Mike
As a server, you work hard to provide your customers with the best dining experience possible. You take their orders, ensure their food is prepared to their liking, and deliver it with a smile.
Unfortunately, despite your efforts, some customers will leave without tipping, even after ordering a large amount of food. This can be frustrating, demoralizing, and make it difficult to earn a living wage.
Recently, a story went viral about a server who went through this similar situation. While working as a server at Outback Steakhouse. She was stiffed on a $735 takeout order, and you might think it’s fine to not tip for takeout (it’s not), but she also helped load all of it into their car.
Tamlynn Yoder, who previously worked at Outback Steakhouse, has been working in customer service for over 10 years. Tips are a vital part of her making a living. So, when the local Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Springs Gardens picked up that order with no tip, Yoder wanted to vent about it. Especially because this is the church she goes to!
So, like most folks in 2018, Tamlynn took to Facebook to vent. Unfortunately, the company was aware of her post and fired her for it.
“I was told that I was being fired and that they refunded the full $735,” said Yoder. Then she was told it was because she “violated their social media policy.”
When she told the church about this, they did the godly thing and made it right. They reimbursed her for more than what the 20% tip would have been, as well as gave her several links to other service jobs available in the area.
People in the comments were kind of split. Some thought it was absurd to not tip on such a large order, while other said they would never tip for takeout, what is the point?
“Tipping is not guaranteed…she should know that with all those years of experience,” said one commenter.
“Tipping on a take-out order is beyond insane,” another said.
And one understands the nuance of the situation.
“Everyone saying ‘I don’t tip on take out’ I don’t either, but $700 worth of food AND she helped load it in the car? I would have tipped.”
What are your thoughts on this story? What the church right initially to not tip? Should you always tip 20% on takeout? What would you have done in this situation? Let us know in the comments.