# Do you want change back (I left $20 for an $11 bill) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 30, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734 "2017-05-30T20:27:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/1 "2017-05-30T20:27:13Z")
First of all, what kind of waiter even asks that question? All it does is make the customer feel awkward, and if you’re a good waiter, that’s the last thing you want. But I’m more concerned with these two incidents that happened recently. I’m having lunch alone, I get the bill, and it’s about $11. I put down a twenty, and when the waiter takes it, she asks if I want change back? WTF? Now, I’m a very good tipper. Typically 20% in cash, and if the bill is small (like that one), it’ll be more like 30%. But no, I’m not leaving a 60% or 70% tip. How can you even think it makes sense to ask that? This is 2 different waiters at two different restaurants in 2 different cities. Both in the last couple weeks. It might be that she forgot what the total bill was, but here I am, alone, and typical lunch items are $9 - $13. I still gave her a nice tip since the service was fine, but I’m just wondering what would make someone be so clueless. Kids these days… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/2 "2017-05-30T20:29:41Z")
I bet some number of people, greater than zero, tell her to keep the change in circumstances like you describe. I also assume it’s basically auto-pilot when people leave cash and she hasn’t really done the math and figured out it would be too much of a tip. But I agree, it’s awkward. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/3 "2017-05-30T20:32:18Z")
> [@](#): > > First of all, what kind of waiter even asks that question? All it does is make the customer feel awkward, and if you’re a good waiter, that’s the last thing you want. Three possibilities I can think of: 1. It’s scripted, instructed by management. 2. Server does want to make you feel awkward and say “no” and she gets bigger tips (probably not a good long term strategy). 3. Server asks this every time, without thinking of bill or looking at denomination, because “no” saves a trip back to the table and time is money. Variation on “script.” Could be none of these are the correct answer. Could be it more often annoys the customer (many thinking it entitlement, etc.) and needs to be dropped ASAP. Beats me. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/4 "2017-05-30T20:36:58Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I bet some number of people, greater than zero, tell her to keep the change in circumstances like you describe. I also assume it’s basically auto-pilot when people leave cash and she hasn’t really done the math and figured out it would be too much of a tip. > > But I agree, it’s awkward. I dunno. I’m a very generous tipper. But if there’s one thing that might make me be less generous, it’s pulling a ploy like that hoping I’m either stupid or worried about what some teeny-bopper waitress thinks about me. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/5 "2017-05-30T20:38:17Z")
There’s no way in hell “do you want your change” is scripted by management. Any decent waiter is going to say “I’ll be right back with your change” and at most linger a sec to give you a chance to say “keep it”. It doesn’t matter what amount is left, you don’t assume your tip. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/6 "2017-05-30T20:38:54Z")
Way back when I was a server, I had a diplomatic way of handling this. Instead of asking if they wanted change, I’d say, “I’ll be right back with your change.” Eliminated the awkwardness of begging and allowed the guest to be gracious. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/7 "2017-05-30T20:42:28Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I also assume it’s basically auto-pilot when people leave cash and she hasn’t really done the math and figured out it would be too much of a tip. This. And when it’s a group and we hand a stack of cash, and they say it, it’s perfectly reasonable. I typically hear “Is this all set?” and don’t feel offended by it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/8 "2017-05-30T20:49:00Z")
BTW, there is no “math to do” when it’s that simple. I’m one person with one bill and a $20 laid down on the check. Can’t get any easier than that. Both of these restaurants are places I frequent enough that the owner are friends of mine. I would be shocked if this was a directive from them. Most of the waiters know me at these places, but I’m guessing these waiters are probably new. Hope they learn the ropes more quickly. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/9 "2017-05-30T20:53:02Z")
I’m thinking more just autopilot. They probably didn’t remember the amount of the check. I can remember working crazy hours at restaurants in college and I’d find myself telling the grocery store cashier to enjoy their meal after I’ve had a busy work schedule Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/10 "2017-05-30T20:55:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > BTW, there is no “math to do” when it’s that simple. I’m one person with one bill and a $20 laid down on the check. Can’t get any easier than that. > > Both of these restaurants are places I frequent enough that the owner are friends of mine. I would be shocked if this was a directive from them. Most of the waiters know me at these places, but I’m guessing these waiters are probably new. Hope they learn the ropes more quickly. I believe you’re overthinking the math angle. I would be surprised if waitresses remember the exact order for every table. YOU might get the “$9-$13” lunch special every time, but i imagine some people get appetizers, or a beer, or dessert, or whatever. All that said, it happened once. I’d just chalk it up to autopilot. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/11 "2017-05-30T21:08:31Z")
It happened twice. That’s why I started this thread. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/12 "2017-05-30T21:12:30Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’m thinking more just autopilot. They probably didn’t remember the amount of the check. I can remember working crazy hours at restaurants in college and I’d find myself telling the grocery store cashier to enjoy their meal after I’ve had a busy work It’s not good enough to say it’s just autopilot. Their autopilot should not be that. It should be “I’ll be right back with your change”. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/13 "2017-05-30T21:17:06Z")
I think it’s autopilot also. I think we’ve all been asked this. My response is “Please” or sometimes something like “Just give five bucks back.” Doesn’t bother me in the least. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/14 "2017-05-30T21:29:45Z")
From my bartending/serving days, you’d be surprised at the number of people who get snippy if you DO give them change. I had a guy who used to come in and order drinks with some gal he was trying to impress. He’d order 2, maybe three drinks with a tab that came to, say $9.75. He’d pay with a $20 and after I put down his change on the bar twice (after two separate rounds), he informed me that after he gave me money he didn’t want to see it again. With other people, I’d bring change and hear “That was your tip. Don’t you want it?” I finally came to the same conclusion as Ivylass and just started saying “I’ll be back with your change” without even looking at the money. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/15 "2017-05-30T21:35:44Z")
> [@BeeGee](#): > > From my bartending/serving days, you’d be surprised at the number of people who get snippy if you DO give them change. I had a guy who used to come in and order drinks with some gal he was trying to impress. He’d order 2, maybe three drinks with a tab that came to, say $9.75. He’d pay with a $20 and after I put down his change on the bar twice (after two separate rounds), he informed me that after he gave me money he didn’t want to see it again. With other people, I’d bring change and hear “That was your tip. Don’t you want it?” I finally came to the same conclusion as Ivylass and just started saying “I’ll be back with your change” without even looking at the money. I might be surprised by the number but I doubt I’d be surprised by the percentage of guys who are annoyed you didn’t keep the change as the default. And you were clearly dealing with drunks at a bar, not a guy having lunch by himself. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/16 "2017-05-30T21:39:25Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I still gave her a nice tip since the service was fine It sounds cruel, but to help her become a better waitress you should have left her a 1 cent tip so she remembers her error. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/17 "2017-05-30T21:41:17Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > It happened twice. That’s why I started this thread. 😉 It’s happened to me dozens of times. I either answer “No, keep it” or “Yes, please” depending on the amount and the service. Unless it was at a very high end place (where I wouldn’t likely pay with cash) I wouldn’t blink twice at the question. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/18 "2017-05-30T21:43:26Z")
I’ve had a related issue happen twice in the past couple of weeks. I’m not usually a big lunch eater; more often than not, when I go someplace, I’ll get an appetizer or a salad or something. With a drink, the bill usually comes to a little less than 10 bucks. On occasion, though, I’ve gotten an actual entrée, and then the bill (depending on where I am) is in the $13 to $14 range. And twice the server has brought me my change – a five, a one, and coins. I’m not a bad tipper, but in my opinion five bucks as a tip for a $14 bill is usually too much. And one dollar is too little. Experienced servers know to bring that amount of change in ones. That way, I can leave my $3 (or maybe even $4) tip and feel good about it. As it is, I have to ask them to either break the five, or overtip or undertip wildly. Frustrating. (First-world problem, I know.) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/19 "2017-05-30T21:44:49Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > It sounds cruel, but to help her become a better waitress you should have left her a 1 cent tip so she remembers her error. No, it sounds like a severe over-reaction. And cruel. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734/20 "2017-05-30T21:51:35Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > It sounds cruel, but to help her become a better waitress you should have left her a 1 cent tip so she remembers her error. She probably wouldn’t have got what the problem was. If I really wanted to correct the error, I’d have to tell her. If I see her again (and I just might, since I go there often), I might pull her aside and make a friendly suggestion. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-want-change-back-i-left-20-for-an-11-bill/787734.md?page=2)