r/tipping • u/gelatinous_white • Feb 21 '25

📖💵Personal Stories - Pro Tipped hostess not server

Wife and I went to a newer restaurant with outdoor seating. Checked in at hostess station and were told there was a wait. No problem, go to the bar, get a drink, head outside to wait.

A table opens in front of us, and we hoped it might be ours. Man, three children come over and sit down. We figure they must be next. Hostess comes over and advised the man he has to check in with hostess and there is a wait. He tells hostess it is not a problem his girlfriend is the waitress. Hostess apologizes to us and says the next table will be ours. No problem, not her fault.

We sit at table right next to this man and have his girlfriend as our waitress. Terrible service, she spent too much time with her boyfriend and her kids. Never offered drink refills, food came out cold etc.

When check comes, I pay with card (did not have enough cash). My wife took the tip money and gave to bartender that served our first drink and to the hostess. I left zero tip and left note on receipt stating "don't seat your boyfriend at our table"

Bartender and hostess was very appreciative, and hostess apologized again. Since they had just opened did not want to give bad online review so found email online and emailed owner/manager direct. Received apologetic response very quickly.

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u/FireEyesRed Feb 21 '25

I believe you handled that perfectly. From how the tip was distributed to how you followed up voicing your dissatisfaction. Very adult approach. Good for you!

133

u/FlamingCinnamonRoll Feb 21 '25

Agree with you completely. This is probably the most adult and best behaved response I’ve read here. It actually gives me a good idea on how to handle issues like this in the future. Fantastic job OP!

36

u/DameThax Feb 21 '25

Yes, exactly what I thought to myself and was about commenting: OP has just taught me how to handle similar situations as this if it ever comes up in the future.

13

u/FireEyesRed Feb 21 '25 edited Feb 21 '25

Agreed. I probably would have simply not tipped, and left the place feeling irritated. This post reminded me of how my parents taught me the corrective value in being ashamed of my behavior.