Couple Arrested for Refusing to Pay Tip

[Becky2005]

It very well could be. We had a server forget to put our appetizer order in so it came out with our meal. The server, however, redeemed himself and immediately informed his manager. The manager came to our table, apologized, and explained the error. The app was comped, as well as a dessert (which ended up being a bonus for us because we NEVER order dessert).

We had that happen because of all things, the server didn't bring our drinks until after our meal showed up. It was they asked if we needed anything else & we just said "our drinks please" -- not mean or anything. She was apologizing all over the place & comped us dessert. She got a HUGE tip out of us since we didn't think it was *that* big of a deal, we weren't even mad. Certainly not one for comping dessert worthy. You could tell she felt completely terrible that she forgot our drinks. We were on vacation & it was a local place that was near our hotel. It was very good food, etc...

On a side note, YES...I do think having the server refill your drink is an expected service. I hate when I'm halfway through a meal and thirsty due to an empty drink but then sit there because the server is no where to be found, makes it harder to eat more of the meal and then by the time they do get you a refill, you have managed to finish your meal & no longer need the drink & you are ready to leave.

 

[merryweather20]

Huh I never said that the server doesn't bring the food to the table, I said she can't be held responsible for how long it takes to cook it,

You seemed to be pretty hands off! Don't blame the server! I don't care if they spit in the food its not their fault!

At least you're letting them bring food to the table now!

The server is responsible for some basic service:

Things like bringing bevrages.

Making sure the client has some basics-> condiments, cuttlery, napkins

And updating them about lengthy delays.

If I don't get bare bones service what is the tip for? I might as well have gone to McDonalds.

 

[happygirl]

You seemed to be pretty hands off! Don't blame the server! I don't care if they spit in the food its not their fault!

At least you're letting them bring food to the table now!

The server is responsible for some basic service:

Things like bringing bevrages.

Making sure the client has some basics-> condiments, cuttlery, napkins

And updating them about lengthy delays.

If I don't get bare bones service what is the tip for? I might as well have gone to McDonalds.

I bet the people who wait on you wish you did go to McDonalds I want to know how you know the server didn't let them know about delays, being a server for many many years, I know a little about how resturants run I don't think we are hearing the whole story about this incident, If the police arrested them there was more to the story then this. I don't know any manager who wouldn't have taken it off, I know that sometimes waitress get busy and don't get drinks filled the second you empty them, sometimes the forget silverware. BIG DEAL I have never meet a server who wouldn't bring them as soon as you ask, You expect for server to be perfect and never make mistakes, I can't image stiffing a server they would have to spit on my face and call me every name in the book and then some, for me not to leave them something

 

[C.Ann]

I bet the people who wait on you wish you did go to McDonalds

Why would you say that? Do you think servers who do no work - not even the basics - deserve a tip?

 

[happygirl]

I'm not sure how many of you know how waitress declare there tips. It goes by your total sales at the end of your shift, If you don't leave someone a tip then they have to make up the difference themselves, because they still have to declare enough that match there sales totals, so when you don't leave a tip you are taking money out of the servers pocket.

 

[happygirl]

Why would you say that? Do you think servers who do no work - not even the basics - deserve a tip?

Are you joking me C Ann this lady isn't a great tipper, she thinks it okay not to leave a tip if the server isn't Johnny on the spot any mistakes and there goes the tip. This poster give off the impression that server are just below pond scum on the totom pole.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm not sure how many of you know how waitress declare there tips. It goes by your total sales at the end of your shift, If you don't leave someone a tip then they have to make up the difference themselves, because they still have to declare enough that match there sales totals, so when you don't leave a tip you are taking money out of the servers pocket.

Which would be an excellent reason for the server to do a good job - right?

 

[happygirl]

Which would be an excellent reason for the server to do a good job - right?

I don't think not refill one drink makes someone a bad server

 

[C.Ann]

If the server is responsible for neither bringing food to the table, nor bringing silverware, and in this case the customers got their own beverages as well, what are we tipping for?

Apparently the waitress/waiter just stands around in the restaurant with no responsibilities?

No. I've had plenty of waitresses bring me my silverware. That way I get the appropriate utensils for what I'm eating. A soup spoon comes with soup, salad fork comes with salad, etc. Even if it is the hostesses responsibility, she doesn't check on me, the waitress does. She should notice that the hostess is slacking, especially when I ask for silverware.

I have indeed had food delays be the responsibility of the server, and even if they are not, an average base line waiter will keep me posted of any delay.

You seemed to be pretty hands off! Don't blame the server! I don't care if they spit in the food its not their fault!

At least you're letting them bring food to the table now!

The server is responsible for some basic service:

Things like bringing bevrages.

Making sure the client has some basics-> condiments, cuttlery, napkins

And updating them about lengthy delays.

If I don't get bare bones service what is the tip for? I might as well have gone to McDonalds.

From the posts above, I just don't see where she's asking for anything more than basic service..

Are you joking me C Ann this lady isn't a great tipper, she thinks it okay not to leave a tip if the server isn't Johnny on the spot any mistakes and there goes the tip. This poster give off the impression that server are just below pond scum on the totom pole.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Are you joking me C Ann this lady isn't a great tipper, she thinks it okay not to leave a tip if the server isn't Johnny on the spot any mistakes and there goes the tip. This poster give off the impression that server are just below pond scum on the totom pole.

You need to stop basing your self-worth on a tip.

If your taxes are based on sales... what happens if you get a larger tip than the sale would dictate? If people have a problem with the way they are taxed, that's a problem for the government, not the consumer. Did you know this when you took the job? Did you know that you might not always get the tip you deserve? It's not up to the general public to supplement your pay check.

 

[ZachnElli]

I don't think not refill one drink makes someone a bad server

And once again, their complaint was more than one drink not being refilled now wasn't it? I had a waiter drop a glass of wine on my infant daughter's head and it shattered. We didn't order wine, it was for another table. I'm sure it wasn't the waiter's fault though, right?

 

[CathrynRose]

I see you have it in for me because I disagree with you. I tip because I want to, not because I have to. Others agreed with me.



Huh. Now you're putting words in my mouth. Have fun with that.

The comment was directed at the RESTAURANT. If they are forcing people to pay this "gratuity", the comment was made that they should have to claim it along with the price of the meal as part of their profit. I didn't know how that worked, which is why I asked.

Thanks for overreacting, though

Have it in for you???? What? I didn't read the whole thread, and your comment was the easiest to find, and narrowed it down into one little sentence. And by adding 'others agreed with me' - again, just solidifies why your statement was the easiest to quote. That's it. I don't even know you.

Putting words in your mouth?? Huh? I had to do extra copying and pasting, and bolding - to keep the statement you brought from another poster, into what I quoted from you. And then, I answered him - you - whoever. It was your post.

Overreacting? Really? I'm not the one getting upset for being quoted.

 

[CathrynRose]

I'm not sure how many of you know how waitress declare there tips. It goes by your total sales at the end of your shift, If you don't leave someone a tip then they have to make up the difference themselves, because they still have to declare enough that match there sales totals, so when you don't leave a tip you are taking money out of the servers pocket.

As well as the tip outs server's make each night, is also based on sales. Doesn't matter if you made zero tip, on a check of a $100. You still need to tip your bussers, bar (and in some cases) host staff. On that $100 bill, that you leave nothing on, your server has to *at least* tip about 3%, out.

This is one of the reasons many might have noticed "automatic gratuity" went up from 15%, to 18%.

You need to stop basing your self-worth on a tip.

If your taxes are based on sales... what happens if you get a larger tip than the sale would dictate? If people have a problem with the way they are taxed, that's a problem for the government, not the consumer. Did you know this when you took the job? Did you know that you might not always get the tip you deserve? It's not up to the general public to supplement your pay check.

All credit card tips, are automatically claimed. That's it. Point, blank, period. If anyone is concerned your servers are tax evaders, then leave them their tip, on a credit card.

It's up to the server to claim any cash tips. Are there servers that don't claim it. I'm sure there are. There are also eBay sellers, not claiming money - child care providers, not claiming it - your buddy who works on your car - not claiming it. This isn't a server issue - this is a human nature issue, and honesty issue. Why it's thought to be only servers who may not claim it all, is beyond me.

It's not up to the general public to 'supplement' a paycheck? That's rich.

 

[merryweather20]

I bet the people who wait on you wish you did go to McDonalds I want to know how you know the server didn't let them know about delays, being a server for many many years, I know a little about how resturants run I don't think we are hearing the whole story about this incident, If the police arrested them there was more to the story then this. I don't know any manager who wouldn't have taken it off, I know that sometimes waitress get busy and don't get drinks filled the second you empty them, sometimes the forget silverware. BIG DEAL I have never meet a server who wouldn't bring them as soon as you ask, You expect for server to be perfect and never make mistakes, I can't image stiffing a server they would have to spit on my face and call me every name in the book and then some, for me not to leave them something

The part where they had to get their own silverware, then get up to go get their own drink was a pretty good clue, that the waitress didn't advise them of delays.

As I said previously, the one time I stiffed a waitress she didn't bring me silverware. I would have been happy to remind her, but she never came back. Silverware is a bare minimum expectation. I then had to wait nearly an hour for my bill. When I saw the waitress go and take orders from a table of 12 across the room, I hobbled up to the hostess and asked her to intervene.

Mistakes are fine, perfection not necessary. Bare Bones Basics? Absolutely! Cuttlery Heck yes! A Napkin! Yes!
Wow, though I would stiff a person for far less than spitting in my face. Spitting is assault, I'd have no problem calling the cops for that!

Considering every other server has managed to bring me cuttlery no matter how busy, I don't think its too much to ask

 

[merryweather20]

Are you joking me C Ann this lady isn't a great tipper, she thinks it okay not to leave a tip if the server isn't Johnny on the spot any mistakes and there goes the tip. This poster give off the impression that server are just below pond scum on the totom pole.

Where did I say Pond Scum? Exactly? I have no problem telling anybody that I like some silverware with my meal, and tht I don't think its a lofty expectation!

No need for Johnny on the spot.. Silverware? Yes!

 

[Took]

I can tell you exactly why. Because of comments like this:



It's absurd, ridiculous, and IMO a cop-out. You (general you) know damn well you're expected to tip for good service.

But we've got people who believe that (comment) to some how be true, and it infuriates a group of hard working individuals.

I have to say--would really appreciate it if restaurants just paid their employees a fair wage and we got rid of tipping altogether. Yes, we'd pay more for food. Big deal. I hate tipping (though I do it and well). I'd rather the servers were properly paid to begin with and simply fired when they did their job really poorly (like the rest of us).

 

[CathrynRose]

I have to say--would really appreciate it if restaurants just paid their employees a fair wage and we got rid of tipping altogether. Yes, we'd pay more for food. Big deal. I hate tipping (though I do it and well). I'd rather the servers were properly paid to begin with and simply fired when they did their job really poorly (like the rest of us).

But this is something you'd have to take up with your legislators, not during a meal you don't feel like tipping on, KWIM?

That being said - it's my understanding we in the United States, have some of the best servers, world wide - partly due to the fact they *do* have to bust their behinds to get a tip.

Just like people complain that they feel automatic gratuity makes their servers, less than attentive, don't you feel the same would happen if tipping was gone, altogether?

Oh - and servers *do* get fired. And plenty of times, it's an irate, over bearing customer who demands such, and it's done on-the-spot.

 

[TIAMOMMA]

Here's the part that struck me - the manager said they offered to comp the meal. Yea right, they offered, then when the customer insisted on paying in full but without a tip they called the police? I think I would have been willing to give either party the benefit of the doubt that there was more to the story - except for this outright unbelievable part. I rule for the defendant!

Exactly..

If the restaurant offered to comp the meal (as they claim), why not instead let the couple pay the $73 bill (which they did) and then give the $16 tip to the waiter from that money? Then the restaurant could keep the remaining $57 and come out ahead.

This story makes no sense to me.

Yeah, I don't think the manager thought out his false claim of offering to comp the meal.

 

[CathrynRose]

Exactly..



Yeah, I don't think the manager thought out his false claim of offering to comp the meal.

The thing is - I read an article that says they DID comp items off the check.

Which would actually make more sense with the 21% gratuity. My theory? It wasn't 21% gratuity - it was 18%, but on the WHOLE check - pre-comped meals. KWIM?

 

[SanFranciscan]

Wait time on food NOT the server's fault.

Everything is the server's fault. If the food is bad, it's the server's fault. If the dishwasher left a dirty spot on a plate, it's the server's fault. If the cook doesn't notice that there is a spot on the dish and puts the food there anyway, it is the server's fault. If the sun is shining through the window and annoys the customer, it is the server's fault. If the rain got the customers wet on their way in from car, it is the server's fault. That is the nature of the tipping system, which causes all kinds of problems. The cook is guaranteed his pay so he doesn't care if the customer doesn't like the food and will mess up future orders for any server giving him any grief about something that is the kitchen crews' fault.

The tipping system sucks. I quit table service work and hoped never to return to something that demeaning. The waitress in this case may not be a bad waitress. I don't know. I wasn't there. I have been stuck waiting on an entire restaurant by myself while the place was filling up with people who saw only their plate and their glass and if they weren't both full, then where the hell was I? I wouldn't be surprised if that was pretty much the situation in this case. We are stuck with the lousy tipping system because the chance to make cash is the only reason people wait tables since no one is going to put up with it for straight minimum wage, and customers who resent tipping anyone want the power that comes from the ability to stiff the server.

I don't know what happened in this particular case, but restaurants' ability to attract good servers depends upon the income that servers can get from tips so restaurants are getting eager to make sure that their servers get tipped. It's a lousy system, but what is the alternative? If a customer doesn't like a salesperson on commission, the salesperson still gets the commission. How many people refusing to leave a tip in a restaurant have complained to get a salesman's commission removed from the price of an item? How is that different?