Waiter Suck and a Question

[reformedwaitress]

I always use the "I'll be right back" line. That way, I don't have to worry about what's in there. If it's cash and they don't need change, they'll tell me. But it could be a card that isn't sticking out of the top or they might want change.

However, sometimes when you're busy (and sometimes, you can't always tell whether a waiter is busy, there may have been stuff in the back that you didn't know about), the phrasing of the sentence or question is wrong. Sometimes "Do you need change" slips out without meaning to. I've done it a time or two and I always feel bad. But sometimes it happens. Especially when you're thinking about "okay, I need to do this, this, this, this and if they don't need change, I can close the table a bit later."

If he was a good waiter otherwise, please don't judge him so harshly. We all make mistakes once in awhile, and if that was his worst mistake I say he did pretty good.

[aurelemsrealm]

That question would have probably puzzled me for a second more than annoyed me because I tend to use my check card when dining out. I don't recall it ever being asked to me what few times I paid the bill in cash. I've never waited tables, so I don't think of such things. If I have any cash on me at all when I go out, I usually use it for tipping rather than the bill because I've heard that some restaurants will take from the waiter's tips to pay the processing fee. I just think that's unfair, so I try to tip wait staff in cash if I have enough on me. So, I almost always pay the bill with my check card, and leave a cash tip when possible.

As for how I tip, I usually leave that up to my wife to decide, but I'm all for tipping generously for good service. I know they have more patience than I do if they can resist the urge to make the jerks of the world wear their food. I only put my foot down if I thought the service was horrible, and then I refuse to tip for bad service.

[Becks]

I've heard that some restaurants will take from the waiter's tips to pay the processing fee.

I've never heard that.

[GolfCart34]

When I was in training at Hooters they told me that servers had to keep at least $50 in ones and fives on hand every night so they could make change for customers right away at the table. They also said that the cash register at the bar was only for bar customers and could not make change for servers. I'm assuming this was only true for the particular franchise I was working for at the time as this doesn't seem to be the case for the other locations I've been to. They also didn't give you tips when you were in training. Your tips had to go to the corporate trainer who was teaching you even after you had been sent off to serve on your own. That wasn't fair if you ask me, thus part of the reason why I quit after only 2 shifts (I also didn't like the management, the restaurant was always dirty, and I didn't feel like I should have to run to the bank every day for change).

99% of the time I pay with my credit card when I eat out at a restaurant, so the change thing doesn't normally come up. I think it's proper server etiquette to say, "I'll be right back with your change" as opposed to questioning the customer about whether or not change is needed. My ex waited tables at a restaurant when he was right out of high school and he recommended paying the tab with credit and tipping in cash. The other servers at the restaurant he worked at were notorious for not giving proper change and altering credit slips. That's why he would pay them with his card, then cross out the tip line and write in "tipped with cash." He said that the servers there would also not give coin change and shortchange customers. The restaurant in question was excellent, the servers were just a bit shady.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I can't say why, I've just always considered this an inappropriate question.

Thanks for the answers

I think it depends on how it's asked. It seems less presumptuous to just say, "I'll be right back with your change," thus giving the customer the opportunity to say no change is necessary. I guess asking "Do you need change" makes it sound like you are assuming what's left over is for you to keep, but it doesn't really bother me either way. I mean, clearly the server is hoping for a large tip, but they should try not to show it .

or if I pay with a 50, "just give me back 10,-".

I only ever ask for a specific amount back if I'm getting delivery...but I try to use exact change including tip if I can.

I've heard that some restaurants will take from the waiter's tips to pay the processing fee.

That can't possibly be legal. Processing fees are part of the cost of doing business and accepting credit cards. They should be budgeted into the restaurant's expense planning.

[PepperElf]

sounds like he was pretty good ... i like the part about refilling drinks quickly. had a guy do that for me over at cheesecake factory.

the "worst" olive garden experiance my family ever had... one of the other servers tripped and the food went flying, spaghetti sauce and all... and mom's back got covered. i say "worst" cos... well mom's shirt never did dry clean properly, but the manager bent over backwards to apologize and gave us a gift certificate - can't remember if it was the value of the shirt or drycleaning it or both... and the server who tripped came back several times to see how we were doing, and when we were done he gave us a lot of those dinner mint choccies.

since then, mom sits on the inside and one of us can take the outside seat, lol.

as for the tip - although the cost of the meal was pretty low after the gift certificate, the tip was based on the full amount. besides, it wasn't our server's fault that the other one tripped, and they were pretty good about it.

[marasbaras]

You know, as a customer, I like that idea about Hooters and keeping $1s and $5s handy. Speeds things up.

I remember the skating waitresses at the drive-ins used to carry coin change in dispensers. Fast, fast, fast.