Previously: Long Live The Streak!
It was a big group of six people. They all wanted to eat. I punched their food and drinks into the screen. The food runner delivered the food 15 minutes later and when everyone was half-finished eating I noticed one irate man missing his meal. I forgot to put in his order. I’ve done this before. I begged the kitchen to make his “on the fly.”
I walked back to the table.
“Sir, there was a mix up in the kitchen and they thought they made your order when in fact they did not. I apologize for this and I’m getting them to make it right now. It should be out in a couple minutes.”
I still got a 20% on that tab. Later I spilled a glass of red wine on two girls. I only got their legs but it was still messy. When I couldn’t think of a way to blame the kitchen I said, “Sorry guys I’m an idiot.”
20%.
I try to pick apart what gets higher tips or not and I’m finding it’s not necessarily good service because if the words “Sorry” or “I apologize” come out of my mouth I do pretty well. It’s good attitude. If they like me I will get a good tip, no matter how shitty my service was.
Two things:
1. If you receive a free drink, it’s because the bartender wants you to give him the money you would have spent. If you get a $8 drink for free, tip at least $5 on that drink.
2. We look at tips on the total amount, not the amount without tax.
If you ever tip 10-14% to one of my coworkers, I will not hear the end of it. They whine about it, call you cheap, and then make fun of your physical appearance of mannerisms. So yes, a good way to punish a restaurant worker is to give a bad tip. It puts them in an instant bad mood. I, on the other hand, realize that tips are voluntary. I am grateful for every crumpled dollar you give me.
