And then I'm one of those people that consistently tip the carhops $1. And I get the feeling that most people don't tip them at all. I ask them if they make minimum wage and honestly, some of them don't even know what minimum wage is. (Just like some of them can't make change -- I even had a young girl tell me that "they don't teach us that in school".)
And that $1 is out of my own pocket -- the MSC does not reimburse it.
I once did a dine in where they were very specific about having an itemized receipt and the receipt NOT being over the allowed amount. I put enough tip in to bring it to the maximum, and left cash on the table, which I would not be reimbursed for.
Got reamed by the MSC for undertipping. I wrote back and explained that I had also left cash, that I would never short a server, and had left an amount greater than the MSC allowed. They said for me to never do that again!
But when I was a server, it was extremely common for people to put some tip on the CC, and also leave a few bucks on the table, too. I also assumed it was for the great service they got, they left extra. I really didn't think it outed me as a shopper at all.
I had an assignment at a deli, and really, really enjoyed it. Great food, pleasant surroundings, attentive service -- but every time a server came to the table, it was a different server! One took my drinks order, a different one delivered a drink, a third one offered and brought refills. One took my food order, a different one delivered the food, a third one cleared the table. So I pulled one aside and asked about tipping -- I mean, it was a $25 meal, and didn't justify leaving a tip for 7 or 8 different runners/servers. They all did well, with smiles and upbeat energy.
The server told me I didn't need to tip at all, that their employer took pride in paying a "living wage" even to people the law said he could pay less (which may have had a great deal to do with the upbeat attitude); and that all tips were collected and donated to a local woman's shelter.
I was so impressed by that, I went back to my table and left $25 tip.
As I was leaving, the manager came out and shook my hand, several servers came up and hugged me.
For once, I felt they genuinely meant it when they said to come back!
All I put in my report was the upbeat atmosphere and positive energy and how much I enjoyed the meal, the surroundings, the service, and would happily eat there again on my own dime.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/2018 11:49PM by ceasesmith.