'I'm paying so that the restaurant doesn't lose $500 on a dine-and-dash': Server gets scolded by manager after table of 11+ customers leave without paying

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Sep 20, 2024 4:00 PM EDT

Being a server means that you have to deal with a ton of unnecessary behavior from coworkers, managers, and especially customers. However, having to pay the price (in this case, quite literally) for a dining and dashing incident is about as bad as it can get.

Here, we have a server who got lectured, belittled, and reprimanded by his manager after a table of 11+ customers managed to get away with ditching the restaurant without paying. First of all, we cannot help but empathize with this server who had to endure the struggles and difficulties that come with simply serving a table of that many customers. He was probably hoping for a worthy and sizable tip afterward. He was definitely not expecting having to pay the bill on their behalf.

Keep scrolling below for the infuriated messages of solidarity this Redditor received in the comments section For more stories like this, check out this list of ridiculous questions entitled customers asked their servers. 

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  • 01
    HOT INAKED "Forced to pay nearly $500 because a table I was serving dine and dashed"
    via LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I worked as a waiter for a few years, and every now and then we get scumbags who decide to dine and dash. Every time the bill will come out of the server's paycheck.
    via Blymin
  • 03
    There was a big party of 11+ people; it was an entire family with kids, grandpa, relatives, etc. I worked in a chain restaurant in Las Vegas. Our location easily generated $10k a day on average,
    via Blymin
  • 04
    and there are now 5 different chains in the city. When the entire family decided not to pay and leave, my friend and I had to split the bill of about $500.
    via Blymin
  • 05
    This restaurant generates thousands of dollars a day. They pay me below minimum wage and rely on tips to cover their deductions. I worked about 60 hours biweekly and got a paycheck
    via Blymin
  • 06
    of $300 post taxes and tip deductions. I get maybe $700 in tips in those two weeks. I was the one that paid the $500.
    via Blymin
  • 07
    It really 1 The entire time the family was happily eating, and I was giving all smiles and catering to their needs. Then a big slap to your face when you're in the back loading your tray with you as a server.
    via Blymin
  • 08
    with more food to serve, and the party decides to all get up and leave. The host is clueless as to whether they had paid, and the cashier for some reason didn't stop them.
    via Blymin
  • 09
    Not only am I left with having wasted all that effort in serving a large table, but now my manager is screaming in my face and handing me the $500 fine.
    via Blymin
  • 10
    Even if I was there, what was I going to do? I could try to stop. them from leaving and getting into even more unnecessary trouble by having to wait for the cops to show up and then file a charge against them. If I don't pay the fine, I'm going to lose my primary source of income.
    via Blymin
  • 11
    That's not worth it. I shouldn't have to file charges so I don't lose half of what I'm going to earn in two weeks. The owner is a multi-millionaire, and I'm paying so that the restaurant doesn't lose $500 on a dine-and- dash.
    via Blymin
  • 12
    thekaizers 13 hr. ago How is it legal that employees pay for the cost of fraud? Don't restaurants have insurance for these types of things?
    via Blymin
  • 13
    singerbeerguy. 13 hr. ago It's not legal, but if you don't pay they can fire you for "allowing it to happen."
    via Blymin
  • 14
    KermieKona 13 hr. ago You should not personally be responsible for the theft from your place of employment... any more than a cashier at 7-11 being charged for the stolen property due to shoplifting or a robbery.
    via Blymin
  • 15
    It will take servers refusing to pay this and suing their employers for either wage theft or wrongful termination (if they are fired) for this practice to change.
    via Blymin
  • 16
    Blymin OP. 13 hr. ago Honestly, I agree with servers standing up but it is a big step. I can't imagine the lawyer process and fees for servers,
    via Blymin
  • 17
    considering most of us are young adults with barely any savings
    via Blymin
  • 18
    No-Mail972 13 hr. ago I used to have to pay for those as a server, too. I worked at a mid-range pizza place so nothing like $500 tab. A lot of the
    via Blymin
  • 19
    time, I would just get shorted - like a $50 bill and they would leave $40. This is not talked about enough - you are your server, not a huge corporation!
    via Blymin
  • 20
    Blymin OP 13 hr. ago Exactly. If you want to steal from Walmart or any other billion dollar corporation I could care less. The department stores
    via Blymin
  • 21
    usually expect people to steal and account for it to begin with.
    via Blymin
  • 22
    But even big name restaurants are charging their servers for bills being shorted. Forgot to punch a glass of wine? Get ready to hand over your tips and cover it yourself.
    via Blymin
  • 23
    I did not sign my pay up to be collateral. Even in the instance where it was my mistake (forgetting to charge a drink), I don't think it should be up to me to pay the difference.
    via Blymin

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customer service workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job server work customers entitled customers server life reddit thread Reddit tales from your server karen customer toxic-work-environment
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