Message 8357 of 39188 in General Discussion

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I know exactly how you feel, Carrie.  I work in, what sounds to be, exactly 
the same situation.  Us bartenders are working very hard at trying to convince 
management to change the policy.  An idea that one of the new bartenders 
brought from his previous restaurant, is that servers must tip 10% of the 
customer's tab that is being transfered from the bar-which should be 
considered fair since we did all the work, and they will end up being tipped 
at least that much on those items in the end.  Depending on the computer 
system you use, the computer can even simplify this process by keeping track 
of transfers out and servers will have a grand total at the end of all that 
was transfered to them.  Sadly, this idea has thus far fallen on deaf ears-but 
we're still trying. Maybe your management is a little more rational and 
compassionate.

All I can really recommend is that you really try to get the customers to 
settle up with you before moving on.  If you provide them with a bill after 
every drink they order, explaining that you are running a tab for them and 
that they can pay whenever they are ready, and that you are only placing the 
bill there for your own purposes as a way of keeping tabs on all your bills, 
this can help to make it seem as though it is policy for them to settle at the 
bar.  

Of course this does not always work, and if a customer still asks if they can 
have it transfered, I will usually say something like "You can if you prefer, 
but we'd rather you settled up with us...since that's how we make our living". 
 Just make sure that you say it in a non-threatening, almost joking manner.  I 
don't think that the customers really understand how tipping out works, most 
think that all tips are pooled and then divided evenly.  So by implying that 
you won't get any of the tips if it gets transferred they are usually more 
willing to settle up at the bar.

I'm still pretty new at this, so if I come up with anything more, I'll try to 
let you know.
Hope this can help at least a little bit.
Jeff