Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.

The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped for
a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us came to
$17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00 to
$3.50

I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I put
a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you need
change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a little later
with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.

So. . . . . . Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles and
some coins. The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she would have
had more in her pocket at the end of the night. I thought a good
waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to leave a
tip. I did not feel it worth $5 to bring a sandwich and soda.

On 7/23/2011 11:30 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped
> for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us
> came to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about
> $3.00 to $3.50
>
> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
> put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you
> need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
> little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
> So. . . . . . Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles
> and some coins. The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
> responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she would
> have had more in her pocket at the end of the night. I thought a good
> waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to leave
> a tip. I did not feel it worth $5 to bring a sandwich and soda.

Yep, she'd've been better off tip-wise if she'd returned five $1-bills
instead of a single $5-bill! I've experienced similar situations also.
She must've been a new waitress perhaps ?

Sky

--

Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped
> for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us came
> to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00 to
> $3.50
>
> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
> put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you
> need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
> little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
> So. . . . . . Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles
> and some coins. The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
> responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she would
> have had more in her pocket at the end of the night. I thought a good
> waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to leave a
> tip. I did not feel it worth $5 to bring a sandwich and soda.

Sounds to me like she just assumed you would give her the $5. I try to
always keep several ones and fives with me in case we eat out.

On 2011-07-24, Sky > wrote:

> She must've been a new waitress perhaps ?

A gamble or jes plain stupid? Hard to tell. BTDT. Maybe she'll
learn.

nb

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:30:01 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski"
> wrote:

> So. . . . . . Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles and
> some coins. The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
> responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she would have
> had more in her pocket at the end of the night. I thought a good
> waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to leave a
> tip. I did not feel it worth $5 to bring a sandwich and soda.

Either she's a rookie or she will not be a career server. Good
servers who think about their tip make sure the customer has proper
change that can be used for the tip.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

On 7/24/2011 12:51 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
> "Ed > wrote

>> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>>
>> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped
>> for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us came
>> to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00 to
>> $3.50
>>
>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>> put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you
>> need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
>> little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.

> Sounds to me like she just assumed you would give her the $5. I try to
> always keep several ones and fives with me in case we eat out.

She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some people
might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a heck of a
tip, 34%?

nancy

"Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote in message
.com...
> On 7/24/2011 12:51 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Ed > wrote
>
>>> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>>>
>>> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped
>>> for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us
>>> came
>>> to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00
>>> to
>>> $3.50
>>>
>>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>>> put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you
>>> need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
>>> little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
>> Sounds to me like she just assumed you would give her the $5. I try to
>> always keep several ones and fives with me in case we eat out.
>
> She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
> was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some people
> might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a heck of a
> tip, 34%?
>
> nancy

I've tipped 50%, or more, but that was for a cup of coffee. I'd never tip
that much for a full meal.

On 7/24/2011 8:24 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> "Nancy Young" <email@replyto> wrote in message

>> She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
>> was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some people
>> might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a heck of a
>> tip, 34%?

> I've tipped 50%, or more, but that was for a cup of coffee. I'd never
> tip that much for a full meal.

It would have to be something special, not for your everyday
service. If I go out with friends and we tie up a table all
evening, I try to leave extra, for instance.

Breakfast might be the exception in some cases, as you say. This
place in NH where we'd stay has a restaurant. Breakfast was maybe
$3.25. The waitress would be running back and forth with the
bacon, the eggs and toast, the coffee with refills, the juice.
I'm not leaving $1.25 tip for two.

nancy

On 24/07/2011 3:33 AM, sf wrote:

> Either she's a rookie or she will not be a career server. Good
> servers who think about their tip make sure the customer has proper
> change that can be used for the tip.


Servers these days seem to prone to a sense of entitlement and I don't
doubt that many of them intentionally leave larger bills expecting you
to leave a bigger tip. While the old standard was 15% for decent
service. waiters are now telling us that 18% is more appropriate.
Apparently the cost of living has risen so they should get more. Math
was never my forte and I did not study economics at university, but I
know that restaurant prices have risen dramatically, and the same 15% on
top of the cost of their meal is a built in cost of living riser. If
they really believe that stuff it may explain why they are waiting tables.

On 24/07/2011 1:58 AM, Julie Bove wrote:

>
> Well I don't know then. I very rarely ask for change. If I do I will tell
> them how much to give me back and tell them to keep the rest.
>
>

I really hate being asked if I want my change. Of course I want my
change. If I am planning on leaving all the change for a tip I will tell
the server to keep it.

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:21:51 -0400, Nancy Young <email@replyto> wrote:

>On 7/24/2011 12:51 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Ed > wrote
>
>>> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>>>
>>> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped
>>> for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us came
>>> to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00 to
>>> $3.50
>>>
>>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>>> put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you
>>> need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
>>> little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
>> Sounds to me like she just assumed you would give her the $5. I try to
>> always keep several ones and fives with me in case we eat out.
>
>She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
>was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some people
>might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a heck of a
>tip, 34%?

You're completely off base... a server would not look inside the
folder until out of sight of the patron. Servers do not ask about
wanting change back when there's a folder.

On 7/24/2011 9:58 AM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:21:51 -0400, Nancy Young<email@replyto> wrote:

>> She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
>> was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some people
>> might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a heck of a
>> tip, 34%?
>
> You're completely off base... a server would not look inside the
> folder until out of sight of the patron. Servers do not ask about
> wanting change back when there's a folder.

So how'd she know it wasn't a credit card in there?

nancy

"Brooklyn1" <Gravesend1> wrote
>>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>>> put
>>> a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked
>>> "do you need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came
>>> back a little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill
>
> The server was 100% correct, you didn't tell her to change the five
> and she's not a mind reader, and she was very polite in not being so
> presumptuous to anticipate her tip... she did EXACTLY as instructed,
> she brought back ALL the change.

>>
>>The twenty covered the check. If she was so dumb that she didn't realize
>>the
>>five was there to be broken, she was probably also to dumb to figure out
>>that she was undertipped.
>
> The waitress wasn't the dumb one. In the above situation the twenty
> covered the tab... the waitress would have been perfectly correct to
> bring back no change whatsoever and keep the six bucks plus as her tip


She asked, "do you need change?"

I replied, "yes"


> -- adding the five indicated that the five and the change from the
> twenty was her tip [end of story].
The story doesn't even compute,

You missed the part of the story where she asked if I needed change. Most
people would have though I'd want the 5 broken.


> because the server would not have looked inside the folder in front of
> the patron so would never have asked about bringing back change...
> that's the entire purpose of those folders, so that no business is
> transacted at the table... the story is a fairy tale. In a fricken
> sammiche joint if I didn't have the correct bills for the tip I'd have
> changed the five at the cashier and walked back with the tip... I
> would never ask a server to do my bank teller work, especially over a
> nickle and dime kinda tip, that's just tacky, and dumb.

The check states "Please Pay the Server" It was a Friendly's Restaurant, a
good sized chain in this area.

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:30:01 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped for
> a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us came to
> $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00 to
> $3.50
>
> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I put
> a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you need
> change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a little later
> with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
> So. . . . . . Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles and
> some coins. The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
> responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she would have
> had more in her pocket at the end of the night. I thought a good
> waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to leave a
> tip.

i agree, and i think most savvy waiters/waitresses do.

your pal,
blake

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:05:55 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski"
> wrote:

>
>"Brooklyn1" <Gravesend1> wrote
>>>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>>>> put
>>>> a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked
>>>> "do you need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came
>>>> back a little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill
>>
>> The server was 100% correct, you didn't tell her to change the five
>> and she's not a mind reader, and she was very polite in not being so
>> presumptuous to anticipate her tip... she did EXACTLY as instructed,
>> she brought back ALL the change.
>
>>>
>>>The twenty covered the check. If she was so dumb that she didn't realize
>>>the
>>>five was there to be broken, she was probably also to dumb to figure out
>>>that she was undertipped.
>>
>> The waitress wasn't the dumb one. In the above situation the twenty
>> covered the tab... the waitress would have been perfectly correct to
>> bring back no change whatsoever and keep the six bucks plus as her tip
>
>
>She asked, "do you need change?"
>
>I replied, "yes"

And she brought you your change.

>> -- adding the five indicated that the five and the change from the
>> twenty was her tip [end of story].
>The story doesn't even compute,
>
>You missed the part of the story where she asked if I needed change. Most
>people would have though I'd want the 5 broken.

Not true... it was entirely on you to bring the five to her attention
and ask her to bring you five singles (or four singles and coins).
Actually most servers would have seen the extra five, considered it
their tip, and brought back only the change from the twenty. You got
lucky, she was probably new.

>> because the server would not have looked inside the folder in front of
>> the patron so would never have asked about bringing back change...
>> that's the entire purpose of those folders, so that no business is
>> transacted at the table... the story is a fairy tale. In a fricken
>> sammiche joint if I didn't have the correct bills for the tip I'd have
>> changed the five at the cashier and walked back with the tip... I
>> would never ask a server to do my bank teller work, especially over a
>> nickle and dime kinda tip, that's just tacky, and dumb.
>
>The check states "Please Pay the Server"

And you did. But the server brings the remittance to a cashier...
Friendly's has lots of servers, they don't have access to the till.
You got very lucky that she brought back your fiver, she could have
said "What fiver" and you'd have no recourse other than never return.
Odds are she never showed the fiver to the cashier, was already in her
pocket, but last second she felt guilt, or took another look at you
and figured you'd create a scene (or more likely thought you needed it
more than she) so she returned your fiver.

Next time if you need change of a five ask for change of a five right
up front... were servers able to read minds they most certainly
wouldn't be waiting table... they'd be politicians. LOL

Now go fill your billfold with small bills, I always have like twenty
singles and a half dozen fivers in my wallet. And all my bills are
signed in fountain pen, just in case of disputes... they rarely occur
but they eventually do.

Just now looked, this is typical, I usually have a few tens too. I
also keep some 50s and 100s in another place... I've been carrying a
"man bag" all my adult life... most men leave home with nothing but
belly button lint, it's no wonder they can't pay for a sandwhich:
http://i54.tinypic.com/6qbr4g.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/rt1htg.jpg

On Jul 23, 11:30*pm, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped for
> a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. *The bill for the twoof us came to
> $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. *An appropriate tip would be about $3.00 to
> $3.50
>
> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. *I put
> a twenty and a five in the check folder. *The waitress asked "do you need
> change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a little later
> with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
....

You should have specified "Yes please, but not for the $20, just five
$1's for the $5 bill please, for the tip."

See how easy it would have been? ;-)

John Kuthe...

On Jul 24, 10:26*am, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
....
> Just now looked, this is typical, I usually have a few tens too. *I
> also keep some 50s and 100s in another place... I've been carrying a
> "man bag" all my adult life... most men leave home with nothing but
> belly button lint, it's no wonder they can't pay for a sandwhich:http://i54.tinypic.com/6qbr4g.jpg
>
> http://i54.tinypic.com/rt1htg.jpg

Oh, you are SO much the Boy Scout, Sheldon! Always prepared! Hope you
get rolled carrying all that cash!

I have my debit card, and can write in whatever tip amount I want on
the receipt! HA!

John Kuthe...

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:05:08 -0400, Nancy Young <email@replyto> wrote:

>On 7/24/2011 9:58 AM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:21:51 -0400, Nancy Young<email@replyto> wrote:
>
>>> She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
>>> was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some people
>>> might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a heck of a
>>> tip, 34%?
>>
>> You're completely off base... a server would not look inside the
>> folder until out of sight of the patron. Servers do not ask about
>> wanting change back when there's a folder.
>
>So how'd she know it wasn't a credit card in there?

She wouldn't, but so what? She'd find out at the cashier station, and
then bring the plastic back with the imprinted slip to be signed.
There'd be no need for change because there's a place on the slip to
write in the tip. But still when I pay with plastic I tip the server
in cash, in their hand... I never ever leave cash on the table and
walk away. And I don't patronize restaurants that insist on including
the tip... how much I tip is between me and the person serving me and
nobody else. It's very rare that I pay a restaurant tab with plastic
anyway, I'm a green money kinda guy. When I go out with other people
that I don't really know, just acquaintences or friends of somebody's
friend, and someone tries to collect cash and put the entire tab on
their plastic I don't participate, why should I give them my cash so
they can pocket it and put the tab on their corporate card. I carry
my own cash and I pay my own bills. When I do go out with my few real
friends we take turns treating, there is no divvying tabs.

"John Kuthe" > wrote
>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>> put
>> a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you need
>> change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a little
>> later
>> with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
> ...
>
> You should have specified "Yes please, but not for the $20, just five
> $1's for the $5 bill please, for the tip."
>
> See how easy it would have been? ;-)
>
> John Kuthe...

I've always tried to maximize income and profit whenever possible. I'd be
sure the customer had a selection of bills to tip me properly. There must
be a reason that five was sitting there when the twenty covered the bill.
I have to wonder how many times in a week she misses opportunities to make
more money.

Janet wrote:
>
> I doubt there was a folder; the pay was for a sandwich in a chain.
> For that kind of casual-location small snack here, you'd be given
> the
> bill on a paper slip... maybe, but not always, presented on a plate.
>
> Folders are used for a larger bill for a full meal in a restaurant.
>
> Janet

Ed mentioned the folder in his original post.

Dora

On Jul 24, 11:41*am, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
> "John Kuthe" > wrote
>
> >> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. *I
> >> put
> >> a twenty and a five in the check folder. *The waitress asked "do you need
> >> change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a little
> >> later
> >> with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
> > ...
>
> > You should have specified "Yes please, but not for the $20, just five
> > $1's for the $5 bill please, for the tip."
>
> > See how easy it would have been? ;-)
>
> > John Kuthe...
>
> I've always tried to maximize income and profit whenever possible. *I'd be
> sure the customer had a selection of bills to tip me properly. *There must
> be a reason that five was sitting there when the twenty covered the bill.
> I have to wonder how many times in a week she misses opportunities to make
> more money.

By specifically asking for the five ones, you'd be subtly and almost
effortlessly helping educate the server how to give better service,
and maximizing your ability to more finely reward the service given
via tipping to the dollar exactly what you wish to tip. Seems like
upsides all around to me!

John Kuthe...

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:03:51 +0100, Janet > wrote:

>In article >, Brooklyn1 says...
>>
>> On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:21:51 -0400, Nancy Young <email@replyto> wrote:
>>
>> >On 7/24/2011 12:51 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>> >> "Ed > wrote
>> >
>> >>> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>> >>>
>> >>> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped
>> >>> for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us came
>> >>> to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00 to
>> >>> $3.50
>> >>>
>> >>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>> >>> put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you
>> >>> need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
>> >>> little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>> >
>> >> Sounds to me like she just assumed you would give her the $5. I try to
>> >> always keep several ones and fives with me in case we eat out.
>> >
>> >She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
>> >was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some people
>> >might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a heck of a
>> >tip, 34%?
>>
>> You're completely off base... a server would not look inside the
>> folder until out of sight of the patron. Servers do not ask about
>> wanting change back when there's a folder.
>
> I doubt there was a folder; the pay was for a sandwich in a chain. For
>that kind of casual-location small snack here, you'd be given the bill on
>a paper slip... maybe, but not always, presented on a plate.
>
> Folders are used for a larger bill for a full meal in a restaurant.

Ed said "folder".

Nowadays even puny joints have gone to using folders because so many
pay with plastic and a folder offers more privacy/security.

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:41:12 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski"
> wrote:

>
>"John Kuthe" > wrote
>>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>>> put
>>> a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you need
>>> change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a little
>>> later
>>> with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>> ...
>>
>> You should have specified "Yes please, but not for the $20, just five
>> $1's for the $5 bill please, for the tip."
>>
>> See how easy it would have been? ;-)
>>
>> John Kuthe...
>
>I've always tried to maximize income and profit whenever possible. I'd be
>sure the customer had a selection of bills to tip me properly. There must
>be a reason that five was sitting there when the twenty covered the bill.
>I have to wonder how many times in a week she misses opportunities to make
>more money.

Ed, she's a waitress, not a banker. Had you not asked for change most
servers would have assumed the extra five was part of their tip and
returned nothing. It's not up to servers to handle your finances,
they're lowly servers, not CPAs... you didn't ask for change of the
fiver or she'd have gladly done you that favor. Anyways, you ate with
your wife... doesn't she carry any cash... if your wife who knows you
for most of your life didn't think to lend you two bucks why would you
assume a waitress who doesn't know you from a hole in the wall would
know what you're thinking... the server was more likely to assume that
your wife would kick in a couple of bucks to cover the tip. A lot of
folks would have left a $5 tip for that tab, I would have, especially
if it's a local Friendly's that I'm apt to patronize regularly. I tip
very generously at those places I frequent on a regular basis. However
if I'm at a place where the service really stinks I don't tip at all,
but I know I will never return.

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:58:03 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

> I really hate being asked if I want my change. Of course I want my
> change. If I am planning on leaving all the change for a tip I will tell
> the server to keep it.

+1

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:58:23 -0400, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

> Servers do not ask about
> wanting change back when there's a folder.

Yes they do and often enough that I think it's a downright rude trend.

--

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

On Jul 24, 11:40*am, Dave Smith > wrote:
> On 24/07/2011 1:33 PM, David Harmon wrote:
>
> > that would be pretty bad thinking. *$1.37 tip would be more likely,
> > since she forgot to break the five. *It didn't happen that way
> > because Ed had a couple of singles in his pocket and is a generous
> > fellow, but the waitress had no way of knowing that. *The change she
> > brought back could have been the only source for her tip, and he may
> > have needed part of that five for something later.
>
> I resent wait staff asking if I want my change. *I think that, unless
> specifically told to keep the change, they should presume that you do
> want your change, and they should ensure that there is enough change in
> there to leave *15-20% tip.

==
I would have said..."yes, I want the change and every damned bit of
it."...uncouth servers deserve nothing.
==
==

On Jul 24, 12:30*am, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped for
> a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. *The bill for the twoof us came to
> $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. *An appropriate tip would be about $3.00 to
> $3.50
>
> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. *I put
> a twenty and a five in the check folder. *The waitress asked "do you need
> change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a little later
> with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
> So. . . . . . * Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles and
> some coins. *The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
> responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she would have
> had more in her pocket at the end of the night. *I thought a good
> waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to leave a
> tip. *I did not feel it worth $5 to bring a sandwich and soda.

When I was a cashier back in the days before the Flood, I always
returned a passel of ones as the change. Started the night with 200
dollars in ones, fresh from the bank, dipped edges in sparkling water
to ripple them a bit (old bartender's trick they showed me).

I recently ate out in two places, added tips to the bill, paid by
credit card, but the tips didn't get billed. Fortunately, the
waiters' names were on the ticket, so I mailed them checks with a
note. Something in their procedure needs to be changed - I hope too
to have restored their faith in the 'stiffing' public. I am sure I
got cursed those nights.

hotel tipping? that's a whole new topic. Anyone care to discuss? New
thread?

On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:42:09 -0700, Dan Abel > wrote:

>In article >,
> Janet > wrote:
>
>
>> > >> "Ed > wrote
>
>> > >>> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
>> > >>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
>> > >>> put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do
>> > >>> you
>> > >>> need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
>> > >>> little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
>> I doubt there was a folder; the pay was for a sandwich in a chain. For
>> that kind of casual-location small snack here, you'd be given the bill on
>> a paper slip... maybe, but not always, presented on a plate.
>>
>> Folders are used for a larger bill for a full meal in a restaurant.
>
>So why did the OP post that he put the bills in the check folder?
>
>I think that the server was just inexperienced. Why would she bring
>back the very same five dollar bill, unbroken?

So as not to be accused of thievery. Have you never been handed too
much money from a checkout person at the stupidmarket, you'd pocket
it. That server was being honest, even though Ed thoughtlessly set
her up, to either be a thief, or by forcing her to be classless by
being presumptuous about her tip. By not being explicitly instructed
to bring change for the five that server did exactly the right thing.
Unlike you her parents instilled her with integrity. For all she knew
Ed was operating under cover, that was how her employer was testing
her honesty... employees who handle money are often tested similarly.
My nephew is a bank teller, he said hardly a day passes that someone
making a cash deposit doesn't write down less on the deposit slip than
the cash tendered. And he never knows when the manager is going to
audit his cash drawer. Bank tellers get into much more trouble for
tallying over than under. Bank tellers are tested often by security
service employees who purposely tender an extra twenty. Restaurant
servers handle cash all day, they are supposed to be honest.
Bartenders and barmaids can steal easily, but if they want to keep
their jobs they don't because it's too easy to catch them. And it's
very easy to tempt folks who are ordinarily honest into becoming
thieves, cash money is a powerful persuader. I never leave a tip on
the table for good reason.

On 24/07/2011 3:05 PM, Paul M. Cook wrote:

> A 15% tip would have been 2.63. Round it up to 2.65 and that's plenty of
> tip for schlepping a sandwhich to a table. Perhaps she wanted a tip for
> each plate? They think that way. I get really tired of wait staff who
> expect me to pay their rent for them just because they refilled my coffee
> cup.
>

It's worse than that. They figure that if you can afford to go out for a
meal, you can afford to tip. If you are in a nice restaurant with high
prices, you can afford to pay an even higher percentage. It doesn't
seem to occur to them that when you are paying higher prices and tipping
the same percentage that you are already tipping more. As I said before,
this is perhaps why they are destined to be waiters. It is not my nature
to be rude and condescending to waiters, but some of them need to be
tuned in.

On 7/24/2011 4:41 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 24/07/2011 2:46 PM, ItsJoanNotJoann wrote:
>
>>> Breakfast might be the exception in some cases, as you say. This
>>> place in NH where we'd stay has a restaurant. Breakfast was maybe
>>> $3.25. The waitress would be running back and forth with the
>>> bacon, the eggs and toast, the coffee with refills, the juice.
>>> I'm not leaving $1.25 tip for two.

>> Sounds like they need to train their wait staff or get new
>> waitresses. There should be no running back and forth with bacon,
>> then eggs and toast, and juice. She should bring coffee and juice
>> when ordered, or possibly juice after coffee is ordered. Bacon, eggs,
>> and toast should come on one plate per person.

They had their way of doing things, and the service was always
very nice there.

> That sounds more like the kitchen than the wait staff. Breakfast orders
> are generally served on a single plate, bacon, eggs, home fries,
> pancakes, toast. Perhaps they sell each of those as side orders, but I
> would assume that for $3.25 it is a set price combo, because if they
> were all side orders they would have gouged the OP for a lot more than
> $3.25

Yes, they had these breakfast combos, I'm sure they must cost more now
because even then, I had no idea how they made a profit.

At any rate, what I was getting at is that at some point, the percent
thing doesn't apply as far as I'm concerned. Just because the place
practically gives away breakfast doesn't mean I would feel comfortable
tipping the hard working waitress by the book.

nancy

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
om...
> On 24/07/2011 3:05 PM, Paul M. Cook wrote:
>
>> A 15% tip would have been 2.63. Round it up to 2.65 and that's plenty of
>> tip for schlepping a sandwhich to a table. Perhaps she wanted a tip for
>> each plate? They think that way. I get really tired of wait staff who
>> expect me to pay their rent for them just because they refilled my coffee
>> cup.
>>
>
> It's worse than that. They figure that if you can afford to go out for a
> meal, you can afford to tip. If you are in a nice restaurant with high
> prices, you can afford to pay an even higher percentage. It doesn't seem
> to occur to them that when you are paying higher prices and tipping the
> same percentage that you are already tipping more. As I said before, this
> is perhaps why they are destined to be waiters. It is not my nature to be
> rude and condescending to waiters, but some of them need to be tuned in.
>

It takes no more to serve a lobster thermadore than it does a PB&J yet they
expect a much bigger tip simply because the lobster is more expensive.

Paul

"John Kuthe" > wrote in message
...
On Jul 24, 2:05 pm, "Paul M. Cook" > wrote:
> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
>
>
> > Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
> > The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped
> > for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us
> > came
> > to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00
> > to
> > $3.50
>
> > I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
> > put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you
> > need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
> > little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
> > So. . . . . . Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles
> > and some coins. The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
> > responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she would
> > have had more in her pocket at the end of the night. I thought a good
> > waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to leave
> > a
> > tip. I did not feel it worth $5 to bring a sandwich and soda.
>
> A 15% tip would have been 2.63. Round it up to 2.65 and that's plenty of
> tip for schlepping a sandwhich to a table. Perhaps she wanted a tip for
> each plate? They think that way. I get really tired of wait staff who
> expect me to pay their rent for them just because they refilled my coffee
> cup.
>
> Paul

Cheapskate!! I don't go out to eat specifically because I am
unemployed and don't have a lot of $$. When I'm working and go out to
eat I am "sharing the wealth". If you go out to eat and whinge about
tipping the wait staff you obviously don't realize or care that many
rely heavily on tips for their income. Going out to eat is expensive,
and if you can afford it you should also afford to adequately support
the waitstaff! Either that or stay home and eat!

I love being able to tip well!


The only time I tip more is when the wait person is worked more as in when
the party of diners is larger. Then they earn it. Otherwise, 15% is
generous. I am a generous tipper but onlo when the wait person goes above
and beyond. Just meeting minimums and not spitting on the food does not
earn them anything extra.

Paul

Dave Smith wrote:
> On 24/07/2011 1:58 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
>>
>> Well I don't know then. I very rarely ask for change. If I do I
>> will tell them how much to give me back and tell them to keep the
>> rest.
>
> I really hate being asked if I want my change. Of course I want my
> change. If I am planning on leaving all the change for a tip I will
> tell the server to keep it.

Sometimes they ask me before I can say, "Keep the change." Doesn't bother
me.

Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:21:51 -0400, Nancy Young <email@replyto> wrote:
>
>> On 7/24/2011 12:51 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>> "Ed > wrote
>>
>>>> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>>>>
>>>> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we
>>>> stopped for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for
>>>> the twoof us came to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate
>>>> tip would be about $3.00 to $3.50
>>>>
>>>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a
>>>> five. I put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The
>>>> waitress asked "do you need change?" and I replied "yes" She took
>>>> the money and came back a little later with a few coins, a single
>>>> and the $5 bill.
>>
>>> Sounds to me like she just assumed you would give her the $5. I
>>> try to always keep several ones and fives with me in case we eat
>>> out.
>>
>> She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
>> was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some
>> people might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a
>> heck of a tip, 34%?
>
> You're completely off base... a server would not look inside the
> folder until out of sight of the patron. Servers do not ask about
> wanting change back when there's a folder.

I am almost always asked when there is a folder and they do not ever look
inside.

Janet wrote:
> In article >, Brooklyn1
> says...
>>
>> On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:21:51 -0400, Nancy Young <email@replyto>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 7/24/2011 12:51 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>> "Ed > wrote
>>>
>>>>> Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>>>>>
>>>>> The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we
>>>>> stopped for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for
>>>>> the twoof us came to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate
>>>>> tip would be about $3.00 to $3.50
>>>>>
>>>>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a
>>>>> five. I put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The
>>>>> waitress asked "do you need change?" and I replied "yes" She took
>>>>> the money and came back a little later with a few coins, a single
>>>>> and the $5 bill.
>>>
>>>> Sounds to me like she just assumed you would give her the $5. I
>>>> try to always keep several ones and fives with me in case we eat
>>>> out.
>>>
>>> She was probably hoping for the five since she seemed to think there
>>> was a good chance she'd be getting a $6.37 tip. I suppose some
>>> people might just leave the $25 for convenience's sake but that's a
>>> heck of a tip, 34%?
>>
>> You're completely off base... a server would not look inside the
>> folder until out of sight of the patron. Servers do not ask about
>> wanting change back when there's a folder.
>
> I doubt there was a folder; the pay was for a sandwich in a chain.
> For that kind of casual-location small snack here, you'd be given the
> bill on a paper slip... maybe, but not always, presented on a plate.
>
> Folders are used for a larger bill for a full meal in a restaurant.

Not here. Some restaurants always use folders. I have never had a bill on
a plate!

On 24/07/2011 5:54 PM, Paul M. Cook wrote:
> "Dave > wrote in message
e of them need to be tuned in.
>>
>
> It takes no more to serve a lobster thermadore than it does a PB&J yet they
> expect a much bigger tip simply because the lobster is more expensive.
>


That's my argument about wine and premium beers. The glasses are on the
table. They have to go and fetch the bottle of wine. I really don't
understand why I am supposed to tip 15% and pay $3 on a $20 of wine but
$15 on a $100 bottle. It is the same amount of work for the server.
It's bad enough that they are charging at least 100% mark-up on the wine
and gouging me on that.

Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:05:55 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> "Brooklyn1" <Gravesend1> wrote
>>>>> I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a
>>>>> five. I put
>>>>> a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked
>>>>> "do you need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and
>>>>> came back a little later with a few coins, a single and the $5
>>>>> bill
>>>
>>> The server was 100% correct, you didn't tell her to change the five
>>> and she's not a mind reader, and she was very polite in not being so
>>> presumptuous to anticipate her tip... she did EXACTLY as instructed,
>>> she brought back ALL the change.
>>
>>>>
>>>> The twenty covered the check. If she was so dumb that she didn't
>>>> realize the
>>>> five was there to be broken, she was probably also to dumb to
>>>> figure out that she was undertipped.
>>>
>>> The waitress wasn't the dumb one. In the above situation the
>>> twenty covered the tab... the waitress would have been perfectly
>>> correct to bring back no change whatsoever and keep the six bucks
>>> plus as her tip
>>
>>
>> She asked, "do you need change?"
>>
>> I replied, "yes"
>
> And she brought you your change.
>
>>> -- adding the five indicated that the five and the change from the
>>> twenty was her tip [end of story].
>> The story doesn't even compute,
>>
>> You missed the part of the story where she asked if I needed change.
>> Most people would have though I'd want the 5 broken.
>
> Not true... it was entirely on you to bring the five to her attention
> and ask her to bring you five singles (or four singles and coins).
> Actually most servers would have seen the extra five, considered it
> their tip, and brought back only the change from the twenty. You got
> lucky, she was probably new.
>
>>> because the server would not have looked inside the folder in front
>>> of the patron so would never have asked about bringing back
>>> change... that's the entire purpose of those folders, so that no
>>> business is transacted at the table... the story is a fairy tale.
>>> In a fricken sammiche joint if I didn't have the correct bills for
>>> the tip I'd have changed the five at the cashier and walked back
>>> with the tip... I would never ask a server to do my bank teller
>>> work, especially over a nickle and dime kinda tip, that's just
>>> tacky, and dumb.
>>
>> The check states "Please Pay the Server"
>
> And you did. But the server brings the remittance to a cashier...
> Friendly's has lots of servers, they don't have access to the till.
> You got very lucky that she brought back your fiver, she could have
> said "What fiver" and you'd have no recourse other than never return.
> Odds are she never showed the fiver to the cashier, was already in her
> pocket, but last second she felt guilt, or took another look at you
> and figured you'd create a scene (or more likely thought you needed it
> more than she) so she returned your fiver.
>
> Next time if you need change of a five ask for change of a five right
> up front... were servers able to read minds they most certainly
> wouldn't be waiting table... they'd be politicians. LOL
>
> Now go fill your billfold with small bills, I always have like twenty
> singles and a half dozen fivers in my wallet. And all my bills are
> signed in fountain pen, just in case of disputes... they rarely occur
> but they eventually do.
>
> Just now looked, this is typical, I usually have a few tens too. I
> also keep some 50s and 100s in another place... I've been carrying a
> "man bag" all my adult life... most men leave home with nothing but
> belly button lint, it's no wonder they can't pay for a sandwhich:
> http://i54.tinypic.com/6qbr4g.jpg
>
> http://i54.tinypic.com/rt1htg.jpg

In this case I would have said something like, "Yes. Please bring me back
$2.00" or whatever amount I wanted back.

On Jul 24, 4:57*pm, "Paul M. Cook" > wrote:
> "John Kuthe" > wrote in message
>
> ...
> On Jul 24, 2:05 pm, "Paul M. Cook" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > > Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
> > > The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we stopped
> > > for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us
> > > came
> > > to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00
> > > to
> > > $3.50
>
> > > I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
> > > put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do you
> > > need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
> > > little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
> > > So. . . . . . Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles
> > > and some coins. The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
> > > responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she would
> > > have had more in her pocket at the end of the night. I thought a good
> > > waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to leave
> > > a
> > > tip. I did not feel it worth $5 to bring a sandwich and soda.
>
> > A 15% tip would have been 2.63. Round it up to 2.65 and that's plenty of
> > tip for schlepping a sandwhich to a table. Perhaps she wanted a tip for
> > each plate? They think that way. I get really tired of wait staff who
> > expect me to pay their rent for them just because they refilled my coffee
> > cup.
>
> > Paul
>
> Cheapskate!! I don't go out to eat specifically because I am
> unemployed and don't have a lot of $$. When I'm working and go out to
> eat I am "sharing the wealth". If you go out to eat and whinge about
> tipping the wait staff you obviously don't realize or care that many
> rely heavily on tips for their income. Going out to eat is expensive,
> and if you can afford it you should also afford to adequately support
> the waitstaff! Either that or stay home and eat!
>
> I love being able to tip well!
>
> The only time I tip more is when the wait person is worked more as in when
> the party of diners is larger. *Then they earn it. *Otherwise, 15% is
> generous. *I am a generous tipper but onlo when the wait person goes above
> and beyond. *Just meeting minimums and not spitting on the food does not
> earn them anything extra.
>
> Paul

Wow!! And YOU don't quote at all! You didn't write all of that. The
first parts I wrote. But how would anyone know that?

And 15% is not even the min anymore, more like 20%. Get a clue!

John Kuthe,...

"John Kuthe" > wrote in message
...
On Jul 24, 4:57 pm, "Paul M. Cook" > wrote:
> "John Kuthe" > wrote in message
>
> ...
> On Jul 24, 2:05 pm, "Paul M. Cook" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > > Some wait staff make it difficult to tip them.
>
> > > The other night my wife and I were out doing a few errands so we
> > > stopped
> > > for a sandwich at a chain type restaurant. The bill for the twoof us
> > > came
> > > to $17.50 plus tax, or $18.63. An appropriate tip would be about $3.00
> > > to
> > > $3.50
>
> > > I reached in my pocked and had some twentys, two singles and a five. I
> > > put a twenty and a five in the check folder. The waitress asked "do
> > > you
> > > need change?" and I replied "yes" She took the money and came back a
> > > little later with a few coins, a single and the $5 bill.
>
> > > So. . . . . . Instead of getting a $3.50 tip, she got the two singles
> > > and some coins. The place was busy and she disappeared. I did not feel
> > > responsible to wait around and chase her for more change, but she
> > > would
> > > have had more in her pocket at the end of the night. I thought a good
> > > waiter/waitress always made sure the customer had enough bills to
> > > leave
> > > a
> > > tip. I did not feel it worth $5 to bring a sandwich and soda.
>
> > A 15% tip would have been 2.63. Round it up to 2.65 and that's plenty of
> > tip for schlepping a sandwhich to a table. Perhaps she wanted a tip for
> > each plate? They think that way. I get really tired of wait staff who
> > expect me to pay their rent for them just because they refilled my
> > coffee
> > cup.
>
> > Paul
>
> Cheapskate!! I don't go out to eat specifically because I am
> unemployed and don't have a lot of $$. When I'm working and go out to
> eat I am "sharing the wealth". If you go out to eat and whinge about
> tipping the wait staff you obviously don't realize or care that many
> rely heavily on tips for their income. Going out to eat is expensive,
> and if you can afford it you should also afford to adequately support
> the waitstaff! Either that or stay home and eat!
>
> I love being able to tip well!
>
> The only time I tip more is when the wait person is worked more as in when
> the party of diners is larger. Then they earn it. Otherwise, 15% is
> generous. I am a generous tipper but onlo when the wait person goes above
> and beyond. Just meeting minimums and not spitting on the food does not
> earn them anything extra.
>
> Paul

Wow!! And YOU don't quote at all! You didn't write all of that. The
first parts I wrote. But how would anyone know that?


Well the problem actually is your software. I assume some people can follow
a thread but I'm probably being too generous.


And 15% is not even the min anymore, more like 20%. Get a clue!


So who makes these rules? Why is it they so deserve tips? Why don;'t we
also tip everyone else we come in contact with during the day? It's called
a gratuity. Not a compulsity.

Paul

On 24/07/2011 6:35 PM, Paul M. Cook wrote:
thread but I'm probably being too generous.
>
>
> And 15% is not even the min anymore, more like 20%. Get a clue!
>
>
> So who makes these rules? Why is it they so deserve tips? Why don;'t we
> also tip everyone else we come in contact with during the day? It's called
> a gratuity. Not a compulsity.
>


Hold on a sec...... who is writing what here?
20% is now the expected tip? Screw that. I have read that waiters think
they deserve more because the cost of living is higher these days. Sure
it is. It is higher for everyone. Menu prices are up, so restaurant
bills are higher and a 15% is more money. We used to go out frequently
in the 70s and a nice meal could be had for $30 and a tip would be
$4.50. Now those meals cost over $100, so the tips would be
correspondingly higher.

If it it makes people feel good to be the big shot and over tip, go for
it, but I don't appreciate someone in a menial labour position telling
me that the rates have gone up. A gratuity, be definition, is voluntary.