# Bad tippers. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 8, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747 "2009-03-08T18:29:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 42
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747/821 "2009-03-29T16:47:30Z")
I would interpret differently a statement such as “the customer should never have to ask for a drink/refill.” What that means to me is the drink shouldn’t be allowed to run dry before the server has made himself available to be asked. Even better, a server really needs some mind-reading, or more correctly, some prescience. You scan your tables, spot a drink getting low, stop by the table and ask “how is everything? Can I get you anything?” But, often as not, the customer will say, “we’re fine, thanks.” BZZZZT! Wrong. 5 seconds after the waiter walks away the customer is going to down the last of the drink and think, “fuck! I should have asked for a drink, now the waiter’s gone.” The waiter should know that’s how it works and ask specifically, “how about another?” “Oh, uh, yeah, I guess so. Good idea, I will have another.” Ding! Correct. Customers usually need a drink to wash everything down & cleanse the palate between shovel-fulls. A waiter needs to spot that low drink or that slightly constipated fidgety look customers get when they’re just realizing they might sorta kinda need something. If he waits too long, the customer will stop everything they’re doing, let their food go cold and sit there desperately and helplessly searching the room hoping to catch someone’s eye and hand signal their plight. With experience, you know what specifically to ask the customer before it dawns on them to ask two seconds after you’ve left the table. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747/822 "2009-03-29T17:01:50Z")
> [@Springs1](#): > > You didn’t find proof of anything, because someone WROTE A BOOK about their OPINION on how service should be or not be even if they had that neither person should be asking. Anyone can write a book. Heck, if I wanted to, I could write a book myself. Does that prove that my method is correct, because I would have written a book? > > … > > If you want your server to get you refills without bothering you, it’s YOU that needs to tell your server so they will know that, otherwise, they won’t just magically know. They may guess right, but they don’t know for sure when they are doing that task. You know I am right. Someone **that is familiar with what pleases the majority of customers** wrote a book. If the servers guess right much more often than they guess wrong then they come out ahead, and those customers (unless one of them happens to be you) are happy that they are getting good service and are more likely to come back (pleasing the management) and more likely to leave a good tip (pleasing the server). As I said in a previous message, as long as the majority of customers appreciate what **they** consider to be good service, the fact that you don’t consider it good service doesn’t matter. This really is a case where majority rules. By the way, if the menu is god, do you pray to it before ordering? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747/823 "2009-03-29T17:08:17Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > I think I want to make a T-shirt that says _ **THE MENU IS THE GOD OF ORDERING!** _ You forgot the 100%. I want one that says _ **THE MENU IS LAW** _ I have to say, this thread has been so worth the fee to be ad-free. I have laughed until I cried and may never be able to look at a soda fountain with a straight face again… ---
**Author:** ![Springs1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@Springs1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springs1)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747/824 "2009-03-29T17:08:22Z")
> [@Hakuna\_Matata](#): > > yawn. I can see you can’t read–the first line says they fill it up without asking. > From the national organization. So you didn’t prove anything shit for brains. The loophole you found is the one in your logic. > **[Unauthorized Request Blocked](https://www.restaurant.org/business/bb/2001_04.cfm)** > [@](#): > > • Stay a step ahead of the guests. “You should always be scanning your tables” to identify customers’ needs, says Pabreza. For example, she refills customers’ coffee before they even ask. NO, it states that the _ **CUSTOMER** _isn’t asking you IDIOT! That has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the “ **SERVER** ” NOT ASKING, DOES IT? Are you that stupid that YOU cannot READ YOURSELF? Obviously, you are! WHERE, my dear, does it state that the SERVER cannot ask, huh? I sure don’t see that ANYWHERE! HA, I PROVED YOU WRONG! > **[Unauthorized Request Blocked](https://www.restaurant.org/business/bb/2001_04.cfm)** > [@](#): > > She also relies on nonverbal signals to determine whether customers want her to strike up a conversation or want to be left alone. Even with this sentence, they are talking about personal conversation, NOT asking if someone wants a refill or not. > **[Remarkable Service: A Guide to Winning and Keeping Customers for Servers,...](https://www.amazon.com/Remarkable-Service-Customers-Managers-Restaurant/dp/0471380229)** > > Remarkable Service: A Guide to Winning and Keeping Customers for Servers, Managers, and Restaurant Owners \[The Culinary Institute of America (CIA)\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Remarkable Service: A Guide to Winning and... I don’t see anywhere where they state the SERVER cannot ask a question. Do you? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747/825 "2009-03-29T17:16:22Z")
> [@Mame](#): > > Sorry people, but Springs1 has been posting these diatribes across the net since [2007](http://www.ragingserver.com/best_waiter_server_blog/2007/11/05/springs1/). This may be the original Springs 1, or just someone who picked up her posts and is using them as a troll-suit, but either way, there is no dealing rationally wiht her/it/them/whatever. > > DNFTT. (or expect a tip if you do :D) Yesbut, she’s new here and _it’s entertaining._ And, she’s not really a troll. There are certain troll-like characteristics, yes (such as regeneration:p ) but I think she beleives in what she posts. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747/826 "2009-03-29T17:16:35Z")
Wait! We’re being **trolled** , roboted - maybe? I spent a night in hell thinking someone was psychotic as the result of hyperthyroidism (yeah, granted I should have left it alone, but if that’s a real person has she been contacted to see what the hell’s up and has she answered? Whatever and **however** , she had someone very concerned about her last night, and no - before you say it, she doesn’t owe me shit, and I am VERY HAPPY she’s (or the invisible entity we seem to be communicating with) okay. But y’all? Why are we continuing this useless diatribe? She’s a “one trick pony”. A lost cause… I don’t know… y’all do what you want. I gave in to the"nurture" side of me last night because that is who I am. I feel foolish, yeah, I do. But I reacted to something that called up a symptom, and knowing the way I am, I would have done the same for any one of you. I’m out of this, okay? Just a little surprised to find this topic is still active. Q ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747/827 "2009-03-29T17:18:23Z")
I’m going to go ahead and close this thread and um . . . clean up the mess. If anyone wants to start a new thread on this topic. Go for it. **Gfactor** Pit Moderator [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-tippers/488747.md?page=41)