If you’ve ever relied on someone else’s good mood and happiness to pay your bills, then you may understand what it means to work for tips as people in the service industry do. A long time ago, I was a restaurant server and bartender and relied on the tips I made to pay my bills. A lot of people don’t know this, but most servers only make about $2 per hour. In the United States, a server relies on tips from customers to make up the rest of their pay. Honestly, it’s a horrible system. Although there can be benefits to it if you’re having a good night and customers are tipping well, all it takes is one jerk to ruin your day’s income. The guy in the story below is just that type of person. We don’t know if this is a true story, but it’s been making its way around social media and email and is definitely worth passing along.
(It is a busy Saturday night. During the dinner rush, I have been dealing with a table of two 2o-somethings on a date. The guy, a blonde, had found something to complain about every time I’ve walked by. Meanwhile, the brown-haired girl just blushes and stays quiet. They’ve finished their meal.)
Blonde Man: “Are you new here?”
Me: “No, sir. I’ve been a waitress here for two years and three years at [other restaurant] prior.”
Blonde Man: “Then you have no excuse for how terrible this service was. The salad was wilty, and the entree was way too cold, and you were nowhere to be found. Plus, this place is far too noisy; I could barely hear myself speak! Honestly, I get better service at a fast food place.”
Me: “I’m sorry you feel that way. While there isn’t much I can do about the noise, I did offer to bring you different food before, but you said no.”
Blonde Man: *waves me off* “Just bring me the check, and try not to be so slow about it for once.”
(I go and get the check, but when I return, his date stands up and hands me a $2o bill.)
Girl: “Here, this is your tip. He wasn’t going to give you one. As a former waiter myself, I thought you were doing a perfectly fine job. My food was great, and the service was fast even though you’re so busy right now.”
(She turns to her stunned blonde date.)
Girl: “People like you made my job so much worse, especially for making us work that much harder for no tip. So thanks for the meal, but you can go ahead and delete my number because there will be no second date. And by the way, potjevleesch is supposed to be served cold, you idiot.”
(With that, she left the restaurant without him. It made the whole night worth it, to see that blonde man speechless.)
