[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by dm82444

and this is why you will never get quality help in this area!!!!

I recall that very phrase from a poster on this forum.

And I will tell you as I told him that the servers here are the best anyone could ask for.

[Taltarzac725]

430 Employee Salaries in The Villages, FL | Glassdoor

Salaries seem to vary by restaurant.

[jim1941]

If you saw someone help themselves to coffee at Panera Bread, without paying for it,
what would you do?

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by jim1941

If you saw someone help themselves to coffee at Panera Bread, without paying for it,
what would you do?

How would I know they hadn’t paid or aren’t planning to pay? Know of more than who fill their travel mug and then drink coffee while waiting to place order. I’d watch and if I saw them walking out, I’d remind them they need to pay. And, while stealing is stealing, there is still a HUGE difference between dine n dash and getting a free cup of coffee — you didn’t cheat a server out of tips (yours and the people who could have legitimately sat there); you didn’t have someone wait on you and cater to your every whim; you didn’t have someone else pay for your meal.

[bunnyhop]

If you can't afford a decent tip, you can't afford to go out to eat.

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by toeser

Someone once stole the flowers off my mother's grave. Not much about human behavior surprises me anymore.

Someone snitched a $5 stainless tool my husband was selling at a garage sale the other day when his head was turned.

[SFSkol]

I went to City Fire in Lake Sumter a few months ago. Waited at the full bar to order a beer. The beer cost $2.95. The bartender, male, walked 10 steps to get a glass, turned around, poured the beer and took ten steps to return to me and give the beer. I left him the 5 cents and a dollar. 30 minutes later I went to the bar for a refill with the same bartender. I just left the nickel. The same bartender said to me, "You know we work for tips?" I reminded him I left a dollar before. "A dollar for two beers, thanks a lot." I picked the nickel up, put it in his hand, and said, "This is for bartenders etiquette school." He turned away, muttering some profanity under his breath. Unfortunately, the bar manager, Alan, was not there, otherwise, there might have bee a scene. I have never been to an establishment where employees shill for tips.

So, I left $1.10 tip for a $5.90 purchase. 18% tip. All for a lecture, and service of about 40 steps.

I have never been back. My family has never been back. Our monthly group meetings have been canceled.

I know that penalizing an establishment for one employee's action is not fair. But, I cannot believe that he has not said that before to other patrons, it sounded like a rehearsed line, before a packed bar with three nearby bar staff members. Management must have known, and it appears to condone the practice.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by SFSkol

I went to City Fire in Lake Sumter a few months ago. Waited at the full bar to order a beer. The beer cost $2.95. The bartender, male, walked 10 steps to get a glass, turned around, poured the beer and took ten steps to return to me and give the beer. I left him the 5 cents and a dollar. 30 minutes later I went to the bar for a refill with the same bartender. I just left the nickel. The same bartender said to me, "You know we work for tips?" I reminded him I left a dollar before. "A dollar for two beers, thanks a lot." I picked the nickel up, put it in his hand, and said, "This is for bartenders etiquette school." He turned away, muttering some profanity under his breath. Unfortunately, the bar manager, Alan, was not there, otherwise, there might have bee a scene. I have never been to an establishment where employees shill for tips.

So, I left $1.10 tip for a $5.90 purchase. 18% tip. All for a lecture, and service of about 40 steps.

I have never been back. My family has never been back. Our monthly group meetings have been canceled.

I know that penalizing an establishment for one employee's action is not fair. But, I cannot believe that he has not said that before to other patrons, it sounded like a rehearsed line, before a packed bar with three nearby bar staff members. Management must have known, and it appears to condone the practice.

Wow...just wow.


Loved your "This is for bartenders etiquette school" comment!

[VillageIdiots]

Why should this bother me? They are the criminals and nobody is really getting hurt right? If you think about it, it has an impact on all of us. Unfortunately, theft and pilferage are part of the restaurant business and it only winds up getting factored into the prices the establishment has to charge to offset the losses. So, in a way, when they rip off the restaurant, it's impacting your wallet as well.

Almost as bad, though, is when I see people sit down and eat a meal and with a few "crumbs" left on their plate, one person will start complaining about something to the wait person, which ultimately results in a visit from the manager, all in hopes that they will get part or all of their meal for free. When I first went out on my own in life, I had a roommate that would do this and it was very embarrassing to even be associated with it. But countless times I have been in restaurants near people trying the same tactics. The staff knows what you are doing and you probably know they know what you are doing, but you also know the customer is always right.

There are countries that require their young people to serve in the military before beginning their private careers. As one who has worked in retail and in food service, I've always thought how different things would be if everyone had experienced the other side from the customer in these situations - they may handle things differently.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by VillageIdiots

Why should this bother me? They are the criminals and nobody is really getting hurt right? If you think about it, it has an impact on all of us. Unfortunately, theft and pilferage are part of the restaurant business and it only winds up getting factored into the prices the establishment has to charge to offset the losses. So, in a way, when they rip off the restaurant, it's impacting your wallet as well.

Almost as bad, though, is when I see people sit down and eat a meal and with a few "crumbs" left on their plate, one person will start complaining about something to the wait person, which ultimately results in a visit from the manager, all in hopes that they will get part or all of their meal for free. When I first went out on my own in life, I had a roommate that would do this and it was very embarrassing to even be associated with it. But countless times I have been in restaurants near people trying the same tactics. The staff knows what you are doing and you probably know they know what you are doing, but you also know the customer is always right.

There are countries that require their young people to serve in the military before beginning their private careers. As one who has worked in retail and in food service, I've always thought how different things would be if everyone had experienced the other side from the customer in these situations - they may handle things differently.

You're absolutely right! I've never worked food service but I have had my own retail business so got to see a darker side of people. SOME (not to be slotted with all) would say they were Christians and were the worst. My kids worked food service so we heard the stories from them too. After that I've always tried to leave a really good tip. They work hard for their $$$ and the work is hard as well. Try being "sunny and in good spirits" for hours to grumpy old people all the while of being on your feet for hours!!!

[justjim]

Originally Posted by noslices1

Since the waiter picked up the "unsigned slip", then possibly, the diners did sign one of the slips and took that one by mistake. The waiter should have just added 20% tip and turned it in unsigned. If there was a credit card used, I doubt if this was a case of "dine & dash"

You get your bill first then give the Server your credit card. At this point, when you first get the bill, is when a “dash” would happen. Despicable and sad but it happens.

[Jersey Joe]

Originally Posted by DonH57

It's unbelievable people do this to the mostly hard working servers. Tonight we were at Tierra Del Sol and a couple sitting next to us slipped out with their leftovers leaving the waiter stuck. The place was packed, our waiter was busting his ass to cover every one of his customers needs and these aholes decide it wasn't enough so screw him. I just wanted to post this to make others aware. I've heard this happens and I think it's despicable to do to any server or establishment. If you don't like the service do the right thing and take it up with the manager.

This happens more than you think! We been living her since 2007 and it's got worst, especially when the renters and snowbirds come back.

[adeleb]

Wow. I always leave the tip in cash on the table either in plain site or in the credit card folder thing they give you

Never even occurred to me that another patron would pick it up.

I will hand it to them from now on....live and learn!

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Jersey Joe

This happens more than you think! We been living her since 2007 and it's got worst, especially when the renters and snowbirds come back.

No doubt. I've noticed a general difference in behavior in people here in the villages restaurants, pools, stores, golf courses, and the squares between this month to around late March to april.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by SFSkol

I went to City Fire in Lake Sumter a few months ago. Waited at the full bar to order a beer. The beer cost $2.95. The bartender, male, walked 10 steps to get a glass, turned around, poured the beer and took ten steps to return to me and give the beer. I left him the 5 cents and a dollar. 30 minutes later I went to the bar for a refill with the same bartender. I just left the nickel. The same bartender said to me, "You know we work for tips?" I reminded him I left a dollar before. "A dollar for two beers, thanks a lot." I picked the nickel up, put it in his hand, and said, "This is for bartenders etiquette school." He turned away, muttering some profanity under his breath. Unfortunately, the bar manager, Alan, was not there, otherwise, there might have bee a scene. I have never been to an establishment where employees shill for tips.

So, I left $1.10 tip for a $5.90 purchase. 18% tip. All for a lecture, and service of about 40 steps.

I have never been back. My family has never been back. Our monthly group meetings have been canceled.

I know that penalizing an establishment for one employee's action is not fair. But, I cannot believe that he has not said that before to other patrons, it sounded like a rehearsed line, before a packed bar with three nearby bar staff members. Management must have known, and it appears to condone the practice.

Try to understand they do work for tips. That is the way it works. They are people. They need money to live.