Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ_Boston
Red - wouldn't that be theft also? When Linda was a server they had to reconcile all electronic payments. In other words the hostess/manager would run the payment through and leave a copy of the receipt along with any tip in a section for her to pick up. Even if it was a 'no tip' the receipt would be there to indicate such.
I would think that the server would know what's coming if they collect the card or would at least ask to see all receipts for card paying customers if they pay at the cashier.
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It's supposed to be that way but electronics has changed it a lot. Used to be, everyone had their individual book w/numbered sheets so that you could tally your stuff. Now, it is done by the cash register and, usually, the manager. It is not uncommon for the server to never see the total tally slips any longer -- credit card tips are included in the paychecks minus appropriate taxes. Also, the tipout to co-workers goes out of the daily tips (which means the cash tips). Mind you, theft of credit card tips is not that common but does happen. What is common is for part of the credit card fee the restaurant is charged be deducted from the tip. So, if someone uses Amex where the fee is 20% of the total bill (sans tax), 20% of the tip is deducted.
Another common event is either the busboy or another customer to take the tip directly off the table. I actually caught a woman taking her husband's tip, as well the tip left by their friends. I stopped her at the door and demanded she put the tips back or I would have told her husband and friends.
Most good servers happily give their busboys and hostess some part of their tips. Dishwashers used to make a full minimum wage as opposed to half-wage for servers. I believe that has changed since the tipout is now required rather than voluntary.
I try hard to give the server the tip directly and make sure the tip is going to the server -- not the restaurant, not co-workers, not the Feds. It is a hard, miserable job that can be made extremely difficult with bad managers and rude customers.
(If y'all can't tell, this is a big issue to me. It was before my daughter became a server and became even bigger after when I saw some of things that occur today when it comes to tipping.)