I Took Away a Waitress’ Tip, and I Don’t Regret It

2 months ago

I Took Away a Waitress’ Tip, and I Don’t Regret It

A man took to the Internet to share a story about a dinner that went wrong, sparking a conversation about just how far customer service can go before a diner is pushed over the edge. His experience with a waitress who publicly confronted him over his tip has left many debating who was truly in the wrong.

This is his story.

Cheryl Cadwell

week ago

10% for LOUSY SERVICE is very kind. You handled it with class. Good job. What SO MANY people don't realize is that TIPPING IS NOT REQUIRED it is called a GRATUITY for a reason. As a veteran server of 40 years I am amazed how many people think that they should get a TIP just for being an employee. Good Tips require you to actually do something OTHER THAN CARRY FOOD, DRINKS, CLOTHES, WHATEVER to the customer. You are FRONT FACING FIRST CONTACT. You must be nice, you must be kind, you must be knowledgeable about whatever the product is. You get TIPPED because you provided a pleasant atmosphere and made the CUSTOMER feel good about their experience. The price of the product has nothing to do with the tip, the way you make the customer feel about spending that amount of money does. The price is very different from the COST, and that server cost herself more than she knows. Being grateful costs nothing being SPOILED and pitching a bitch cuz you didn't get a BIG TIP for NOT DOING YOUR JOB may cost you everything. You get what you give and some servers don't get tips, because they don't give good service. I know that some customers are never happy but they are still customers. The manager should be told about this kind of behavior as it can cost them business, and their reputation. People who say that we BOOMERS are out of touch, never learned that a touch screen is not going to replace human contact. You STILL HAVE TO TALK TO PEOPLE IN PERSON to get a good tip. At least from me. Delivery is a bit different because they are actually bringing it to you for your convenience, they ALWAYS DESERVE A GOOD TIP. There are still great servers out there and I hope you find one next time.

"This all happened a few nights ago, and I still can’t quite believe it went down the way it did.

My partner and I went out to an Italian restaurant we’ve been to a few times before. It’s not a super fancy place, but it’s pleasant enough that you can sit down, order some drinks, and have a relaxed evening.

Our server, who we’ll call Samantha, seemed out of it the whole time. She forgot my drink twice, brought out the wrong starter, and then vanished for what felt like an eternity when it was time to order dessert.

It wasn’t the end of the world. I’ve worked in customer service myself, so I get that busy nights can get a little wild. Still, the service was really poor.

When the check came, I paid and left a 10% cash tip. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it wasn’t nothing, either. I felt it was reasonable given the circumstances.

We were just getting up to leave when Samantha walked over, picked up the cash, and said, “Seriously? This is it?” She said it loud enough that a few people at the tables nearby turned to stare.

I was stunned and didn’t know what to say at first. Then she added, “You know, servers can’t pay their rent because of people like you. Cheap people shouldn’t eat out.”

The whole restaurant went completely silent, like that kind of silence you hear in a sitcom. My girlfriend was visibly cringing.

I just stayed calm and told her, “Okay, I’m sorry you feel that way,” and we started to leave. But then, I’m not kidding, she muttered, “Whatever, cheapskates,” just loud enough for us and others to hear.

So, I turned around, walked back to the table, took the tip, and left without saying another word.

My girlfriend told me later that I handled it fine, but a friend of mine thinks I went too far by taking the tip back, saying that no matter what, you should just leave it and move on. I feel that being scolded and humiliated over a 10% tip that I had already left was completely out of bounds.

So, am I wrong for taking back the tip after she yelled at us in front of everyone in the restaurant?"

Derek R.

2 weeks ago

It’s kinda sad though. I worked in restaurants. Worked the kitchen and have served also. I remember some servers would stereotype customers when they came in the door to determine if they would tip well or not. For example: teens/young adults, elderly, certain races, church groups, etc. would supposedly not tip as much. I never could understand it, but they claimed they just “knew”. My wife and I would eat out once or twice a week. We do look younger, and I would notice sometimes that some servers would not spend as much effort towards us, while the seeing same server in same section giving more attention to other tables they assume will tip better, at least in their minds. Having worked in restaurant and knowing how hectic and how much they rely on tips just to get by, some only making $2.13/hr, I would usually tip 20-25%. But here’s the dilemma… if server/service isn’t that good, I would still tip the same. If I didn’t, I felt like it would be like “see, I knew they wouldn’t tip well!” But then when you do, it is like you’re saying it’s ok to give bad service and still get paid. Making it even more so that the tip is automatic and doesn’t reflect the effort, almost entitled to it. It’s sad all around.

The internet’s reaction to the tipping debate.

After the man shared his story, Reddit users flooded the comments with their own takes on the situation, creating a heated debate. The opinions were sharply divided, with many praising his actions while others questioned his story or criticized his response.

She expected and then demanded a good tip for a crappy job. You were nice enough to leave her something, but she wanted to be ungrateful. © Badudi41 / Reddit
I would probably have pointed out why the tip was not higher. And I would also contact the restaurant to speak to a manager because that server was way out of line. I would’ve taken the tip back as well. © Lasat / Reddit
If you’re unhappy with one person’s service and short the tip, just know you’re punishing everyone. Most restaurants now pool tips to make things more equitable. The proper thing to have done was to go to the host station and ask to speak to the manager and describe what happened. © downtownlasd / Reddit
Yes, she provided bad service... but when she threw it in your face, you could have said something along the lines of “you provided substandard service, and this is the tip you earned.” Instead, you took the entire tip, even though you know (having worked in customer service) that this is where she earns her money. That’s not cool. © Traditional-Ad-1605 / Reddit
Your friend is wrong. She got what she deserved. © Worldly_Act5867 / Reddit
The whole point of a tip is to be an incentive for the server to do good work. Tipping at a higher rate for reasons is the opposite of an incentive. It leads to entitlement, and it’s why bad wait staff stick around to ruin an otherwise good business. © RandoCollision / Reddit

The audacity of some servers like no you don’t get to demand a good tip after giving trash service. 10% was generous, I would have taken it back too. © maybeitsleyla / Reddit
I have trouble believing that this happened. Because in most restaurants, a waitress calling you out in front of an entire restaurant for a lower than normal tip would be disciplined and likely fired. © ChocolateAmerican / Reddit
She was way out of pocket when she confronted you like that but a 10% tip? That’s giving cheap vibes. I realize ppl hate tip culture but penalizing your server because you believe employers should pay more is just an excuse to be cheap. © MoreApplication9000 / Reddit
“I’ve worked customer service myself,” then you should know that it’s not likely all of her fault. If the service is so poor that you’re going to leave little or no tip. You should be asking to see the manager, who would likely have comped your starter, your drinks, and your dessert.
And might be better able to explain what was going on “sorry Samantha has been covering an extra 6 tables because of a no call absence” or “Samantha is still training, sorry about that.” © Many_Bothans / Reddit

This man’s story has ignited a fiery debate online. And for another take on restaurant disputes, check this article: 21 Curious Stories That Took Place in Cafés and Restaurants

Preview photo credit LeJeb40 / Reddit

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Lady

month ago

I was a server for 20 yrs. There were times I was so slammed all I could do was apologize to my tables and ask them not to tip. Yes, I waited on complete camper no tippers. I would never make comments out loud in the dining room. I would have clapped back at her and said, "You could probably pay your bills if you did yoyr job correctly (and then I woild list what was wrong.) Sorry, I know food service inside and out. I understand being busy, but this is just a bad server. We all have bad days, people go out to eat so they dont have to cook or clean up afterwards. If I slacked at my job, Id be fired.

kc s

6 days ago

My daughter was a waitress for a time. She was always polite to her customers. There were a few times people were rude and didn't tip but there was one time she actually came home and bawled her eyes out. She had a group of guys around her age ( 20-24 or so.) Well they were flirty but she stayed professional. Well they started hounding her for her number. She politely said she doesn't give that out, then told them she was seeing someone, to finally saying no after constantly being harassed. Well after several attempts the guys got angry and all tossed their glasses of water on her and when she went to clean herself up they left her a nickel tip. Writing waitress was a b word for being stuck up with her number. Her manager did nothing to stop it. Then another time she woke up to multiple text messages (not the same guys.) One of her coworkers gave some random customer her phone number. She asked him to please stop. Then when he wouldn't her bf called the guy and said he'd involve the police to help her file harassment charges, so he quit. She reported that to her supervisors and wanted the one who gave her number out disciplined (they did nothing BTW.) They eventually stopped giving her hours so she quit. I wanted to share this BC as her mother it broke my heart seeing her so upset BC of rude customers. As for this waitress disrespecting people who gave you a tip is dumb. Yet what really makes her incompetent is not doing her job to begin with. I can see being upset when you've busted your behind for your tables and get stiffed. Yet slacking then calling out a customer for giving you something during your bad service when you didn't deserve it is just what you get. This person had restraint. Had it been me, I'd have taken back the tip as well, called her out on why I tipped her only 10%, then I'd have asked for her manager so i could explain her rude behaviour with obvious witnesses since she called me out in front of people. I'm not one to ever call a manager but sometimes lines get crossed and this was one of them.