Walmart Worker Is Not A Rockefeller

April 29, 2010

in Server Stories

Recently I was working in the Hamptons and went after work to a restaurant to just have a little to eat. The bill came to 12 dollars and some change, so I gave her a 20 dollar bill. She had the audacity to ask me if I wanted the change back. I looked at her in disbelief and said: “Do I look like the Rockefellers?” I was dressed in a Walmart outfit and needless to say I left no tip because I was really pissed off. In places like the Hamptons one should expect a waiter/waitress to be able to distinguish who is a working stiff and to not ask that type of question.

{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }

SkippyMom April 29, 2010 at 3:35 pm

As a former waitress this is SUCH the wrong thing to say to anyone – what a bi&*( !

If you are going to ask a guest regarding change – you don't ASK – you simply state "I will be back with your change." That way the guest can say thank you [or some such] or they can intimate the remainder is for the waitress .

Sorry that happened to you.

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Jack April 29, 2010 at 4:16 pm

My question is where did you eat, and what did you have, that only cost $12 in the Hamptons?

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Just Me April 30, 2010 at 7:58 am

It WAS rude of her to ask if you wanted your change. But to pretty much dock her pay for one little mistake, was wrong also. I mean, do you get docked pay if you make a mistake at work? Not tipping is essentially docking a waitress/waiter’s pay. They rely on the income they receive from tips. Your response of not being a Rockefeller was all that was really required. I’m sure she got the point and felt bad. Lots of times we say things out of habits without thinking. So next time, think twice and don’t be so spiteful.

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Love It! May 4, 2010 at 2:41 am

A tip is extra. No one is required to leave a tip. Otherwise it would be part of the bill.

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FuckMyTable July 20, 2010 at 9:25 am

Tipping is a custom in place because most servers are paid $2.13 an hour and never see any money on the paycheck since the wage is taken for taxes.

You are EXPECTED to leave a tip. If you want to push for servers getting minimum wages and no tips, prepare for bad service (since the good servers will leave for better paying jobs) and more expensive food, since the restaurant will have to recoup its losses that come with higher wages.

Dumbass.

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Jack July 20, 2010 at 1:09 pm

A "tip" is left for the service rendered. Excellent service deserves an excellent tip. Poor service on the other hand deserves a poor tip, or none at all. That decision has to be made by the customer. As a customer I don't really care if the server is being paid $2.13 an hour, or $20.13 an hour, I pay the tip on the level of service I receive.

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Wheels July 1, 2012 at 6:14 pm

The only reason they are payed as such is BECAUSE they get tips. Servers get tips, so they can get paid less and still receive about the same money. If they're terrible servers, they don't deserve to get the 2.13, never mind the tip.

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mary July 1, 2019 at 3:24 pm

Just WHY should OTHERS have to "supplement" their pay??? Servers KNEW the payrate when they ACCEPTED THE JOB!!! No-one should be damn EXPECTED to do ANYTHING for anyone!!!!

Dumbass!!!

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skippymom April 30, 2010 at 8:30 am

She docked her own pay by asking in that fashion – it is presumptious to assume you are getting a 66 percent tip on a lunch. [8 on 12?] when the average tip [Hamptons or not] is 18.5%.

You obviously have never been a waiter if you think she was simply rude – that is one of the number one things NOT to say when picking up the check and if you do "slip" and feel bad – oh well, you won't do it again.

It is not being spiteful to keep a tip on a waitress that doesn't want to bother to earn a fair and equitable tip she just wants to walk away with it. I applaud him for not tipping her. I hate that question.

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Laura May 4, 2010 at 12:50 pm

Not leaving a tip just because she said “do you need change?” is silly. If the server gave good service up to that point…she should receive a tip.

It sounds to me like this person had no intention of tipping in the first place and was just looking for a reason to do so.

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waitress November 19, 2011 at 2:47 pm

I always ask if change is required. Not because I presume that someone is giving me a very high tip, but because I don't recall the exact total on the bill. I have far too many other things to do to keep all of my tables comfortable and happy, and remembering a specific number is not one of those things.
I've never experienced someone getting offended at this question, because they, unlike the poster or the commenters, seem to understand that it is a simple question and not in the least presumptuous.

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Karl April 30, 2010 at 11:39 am

It was on main street and just soup, since I had a 12" sub for late lunch. I just want to see how the other 90% in the Hampton's live. To correct the title: I wore clothing one can by in Wal-Mart, you know: pants for 19, shirt for 10 etc.

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Gregg - admin April 30, 2010 at 4:38 pm

Oops. Sorry for the error in the title Karl!

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Imjustawaitress November 7, 2010 at 10:08 am

buy – not by , there is a difference

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Trixi April 30, 2010 at 2:28 pm

Uh, there's a Walmart in the Hamptons?

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rerere May 1, 2010 at 5:31 pm

Hmmm, I think it was rude of the lady to say that, and you did good. By the way, when is mine going to be posted?

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Gregg - admin May 2, 2010 at 5:58 pm

Your story is now posted rerere: http://tinyurl.com/296gv5r

Thanks for sharing your experience!

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rerere May 3, 2010 at 11:07 am

Thank You very much Gregg!

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Jennifer May 1, 2010 at 6:52 pm

I think you were a bit harsh. Could there have been the issue of that she did not look at the amount? I myself, usually don’t ask about whether there is change and she just probably wanted to save herself the trip back to the table. There was no need not to leave the girl a tip. She probably thought you were a jerk to start with and this just confirms it.

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Karl May 3, 2010 at 3:36 am

Trixi: are you one of those "dumb" Blondie? People like me can not afford to live in the Hampton's. So, why do you think there is a Wal Mart in an area of the super rich?

Jennifer: The 20 Dollar bill was laying on the table with green side up. If she can't notice the big 20 in each corner from 2 or 3 ft away what do you think I should do? Say very Laud this is a 20 Dollar bill because she might also had a hearing problem? Because I was annoyed due to her question I am a jerk? She and you are jerks assuming a tip of 50% or more is alright. Also, I was not happy with her attitude and service. Never ask if I want a glass water, never passed by to ask if every things is alright, putting the bill down with the soup. With other words: since I did not order an 80.00 meal, gulp down your soup and get out of here.

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Trixi May 3, 2010 at 2:35 pm

Dude, you're the one who said you were working in the Hampton's and wearing your Walmart outfit. Don't get all pissy with me if you can't articulate well enough so others can understand your story. I thought you worked at Walmart and were wearing your uniform; capiche?

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Karl May 3, 2010 at 4:10 pm

To Trixi: I didn't say uniform in my post: Anyone can walk around in an outfit from JC Penney, Lord&Tailor etc. It means the quality, price or type of closing one can find or afford. Anybody with some IQ knows there is no Wal Mart. But common sense is hard to come by…. Case closed!

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Trixi May 12, 2010 at 8:04 am

You might want to ask them to change the headline of your post, as Diiners From Hell seems to have come to the same conclusion that I did.

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Guestypoo February 28, 2014 at 2:14 pm

Walmart doesn't have a uniform. You wear khaki pants and a blue shirt. Any khaki pants, any blue shirt.

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TKM February 27, 2014 at 4:43 pm

@ Karl: I find in interesting that in your original post your noted her only offense was the server asking you if you needed change, and it should have been obvious. Now after multiple comments "we" the uneducated public are supposed to infer that not only was your "Walmart outfit" and outfit purchased at "Walmart", not your Walmart uniform, but we should also conclude that your NOT a Rockefeller based on a visible outer inspection of your outfit.

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TKM February 27, 2014 at 4:44 pm

Now you want to say, she had an attitude and didn't ask you if you wanted a glass of water. Which is it? You were offended by her simple question asking if you wanted change or her attitude and lack of water offer. If you order (I don't know, lets say a Iced Tea….) I am probably not going to ask you if you want water on top of it. If you did, you'd probably ask for it? Or is she supposed to infer "along with your NON Rockerfeller" lifestyle that you wanted water?

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TKM February 27, 2014 at 4:44 pm

Last time I checked, servers multi-task from the time the shift starts until the last table gets up and goes….all you have to do is sit and enjoy your meal. If there is a problem, you COMMUNICATE it to your server or to the manager. Most servers in the industry are not out to ruin your good time. They pay the their bills by ensuring your enjoying your time and making sure your experience was a pleasant one…and for those servers out there that don't, they don't last long in the industry…. unfortunately there is not a system out their that allows individuals in the service industry to rate their customers….that would be a blast. Fortunately, most of the general public pulls their heads out of their asses and have some awareness of social norms and realistic expectation.

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Jack May 4, 2010 at 12:55 pm

Karl, you said "I was dressed in a Walmart outfit". People who work at Walmart are usually dressed in a specific outfit. That would be identifiable. How could anyone tell your cheap assed outfit was purchased at Walmart? Did you leave the sales tag on it?

You were just looking for an excuse not to leave the waitress a tip. I'm sure the $1.80 or so you would have left her didn't ruin her evening or keep her from paying her rent.

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Big Paulie May 5, 2010 at 8:03 pm

I side with Jack.

The OP, Karl, wasn't able to articulate what exactly was going on. Were it that I were dressed-down, I'd describe the articles of clothing and not typify it as a "Wal-Mart" outfit. They carry all sorts of clothes, some of which look rather flattering if coordinated and worn by one who wears clothing well.

When you admitted that it wasn't a Wal-Mart uniform, but more an outfit that announces to the world that you didn't care much about your appearance when you dressed that morning, that changes the whole game. Your server, while not putting her request quite as nicely as she could, was trying to educate you. She was trying to remind you that when you go out, there are certain unwritten rules one must follow, like tipping, (to hell with those who say it's voluntary; it isn't — it's part of polite society).

You see, years ago Cornell University did a study that proved that many of those who tip poorly do so because they just were never told what the right thing is to do in a restaurant.

Indeed, you were one of those 5% of diners who looks (at times desperately) for an excuse not to pay a gratuity; a reasonable and customary expectation of diner from the server that shouldn't be set aside unless the server commits a gross offense. If you're dressed like a mutt in an upscale Hamptons restaurant, the server (and also sometimes the manager) will act to protect themselves against a diner who obviously looks like he/she can barely keep their head above water and will therefore intentionally break the unwritten contract that, when simplified, reads "I take your order, I give you your food and a smile, and you pay me for that service."

So the bottom line looks like you've saved yourself a whole lot of money ($1.80). If you need $1.80 that much, you don't need to be dining in upscale Hamptons locations. You need to go to Sayville, to the McDonald's.

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At Your Service May 21, 2010 at 8:39 pm

Why didn't you just go to the McDonalds that was no doubt attached to your Walmart???? You could've paid $6 for a Big Mac meal, eaten your dinner, and not felt bad for being so cheap as to leave no tip for something as trivial as being asked "Do you need change?"

I can't believe what I'm typing, but I actually agree wholeheartedly with Jack when he writes "Indeed, you were one of those 5% of diners who looks (at times desperately) for an excuse not to pay a gratuity". Go get take out next time. What an @sshole you truly are.

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At Your Service May 21, 2010 at 8:47 pm

Oh wait, haha… I wasn't even quoting Jack there, it was Big Paulie. Guess I didn't surprise myself that much, lol!

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Robin July 20, 2010 at 8:56 am

Believe it or not, some people (even “working stiffs” as you put it) are generous enough to leave $7 and some change on a $12 dollar check. You just made yourself look like a douche by not tipping. Next time, you and your Wal*Mart outfit should just stay home.

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Imjustawaitress November 7, 2010 at 10:00 am

So, she worded things wrong – but other than that, was your service good? Because it sounds like you were looking for any reason to not tip, cheap-o. She was probably asking (although, she shouldn't have), because she has, in the past, scrounged for change, only to find her rich Hampton guests have left and given her $8 on $12…. Don't dock because someone worded something wrong – dock your tipping only if your whole experience was bad!

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Laura January 19, 2011 at 1:04 am

It is possible that the waitress didnt want to fish out a fistfull of nickels and pennies and wanted you to say "just the 5 back, please". It kinda sucks that there is no tactful way to ask "do I really need to be counting out bitch change for you?", but half the time that's what they mean, not "you ARE gonna tip me, right?"

I usually say "I'll be right back with your change", so that the idea of change is put in their head, and hopefully they'll say "just bring back x amount, the rest is yours, thanks". When I'm the one dining in the restaurant, I usually tell them the amount of change I want before they get the opportunity to put their foot in their mouth.

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Rachel May 30, 2011 at 11:05 pm

Ok, this is gonna be harsh because uppity cunts like you seriously tick me off, and you need to hear somethings that the poor souls who have to wait on you can't say to you without losing their jobs. Here goes:

1. definition of my terms: 'uppity cunt' refers to the kind of white-trash loser who feels that paying 12 bucks for an appetizer at a restaurant entitles them to kick around their server–the person, who, thanks to their white-trash inability to pay for service, will be PAYING to wait on them as they occupy a booth in said server's section for long past their welcome, thus easily costing the server a substantial amount of money. Would you like to know what is 'audacious'? A worthless bitch like you in a restaurant, being openly rude to someone who has paid money to do you a service. Restaurants are for people who have class. You have no class. 12 bucks won't buy you class. So stop putting on airs, bitch, and go to McDonalds where you belong.

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Rachel May 30, 2011 at 11:17 pm

2. Addaffit: When I am discussing 'white trash' and 12 dollar meals, I am not taking digs at poor people, and I am not taking digs at thrifty people who save on meals. Because MANY of these people are a pleasure to wait on. They are polite, considerate, and leave good tip percentages—much higher than the 'Rockerfeller' types do (rich bitches tend to be cheap-os). 'High tip percentage' often approaches 100% mark for good service for these people…they know what it is like to work for a living, and appreciate it when you work for them.

Your waitress really was audacious for assuming you were one of these classy individuals. When I say 'white trash', I do not mean a socio-economic group (or even a color). White trash is a way of life and a specific mode of behavior embraced by many. White trash is self-centered, uncouth, aggressive, bitter, openly rude to anyone they feel they can abuse without repurcussion…and cheap. We'll get to 'cheap' later. Basically, 'white trash' is you.

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