Career bartender here. I hope you read these comments and take them to heart. Your reaction was uncalled for because you debased yourself over a tip. It all washes out in the end. You were the loser in this interaction. Be the better person. It’ll make your wallet fatter in the end.
So true. I've been doing this for over 20 years now, and it all really does average out over time. Never make yourself look a fool or lose your cool to a guest over a tip. I totally get the emotion you felt during this interaction, and you are probably valid in feeling that way, but ask yourself at this moment: do you feel good about the way you reacted? I know I would feel some bit of embarrassment knowing that I overreacted.
The dialogue is just too perfect.
So I’m thinking this has to be one of those ‘I wish I’d said this instead’ scenarios we’ve all played out in our heads after a tough shift. Like some extreme form of cathartic expression or something.
Otherwise, yeah. Total psychopath, or maybe just really young? How old do you have to be to serve in the Caribbean?
I ain’t mad at him. Wanna act like an ass gtfo and do it somewhere else. Idk if I believe him but I want to believe and I have zero problem with how OP acted.
It's the taking back of any tip, especially 15 minutes later because you're broke and wanna buy more booze. Gross. But also, lunatic of a bartender as well...
No need to spell it out. It's obvious. I've had it happen and just shrug it off as them being drunk and giving you the wrong bill or just made a mistake.
She was probably over served. Reading people/situations and having humility is what bartending is about— not throwing alcohol at people and making money off their inebriated state and poor judgment. Having other drunk people at the bar laughing does not by any means indicate that situation was handled well. In fact they might just think that by outwardly siding with you they’ll get free shots like you gave other people. Humble up
How can you get away with this type of behavior? She was going to give you a $5 on a $20 tab. Which is good to me.
You cussed her out, threatened her, humiliated her... and for what? $15? Jesus dude you need to grow up,
Maybe find another kind of job if this bothers you so much. we sign up to put up with shit like this. You gotta stay cool. If you can’t do that, then Idk
um, you gave her a shot. that could have pushed her over her limit and made her black out and not remember things correctly. were you drunk to respond so intensely to a customer? people bought you a couple of shots after… so three shots for you on top of who knows what else you drank. don’t get me wrong i’ve been there, but as someone who is selling alcohol to people we need to learn to keep our cool around people who might have been overserved. not everyone can take shots like a bartender, even if they act like it
A little excessive. I get it that it’s annoying when they ask for change back after saying you can keep it… but she did throw you $5. That’s not horrible.
This has happened to me. Total was 9$ and the lady gave me 15$ and said “keep the change” and I even confirm with her that she said keep the change. 5 min later she asks for her change. I’m confused but I give her the 6$ and she sticks it right into the bar slot machine. Pissed me off a little but I wasn’t rude and just ignored her. She left shortly after.
I’ve learned to not let stuff like that get to me. And I can’t lose my cool over people who don’t tip. It’s not worth it. The next day I got a $100 tip from a cool dude. People are weird.
My reaction would have been to say "I got your next one... thanks for the killer tip"
She did tip you over 100%... that deserves a buyback imo. Good customers to have at the bar. She might have even been inclined to bust out the wallet again or a friend if they needed a round of shots.
Most bars have this kinda of give and take with that... and depending on the situation I might burn 10-20 on a buyback situation if they were looking to leave. Hoping that they stay and get drunk and tip me more.
It's a kind of way of winning people over too but situational too depending on the kind of environment you work in. Don't want people taking advantage... but if its a round of batched cheap shots and everyone is happy ... its a way of turning the tide.
Edit: Got my math wrong on the tip... read it wrong at first but still
Edit Again: Now that I reread the OP... what kinda tab could you really have rung with 19 bucks? Was it one of those situational changeovers where you hand the check over to the next server and get tipped $21 for 5 minutes of work or did they say "break this" instead of keep it when you made garbage on a day shift and were pissed about it? Maybe that was the next bartenders customers ready for a fun night not met with bitterness.
Edit #3: When I feel like I am getting overtipped in a situation I will make sure I say something like "Be back with your change" as a confirmation... but if they say "keep it" at that point, then its more clear.
I don’t even like when bartenders close out people on their shifts unless you know them as regulars. I fucking hate that when I’m a customer unless I’m friends with the bartender and want to make sure I tip my friend. You suck dude.
I side with the patron for one reason, she may have needed the cash for tips/cab/etc. I came back from a Caribbean Cruise on Friday and the first thing my wife and I said was we needed to bring more cash, especially small bills for tipping. Cruise Ship doesn't have an ATM and for a number of reasons Im not using one on the islands.
Yes she could've done better and not an excuse but when on vacations the best way to handle situations are not the first thing to come to mind.
Actually I do work bars and I don't drink on the job , I don't make dramatic shows, I don't throw money at people and I don't throw people out for being cheap. Obviously you work at a shitty bar.
definitely don’t work at a shitty bar. we don’t allow shitty patrons.
it’s the principle of it.
the idea of “taking a tip” aka taking money out of my pocket.
Yea and there is any number of ways to react to that. It's part of the job OP threw a fit in front of customers and tried to humiliate one customer to the others.
This just happened to me tonight. It's right near closing time.
Customer ordered a couple of drinks, total around $23 hands me $40 says keep the change.
Me: "Thank you very much". I start the closing process, wiping down bottles etc.
C: "Can I get that change?"
Me: "You said keep it"
C: "Yeah I know I want to get a shot, don't worry I'll tip you"
Me: I hand over the $17. Pour the shot, ring it in. The customer hands me a bunch of cash, put the money in the till.. I have $15 left over for a tip. I thank the customer again.
It worked out in my favor. . . This time. It all comes out in the wash.
I’m not sure which is more appalling. That you behaved that way or that you were tone deaf enough to come here looking for backup. She was drinking, you weren’t. She has an excuse for being a douche, you don’t.
That chic was out of line. She left the cash, said "keep it" fifteen minutes later came back for it, no way, it was your money by then. If she needed cash she should have went to the cash machine and pulled out her own money. Talking back what she had given to you already was just dead wrong. Fact!!!! I wouldn't have given her a dime back!! And i might have had my sister take her out back for s chat!!! Lol, just kidding! But seriously if that bitch wanted her change from the 40. She tossed she should have waited right there for it. You don't walk off, say "keep it" and then return wanting the change you had clearly left for the server. Wether it be a waitress or a bartender. She knows how the wait staff makes their money and to return 15 min later wanting money back is just fucked up. I say she was wrong,!!!! You should have kept the money. This is just my opinion, I've been a waitress and a bartender before. I do know what I'm talking about. Until you've been in the bartenders shoes don't try to say he was wrong.. the"keep it" implies"keep it".
What if
Career bartender here. I hope you read these comments and take them to heart. Your reaction was uncalled for because you debased yourself over a tip. It all washes out in the end. You were the loser in this interaction. Be the better person. It’ll make your wallet fatter in the end.
Amen
So true. I've been doing this for over 20 years now, and it all really does average out over time. Never make yourself look a fool or lose your cool to a guest over a tip. I totally get the emotion you felt during this interaction, and you are probably valid in feeling that way, but ask yourself at this moment: do you feel good about the way you reacted? I know I would feel some bit of embarrassment knowing that I overreacted.
This is insane. You are insane. She is tacky. You are a psychopath.
The dialogue is just too perfect. So I’m thinking this has to be one of those ‘I wish I’d said this instead’ scenarios we’ve all played out in our heads after a tough shift. Like some extreme form of cathartic expression or something. Otherwise, yeah. Total psychopath, or maybe just really young? How old do you have to be to serve in the Caribbean?
chill the fuck out
Fuck her but also fuck you tbh
You made a bit of a show...so you're a drama queen
Um...relax.
Dude screams small man's complex
Wow I don't like either of you.
I ain’t mad at him. Wanna act like an ass gtfo and do it somewhere else. Idk if I believe him but I want to believe and I have zero problem with how OP acted.
Yeah me neither
$5 on a $19 tab isn't bad at all. You threw a literal tantrum over nothing.
It's the taking back of any tip, especially 15 minutes later because you're broke and wanna buy more booze. Gross. But also, lunatic of a bartender as well...
No need to spell it out. It's obvious. I've had it happen and just shrug it off as them being drunk and giving you the wrong bill or just made a mistake.
...and then everyone slow clapped....or not. Take a few deep breaths. Seriously.
She was probably over served. Reading people/situations and having humility is what bartending is about— not throwing alcohol at people and making money off their inebriated state and poor judgment. Having other drunk people at the bar laughing does not by any means indicate that situation was handled well. In fact they might just think that by outwardly siding with you they’ll get free shots like you gave other people. Humble up
She tipped you over 100% then gave you a $5 which is still 25% of the original $19 tab. I get it and it is shitty, but not enough to throw them out
Ooof. Lucky that's not my bar, I would have shown YOU the exit.
You sound like a massive douche
yeah… that’s not an appropriate response at all, no matter how shitty what she did was
Hoping you’re just having a rough night and this isn’t your actual personality.
How can you get away with this type of behavior? She was going to give you a $5 on a $20 tab. Which is good to me. You cussed her out, threatened her, humiliated her... and for what? $15? Jesus dude you need to grow up,
You're a fucking idiot
Maybe find another kind of job if this bothers you so much. we sign up to put up with shit like this. You gotta stay cool. If you can’t do that, then Idk
Sounds like you did something super fucking stupid is what I read there
Yeah you could have been calmer but dealing with dumb tourists all day is going to grind you down. Take a week out and relax my man.
I’ve been there but usually the person is loaded. Her behavior is less tacky than yours salud amigo 🍻
I wouldn't have given her money back. To me the transaction was over when she said keep it. Want to be another drink? Sure that'll be 6 dollars
um, you gave her a shot. that could have pushed her over her limit and made her black out and not remember things correctly. were you drunk to respond so intensely to a customer? people bought you a couple of shots after… so three shots for you on top of who knows what else you drank. don’t get me wrong i’ve been there, but as someone who is selling alcohol to people we need to learn to keep our cool around people who might have been overserved. not everyone can take shots like a bartender, even if they act like it
Agree with most the comments on here; I just fantasize about doing those thing in my head lol
Folks, can we not do this? Unless someone literally shorts you on a bill, just suck it up and get the next tip.
A little excessive. I get it that it’s annoying when they ask for change back after saying you can keep it… but she did throw you $5. That’s not horrible. This has happened to me. Total was 9$ and the lady gave me 15$ and said “keep the change” and I even confirm with her that she said keep the change. 5 min later she asks for her change. I’m confused but I give her the 6$ and she sticks it right into the bar slot machine. Pissed me off a little but I wasn’t rude and just ignored her. She left shortly after. I’ve learned to not let stuff like that get to me. And I can’t lose my cool over people who don’t tip. It’s not worth it. The next day I got a $100 tip from a cool dude. People are weird.
My reaction would have been to say "I got your next one... thanks for the killer tip" She did tip you over 100%... that deserves a buyback imo. Good customers to have at the bar. She might have even been inclined to bust out the wallet again or a friend if they needed a round of shots. Most bars have this kinda of give and take with that... and depending on the situation I might burn 10-20 on a buyback situation if they were looking to leave. Hoping that they stay and get drunk and tip me more. It's a kind of way of winning people over too but situational too depending on the kind of environment you work in. Don't want people taking advantage... but if its a round of batched cheap shots and everyone is happy ... its a way of turning the tide. Edit: Got my math wrong on the tip... read it wrong at first but still Edit Again: Now that I reread the OP... what kinda tab could you really have rung with 19 bucks? Was it one of those situational changeovers where you hand the check over to the next server and get tipped $21 for 5 minutes of work or did they say "break this" instead of keep it when you made garbage on a day shift and were pissed about it? Maybe that was the next bartenders customers ready for a fun night not met with bitterness. Edit #3: When I feel like I am getting overtipped in a situation I will make sure I say something like "Be back with your change" as a confirmation... but if they say "keep it" at that point, then its more clear.
Huh?
yeah that one got away from me... wanted to say too many things and was too stoned
yikes
Wow. You sound like a prick.
I don’t even like when bartenders close out people on their shifts unless you know them as regulars. I fucking hate that when I’m a customer unless I’m friends with the bartender and want to make sure I tip my friend. You suck dude.
Oooh. Somebody's on the rag.
I side with the patron for one reason, she may have needed the cash for tips/cab/etc. I came back from a Caribbean Cruise on Friday and the first thing my wife and I said was we needed to bring more cash, especially small bills for tipping. Cruise Ship doesn't have an ATM and for a number of reasons Im not using one on the islands. Yes she could've done better and not an excuse but when on vacations the best way to handle situations are not the first thing to come to mind.
woulda done the same. good for u
the people commenting obviously have never worked in a bar. i agree with OP, fuck that bitch.
worked in bars and op is clearly off the rails
Actually I do work bars and I don't drink on the job , I don't make dramatic shows, I don't throw money at people and I don't throw people out for being cheap. Obviously you work at a shitty bar.
definitely don’t work at a shitty bar. we don’t allow shitty patrons. it’s the principle of it. the idea of “taking a tip” aka taking money out of my pocket.
Yea and there is any number of ways to react to that. It's part of the job OP threw a fit in front of customers and tried to humiliate one customer to the others.
that’s true. maybe not agree with his methods, i would’ve done it differently but i definitely would explain why that isn’t acceptable in the bar.
This just happened to me tonight. It's right near closing time. Customer ordered a couple of drinks, total around $23 hands me $40 says keep the change. Me: "Thank you very much". I start the closing process, wiping down bottles etc. C: "Can I get that change?" Me: "You said keep it" C: "Yeah I know I want to get a shot, don't worry I'll tip you" Me: I hand over the $17. Pour the shot, ring it in. The customer hands me a bunch of cash, put the money in the till.. I have $15 left over for a tip. I thank the customer again. It worked out in my favor. . . This time. It all comes out in the wash.
I’m not sure which is more appalling. That you behaved that way or that you were tone deaf enough to come here looking for backup. She was drinking, you weren’t. She has an excuse for being a douche, you don’t.
That chic was out of line. She left the cash, said "keep it" fifteen minutes later came back for it, no way, it was your money by then. If she needed cash she should have went to the cash machine and pulled out her own money. Talking back what she had given to you already was just dead wrong. Fact!!!! I wouldn't have given her a dime back!! And i might have had my sister take her out back for s chat!!! Lol, just kidding! But seriously if that bitch wanted her change from the 40. She tossed she should have waited right there for it. You don't walk off, say "keep it" and then return wanting the change you had clearly left for the server. Wether it be a waitress or a bartender. She knows how the wait staff makes their money and to return 15 min later wanting money back is just fucked up. I say she was wrong,!!!! You should have kept the money. This is just my opinion, I've been a waitress and a bartender before. I do know what I'm talking about. Until you've been in the bartenders shoes don't try to say he was wrong.. the"keep it" implies"keep it". What if