[redwitch]

As many of you know, my daughter is a server at Olive Garden. It seems that lately people have been leaving notes on checks rather than tipping (this started after OG started putting recommended tip amounts). Some of these comments have included, "Trevon Martin got no justice so you get no tip." "Thanks to Obama, I'm losing my Medicare so you get to lose your tip." "I only make 10% on my annuities so I'm not giving you 18%." and so on and so forth. I've never heard of such small-minded petty comments before.

I understand that some people don't believe in tipping and, I guess, that's up to them but to blame a server for the politics of a state or the general economy is just plain mean.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by redwitch

As many of you know, my daughter is a server at Olive Garden. It seems that lately people have been leaving notes on checks rather than tipping (this started after OG started putting recommended tip amounts). Some of these comments have included, "Trevon Martin got no justice so you get no tip." "Thanks to Obama, I'm losing my Medicare so you get to lose your tip." "I only make 10% on my annuities so I'm not giving you 18%." and so on and so forth. I've never heard of such small-minded petty comments before.

I understand that some people don't believe in tipping and, I guess, that's up to them but to blame a server for the politics of a state or the general economy is just plain mean.

Right. And then there are locals who blame The Villages "rich fat cats" for all their county's or city's economic shortfalls.

The bottom line is that TV has produced many jobs and increased tax base hugely.

When people blame a villain they've never met and know nothing about personally, there's little hope of logic and fact changing their mind.

Those server comments are just plain ignorant, or from really old people whose ornery brains are getting like petrified wood.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by redwitch

As many of you know, my daughter is a server at Olive Garden. It seems that lately people have been leaving notes on checks rather than tipping (this started after OG started putting recommended tip amounts). Some of these comments have included, "Trevon Martin got no justice so you get no tip." "Thanks to Obama, I'm losing my Medicare so you get to lose your tip." "I only make 10% on my annuities so I'm not giving you 18%." and so on and so forth. I've never heard of such small-minded petty comments before.

I understand that some people don't believe in tipping and, I guess, that's up to them but to blame a server for the politics of a state or the general economy is just plain mean.

I agree there is definitely something wrong with a person who would do as you said in your OP. A "normal" person tips according to the service he/she receives. This type of behavior is scary.

[DonH57]

That's just plain tasteless and innappropriate. it's unbelievable some people would stoop so low as to blame others for the state of the nation. People leaving notes like this more than likely never worked in the service industry. Plain cruel. That's the way I see it.

[Bonnevie]

that's incredible. I hope they are the exception and not the rule. I always tip generously especially is the server is good. Any work dealing with the public is difficult and I appreciate it.

[KathieI]

Red, I think that's awful. How ridiculous can people be. I feel so bad for the servers here in FL, they make so little money and they normally do work very hard.

I have a rule of thumb with tipping, if the bill is under $20 and the service was great, (notice I didn't say the food because the server really has nothing to do with the quality of food), I leave a $5 tip. Very rarely, however, my bill is under $20 so I leave a proportional amount of tip above $5. I think it is appreciated because I can tell when I frequent a restaurant, I do get good service.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by DonH57

That's just plain tasteless and innappropriate. it's unbelievable some people would stoop so low as to blame others for the state of the nation. People leaving notes like this more than likely never worked in the service industry. Plain cruel. That's the way I see it.

It is cruel and selfish, but with the older folks like that, I think often they are reminding themselves of how THEY "used to have to walk 5 miles to school, barefoot, thru a foot of snow and then got home to having to shovel coal" etc. while "you young whippersnappers have it so easy nowadays". Older people can be very cranky, especially when they don't feel good most of the time.

[Gulfhills]

OMG, how ironic. My daughter (who works at Applebee's in Tallahassee) called me last night, with basically some of the same problems.

It broke my heart for her. It's hard to imagine how mean and ugly some people can be.

[blueash]

I wonder if this is a general finding around here or is it more specific to Darden Restaurants? Sadly people mad at Darden might be taking it out on their hard working employees. If you're upset with Darden don't go into their restaurants. I noticed that RW had quotes which might be from both ends of the political spectrum. Hmm.

I like to hear from servers in other restaurants to know if they are also seeing more of this abhorrent behavior.

[Bonnevie]

all the service people I have encountered in my admittedly short time here, have been so upbeat and pleasant. They are so accommodating to using coupons with separate checks, etc. I can't understand how someone would react so poorly to such good treatment.

[scarecrow1]

As a past bartender I have to say that I never relied on tips as the patrons are not responsible for my salary or life style. I figured if I didn't get the pay that I wanted then it was my responsibility to to seek other type of work to better myself as I did. The hole problem is the service industry doesn't pay THEIR employees enough and it shouldn't be the patron's responsibility to subsidize their income. As for the notes that's just ridiculous and rude.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

It is cruel and selfish, but with the older folks like that, I think often they are reminding themselves of how THEY "used to have to walk 5 miles to school, barefoot, thru a foot of snow and then got home to having to shovel coal" etc. while "you young whippersnappers have it so easy nowadays". Older people can be very cranky, especially when they don't feel good most of the time.

I'm sure that's true. I just hope I don't become like that when I stop firing on all cylinders in my later years. LOL. Since living here we had no issues with the young servers and employees in resaurants, hotels or other venues and are very well mannered and polite.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

It is cruel and selfish, but with the older folks like that, I think often they are reminding themselves of how THEY "used to have to walk 5 miles to school, barefoot, thru a foot of snow and then got home to having to shovel coal" etc. while "you young whippersnappers have it so easy nowadays". Older people can be very cranky, especially when they don't feel good most of the time.

If one has enough money and health to eat out at Olive Garden, and enough brains to write a coherent note, one is neither too poor nor too ill to leave a good server a good tip.

[Peachie]

Originally Posted by redwitch

As many of you know, my daughter is a server at Olive Garden. It seems that lately people have been leaving notes on checks rather than tipping (this started after OG started putting recommended tip amounts). Some of these comments have included, "Trevon Martin got no justice so you get no tip." "Thanks to Obama, I'm losing my Medicare so you get to lose your tip." "I only make 10% on my annuities so I'm not giving you 18%." and so on and so forth. I've never heard of such small-minded petty comments before.

I understand that some people don't believe in tipping and, I guess, that's up to them but to blame a server for the politics of a state or the general economy is just plain mean.

That is repulsive Red, but maybe it's time to fix the system. After watching a friend skin a server's tip time after time, we know longer go anywhere with her but a self-serve restaurant.

I think servers and bartenders should be paid minimum wage and have an added 20% tip automatically included in the bill total, problem solved.
Complaints about the services from inept employees would make it easier for the employers to cull them out and retain good workers. Almost all appropriate taxes would be collected by the IRS because a full accounting would available.

The current tipping system is archaic and ridiculous, to say the least.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by redwitch

As many of you know, my daughter is a server at Olive Garden. It seems that lately people have been leaving notes on checks rather than tipping (this started after OG started putting recommended tip amounts). Some of these comments have included, "Trevon Martin got no justice so you get no tip." "Thanks to Obama, I'm losing my Medicare so you get to lose your tip." "I only make 10% on my annuities so I'm not giving you 18%." and so on and so forth. I've never heard of such small-minded petty comments before.

I understand that some people don't believe in tipping and, I guess, that's up to them but to blame a server for the politics of a state or the general economy is just plain mean.

I've never heard of this behavior before where people leave notes on checks instead of tipping. It sounds very strange. It seems like they are trying to justify not tipping by finding a reason, even though the reason doesn't make sense. Perhaps by making up a reason in their own minds, they feel less guilty for not tipping.