I was 19, and I was discouraged from making a big deal out of it. He left marks but didn't break the skin. It was apparent to me he assaulted waitresses on a regular basis. When I went back to the business years later, I was a royal (rhymes w/witch). I didn't think providing the service demanded I suffer fools and take abuse. I supported myself for 8 years in that work-I guess being efficient satisfied most of the people I served :)
Nice folks you were working for...he had done similar things to other servers? Geesh, I would have given the hosts a picture or description of the guy (maybe name, if possible) and banned him for patronizing my restaurant...at a MINIMUM. I know this took place a long time ago, but I'm still sorry it happened. Totally NOT right. Thankfully, my husband has never (to my knowlege, anyway) had a patron assualt him, either as a server or as a manager, but as I am sure you are aware, the verbal attitude, ect. can be quite enough on it's own.
I know I value efficiency in the folks that serve me! LOL So long as they are polite and efficient, that's all you can reasonably expect, imo. :) Thankfully, most customers are not that unreasonable and/or unbalanced. LOL
P.S. Do you know what on earth "Nappie Man" is talking about? I have never gotten an answer...though I gather from your response, he's one of the "haters" that show up on these threads.