Message 8360 of 39188 in General Discussion

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Actually, one night we had a "cash bar only" due to a special event in 
town...and we made $140 in tips...unbelievable...the last time I asked a 
customer to pay at the bar however, (I just said, "that will be $2.25 
please"), he reported me to the owner as being rude and wanted me fired. =) 
Luckily that didn't happen.
We dont have a computer system, I remember all the drinks that are served to 
the customers in my head...a waitress has to ask me for their bar tab when a 
customer goes to sit at a table...
I just can't believe waitresses are so tight!
And yup, I've asked management to intervene, but everytime the boss mentions 
it, there is a huge screaming fit from all the waitresses....so usually the 
boss just gives me an extra $20 a week and calls it good...

carrie

> 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