Couple Arrested for Refusing to Pay Tip

[scuba]

I actually snorted Pepsi through my nose at this! You think they were just sitting at the table going "if she doesn't guess what our table needs I'm going to be so mad!". No, the server disappeared completely. Either she wasn't around at all, or she disappeared after they reminded her of the silverware, or the drink.

I suppose you think she was the only server, the one that disappeared completely, look when I need a refill I ask anyone at the time to get me one....or I might say to someone not my server...."would you mind, if you see my server could you ask him or her to get me a refill......simple. Just because I don't see my server don't mean I cannot track down an employee that I do see. After all she did indicate that she went to the bar to get a refill, if that had been me I would have told the bartender...hey someone is dropping the ball at our table....how about a manager?...again, walaa! No one calling the cops and certainly no one being led out in handcuffs.

 

[manning]

Good for the people... I wouldn't tip either.

My question is why the police felt the need to arrest anybody.... unless nobody on the police force understands the definition of "gratuity". Somebody's panties got bunched up, I guess.

Agree. I once pulled out of a gas station after paying the 25 cents that popped up on the pump before I even started pumping. I put the nozzle back without pumping and advised I would not pay. He called the cops. I saw the blue lights and turned around and went back. After hearing both sides his partner (cops) came back in and asked if anyone pumped any gas since I left which no one did. The cop told me to get out of there. As I was leaving the cops were raking that guy over the coals.

I worked in the general office of a big oil company for years and I knew the pump was rigged. If I had pumped gas I would have paid an extra 25 cents. I also knew who to contact and it wasn't long that new people were running that station.

If the place is part of a chain I would be calling headquarters advising them what happened. Also get a police report to back up your story.

Without getting a lawyer I would say "let's make a deal" and settle for a couple hundred bucks. Nothing big. Just to keep them honest and get the manager fired.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Can I tell you a story?

I served and bartended for many years. One time I had a 12 top - and we also clearly had stated on the menu "18% gratuity added to tables of 8 or more"

I served - very efficiently - a table of 12. When everyone was done, and it was check time, my manager had a custom of doing a drive by. Going out to the table and asking "How was everything? How was the service tonight?" things like that. I passed (of course ) with flying colors. "She was great, it was great, blah blah blah"

They then asked for the check to be split. Everyone wanted their own check. That's fine. But 18% was still getting tacked on to each check.

Long story short - the fit they threw was ridiculous. "We had separate checks!!!" they exclaimed. My manager went back to them "But I thought you said the service was great, everything was great?" It was, but they didn't want to have to tip.

That was what they said. They didn't want to have to tip. I don't want to tip out my busser, my bar and my host - but I have to. Why should I literally pay to have you sit and hog my 2 big tables all night? Because by not tipping me, that is exactly what you're doing.

My manager paid my tip. My manager had to give me his own money, because they didn't want to have to tip.

Do I think they should be arrested? I dont know. I do know that the tip is added to the bill - so in the laws eye's, the patron is not paying their bill. Why can't they be arrested?

I personally feel that if they don't want to tip, then that's the end of the story. They weren't just hogging your tables.. they ate (and paid for) their food.

But then dinner may be limited to a small bag of honey roasted peanuts and a small cup filled with glaciers and a few drops of soda.

I have a feeling that the two who were arrested might have been happy with the peanuts and pop if they got it quicker than the rest of their food

 

[scuba]

Can I get you anything else to go with that?

Glass of wine, shot of tequila?

Chips and salsa?


(just teasing )

Absolutly, I'm here with the kids and just said goodbye to the Wife and her girlfriends on their way to Twilight/New moon showing at midnight.

 

[CathrynRose]

I personally feel that if they don't want to tip, then that's the end of the story. They weren't just hogging your tables.. they ate (and paid for) their food.

You're right. On their $200 or so, bill - I should be responsible for the $6 it costs me to have them sit there -allllll- night (when I could have flipped those table several times)

They were absolutely hogging my tables when they don't dish out what is expected for good service.

Go eat, pay for your meals and sit all night at McDonald's if you "don't want to have to tip".

 

[manning]

I use the magic table service or whatever it is called at Disney now. It adds 18% gratuity. Whenever I got bad service I have asked for it to be reduced. They did without a problem.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

You're right. On their $200 or so, bill - I should be responsible for the $6 it costs me to have them sit there -allllll- night (when I could have flipped those table several times)

They were absolutely hogging my tables when they don't dish out what is expected for good service.

Go eat, pay for your meals and sit all night at McDonald's if you "don't want to have to tip".

People are not required to tip. If they were, it would be added to the cost of the meal.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I personally feel that if they don't want to tip, then that's the end of the story. They weren't just hogging your tables.. they ate (and paid for) their food.

What I don't get about "large group" biases....

It's really no different than multiple tables from a profit perspective. (Though I could be mistaken since I am not a server.)

I'm sure there is a maximum number of patrons that can be served at anyone time.

Whether it is a group of 8 that shares 2 tables or 2 separate groups of 4. It isn't like the people are not taking tables from anyone.

Sure it's a bit different I Guess as it messes with the flow...but the restaurant isn't dealing with loaves and fishes here in regards to table and chairs.


It's still not criminal and since teh couple have not paid the tip and a judge seems to be likely to dismiss the case, it has done nothing for the restaurant bc/ the server isn't getting a tip from this couple.

In Cathryn Rose's case--that does suck that they did that especially since the service was to their satisfaction.

I don't feel we have the information to conclude that the couple in this story were doing that since they claim to have not been satisfied by the service.

Being a cheapskate and not being satisfied are too completely separate issues, neither of which calls for arrest.


************

Earlier I told a story of me being oinked at by a waiter who decided it was good comic fun to make fun of my efficient eating habits. We stiffed him. Noone has yet provided a plausible explanation of why his behavior should have been excused by me.

Just tossing that out there.

I don't doubt that many servers due their darndest to provide service commensurate with the level of establishment.

But to pretend there aren't rotten ones out there.

I'd be LYING if I stood up for all grocery store/retail employees and defended them to the death and never admitting once that it isn't possible for a person to just be crappy at their job.


*****
As for the people who ask why don't people leave. At that point, the server isn't getting a tip anyway....so I'm not sure the beef over staying and not getting a tip.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Absolutly, I'm here with the kids and just said goodbye to the Wife and her girlfriends on their way to Twilight/New moon showing at midnight.

I have some coconut rum! You can pretend you are on a Disney cruise.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You're right. On their $200 or so, bill - I should be responsible for the $6 it costs me to have them sit there -allllll- night (when I could have flipped those table several times)

They were absolutely hogging my tables when they don't dish out what is expected for good service.

Go eat, pay for your meals and sit all night at McDonald's if you "don't want to have to tip".

You had cheapskates--I think there is a HUGE difference between satisfied cheapskates and those dissatisfied with the level of service.

I can admit that there are crappy cashiers out there.

I don't get why servers must defend the entire industry based on their serving experience and excellent work ethic when there are servers out there who just plain suck.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

In Cathryn Rose's case--that does suck that they did that especially since the service was to their satisfaction.

It does suck and I would never do it. I'm usually a really good tipper, even for bad service because I want everyone to like me.. LOL.

But I don't think a person is ever *obligated* to tip, regardless of the service. Like I said, if they were it would added to the cost of the food.

 

[scuba]

I have some coconut rum! You can pretend you are on a Disney cruise.

That's February, latched onto that kids cruising free thing

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I suppose you think she was the only server, the one that disappeared completely, look when I need a refill I ask anyone at the time to get me one....or I might say to someone not my server...."would you mind, if you see my server could you ask him or her to get me a refill......simple. Just because I don't see my server don't mean I cannot track down an employee that I do see. After all she did indicate that she went to the bar to get a refill, if that had been me I would have told the bartender...hey someone is dropping the ball at our table....how about a manager?...again, walaa! No one calling the cops and certainly no one being led out in handcuffs.

True--but if I have to keep track of my server way more than the server keeps track of me..there is an issue.


Funny story--persnickety customer ahead....

We were in Steak and Shake with my step-mother. She got her chili and the server had brought a regular spoon with it.

Server goes away. Step-mother realizes and has a cow. Didn't make too much of a scene, but went and asked the manager for the appropriate spoon.

I so wanted to ring her neck. This wasn't the Ritz Carlton and no offense against the waitress, but I'm sure she hasn't read Emily post and simply made a mistake.

But she simply couldn't eat her dish without the appropriate soupspoon.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

^^ That's funny. I always eat my soup with a regular spoon because the big ones are uncomfortable to me!

 

[CathrynRose]

What I don't get about "large group" biases....

It's really no different than multiple tables from a profit perspective. (Though I could be mistaken since I am not a server.)

It's a few things.

Generally - they'll stay longer. Which means the table you're assigned, which might have 2, 3, 4 turn overs - may just have one. And when you put a few tables together - even more so.

Generally - no one is in sync. That above table I mentioned, I wished I had big camel back filled with pink lemonade. Every time one person would ask for a refill, I'd say "Does anyone else need anything?" I'd get a No (or people were too engaged in a conversation and didn't hear me) and I'd get back to the table and someone would need another refill, ketchup, extra ice, a spoon (you get the idea). I spent the majority of the night going back and forth - back and forth - for just them.

Which brings me to - just them. Generally - when you get a large party, you don't get any other tables. The larger the party, the higher that odd goes up. They don't want you neglecting your patrons, and the only way not to, is to be observant of them, at all times.

It really just protects the server, and if you're a good tipper anyways, it generally doesn't bother people.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's February, latched onto that kids cruising free thing

Booooo!!!!! I was too pregnant to participate. When I realized that I just made it for January--they were all booked.

Have fun though!!!!

And don't forget your tips.


......

Ohh that reminds me--I lied, there is a 3rd time we stiffed. On our honeymoon cruise. HUGE problems in the dining room and b/c the wait staff --though they were really just doing their jobs--it really came across as so rude, we just couldn't tip them their full amount. We couldn't do it. This was on Carnival and we would have never done that had it not been for an exceptionally publicly humiliating circumstance.

 

[CathrynRose]

I don't get why servers must defend the entire industry based on their serving experience and excellent work ethic when there are servers out there who just plain suck.

Because we are the only ones who know and have experienced how hard it is, how it is looked down upon and how absolutely foul people can be to us.

I'm 36 and been in an office environment for 10 years, now. I can tell you I've never seen any of my office workers, cry. HOWEVER, I have seen each and every single one of my female servers, break down after a customer was just plain ugly, to them.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

^^ That's funny. I always eat my soup with a regular spoon because the big ones are uncomfortable to me!

Well...not a problem for her.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Which brings me to - just them. Generally - when you get a large party, you don't get any other tables. The larger the party, the higher that odd goes up. They don't want you neglecting your patrons, and the only way not to, is to be observant of them, at all times.

That happened to us. A big group gave this new waitress a big hassle and we ended up getting neglected by her. We didn't know she was our waitress until just before the bill. Another server and a manager assisted us when we spoke up and rushed our order and then figured out the snafu later.

If she was new, I don't get why they sat such a large group with her. The waitress in the other section was far more experienced. (didn't fluster when we asked her for help.)

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Because we are the only ones who know and have experienced how hard it is, how it is looked down upon and how absolutely foul people can be to us.

I'm 36 and been in an office environment for 10 years, now. I can tell you I've never seen any of my office workers, cry. HOWEVER, I have seen each and every single one of my female servers, break down after a customer was just plain ugly, to them.

I work in an office and I cry frequently. People can be ugly on the phone, too. And I never get tips even though I work my tail off. But I do it anyway.