Yesterday, I went to a “Big Boy” for breakfast alone. The hostess or “Greeter” as the sign says took me to a booth. She was a average looking girl in early 20’s. I asked if she planned to waitress for the rest of her life. She responded that she had only 1 year to go in college for her degree. “What major?”, I asked. “Social work”, she replied. Told her to have a back up plan since most social workers are paid by state and local government. And they are starting to do some major down scaling. “Oh No” she replied. “There are more job openings than people interested in the profession.”
I told her I would have the buffet. Having the buffet typically reduces the amount of work the waitress performs and consequently receives a small tip. Typically I tip 20% for good service or 25% for excellent service. (I have a widowed daughter who “waits” tables.
Analyzing the conversation we had, I asked one additional question when she brought the bill. You voted for Obama, didn’t you? “Oh yes” she said. Wasn’t it great what he did about bin Laden? I told her “NO”, he was just following along with Bush’s plan.
After I paid my $10.32 tab, I approached her, held out my hand and said I planned to give you a $2.50 tip, but “You voted for Obama’s Hope and Change. Well here’s your change. $0.68. Her chin dropped to the floor. I turned and walked away. When I got home, I related the story to my wife. Now I’m the biggest A**hole on the planet. But I had to say it. Having done it once now makes it easier to do it again. Give it a try.
Now there will probably some “equalization of gratuitous opportunity” legislation introduced to protect oppressed servers against people like you.
You either made this story up or your an a$$.
Q-”Do you plan to waitress for the rest of your life?”
A-”Did you come here for breakfast or to disparage my job and make yourself feel superior?”
What if she did want to “waitress for the rest of her life?” There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s certainly none of your business.
Then you had no complaints about her service, yet you stiffed her because she didn’t vote your way. Which was also none of your business.
And I’ll pass on your advice to “give it a try.” I’m neither a bully nor a coward. I’ll bet you your sixty-eight cents you wouldn’t treat a male waiter that way, by the way. Your answer might have been a punch in the nose. I wish she had handed your sixty-eight cents back to you, or better yet, dropped it on the floor in front of you. But that would have cost her her job But you knew that — you’re obviously the type that only goes after people who can’t fight back.
You’re just a cheapskate looking for an excuse not to tip.
I would have told you to cram the change with walnuts...
I did that a couple of times...a huge party would leave me a small mound of change after running me ragged and monopolizing my time. I’d wander out to the front door and pitch the change into the parking lot in their general direction.
It was quite cathartic...
This does sound familiar.
I hope you enjoy the bodily fluids which will compliment your next non-buffet order there.