Trying to recall a past post on tipping

The past post was about a server simply keeping the change, or the coinage of the change. At the time I thought "Wow that was nervey" on the servers part and last night it happened to me.

Bill with tax was $27.40. I put down two 20s. Server asks "Do you need change?" Uh, yeah I need change. She was pleasant but she wasn't going to get nearly a $13 dollar tip.

Server returns to the table, announces "You change is $12.60," puts $12 on the little tray and asks "Do you need the 60 cents?"

OK, now I don't need the 60 cents. It's not going to wreck my budget for the month, and If I can afford to eat out I can afford to tip. It's really not about the 60 cents. It's more about the whole attitude.

PS I left a $5 tip. Oh plus the 60 cents.

It was a casual, no tablecloth sort of place, as evidenced by the bill for two diners being under $30 for dinner and a shared app.

So, am I being unreasonable to question the keeping the coinage thing? Justs sits wrong in my mind . . .

I think that if you are due change, you should get change. I feel that this is a lack of training.....however, I may be wrong.

Leah,

No, you are not wrong. I understand the automatic: do you need change when the check is picked up. But keeping your coinage? I am dumbfounded that (once again) waitstaff is doing this. If you bought a pair of shoes at Macy's, would they decide to keep the change? How uncomfortable of a position they put you in...

Personally, I would have had the same reaction. And from a waitstaff perspective: expect that this results in a smaller overall tip.

Deb

I don't think you are unreasonable though I expect there'll be those on the other side of the fence as well. It might seem petty to some for the customer to expect the coin change, but I think it's far worse and far more petty for the server to question it. Just make with the change like normal and let the customer tip like normal. Seems a lot simpler that way to me.

I usually don't worry much if they ask if I need change to begin with though; more often than not when paying cash the amount I put down *is* intended to include tip, but I'd express that to the server as well. If the server just grabbed the payment and asked if I need change when I'd put down way over the amount for the bill, I'd probably give them the benefit of the doubt that they might not realize how much I put down... but still I think it's best not to ask.

I think it unconscionable for the silver not to be returned. What on earth could the server be thinking?
I know that servers don't pay much attention to the check amounts when the checks are put down since everything is computer generated so I never care if I'm asked "Do you need change". But then not to get the change you deserve- well, I would be talking to the management.

It definitely wasn't the "Do you need change?" question that bothered me. I prefer that question.

I know your main issue was the questioning of the coin change but for what it's worth, it did appear from your second paragraph concerning laying down two twenties for a $27 bill that your feathers were a little ruffled by it.

I normally tip pretty good, but I would be tempted to let her keep the 60 cents for the ENTIRE tip since she has that kind of attitude.

I'd say this person has a personality disorder.

There shouldn't even be any conversation about whether or not you need change. The server should pick up the book or whatever and bring you back change no matter how much it is. Unfortunately, we can't always blame the server, but the person that trained them in some cases. Thanks Jackie R. for training me well way back when!

Shoot Jessica, you were a no-brainer. But I never reject a compliment, so thank you.

hi everyone

coming from a serving background

this servers attitude and responses were wrong, but possibly due to inexperience

additionally, many servers do not carry around a lot of change on them or have access to a cash drawer at all times, so it is possible that the server did not have the coins at the time
but a proper explanation may have been
"i'm sorry, but i just ran out of change, would you mind waiting for a few minutes while i get change from a manager"

this response would have probably led to a better experience and you most likely would tell the server to not woory about the coins

the server just went about it the wrong way

Way back when I waited tables, I learned the easiest thing to say was "I will be right back with your change". If they wanted me to keep it, they would tell me. I have never like the whole "do you need change" question.

from a server perspective:

this server was totally wrong. It's never ok to not give change, or guilt trip a customer into not giving change. However, I do think it's ok if a server doesn't want to deal with jingle, though if that's their prerogative, then they need short themselves when it comes up rather than expect the customer to short themselves.