Yes, I want my change!

Nah, nah, you keep it. You like my watch too? Here are my cars keys, thanks again.

Imagine a day in the life of a server. It certainly sounds like a majorly hectic life. Sometimes they may be somewhat tired to where they don't word things just right. I don't think they should be made out to be greedy and grasping because they ask a question.

The best thing would be just to tell them to bring back (whatever amount).

never make assumptions with other peoples money. the best move is when the server rounds up the change in your favor. when this happens to me,it has occasionally, 20% is not enough of a tip.

the thing is, this question is self-defeating on the servers part and it suprises me that more of them don't realize it.

"Do you want your change?"

Well, call me cheap, but I do! I tip 20% not 58%! That question really gets to me. Makes me want to leave no tip at all.

Please note that I never said that I wouldn't leave a tip. I said that the question made me "want" to leave no tip. The least I tip is 18%, the usual is 20%, sometimes 25%.

However, the responses have made these changes in my eating habits. I am eating out less often because it is less bother. Additionally, I have stopped paying with cash. I was paying with cash, because, stupid me, thought that I was saving the restaurant money (not having to pay fee to the credit card company, that is) and at the same time keeping more money local.

Please note that I never said that I wouldn't leave a tip. I said that the question made me "want" to leave no tip. The least I tip is 18%, the usual is 20%, sometimes 25%.

However, the responses have made these changes in my eating habits. I am eating out less often because it is less bother. Additionally, I have stopped paying with cash. I was paying with cash, because, stupid me, thought that I was saving the restaurant money (not having to pay fee to the credit card company, that is) and at the same time keeping more money local.[/quote]

I was thinking of the instrances of hearing that people didn't leave a tip due to issues such as the food not being cooked right.

It is very true that a server shouldn't ask if the customer wants change back. The proper procedure is to say "I'll be back with your change". The customer can then choose to say "Keep the change", or whatever they want to do. Some servers may slip up at times, though. I would probably consider their general attitude when they ask that question, to decide whether they are being inappropriate.

My philosophy on the subject is kind of old school:

'You never discuss money with the guest unless they bring it up.'

You may embarrass the host, unintentially.

It's the same reason that, when making wine recommendations, you should choose two- one at a low price point and one at a higher price point (and not the Silver Oak, lol!) You point to the price as you are speaking about them to the host.

I've found one exception to the rule- the selling point of value. Say your establishment is selling a particular product at well below the going rate, you can enthusiastically point out this value to the guest. Never say it's 'cheap-' which can make them look 'cheap' for purchasing it. Point out it's 'value,' which makes them look saavy.

We stopped by the Brick House Tavern on Hurstbourne last night for a couple of beers. My tab was $9.54 and I gave the server a $20 bill. She kept the silver, gave me two $5 bills back and proceeded to quickly disappear. If she thought I was going to leave her one of those $5 bills, she was sadly mistaken.

We stopped by the Brick House Tavern on Hurstbourne last night for a couple of beers. My tab was $9.54 and I gave the server a $20 bill. She kept the silver, gave me two $5 bills back and proceeded to quickly disappear. If she thought I was going to leave her one of those $5 bills, she was sadly mistaken.

I miss it when you let her keep the 46¢ and that was it? That's certainly what I would have done in that case! Very obvious she didn't really care!

[Robin Garr]

We stopped by the Brick House Tavern on Hurstbourne last night for a couple of beers. My tab was $9.54 and I gave the server a $20 bill. She kept the silver, gave me two $5 bills back and proceeded to quickly disappear. If she thought I was going to leave her one of those $5 bills, she was sadly mistaken.

I miss it when you let her keep the 46¢ and that was it? That's certainly what I would have done in that case! Very obvious she didn't really care!

I'm not picking on Mark (either Mark! ), and I absolutely agree that the server should have given change to allow a smaller tip option.

But that being said, in today's economy, I do think that a lot of people forget about percentages when the bill is as low as $5 or $10. Throwing five bucks down for a $10 meal isn't as much of a pain as throwing fifty bucks down on a $100 meal. I could argue that people who serve in an eatery where the average check is 10 bucks are at a real disadvantage in the tip department, and it seems fair to think in terms of a few bucks for their effort rather than 15 or 20 percent of a very small number.

Just a thought, again, I'm not trying to troll here and agree that the server should not have assumed that you'd give her a $5.

We stopped by the Brick House Tavern on Hurstbourne last night for a couple of beers. My tab was $9.54 and I gave the server a $20 bill. She kept the silver, gave me two $5 bills back and proceeded to quickly disappear. If she thought I was going to leave her one of those $5 bills, she was sadly mistaken.

I miss it when you let her keep the 46¢ and that was it? That's certainly what I would have done in that case! Very obvious she didn't really care!

I'm not picking on Mark (either Mark! ), and I absolutely agree that the server should have given change to allow a smaller tip option.

But that being said, in today's economy, I do think that a lot of people forget about percentages when the bill is as low as $5 or $10. Throwing five bucks down for a $10 meal isn't as much of a pain as throwing fifty bucks down on a $100 meal. I could argue that people who serve in an eatery where the average check is 10 bucks are at a real disadvantage in the tip department, and it seems fair to think in terms of a few bucks for their effort rather than 15 or 20 percent of a very small number.

Just a thought, again, I'm not trying to troll here and agree that the server should not have assumed that you'd give her a $5.

I would agree with you that $5 wouldn't be an unreasonable tip for a $10.00 meal but for 2 beers is excessively high IMO, especially based on the amount of server work required.

Robin, I'm surprised that you would entertain leaving a $5 tip (plus 46 cents) for two beers ? That really seems exorbitant.

[Robin Garr]

Robin, I'm surprised that you would entertain leaving a $5 tip (plus 46 cents) for two beers ? That really seems exorbitant.

It depends on the paradigm, Mark. Tip for value? Or tip to support a service worker who's not earning a hell of a lot? Either approach is legitimate, it seems to me. No moral superiority in either. Again, I am not lecturing you or instructing you. Only raising another possible point of view.

Robin, I'm surprised that you would entertain leaving a $5 tip (plus 46 cents) for two beers ? That really seems exorbitant.

It depends on the paradigm, Mark. Tip for value? Or tip to support a service worker who's not earning a hell of a lot? Either approach is legitimate, it seems to me. No moral superiority in either. Again, I am not lecturing you or instructing you. Only raising another possible point of view.

Don't forget a third option:

She may have only had two fives in her server bank at the moment.

We did not receive "value" worth $5 and it's not my problem that the server is "not earning a hell of a lot".

Shoot. A lot of times I leave four or five dollars to the server who brings me my (called in ahead or ordered ahead on the internet) to go order.

I've got to start keeping some cash on me though, because when I go to Comfy Cow, I always pay with a credit card, and the slip does not give you the option to tip. They do have a tip jar, but I'm always cash poor (and ice cream rich!) when I'm there.

[Robin Garr]

I've got to start keeping some cash on me though, because when I go to Comfy Cow, I always pay with a credit card, and the slip does not give you the option to tip. They do have a tip jar, but I'm always cash poor (and ice cream rich!) when I'm there.

Happened to me last night. I was so embarrassed, but not enough to tip $20 on a $4.99 order. Even I won't go that far.