When your server asks if you "want" or "need" your change...
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I agree that this is inappropriate. I find it outrageous and tacky how many places want tips even for cashiers. Tipping in general just doesn't make sense to me. A server does the same amount of work whether someone orders an $8 burger or a $40 lobster dinner. I'd rather have them be paid fair wages and have that built into the cost of the meal, but I know that servers make more from tips so they prefer the tipping system.
I totally agree. It's one of my pet peeves.
I've had them not even ask. They just walk away with my change.
Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
WOW. I'd be yelling and screaming!
Sonic is one of the few places that pays servers minimum wage - not server minimum wage, but regular employee's minimum wage ($9.50 an hour here). However, they also keep employees below 32 hours a week, so they don't have to pay benefits. I know no one can live on 32 hours a week at $9.50. It's even on the paperwork that Sonic does NOT encourage tipping, and that if you tip, you won't be reimbursed.
Sonic is one of the few places that pays servers minimum wage - not server minimum wage, but regular employee's minimum wage ($9.50 an hour here). However, they also keep employees below 32 hours a week, so they don't have to pay benefits. I know no one can live on 32 hours a week at $9.50. It's even on the paperwork that Sonic does NOT encourage tipping, and that if you tip, you won't be reimbursed.
@ArkLaMissshopping wrote:
I've had them not even ask. They just walk away with my change.
My last Sonic was in Sept. of 2010, when the MSC lost the contract for my area. I do not recall a car hop mentioning change, so it may be much more common in today's marketplace. I can state that if the MSC does not reimburse for tipping, I would not accept that work. I would definitely not tip from my pocket, as that act would serve to subsidize the client's unwillingness to adequately pay their employees.
As to workers inquiring if a guest desired their change, I agree with cease; that it triple tacky.
As to workers inquiring if a guest desired their change, I agree with cease; that it triple tacky.
@ArkLaMissshopping wrote:
I've had them not even ask. They just walk away with my change.
Where's the jaw-drop emoji! That's so rude and crude.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Unfortunately our country's ridiculous system of tying health care to jobs encourages businesses to not hire full time people due to the outrageous costs incurred, but most Sonic employees, other than managers, are probably teenagers, anyway, who wouldn't need full-time benefits. I have seen them paying substantially above minimum wage, as most every place is, to attract workers, but their pay is still lower than many other entry level jobs, making it harder for them to get fully staffed.
I agree it's tacky and it's unprofessional for a server to ask if you want or need your change! I've had that happen in the past, but not recently.
While I think MSCs should reimburse for tips that aren't covered by the reimbursement, I will tip "out of pocket." It's not a server's fault that the client and/or the MSC is being cheap. He or she shouldn't be penalized. If anyone thinks that not tipping because it's unreimbursed will effect any change, I'm afraid that's a pipe dream.
If the service is good, I leave a generous tip. If not, I may or may not leave any tip. Here in my state, the minimum "cash wage" for servers is still a paltry $2.83, with $7.25 the combined cash + tip "assumed" wage. Wow, what a deal. Not.
When I was a server, I made good $$ in tips, but I can remember being aghast at the fact that I was taxed on an assumption that my hourly wage + tips was equal to minimum state wage, even if it wasn't. Back then, unlike now, there was no requirement for employers to make up the difference if a server doesn't make the whopping $7.25/hour. But some don't, and I think there have been several lawsuits over this.
While I think MSCs should reimburse for tips that aren't covered by the reimbursement, I will tip "out of pocket." It's not a server's fault that the client and/or the MSC is being cheap. He or she shouldn't be penalized. If anyone thinks that not tipping because it's unreimbursed will effect any change, I'm afraid that's a pipe dream.
If the service is good, I leave a generous tip. If not, I may or may not leave any tip. Here in my state, the minimum "cash wage" for servers is still a paltry $2.83, with $7.25 the combined cash + tip "assumed" wage. Wow, what a deal. Not.
When I was a server, I made good $$ in tips, but I can remember being aghast at the fact that I was taxed on an assumption that my hourly wage + tips was equal to minimum state wage, even if it wasn't. Back then, unlike now, there was no requirement for employers to make up the difference if a server doesn't make the whopping $7.25/hour. But some don't, and I think there have been several lawsuits over this.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Chipotle staff did this to me too one time and I was in utter disbelief. Staff and management there has reached a sub lime level.
Unless I perceived an offensive tone of voice or attitude, I would not be offended. The question would still be unprofessional, though.
If you are ever in California everyone who is an employee, including servers, get the same minimum wage. Right now the minimum wage is heading towards $15 an hour. Some places are advertising they are paying $18 an hour. This may not be considered a living wage for many here but it always bothered me that the difference in servers wages are so diverse around the country. My mindset on tips would certainly vary if I knew my server was earning a little over $2 an hour vs $15 an hour even in a high priced location. I do not think the cost of living is 7x more in many places.. And we also have some food establishments that tack a 3-5% additional charge on your bill to pay for some vague things. It started when a rule was made here that health insurance was mandatory for certain of these groups and expanded to include the price of covid precautions.
The teenage worker at the subway drive thru asked me that recently. I just stared in disbelief. I worked at a fast food restaurant when I was in high school and it was forbidden to accept tips.
Are we now supposed to tip the grocery cashier, bank teller, dental assistant, USPS clerk, or the employee who slices the meat at the deli counter?
Maybe we can ask for a tip from the editors when we turn in a great report. LOL
10/10 = 20%
9/10 = 18%
8/10 = 16%
Are we now supposed to tip the grocery cashier, bank teller, dental assistant, USPS clerk, or the employee who slices the meat at the deli counter?
Maybe we can ask for a tip from the editors when we turn in a great report. LOL
10/10 = 20%
9/10 = 18%
8/10 = 16%
A gas station, UPS store and 5 Guys. That's where I saw tip jars this week.
Just about everyone has their hand out for more these days.
It's the same sense of entitlement that has student groups begging outside of the grocery store instead of washing cars.
Rude and unbelievable. Has never happened to me. Our latest takeout? DH agreed to tip 18% at the suggestion of the curbside deliverer. I tip 10% for takeout since COVID.
Any discussion of tipping gets lots of varied and thoughtful responses. But isn't there still a shortage of coinage going on?
(And on the subject of tipping, lol, I say just pay everyone including servers a $15 minimum wage and problem solved.
(And on the subject of tipping, lol, I say just pay everyone including servers a $15 minimum wage and problem solved.
"Yes, please give me my change. Normally, I would tip, but in that you had the audacity to suggest keeping the change, there shall be no tip. Would you please summons the manager for me?"
@panama18 wrote:
It's the same sense of entitlement that has student groups begging outside of the grocery store instead of washing cars.
OMG! So true. Your groups have it easy though. Here they send little kids (7-16 years) out into busy, BUSY intersections to beg. Some are so small you can't even see them as they squeeze between vehicles for the sake of their team or youth group. What adults decided this is a good idea????
Cease and Birdy,
I just let them take it and mentioned it in my report. I figured it would help stop it if they are getting caught. I just made sure I had the close amount of the purchase, so they don't take a lot.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2021 12:06PM by ArkLaMissshopping.
I just let them take it and mentioned it in my report. I figured it would help stop it if they are getting caught. I just made sure I had the close amount of the purchase, so they don't take a lot.
Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2021 12:06PM by ArkLaMissshopping.
I shop at a kolache restaurant which is not supposed to have a tip jar, and if you see one you must take a photo and upload it to the report. I do. The tip jar is still there.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
Ark, I hope you're right. But I still think I would have yelled, hey, you! Come back here with my change.
LOL!!!
Back when pizza shops were available, I gave the driver a twenty, and she walked away. She went to her vehicle, got in, seatbelted up, and turned on the engine. I walked out (this was a delivery shop) and knocked on the window. I asked for my change. She said "We're not allowed to carry money on deliveries. Too dangerous."
I told her to go to the store and get my change and bring it back to me, or I'd call the cops. IT IS ILLEGAL. I know for a fact it is illegal in Nebraska, but I don't know about other places. I actually didn't believe her, as I had performed this shop many times, and had never been told that before. (I have also delivered pizzas, and we never were allowed to leave the store without $20 in change.) She went and got the change and brought it back to me.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2021 01:28PM by ceasesmith.
LOL!!!
Back when pizza shops were available, I gave the driver a twenty, and she walked away. She went to her vehicle, got in, seatbelted up, and turned on the engine. I walked out (this was a delivery shop) and knocked on the window. I asked for my change. She said "We're not allowed to carry money on deliveries. Too dangerous."
I told her to go to the store and get my change and bring it back to me, or I'd call the cops. IT IS ILLEGAL. I know for a fact it is illegal in Nebraska, but I don't know about other places. I actually didn't believe her, as I had performed this shop many times, and had never been told that before. (I have also delivered pizzas, and we never were allowed to leave the store without $20 in change.) She went and got the change and brought it back to me.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2021 01:28PM by ceasesmith.
@Madetoshop wrote:
Rude and unbelievable. Has never happened to me. Our latest takeout? DH agreed to tip 18% at the suggestion of the curbside deliverer. I tip 10% for takeout since COVID.
Personally, I think 18% for curbside is ridiculous! Take-out and delivery used to be 10% pretty much as standard. Now it seems to be 15%, so of course, dine-in service has to be more. I tip more than 15% in restaurants for good service, but I'd rather see servers get a higher base wage than depend on how much customers decide to tip.
My husband and I have a tiered system for dine-in tipping: 15% for basic, expected service; 17.5% or 18% for above average; and 20% for outstanding. For poor service, the tip depends on whether the server attempts to make up for it or his/her attitude and service remains crappy throughout. Sometimes I think you get a server who's having a bad day and isn't making any effort at first, but I find if you're nice and smile and show appreciation, sometimes they'll reciprocate. If not, they get the minimum we feel comfortable with. Sometimes that's zero!
But I'm not going to tip the take-out or delivery person that same amount.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
There's a cashier at Taco Bell that always tries to keep change. When you say something she's like, oh you want your change it's not that much. I've even told her maybe I want to rub my 2 pennies together. I want my change.
I don't go to Sonic. I work the actually serving world, which I've been in for 15+ years. You all are quite dramatic. Typically, yes, I'll just say, "I'll be right back with your change." But honestly, and especially right now we are all so short staffed, so for the sake of saving time I might specifically ask. Especially since, I certainly don't know if you've put exact change in that closed book or not. I'm not assuming there's a $100 bill in there and you need $80 back and that's mine. Nothing peeves me more than when I go, find someone who can make the change, break it all down, do the math, just to get back to the table and have someone say they don't need it. So, what do you want? Because if I take an extra 5 minutes to get the change you'll freak out and say I was slow. But if I ask it's so unbelievably rude that you'll ask for the manager, which is also me? OK, some of you need some real life problems.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2021 03:01PM by nolimitem.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2021 03:01PM by nolimitem.
I think it's up to the diner to specify if he/she doesn't want the change. So, yes, it's a PITA if he/she makes you go through the exercise of making exact change only to tell you that you can keep it.
OTOH, from the perspective of the diner, it seems rather self-entitled for a server to ask. I understand the staffing situation and that it's incredibly frustrating. *That* is a real-life problem, and I think this thread is, in part, trying to figure out how to navigate it in the best way.
Who on earth would ask for a manager because of a small delay? That's ridiculous. Yes, customers are becoming more and more self-entitled, too.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2021 03:22PM by BirdyC.
OTOH, from the perspective of the diner, it seems rather self-entitled for a server to ask. I understand the staffing situation and that it's incredibly frustrating. *That* is a real-life problem, and I think this thread is, in part, trying to figure out how to navigate it in the best way.
Who on earth would ask for a manager because of a small delay? That's ridiculous. Yes, customers are becoming more and more self-entitled, too.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2021 03:22PM by BirdyC.
I was referencing Rosseau asking for a manager, because someone asked if they'd like their change. So dramatic. But also, in general, even when not short staffed servers are BUSY. This isn't like any other industries. A rush happens within a matter of 1-4 hours. You can't really stop the rush. It's not like you can set things aside for later. It's a very in the moment business.
@nolimitem wrote:
I was referencing Rosseau asking for a manager, because someone asked if they'd like their change. So dramatic. But also, in general, even when not short staffed servers are BUSY. This isn't like any other industries. A rush happens within a matter of 1-4 hours. You can't really stop the rush. It's not like you can set things aside for later. It's a very in the moment business.
Regardless of the industry, unethical behavior must be called out.
In this case, at Sonic, the server was wearing a change whaddyacallit-thingamajig on her belt. She had the change right there.
She asked if I needed my change.
I didn't like it. Of course I tipped her my standard $1 (which comes out of my pocket), but not until she gave me my change -- which was over $3. No, I'm not tipping $3 on a $7 ticket! And even though it's not her fault, not after waiting FOURTEEN MINUTES for my food. I was actually hoping that 6 more minutes would pass, and I could leave and just report I hadn't gotten my food within 20 minutes.
She asked if I needed my change.
I didn't like it. Of course I tipped her my standard $1 (which comes out of my pocket), but not until she gave me my change -- which was over $3. No, I'm not tipping $3 on a $7 ticket! And even though it's not her fault, not after waiting FOURTEEN MINUTES for my food. I was actually hoping that 6 more minutes would pass, and I could leave and just report I hadn't gotten my food within 20 minutes.
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