Ok I didn’t give it back but I wanted to do so.

I am now a server at a chain restaurant where I was formerly a manage at said restaurant. While I was a manager, I was a really good one. Many of my staff mates really enjoyed me, really trusted me, and my personality. They understood my own issues and understood that I was there for them and on their side. I am now a server I no longer had time to work the extremely long hours as a manager and didn’t feel it was worth it. Now looking at it, me being a manager has nothing to do with the post but I type it so I’ll leave it… might be an indicator of whom I am.

So as a server, I feel like I am really good and I get many compliments from people telling me that I made their day that even though the food wasn’t quite up to snuff and that I was the best part of their experience and so on. Last night I had a table of two, they ordered two large plates and their meals were $48 each and they also added on New York strip steaks and those are about $20 apiece. I give them really good service, even the guy was like “you know this is like the best experience I’ve had at this restaurant. I’ve been coming here for years” and he just keeps talking talking talking talking. I’m stopping by there every so often and talking to them. Making sure everything‘s OK, enjoying everything. Toward the end of their 2 hour night and they’re about to pay and he tells me to that I’m about to get a really good tip from both of them since they’re paying separate. Now I know that when someone says that not to expect anything at all.

So they pay separately, the lady pays. She pays exact change. I mean exact change down to the penny, the guy pays as well but right before he gets his money together, he gives me $5. He gives me a five dollar bill and says that’s for me and I’m thinking like is this supposed to be the tip so I’m just like OK thank you so very much. I put it in my pocket I take his payment and he has changed left over is changed about $12.05 so I give it to him and They leave and I really really really wanted to give him five dollars back. I would rather receive 0 than that and yes it’s better than nothing but also it feels like an insult.

Her bill was $89 so a tip on that would be if it’s 15% would’ve been like $13. His bill was about $72 so about 15% on that about $10. OK with a 10% tip 15% 18% which is what normal people do but giving me 5$ on their entire bill and you add up what the entire bill is you know a proper tip probably should’ve been about $22 at the minimum but he gave me a five dollar bill. I really wanted to give it back and I’m starting to consider this to people who give tips like $4.64 or people who give a few bucks on a large bill. I’m not saying they have to empty their wallets and if they can’t tip I understand being a bit strapped and still wanting to treat yourself, but somebody comes in and has me running back-and-forth back-and-forth back-and-forth every time I stopped at their table. They needed some thing and I always went and got it to them right away, from boxes to bag to more biscuits to ranch to add the cheese on the salad and then taking it off another to getting them an extra knife, giving them extra napkins, getting them more bread and some to go as well. They were also there for about 2 1/2 hours and 45 minutes past closing time. I’m considering giving them back their small amounted tips.

Am I an asshole for that or would I be an asshole for that or should I say thank you as if it is the best thing in the world and keep going?

I didn’t make it known to the guest that I felt insulted and wish them a good night and the woman a happy birthday.