively:
"I AM A LAWYER. IF YOURE GOING TO MAKE COUPONS LIKE THIS, THEY NEED TO SPECIFY WHAT QUALIFIES AND WHAT DOESNT!"" BLAH BLAH BLAH.
I'm like okay, no problem. We'll over ride that for you.
So I void the transaction, and re-ring it. But this time I take my time to make sure I ring them for exactly the amount of photos they got, I over ride the coupon, and I tell them the total. Which is now like 4 or 5 dollars MORE than their previous one. I explain what I did on the previous transaction, and that I did that because I was in a hurry, but for the sake of accuracy, I've done everything correctly this time.
They huff a little bit and leave, and I go on about my day.
About an hour later, the wife comes back and says her total doesn't seem right.
I'm like okay, let's take a look at the receipt. We go over it together. I say "okay, you got 173 photos. They're 39 cents each." I punch it into the calculator,
"That equals XX. Plus your chapstick which was 3.29, minus your 1 dollar coupon. That makes your total XX."
She says "HA! But you charged me more than that! See??"
She points at her total.
"Yes ma'am, thats tax. Which is calculated at .07%"
I enter that into the calculator, and we get the exact amount on her receipt.
Shes looking really confused, she frowns, and she says
"Hmmm..... that still doesn't SEEM right."
Sorry. Can't teach you math.
But let me tell you I will never cut corners to help someone out again.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/ku78j7/that_total_just_doesnt_seem_right/
| 935 | 77 | 1,610,252,372 | 11 |
service charge
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relevance
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1jbz2s
|
TalesFromRetail
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Serving today, and received a strange comment and questions. Anyone know what they were trying to get at?
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This evening, two middle aged gentleman dined in my families restaurant (Chinese) while I was helping serve and manage for these couple days.
The two gentleman was asked by one of my waitresses if they wanted their food wrapped up at the end of their dining, and they said "no, but you can wrap these little crumbs off the plates. And no, we don't need our checks yet, we're just gonna sit and drink tea." Ok then.
They were the last ones there, and it was almost closing. They looked at me and one seemed to have motioned me over. I hurried over to them and asked if they needed anything, one said "no, but you need something." I was confused for a second then said "Ok, what DO I need?" They both seemed to be amused with my response then asked "Are you getting paid?" Again, I was a bit confused, and responded "Yes, of course!" (This is one person saying/asking these) He then asked "Do you guys eat for free?" I told them "Well, we get discounts" and they looked at each other with this disgruntled unbelievable look. Finally they asked for the check, and even after sitting for more than an hour, close to closing time, even refilled their pot of tea with new hot water after finishing their food and just sitting there, they left with ~10% tip.
If they didn't comment/ask these strange things, and gave the 10%, I wouldn't be bothered, and just figured we did poorly somehow. If they had tipped at least 15%, I would figure they were just messing around with me for their own amusement and shrug it off (I get those a lot. Think guest is upset, or they're assholes, then they actually leave a pretty decent/generous tip).
So their tip tells me there was something they weren't happy about. Again, that's fine I would understand, and shrug off. But it's the combination with their comment and questions that bothers me. Anyone have any idea why they would ask if I get paid? Or say that I am the one needing something not them, then when asked what I needed, they changed the subject. I could maaaybe understand the curiosity of whether we eat for free or not, but then the disgruntled reaction maaaybe is because they feel unfair that we do?? What were they trying to get out of me or imply??
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1jbz2s/serving_today_and_received_a_strange_comment_and/
| 20 | 5 | 1,375,163,684 | 11 |
restaurant tip
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hot
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1ie0z5
|
TalesFromRetail
|
On church youth groups, ice cream, and Saturday nights
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In my days as a busboy, many years ago, I worked at a once famous crazy ice cream parlor/restaurant. Weekends were always crazy, especially at night, because the place was known for crazy loud celebrations. It was G Rated entertainment, and we'd have lots of families come in. The sundaes weren't too bad either.
Because of that, it was usually all hands on deck. But since it meant missing out on Saturday nights for our mostly high school aged crew, we'd always have one or two "sick" calls.
We always dreaded the church groups. They never seemed to be able to not destroy a section, always wanted separate checks, always were high maintenance. Now, I'm the first to expect good service, and to be treated properly. But I always leave at least 25%, and always tip nonetheless, especially since in my home state, tipped employees make below minimum wage. But the church groups never tipped above 10% if at all.
So, back to the story. It's 11:50 pm. We close at 12. In comes a party of at least 15. Most of us had begun closing down our stations, as the flow of customers began to ebb around 11:30. It was a long night, because the other busboy who I shall call L, called in, and I was on my own.
I looked at the queue of neatly dressed, proper looking youngsters and immediately recognized the we were facing the most dreaded sight we could, a church youth group.
The color drained from my tired, sweat covered face as I realized all my once clean tables would soon needed cleaning, again. The color returned when I saw who was leading the group, none other than L, our poor sick busboy, who probably had been healed by his minister at their meeting.
So their celebration went on until 1:30. I did get a chance to catch L, and asked him what the hell. He apologized, but twas too little, too late.
Of course, they stiffed us.
The only upside is that L was fired the next day.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1ie0z5/on_church_youth_groups_ice_cream_and_saturday/
| 10 | 2 | 1,373,945,929 | 11 |
restaurant tip
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hot
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1rz5ye
|
TalesFromRetail
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Grumpy Old Men
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One night I had a table of two old men that looked like your typical grumpy old men. I did a quick mental preparation to get their order quick and leave them to their business like most enjoy. After a few seconds of speaking with them, they proved my original thoughts wrong. They turned out to be quite fun to talk to. But, I didn't feel bad about my original judgement until near the very end. They asked why another server looked upset, and I mentioned that they just got stiffed from a table. They asked me to call the server over. Turns out, they tipped the other server to make up for getting stiffed, and still managed to leave me a 20% tip. Now, I do better to not try to judge tables before giving them a fair chance.
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1rz5ye/grumpy_old_men/
| 48 | 3 | 1,386,051,381 | 11 |
server tip
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relevance
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e3dw50
|
TalesFromRetail
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Paying $2 to wrap 20 presents is RIDICULOUS!!!
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So its nearly that time of year again where my local mall sets up Christmas Gift Wrapping stalls for charity.
I volunteer for it every year because i LOVE gift wrapping. but even though the wrappers dont get paid, and ALL money raised goes to charity, of course there are still gonna be people that are stingy or take advantage of the donation system.
&#x200B;
one time i had a lady and her husband come up to my counter and ask how much the wrapping service was and if she "had to pay."
when I told her that the service is a gold goin donation and 100% of the money goes to a charity, she made a face like i told her it cost $50. she then asked if she paid $1 to wrap some things now, could she get some more stuff after, and come back to get the other stuff wrapped for free?
like lady, come on! we have very nice wrapping paper, gift tags and ribbon. stuff that would have cost you at least $15 to get on your own AND wrap by yourself. and you dont wanna pay another dollar to wrap stuff 2 different times. if you wanna be like that then please just buy all your stuff and then come back to wrap it all in one go.
&#x200B;
another time this other lady came up to my counter with a LITTERAL trolley full of like 20 gifts to wrap. she started putting some things on the counter for me to wrap....
lady- you guys wrap for free right?
me- sorry we dont, all we're asking is a gold coin donation (1 or 2 dollars) which goes towards a charity.
lady- why? the Other Mall has free gift wrapping
me- oh, that mall is owned by a different company..
lady- i dont care! all malls are the same. it should all be FREE!! this is RIDICULOUS!!
me- sorry, but youre holding up the line. would you like your items wrapped or not?
lady- fine! ^(\*drops $1 in the dontion box\*)
&#x200B;
sigh, people like that are the only downside of this job but otherwise its great!
last year, the chosen charity was one that helps the elderly living with dementia (the charity is always on a big sign near the wrapping booths so people know what theyre donating to.)
i had some people put a 20 or even 50 dollar note in the donation box. those people told me that they want to do thier part in helping that charity because they have loved ones that are looked after through that charity. thats very kind of them. especially because they dont need to donate that much. and because those people only bring up one or 2 things to be wrapped...
obviously im going to be volunteering again this year. and this years charity is one that helps animals.
hopefully there wont be many stingy customers this year
edit: thank you kind stranger/s for my first Gold and Silver! ill pop a $10 note in this years donation box on your behalf :)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/e3dw50/paying_2_to_wrap_20_presents_is_ridiculous/
| 785 | 62 | 1,575,028,945 | 11 |
20%
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relevance
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1r5sy8
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TalesFromRetail
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I put the bag on hold so already own the bloody thing. [Tales from a Hat Boutique]
|
Hi TFR, I’m back! My thesis has been officially submitted, defended, had an existential crisis and have recovered from all the irregulat sleeping patterns and physiological symptoms associated with caffeine excess. It’s been a long time but here is another instalment of ["Tales from a Hat Boutique"]( http://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/search?q=meguriau&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all). This one has been in the works for a little while for a number of reasons. (1) I'm afraid of long walls of text and procrastinate and (2) I wasn't sure if it was clear enough.
I should probably mention that I simplified the title of this series for simplicity but the brand also releases a line of bags for its spring-summer (SS) and autumn-winter (AW) collections. As such, I will refer to the store as HB for hat and bag store.
**Background**
Two years ago, I was employed by an Australian designer brand to sell hats at its flagship store. Worn by various celebrities ranging from Hillary Clinton to Sandra Bullock, the store attracts a large number of tourists as well as affluent locals. The majority of the customers I've had have been pleasant, however, there have been interesting characters and even a few ~~nasty pieces of work~~ discontent customers that have come by. This collection of tales will be a mixture of my interactions with the most wonderful and absolutely nasty people I have met within this time.
**Story**
Today's story describes the customer who left her mark on our generous reservation guideline and jaded my view of customers in retail.
Most large designer stores have a limit to the number of days you can keep an item on hold. As a small store catering towards a large overseas market, we were much more flexible and allowed customers to reserve an item for several months before their arrival in Australia (sometimes up to a year) without regular contact from the store. The length of time was purely due to the fact that not all of the collection is available overseas and the (slightly) lower prices after taking the tax refund system into account which made shopping at our store more appealing.
The extended reservation period was also available to locals. Yes, they could keep an item on hold for months as long as they let us know in advance e.g. "I am on holiday and won't be back for a month" or "I live interstate but will be visiting in two months time". For others, we typically allowed them a reserve period of up to a month without any calls, however, the time period was dependent on the popularity of an item. This guide worked simply because (1) the exact details of the reservation system are unknown to customers which gives us a lot of leeway on how to implement it and (2) locals for the past 17 years, in addition to having common sense, never left an item for longer than one week, at most, and answered/returned their calls when we tried to confirm the reserve status.
As I alluded to (but didn't really explain explicitly) in previous stories, summer at a hat boutique is the busiest season of the year. To give you the scale of how frantic it can be, sometimes the three months of summer alone can generate up to a third of the revenue for the year. Now, the head office of this brand is not known for making clever decisions with regard to production. Even though we, as staff members of the flagship store, put more consideration in what wider range of items would be popular next season and request stock accordingly, the preferences of the larger department stores skew what management puts into production. Due to management's lack of foresight, many of our popular products run out of stock before the season ends which tends to lead to much customer drama.
This story comes to you from the calm after the storm of one summer afternoon. The end of the season was nigh and we had hit a record number of sales. The boss had gone home and the only sound to disrupt the peace was the persistent ring of the phone behind the desk. Slouching in the chair, bracing myself for another demanding customer, I was surprised to be greeted by a friendly voice. We will dub the lady behind this voice DF for deceptively friendly.
**M:** Good afternoon, HB store. Meguriau speaking.
**DF:** Oh hello! I'm looking to keep something reserved for a friend. Would you have it in stock? It's called B in the Natural colour from your SS12 collection."
**M:** We do have one of those in stock. When were you next able to come by?
**DF:** I'll be in on the weekend.
**M:** That sounds perfect. If I could just take down your name and contact details, we'll see you then!
This particular backpack was a $450 masterpiece. Its craftsmanship gave off a casual yet stylish vibe and it caught the attention of every woman who came by the store. The product only remained on shelves for three days at most before it found its way to a new home. It was fantastic that it sold well, however, my manager had not been able to gauge the level of interest people would have in the item and nor did department stores. As a result, there were only three more B bags left over in the world at this point in time. Despite the high demand for the item, the weekend was only two days away so we didn't give it much more thought before reserving two other bags remaining at the warehouse.
The following weekend had come and gone with no sign of DF. My manger figured we could hold it out for another week before deciding what to do. Perhaps she was sick, busy with work, lost her phone? In any case, I left her a message offering to hold it for an extra week.
Another weekend, another message and, again, no DF. This time we let her know in no uncertain terms that this item was going back on display and to give us a call if she was still interested in this item. We figured that if she called, we could put the item back on hold and, if not, we could still have a new one brought in on the next delivery date. A few days later, the bag found its way into the possession of a lovely Japanese lady and DF was still not to be found. It couldn’t have been minutes after the transaction when the sensor sounded, marking the arrival of a smartly dressed, middle age woman. Bright smile spreading from ear to ear, it soon became apparent this customer was DF.
**M:** Hi there. Is there anything I can help you with?
**DF:** I called in to reserve B bag for a friend. Could I take a look?
**M:** I’m sorry, unfortunately we have taken this item off hold. The warehouse shows up as having two more left in stock so we will be sure to have this item available for you by next week at the latest.
**DF:** That’s preposterous! It was on hold! I wanted to see the dimensions!
I proceeded to exhaust all possible ways of explaining to her that we did not have any others in store at the moment, apart from telling her that I was not Hogwarts trained and could not simply conjure a replica bag for her to examine.
**M:** I’m afraid that’s the most I can do for you at this point in time. We’ll again give you a call when the bag arrives and if you could phone us before coming in, that would be fantastic.
All in all, she appeared to back down and, with an expression visibly forced, DF mumbled something under her breath and sauntered out of the store.
From that point on, it felt as though DF was engaging in some form of petty revenge. The same nonresponsive pattern ensued even after the bag had arrived and on hold. This time, the manager was determined to keep the bag until DF arrived. Days extended into weeks and (almost) months until the manager had had enough. She was by no means an impatient person, however, in this time, the other B bag had already made its way into the hands of another customer so this bag was the last one available in the world and was spending its days hiding away in a cupboard. The manager had reached breaking point.
**Manager:** I CAN’T BELIEVE THE NERVE OF THIS WOMAN. I RUN A BUSINESS NOT A STORAGE CENTRE. IF YOU CAN’T GET A 50% DEPOSIT FROM HER, PUT IT BACK ON DISPLAY. SHE DOESN’T DESERVE THE BAG.
After she calmed down, she asked me to phone DF and let her know that we would keep the bag up until the weekend at the latest and if she would like an extension, to please contact us.
Of course, we had no such luck. It was now Monday and had been no sign of DF. Almost an hour after opening, a customer phoned in from Japan for the B bag and it had now been packaged and ready to be posted. Shortly after, the sensor sounded. It was DF and mildly frustrated does not even begin to describe the response when I told her we were completely out of stock. She was absolutely belligerent.
**DF:** THE BAG IS SOLD OUT? SOLD OUT?! HOW DARE YOU!
**M:** I’m terribly sorry but we had informed you that we would only extend the reservation period if you’d left us a messa-
**DF:** MY HUSBAND WAS HOSPITALISED YESTERDAY SO I COULDN’T CALL.
**M:** I’m sorry to hear of your husband’s ill-
**DF:** YOU WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO SELL IT. I ALREADY BLOODY OWN IT.
Unable to refer her elsewhere, the rest of the morning was spent attempting to placate DF as she drove away potential customers and attracted a small gawking crowd. Let’s just say that animal taming was not a skill set I invested many points into. On my own with no manager to back me up, I soon realised that nothing I could do would calm her down and ultimately gave up, letting her rage and rant. Once she left, she left for good and I have never crossed paths with her since.
Following this incident, a new policy was set in place immediately. Overseas customers are still be able to place extended holds on items, regardless of their popularity, however, now it is not automatically true for locals. Customers that don’t need to cross a state line to get to the store can only keep an item on hold for a week, however, they were required to check in with us if they are unable to come by. Of course, there are a few exceptions to the rule but I guess that’s retail!
**Extra information for anyone interested**
[Handy tips for finding a suitable hat (: ]( http://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1pupen/dear_customer_that_is_not_how_refunds_work_tales/cd6x0g2)
|
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromRetail/comments/1r5sy8/i_put_the_bag_on_hold_so_already_own_the_bloody/
| 170 | 19 | 1,385,063,119 | 11 |
generous tip
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1ad9hkz
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TalesFromYourServer
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Guy warns me he doesn’t believe in tipping?
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Weird one here but had a man and his family tell me that he doesn’t believe in tipping. The whole interaction was really awkward he basically said that he would be respectful and they aren’t needy, just he doesn’t believe in tipping. One of his kids asked me if I could do any tricks? Not sure what that was about but kind of demeaning it seemed like he was raising his family to think they’re better than servers. Oh and the asshole was wearing a Rolex, go figure 😂
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ad9hkz/guy_warns_me_he_doesnt_believe_in_tipping/
| 688 | 377 | 1,706,466,953 | 10 |
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1ki9kmj
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TalesFromYourServer
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Manager called me a p***y !UPDATE #2!
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So I (17F) have been working at a retirement home as a server for the past 4 months. Before this, I was a party host for 2 years, so I know my way around the serving industry. At this retirement home, we don’t get tipped and it’s a normal serving job. We have side jobs, roll silverware, and even bus tables.
So, my manager is a really rude person. Nearly every person that works where I work has quit because of her or complains about her due to how she treats her staff. I have begun to notice this after I told her I’d be leaving in July since I’m going away to college (she knew this during my interview as well, but I guess she glossed over it).
Since I told her, she’s been treating me pretty bad. She will often call me an idiot if I make a small mistake (ex. Forgetting to take the daily specials menu from the resident, dropping a cup, etc.) and she will scream at me when she does this in front of the residents. So, this brings me to today.
Today at work, one of the residents didn’t want the food they ordered after I brought it out, which is very common since these are older folks. I didn’t have a problem with this and asked if she would like me to get her something else, which she agreed to. So, I took her food and saw a resident waving me over. The plate was burning my hand (there were no serving trays or cloths nearby) but my manager signaled me to go over to help the resident, and so I did. Since the plate was burning me, I placed it on the table very slightly so my whole hand wasn’t on it. I proceeded to help the resident and walked away with the food
As I began walking away, my manager called me over and got in my face. She then started screaming at me about putting the plate slightly on the table and said it was inappropriate. I apologized for doing it, but then I realized she was doing this in front of residents/customers! She then proceeded to call me a pu**y under her breath as she walked away. Afterwards, I was visibly upset and she noticed. She then called me over again and said to suck it up. I told her I was sorry for doing the thing I did, but it was highly unprofessional of her to yell at me in front of guests and treat me like that. After work, she pulled me aside and said she wasn’t going to apologize to me, but doesn’t want me to quit. She also said that because I am 18, people will speak to me the way she did (meanwhile I am actually 17). I am going to be speaking to HR tomorrow and will be quitting my job.
I want to add here that I am by no means a bad server. Everyone I work with thinks I should be working at an actually restaurant and the residents all think I’m very formal and they love me as their server. I’ve also trained numerous people, but have never been paid for it (even though you’re supposed to be). But, because I am quitting my second job after only working there 4 months, I’m nervous other restaurants won’t hire me as a server once I turn 18. Will it be an issue?
‼️UPDATE‼️
So, yesterday I called HR so I could report her and quit my job. I was done speaking to my manager and didn’t want any contact with her since that night. I called HR around 12 and they didn’t answer since they were on a lunch break, so I left a message and they called me back. When they called me back, the first thing HR said was that I was on speaker phone and my manager was in the room with her. I asked why and she said that because she is my manager, she has to be there. I responded to her, stating that I was sure my manger told her what happened in her eyes, and if she would like to know the true story, she can call me back without the manager in the room because I was not arguing with her over the phone. I then proceeded to tell her I felt uncomfortable working there and I quit. She then hung up.
‼️UPDATE #2‼️
Hey everyone! It’s later in the day now and I posted the first updated a this morning. Thank you all for the support and advice, I really appreciate it.
That being said, I have a second update to share with you all. While I was talking to my mom on the phone, I was scrolling through my emails and saw that I was sent a letter of termination. I looked at the letter and it didn’t detail what happened, so I decided to contact another person from HR to discuss the situation since I wasn’t able to explain it before since my manager was in the room. I’m going to call this HR person HR2 and the previous one HR1. So, I found HR2’s contact information in my email list and on my onboarding papers from back in January, so I gave her a call. She picked up and I told her that I was calling to explain what had happened the other day at work and why I quit. She proceeded to say that she was filled in by my manager, to which I replied that my manager is a liar and mentally abusive. I also told her that she was in the room when I was on call with HR1 yesterday and that I was uncomfortable with her being there. HR2 replied, stating that I would need to tell HR1 the situation and she’s transfer me over. So, she transferred me over to HR1, but HR1 declined the call and HR2 picked the phone back up. She proceeded to tell me that she was not willing to hear my side and if I really wanted to talk about what happened, to email her. I told HR2 that I would be contacting her about that and my final paycheck.
I want to also add here that I trained someone this week. When you train someone, you are supposed to be payed double what you receive a shift. I typically made $40 per shift (4 hour shifts, $10 an hour), so I would’ve made $80 that day. I asked my manager before I left the day I trained someone if I should clock out or not, and she said clock out and that I will not be paid for training someone. This was brought up to HR2 on the call as well, which she said I would need to also talk to HR1 about.
So yea. After that, I told my mom what happened and let’s just say she’s pissed that this is occurring. My manager also called my phone on her personal phone this evening, which is a HUGE no when it comes to minors at this company.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ki9kmj/manager_called_me_a_py_update_2/
| 95 | 23 | 1,746,763,402 | 10 |
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1iza3dj
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TalesFromYourServer
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“I’m just not really feeling it….”
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hello! bartender here, and i had an infuriating guest today. first can i start by asking, does anyone else hate your fellow bartenders regulars? my regs are GREAT but i can’t stand when some of my coworkers regs come in. anyways.
that was the case today, lady comes in looking for D. he’s not here so you get me. she wants a red wine, something bold and dry. i recommend her our mid-tier cab, usually a crowd fave. check in a little later, she’s “just not feeling it.” no worries, i get it. i have her do a taste of our house cab which is lighter, she says “it’s almost there” okay…. after a few more tastings she does a taste of the malbec and likes it - awesome! i check back in a little later, she’s “just not feeling it” … maam didn’t you taste this wine?? okay… i pour her a few more samples, at this point she’s tasted every single red we have by the glass. i even asked what wine she usually drinks, her answer “ohhhh, i don’t know. my ex picks for me and he just knows that i likeeee” GIRL. she ends up with a prosecco - queue face palm.
so then she orders the calamari, apparently she gets it all the time! our calamari is fried squid and peppers, served with two sauces and drizzled with hot honey. to her credit, it’s a super inconsistent dish that we have - but when it came out of expo (it was slow so i grabbed it immediately) it looked amazing! i drop it off and check in a few minutes later. “i’m just not really feeling it” — maam can you stop saying that? so i ask like… what’s wrong? overdone? underdone? too salty? not enough xyz? i look down and almost all the calamari is gone. i ask if we can get her something else or have it remade. “i’m just not really feeling it” im going to strangle her.
at the end of the day my manager comped two wines and a calamari bc we’re the kind of place to give the kitchen sink away for free. got tipped $3 on a $26 tab because it was happy hour.
i need a drink
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1iza3dj/im_just_not_really_feeling_it/
| 844 | 36 | 1,740,640,258 | 10 |
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1ivbns9
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TalesFromYourServer
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Guest had food Door Dashed into my restaurant
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I swear on everything holy that this is a true story that happened tonight.
My restaurant is right across the street from a Spring Training baseball field in Arizona. When a game lets out, crowds of people literally walk across the street and come to our place. We get slammed.
My coworker got a 14 top tonight...toddlers to retirees. One of the parents in the group ordered in Door Dash, to their table at our restaurant!
You will never believe this, but here you go: They ordered the Door Dash *from our own restaurant*. The host literally walked the food over to the table from the expo window. The manager came over to ask, "WTF?" and the mom said, "I had to feed my baby!" Did she think it would be faster? (It wasn't. The food they ordered when they were sat was already on the table. Seafood doesn’t take long to boil.) Did she not want to tip (a 14 top is an auto grat)? It cost her $17 more to order it that way. Also, we're a seafood boil restaurant. Her "baby" was maybe nine years old, and there's a fucking McDonald's across the street!!!
I am just baffled.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ivbns9/guest_had_food_door_dashed_into_my_restaurant/
| 5,174 | 248 | 1,740,202,549 | 10 |
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1ipz71m
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TalesFromYourServer
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Was this a Valentine’s Day Sting? 😥
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I work in casual fine dining in Washington State, and tonight was absolute chaos. We completely overbooked, and after three hours, my brain was done.
At one point, I got a two top, a younger couple, and took their drink orders. They each ordered a cocktail, and in the madness, I forgot to card them. In the year and a half I’ve worked here, I’ve probably only carded ten people since most of our guests tend to be older. Still, that’s on me if it was a sting.
At first glance, they looked 21, but they could have been a few years younger or older. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but after my shift, I started piecing things together and now I’m convinced it was a setup.
It was a special Valentine’s Day four-course dinner, and their behavior felt off. The girl didn’t touch her first course, saying she didn’t like mushrooms, even though she picked it herself. She didn’t touch the second course, claimed she was picky, barely touched the third, and only ate the dessert. She took maybe a sip of her drink, and when I asked if she liked it, she just said, “It’s fine.” The guy ate a little more but still not much. The menu was posted in advance, so why spend $90 per person if you’re barely going to eat?
That was the first red flag. The second? They left a $0 tip. They paid with a card.
I’m not exactly sure how stings work in Washington State. Do they come in right after and cite you on the spot, or will I find out later? We were open for 4 more hours after this happened. Can someone shed some light on this? I’m so stressed and can’t sleep. Ugh, Happy Valentine’s Day 💔
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ipz71m/was_this_a_valentines_day_sting/
| 600 | 66 | 1,739,617,801 | 10 |
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1im9v1o
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TalesFromYourServer
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A fourth outrageous customer - continuation of previous post
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TL/DR at the end. Also Edit for Clarity at the end.
So earlier I posted about three outrageous customers while I was working at the NY-style Pizza restaurant, and asked people to tell me which they thought was the most outrageous. I just remembered there is a fourth customer I could have added to that list but the story is a bit too long so here's that story in its own post.
Candidate 4: The "Class Bully"
When I was working the takeout counter one day, we had a server on duty who had glasses (I mention this only because it comes into play later, not because it affected her appearance, at least not to my mind), and was one really good-looking person. I'm a straight female but even I could notice that she was pretty good-looking. However, she was relatively a young adult and still had a bit of that adolescent "Unsure of your looks" stuff still ingrained in her somewhere. Every shift she worked, she was constantly checking and adjusting her hair, makeup, etcetera, and was really self-conscious about the glasses. I felt a little sorry for her because she had nothing to worry about and was really nice-looking, but I didn't comment on it because I figured she probably must have had someone be unkind to her in the past regarding her looks.
Enter a group of five or six of our more-pleasant regular customers. As was their custom, they sat at one of the high-top tables near the bar. This time they brought a female friend with them, who appeared to possibly be tipsy but could also just been really hyperactive or possibly even some sort of special needs - her behavior was just a teeny bit "off" but not obviously inebriated. In our state, at the time, if someone was obviously slobbering, stinking, falling over themselves drunk, it was against the law to serve them. If they were just mildly tipsy, or if there was a question whether they were tipsy or just naturally a somewhat weird/off person, you were allowed to use your judgement. As this lady's behavior was only very mildly odd, and since the bartender couldn't smell any booze on the lady and she wasn't staggering or anything and seemed quite lucid, the bartender allowed this person to buy one martini. For further context, all of these people, including the 'new friend', were well into their 40s or 50s and were some sort of business people to judge by their outfits.
Well, the server with glasses that I mentioned earlier had been running food to this group's table, because the entire bar counter was full, and the bartender had called for some backup. Since this server's section was pretty much empty, the manager had told her to go help. As I was at the takeout counter, I didn't see what was going down, but about twenty minutes later the server came back from taking dirty/used appetizer dishes from the table in question. After dropping these dishes at the dirty dish window, she came and stood next to me at takeout, and asked in a small voice if she could help at takeout for a minute. Before I could answer the question, she suddenly burst into tears.
I flagged over my assistant manager, who was a tiny (about 4'11'') spitfire of a lady and had more backbone than our head manager or owners. She immediately went into momma-bear mode, took my coworker aside, and hugged and comforted her while my coworker told her what happened. I didn't hear the conversation, as I was serving customers, but my assistant manager then proceeded to send said coworker to the bathroom, and I heard her loudly calling after her, "You rest and take as long as you need, sweetie. If you think you need to go home that's okay too. I'll take care of this."
Then the assistant manager ran off to the bar area, but the group that my colleague had been serving had been hastily packing up, and were now going out the door of the restaurant as fast as they could go, dragging their protesting 'friend' with them. By now it's obvious someone at this table was the culprit in whatever went down to make my colleague cry. I watched in awe through the front window as my assistant manager, not content with the offenders just leaving the restaurant, CHASED THEM AT A SPRINT CLEAR ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, blocked them from getting into their vehicle, and proceeded, with wildly waving arms and a red face, to give them the telling-off of the century. Bear in mind that, apart from the 'new friend', this was a group of our nicest and friendliest regulars who we usually loved seeing.
As I was watching this in complete bewilderment, the bartender took pity on me and came over to give me a quick rundown of what had happened, since the bar counter and takeout counter were next door to one another. Apparently the "friend" they brought with them had gotten completely wasted off that one martini - wobbling, slurring speech, the whole shebang - and proceeded to turn into a high-school level bully, first calling my poor coworker incompetent and lazy and fake and other typical "taking it out on the server" behavior. When my coworker managed to keep a smile and continue serving them anyway, she started insulting her appearance, calling her "ugly", "Four eyes", "fat", "never going to get a man", and worse things the bartender didn't want to repeat. The drunk lady had then smirked when my colleague started to tear up, and told her to "run away and cry, little baby."
This crazy drunk woman's main grievance was, apparently, that my coworker was "too smiley" and came to the table too much; the crazy woman preferred the bartender, who was a more solemn and quiet lady in her 60s. But here's the thing; my coworker had only been there three times - once to take the food order, once to deliver the food (that's when the first, less-vile round of abuse started), and then once to grab dirty dishes in preparation for the main course (when the personal insults came out). She hadn't made any extra stops by the table for any reason. The bartender had been handling all the drink interactions with this table, and my colleague only was handling the food. The rest of the group had been mortified at this lady's behavior, hence the leaving quickly and forcibly dragging their 'friend" with them before the main course had even come out.
My assistant manager came back in, chin in air, righteous indignation all over her face. She informed us that she had told the group that no one attacks her servers personally like that, not even regulars or friends of regulars. She told us that we were to forbid these people entry if they ever brought that lady back, though she didn't think it'd come to that. Apparently, when she started telling off our regulars for bringing this lady to our restaurant, one of them had said to her, "Oh don't worry, ma'am, it won't ever happen again. She's not even a friend, she's a coworker who muscled her way in to this lunch. We didn't want her here in the first place, and we definitely want nothing more to do with her now." The bully lady in question had heard that comment, and started raving at her coworkers, who told her they were going to call their corporate office and get her fired. That, reportedly, shut her up.
The regulars came again afterwards several more times, and were very apologetic and tipped well, to make up for that mortifying incident.True to their word, they never brought the bully lady with them again, and we never mentioned the episode again to save them embarrassment. Unfortunately the encounter really rattled my colleague, and she quit not too long after and, as I heard it, decided to go back to college and finish her degree (she had interrupted it for various life reasons).
EDIT FOR CLARITY: When the people ran out they did leave a wad of cash on the table to pay for the food and drinks. They didn't dine and dash. I remember asking the bartender about that.
TL/DR: Customer came in with a group of regulars, got drunk, decided my coworker was too "smiley", and set about deliberately making her day miserable, eventually resulting to name calling about her appearance and was actually smiling in triumph when said coworker burst into tears. Her tablemates were horrified and dragged her out to their car without even eating their food, but my assistant manager chased them across the parking lot and tore them a new one because of what happened. It turned out the group of regulars had only brought this lady because she was a coworker who had begged to come to their group lunch, and they were mortified and promised they would never bring her again.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1im9v1o/a_fourth_outrageous_customer_continuation_of/
| 70 | 15 | 1,739,204,231 | 10 |
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hot
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1im0f7h
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TalesFromYourServer
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Three of the more outrageous customers I remember
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For those who haven't seen my previous posts both here and in r/talesfromretail : while I was in college, I worked two jobs, one at an NY-style pizza restaurant and one at a grocery store. Also, in both cases I worked at more than one location of said store or restaurant because I took transfer opportunities to be closer to the college. Therefore, I have a few short vignettes of some of the more memorable (For not so good reasons) restaurant customer interactions I'd like to share, though some of them come from one location of the restaurant and others come from the second. You guys can tell me who (to your mind) the most outrageous customer was out of this list, if you want to.
Candidate 1 - "Mushroom Guy"
Came in our store quiet but visibly fuming, and plopped a pizza box down on the takeout counter. The man had driven all the way to our store with a pizza he had ordered for delivery via Postmates, to personally show it to us and get a new pizza. He made it clear no refund or gift card would satisfy - he wanted a free new pizza and would wait for it. His issue? "I Ordered Extra mushrooms! This isn't extra mushrooms!" We had practically coated that pizza with mushrooms, but he, quote, "Could still see the cheese in places" and this was a huge issue for him - he was convinced we were scamming him. We tried to explain we used measured amounts for "normal" and "extra" toppings for inventory purposes, and we'd used a heaping and generous scoop of extra mushrooms already, but he kept insisting we shorted him and that, for the extra topping upcharge, he should have had more. My manager caved in and got a new pizza made for him . As an aside, this particular manager was spineless towards customers and staff alike, and only lasted a month before he got caught dipping his hand in the till and was fired.
Candidate 2 - "Mr. and Mrs. Chip-on-Shoulder"
We had three styles of Pizza at this restaurant - 18 inch New York thin crust, 10-inch new York thin crust, and a giant 20-inch square super-thick-crust Sicilian. On the menu, it warned that the thicker dough made the Sicilian cook for exponentially longer than the New Yorkers.
One night when I was on host duty seating customers, a mom and dad and two little kids came in. Mom gave an "off" vibe from the minute they came in the door; her face was in a permanent scowl and her manner was patronizing. She gave the vibe she was already spoiling for a fight. They ordered a pepperoni Sicilian and mom rolled her eyes when the server pointed to the menu and informed them how long it was going to take. Mom then said, "well go as fast as you can, then."
Six or seven minutes later, they summoned the server to ask about the Pizza and why it was not done yet. The server pointed, for the second time, to what it said on the menu, and said it'd be at least 20 minutes more. This lady then went BALLISTIC. Zero to ten in 1 second flat. "You liar, we used to be in a restaurant business, I know how long a \*\*\*\*\* pizza takes to cook, you're just a bunch of incompetent \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*, this is why I didn't want to come here, you charge too much and give horrible service." Her husband backed her up, though he kept his volume down. Manager came out to try to defuse the situation, and said something along the lines of, "I can have a regular thin crust pepperoni ready in 3 minutes if you prefer, but your Sicilian is still raw and will take longer to cook" . Dad just scoffed, and mom turned and addressed their kids, "See, this is what you do when service workers give you bullcrap like this. Never let them get away with crappy work and excuses to be lazy, always stand up for yourself" She then grabbed her two bewildered and presumably hungry kids' hands, and stormed to the door. The husband haughtily told the manager. "Don't bother to offer a gift card because we're never coming back." And followed them. We never saw them again.
Candidate 3: "Baseball mom"
I have mentioned in previous posts that at one of the locations we got a lot of sports people, mostly high school or little league baseball and soccer teams. Several times we got an influx of 30-odd people at a time during dinner or lunch rush, who would then proceed to behave badly and/or let their kids destroy our restaurant, give lousy tips for bad service because they naturally had a very long wait to be seated, and in general were a pain to everyone. It happened enough times that the owner instituted a new policy - groups larger than 16 had to have a reservation and couldn't be a walk-in. We had signs posted to that effect, and it was on our website as well. After this point, we always had warning and were more prepared when the big groups came, and they behaved a bit better because they didn't have to wait 90 minutes to be seated.
Enter Baseball mom during one of our quieter times . She, another mom, and four little kids in baseball uniform showed up and asked for a table for six. It wasn't uncommon for individual families to come after an event, and we might have three or four families scattered around the restaurant, but they wouldn't be together. I thought this was a similar situation, so I sat them at a large corner table and left them there, but when I came back a little later Baseball mom was moving extra tables and chairs around to extend the size of their table.
When we told her she couldn't do that and had to put the tables back, she whined, 'But we have a group of 28 coming and we need to sit together. I came ahead to scout if there was room and you're basically dead right now anyway." She then proceeded to admit she knew about the large group policy, but had tried to sneak around it. We said she couldn't do that, and that they should have made a reservation. The other baseball mom said, "It's OK, we won't all sit together, then. No one will mind" but the first mom wasn't having it. She demanded they all sit in the same section as close together as possible. Our manager had gone for a conference with the owner, so we servers and hosts were on our own and didn't really know what to do, so we just said, "We'll try, but we can't guarantee anything".
The rest of the group began to steadily trickle in and we sat them as individual families, without any issues, until Baseball Mom noticed that we had sat an older couple of normal customers in the booth across the short divider from where her particular table was (because they were regulars and that was their normal table). She was NOT happy about that. She repeatedly asked us to move them to a different table so some of their baseball group could sit there instead. We of course said no, and told her that the table in question wasn't even in the same section as hers, but she said, "There are a ton of empty tables, it can't be that hard for them to move, they don't have any food yet". We still said no, but as soon as our backs were turned, she personally went over to this bewildered old couple and, with a huge fake-sweet smile, offered to help them move their stuff/dishes/napkins/silverware/etc. if they'll just be kind enough to move to another table so more of the baseball group can sit there. When they stared blankly, she started getting really creepy and even more extra-smiley, freaking them out a little. We hurried over and told her "You can't do that", but she started getting whiny again with us; "But we want to sit together. Wouldn't they be happier in a quieter part of the restaurant instead of near us? This is a win-win for everyone."
At this point, our oldest server, who actually was acquainted with this lady outside of work due to his grandson also playing baseball, stepped in and told her, "Ma'am, the rest of your group is behaving, so we're not going to kick you guys out, but I know you know better than this. Cut it out and don't ever pull this kind of stunt again or I'll see to it you won't be coming back." She behaved for the rest of the day after that, but the older couple moved tables anyway because they didn't feel comfortable sitting near her. However, when the last of her group came in, they asked to sit somewhere else and not at the booth next to Baseball Mom's table. (Gee, I wonder why they wouldn't want to be around her.) After that day, though we saw people from that baseball team a few times, we never saw her again; I believe once he heard the story, my manager blacklisted her for "harassing other customers".
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1im0f7h/three_of_the_more_outrageous_customers_i_remember/
| 84 | 13 | 1,739,171,339 | 10 |
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1ijjpm7
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TalesFromYourServer
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Question about right pay for a host?
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Hi, so I know this is a subreddit for servers, but I couldn't think of anywhere else to ask this question. I'm applying to be a host, and I got through 2 interviews, but they only told me the pay at the end, looking at $8/hr. This is at Outback Steakhouse, by the way. I looked it up and it said their average host pay is usually at the very least $11/hr? Would this be different with tips, or is this just bad pay overall and I shouldn't accept it?
TLDR: Is $8/hr decent pay for a host position or should I just not even try?
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ijjpm7/question_about_right_pay_for_a_host/
| 7 | 12 | 1,738,892,875 | 10 |
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1ijlgkg
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TalesFromYourServer
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Need advice on whether or not to start a new serving job
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So I’m working at a nicer place right now, but can’t get more than 25 hours a week. They are pretty over staffed. I don’t qualify for health insurance unless i work 35 hours a week. Need insurance badly as i have bipolar and have been off meds for a while now bc no insurance. I did a stage shift at this new fine dining joint about 15 mins away from my house. It’s absolutely a gorgeous place, amazing menu with a cuisine i am excited to sell, however- it’s owned by a big local restaurant group, and i would have to do two weeks of training there before i serve. I’ve been a server for almost 8 years and this seems like a lot. I would be getting paid to train, but nothing compared to what i make in tips (25-45+/hr). I really don’t know what to do. I’m guessing the training shifts wouldn’t be longer than 2-4 hours too, so i wouldn’t be making much each day just getting paid hourly. I REALLY want to work at this new place, but need to be able to pay rent and get by. I’ve been thinking about DoorDashing for extra money though, so maybe I’ll do that while i train. Idk. What would you do?
Edit: at the new job, i was told i could get 40-50 hours a week and would be able to get health insurance after 99 days of being there.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1ijlgkg/need_advice_on_whether_or_not_to_start_a_new/
| 11 | 5 | 1,738,898,272 | 10 |
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1i91v6r
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TalesFromYourServer
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Expecting free birthday dessert from restaurant
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Still pretty new to serving, but last night I had a couple celebrated his girlfriend bday and ordered two small items. Once they finished the meal, the guy asked me to give him the check. So I dropped it at the table, then the guy said ‘ where’s the dessert?’ I was confused and said ‘ oh I was going to ask about it but you asked for the bill, sorry. But what would you like to have?’ They told me what they want from the menu then we brought the dessert afterwards. Once they are done, he requested to put part of the cash to the check and the rest with tips on his card. Unfortunately his card only can charge $5 and still have $18 balance for it. I told him about it and then he realized we charged for dessert. He got upset about it and said every restaurant in town offers free birthday dessert. on our menu, desserts are priced individually and if it’s a guest bday, we just gonna put a candle on it. I feel like I did not handle the situation well and left them upset because of it. What doesn’t help is the restaurant won’t waive the dessert for the guest if it’s their birthday which i completely understand.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1i91v6r/expecting_free_birthday_dessert_from_restaurant/
| 909 | 180 | 1,737,742,228 | 10 |
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hot
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1hp4pg6
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TalesFromYourServer
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What is up with cheap ass people?
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I want a glass of water with a big old bowl of lemons and a handful of sweetener and no you're not going to charge me for them. I want chips and salsa and I don't want you to charge me for that either because last time I came in here 3 years ago y'all promise me some next time I came in. Then I'm going to have this $10 special but I'm going to mod the f*** out of it to make it something completely different. But I'm not going to tip you because it's the restaurants job to pay your check not mine. Well how the hell are they supposed to pay me when you want everything for free? I have got to get out of this damn business.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/1hp4pg6/what_is_up_with_cheap_ass_people/
| 889 | 206 | 1,735,503,335 | 10 |
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9ofr22
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TalesFromYourServer
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Proud parent
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Last night I had a had a two top made up of a mother and her teenage kid. I couldn't figure out if the kid was a boy or a girl because they had [this haircut](http://www.short-haircut.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Long-Pixie-Hair.jpg) and they had amazing makeup on. Guys wearing makeup and styling themselves more feminine seems to be more common and doesn't bother me a bit, but I didn't wanna offend them, so I did my best to use gender neutral terms until mom used the word "he". Anyway get their dinner to them, check in, and leave them alone to enjoy their meal.
Flash forward to the end of service and I really wanted to compliment him on his makeup so I said "Hey I hope you don't mind me saying so, but your makeup is awesome!" and oh my god, the mom just starts GUSHING about how he's going to NYC to do a really prestigious makeup artist program or something and how her son had done her makeup for an event and how well it turned out. She was just so proud of her son and his talent even though it's not a "typical boy's hobby" and it warmed my heart. I wished him luck and joked that with his skill he wouldn't need it and wished them a good night.
Mom tipped $10 on $30 and drew a smiley face on the merchant copy :)
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9ofr22/proud_parent/
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ld9oe8
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TalesFromYourServer
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“Your aura is fucking ugly and we would like a new server” how did I not lose my job last night?
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Okay hi friends. Long time server but my first post in here! I work at an upscal-ish restaurant. We have two floors and last night I was serving upstairs and because of the obvious restrictions and what not we only have hosts downstairs. When we are on a wait, the hosts will see when there are open tables upstairs, *page* the guests and send them up. A server then greets them, sees where the host had pre-planned for them in our system, and we seat them.
Now that you know how that works I’ll also just add in here that I am one of the top servers in my restaurant, consistently selling the most every week, and I’m a trainer. So my managers all love and appreciate me and mostly have my back.
Okay so the Karen family, is paiged that their table is ready. They walk upstairs and stand by the host stand while I finish at my table and make my way over to them. I said “hey guys how’s it going”
They just stared at me. Finally the wife goes “do we just seat ourselves?” I, holding a paper cocktail menu and silverware, after walking over to them and feeling like I had made it clear I was about to seat them, said “nope that’s my job! You guys can follow me this way” they follow to the 6 top table and they all take their seats. I slide the silverware I was holding down to everyone individually instead of just setting 6 silverware on the end of the table for them to hand out.
I said our menu is all virtual right now, there is a link on your table I’ll be right back!
Come back and ask if they have any questions or if they’d like to get some drinks started. Again, silence.
I just pick someone and say okay can I grab you something to drink sir? We don’t have what he asks for, but I suggest something similar and he says okay. The wife asks what beer we have, I said “we have a lot, what do you like to drink”
She said “I don’t know that’s why I’m asking you what beer YOU have” i say “we have 27 beers on draft and 19 that are bottles so if you tell me what you’re usually in to I can guide you through what will work for you.” She goes “Jesus Christ, I’ll just have a budlight since you can’t sell a beer”
I, looking stunned, laugh and say okay.
Her husband turns his attention to me and says “are you having a bad night?”
To which I say, “no sir, are you” and he said “no we are just trying to have a nice family night and you’re rude. You’ve been rude the whole time and you threw our silverware at us.” I’m stunned so I just say “I definitely did not throw it at you guys I was trying to slide it down the table for all of you, sorry if it came off that way. I’m not having a bad night and I haven’t had an attitude.” The wife jumps in and says “it all started upfront when you said ‘THATS MY JOB(changes the entire tone I said this in, btw)’ and now you’ve just been rude to all of us this whole experience” (we’re like 5 minutes in from them walking up the stairs at this point) and then she yells, so loudly all my other coworkers hear, “YOUR AURA IS FUCKING UGLY AND WE DONT APPRECIATE THAT, JUST SEND US A NEW SERVER”
it took everything I had, like I mean, everything, not to say anything rude back to her. I just said “I’m happy to grab you a new server, and I’ll just grab my manager for you too while I’m at it”
My manager goes over, knowing everything from my side already, and they tell him I was rude by seating them and making that comment about how they could not seat themselves, when “there was no host at the stand so we just assumed it was pick your own table” and throwing their silverware, and “my attitude and, aura are just plain ugly.” My manager stuck up for me and said I’m actually one of their best but they still insisted on another server.
Imaging being one of the 3 other servers having already heard and seen this go down, and now it’s your table. That server made $6 on $80 btw.
Fuck you guys, my aura is fucking shiny
Edited to fix my spelling of page lol
Edit again because people are sus, the bill for the couple I’m talking about, after the 6 top split, was $80. So $80 for 2 people which is honestly pretty average, so maybe I don’t work at the most upscale place but it’s not cheap. Definitely not a $6 tip cheap
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/ld9oe8/your_aura_is_fucking_ugly_and_we_would_like_a_new/
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o9ggid
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TalesFromYourServer
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One of my finer moments.
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Buried in the weeds for God knows how long 8 deep all around the bar. Pumping out drinks as fast as I can.
A pretty little rich girl who has never tipped me a cent orders 3 shots. These shots come to $22. She only has a $20 on her. Bats her eye lashes and asks me not to worry about you $2. I laugh and tell her to ask one of her little friends.
She says "fine fuck you. What are you going to do pour them down the drain?"
BOOM BOOM BOOM. I down all 3 shots and with a wave of my hand I tell her to fuck off.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/o9ggid/one_of_my_finer_moments/
| 5,298 | 256 | 1,624,871,060 | 10 |
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9kgr2x
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TalesFromYourServer
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My manager threw me under the bus in front of a table
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Sorry this is long.
So it's a busy Friday night. I was sat with a table out on the patio (mom, dad, early 20s daughter) right at the beginning of our busy time. They immediately ordered 3 espresso martinis (which unbeknownst to them are super annoying because the server has to go to a different part of the building to pull the espressos for the bar and there's usually a line for the espresso machine...so that kind of put me in rush mode because I know I'm going to be sat again soon) but anyway, they order the drinks and two appetizers and want to finish the apps before deciding on mains. That's fine. Buys me some time. When I come back, they ask for a candle for their table. Ok. I searched and only found an electronic votive, brought it to them and turned it on. The daughter was like, "Oh, uh thanks. We kind of wanted a real candle to fight off the bugs..." (Ok, well, you're sitting outside. There are gonna be bugs.) So while I'm being sat with other tables, I'm also searching around for a real candle. Found one and brought it to them and they were pleased. For now.
They ordered mains. Daughter got soup that she wanted served before stir fry. Mom and dad got burgers, hers MR and his medium with no lettuce. After 15 minutes, I noticed the food runners never took the girl her soup so I went to find it and was told by the kitchen "It went out.. maybe it went to another table..?" Well what the fuck? No one noticed that they got a soup they didn't order? I ladled a soup myself and brought it to her because I realized they were almost ready to plate their mains. I checked back a few minutes later and the girl had finished her soup and parents had their burgers, but the daughter's main didn't come out. I went back to the kitchen to ask about the stir fry and they were like, "Oh, this one?" and handed it to me. WHAT THE HELL? Two food runners were standing there and the food was under the heat but not being delivered?? So I took her the stir fry after her parents had already started eating. As I approached the table, I saw dad's face. He looked unhappy. I asked how everything came out and he said his burger was undercooked AND had lettuce on it. I looked and YUP, waaaay rare, topped with lettuce. I apologized and told him, "I agree, that is NOT cooked medium. I will have it fixed for you right away." I take it to the kitchen and told Chef the situation. He looked and said "That's a perfectly cooked medium rare." I said "yes it is, but the guy wants medium and plus asked for no lettuce." Then he fucking said to me "Yeah, I saw it said medium but my mind saw it as medium rare.." (WHAT?) Chef then rolls his eyes and said "Well what do you want me to do?" (WHAT??) I told him to either put it back on the grill to cook it more or make another burger, whichever works best for him. I then high-tailed it out of there because I was getting slammed with tables.
About 15 minutes later I went back to the kitchen and saw them take his burger off the grill, plate it with a new bun, and I take dad his amended burger for him to eat alone, as his wife and daughter were finished. I told him they made him a new burger and I hoped it was cooked to his liking. I told him I appreciated his patience while I tried to make it right for him and he thanked me. I finally got to go spend some time on other tables for a bit. After a while I go back to hopefully clear the dad's plate, except that he hasn't eaten. Once again, he had an extremely rare burger!! I apologized again, told him that I had thought I made it clear to the kitchen what temp it should be. He replied "Well, I think they just torched the same burger to make it hot but didn't cook it any further." I told him that I did see them take it off the grill but apologized again and said I would have it taken care of because that was not anything near medium. He was not happy. I told him "I don't blame you for being upset. This is unacceptable. I don't understand how this happened twice." Like, I think the second one was actually rarer than the first one. I find the manager, explain the situation and he goes to the table. By this time, I have 5 other tables requiring attention so I make my rounds. After a bit, I return to the table as the manager was walking away. The dad had an incredulous look on his face. (Uh oh..) Dad immediately said, "Your manager just threw you under the bus. He said there was a lack of communication on your part with the kitchen, but I don't believe that. I know you knew what temp I wanted. I think the kitchen dropped the ball TWICE and the manager is trying to blame you." WHAT THE HELL?
The dad went on to tell me I did a great job with them and that they appreciated the candle and the friendliness and that I shouldn't let management treat me that way. I just shrugged and thanked him. I didn't know what to say. While at first I thought they were being unnecessarily high-maintenance, they ended up being a very sweet family, tipped on the entire amount (after being comped $25) and told me they would try us again but order something different next time.
Now I feel like I can't trust my manager. Next time I send him to a table, I will stand there to hear what he has to say.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/9kgr2x/my_manager_threw_me_under_the_bus_in_front_of_a/
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hzv7r7
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TalesFromYourServer
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I cried at work today.
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To the boomers who came in 30 minutes before close and had to sit at a dirty table,
I fucking cried tonight. You three came in, ordered beers and sushi, then 2 more beers right before I turned off my open sign. One of you told me,
“You know, you remind me of Rebel Wilson.” I told you that wasn’t exactly a compliment. You alluded to my weight not very subtly when you explained it wasn’t meant to be one. My manager and coworker tried cheering me up by telling me she’s beautiful, but not denying the underlying issue I had with your words. I couldn’t keep going with your table so my coworker paid you all out, a $120 bill. You all tipped a big fat zero.
I did the liquor count in the cooler and took 10 minutes longer than I needed. My paper mask had wet patches by the time I came out. I’d been on my feet for 12 hours by then and, honestly, I just was shattered. My self confidence surrounding my 85 lb weight loss is gone. I haven’t eaten today but the thought of getting myself food right now makes me want to be sick.
How can you just... be cruel? Not only are you eating in a dine in restaurant in the middle of a pandemic, but you broke me in a way I didn’t think I could get hurt. One of you drove off in a Tesla.
I hope your kids use their trust fund money for bettering the world. I hope they believe in organisations you don’t and they donate every penny. Fuck you.
EDIT: Thanks for all the love. I know who I am now is an achievement and I know I am beautiful. I really appreciate the awards and messages and all that.
And to those in the comments being rude about my sensitivity to this subject: ok. Go for it. Be a dick. At this point, I don’t even care anymore. There’s nothing you can say to me that I haven’t heard before.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/comments/hzv7r7/i_cried_at_work_today/
| 4,589 | 252 | 1,596,001,835 | 10 |
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