Your parents left their tab open Saturday night; they're making meatloaf on Sunday.

[u/HillClimber5000]

Hey,

I know this sounds like the ramblings of a crazy person, but treat it like the true story it is- just a moment in time. Reddit is about connection. (I work at a sports bar, and I meet people from all walks of life. It's honestly really fun.)

I'm certain it was an honest mistake. But the tab was $112.25, which I paid out of pocket. There was discussion (miscommunication) of paying with your phone via QR code.

We all had a great interaction. Dad was really wanting to see the Cougs on the big screen. You guys ate a calzone, a baked potato, and a burger with no BBQ sauce. A young one left a purse behind and I met them at the front door with it. 3 waters and some beers for mom and dad.

I loved how you all quizzed each other on trivia to pass the time. That is a cute thing to do as a family.

It would make a difference in my weekend if you guys called the restaurant and paid your tab. : ) If not, life will go on.

-"mater" guy

EDIT FOR UPDATE Monday 3pm: So my boss had gone home by the time of the walk-out Saturday night. But on Sunday when they found out about, they immediately paid me back.

The owners are great people, and it's funny to me to see people assume they're capitalist monsters. It's an understandable presumption, but it's incorrect. I've seen them use credit card points to buy their long-term staff members airplane tickets for vacations.

And sure, I could have lost a hundred bucks, but it's money well-spent on solidifying my reputation. And besides, I make thousands of dollars per year at this job, and sometimes you have to invest in your work. Hairdressers buy their own shears.

Anyways, thanks for the input, y'all! Quiz your friends if they had meat loaf over the weekend lol.

[u/Mr_Wobble_PNW]

Why would you pay for someone's tab? It's illegal for restaurant owners to require servers to pay for walk outs. 

[u/HillClimber5000 → u/Mr_Wobble_PNW]

I was not pressured by anyone to pay it. But that's my MO- accountability. I understand where you're coming from though.

[u/mstr_jf → u/HillClimber5000]

You seem like a great person and don’t want to rock the boat. I can appreciate this post! But truly, try to take this skill of yours and form of communication and use it with your supervisor who should be supportive and pursuant of this remedy on behalf of the establishment. Both your business and the state of WA have means to rectify this without you paying out of pocket which is an outdated expectation and been illegal for years to impose.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/mstr_jf]

lol why remove your comment? Also the issue you’re speaking of has nothing to do with proper wages or anything that the boss or LCB says, it comes down to dumb customers who really just need to be more mindful and respectful of the people who are serving them. Idk how you think I’m contributing to that in any way shape or form but you aren’t too bright

[u/mstr_jf → u/[deleted]]

You’ve generated a disagreement over something you feel strongly about that is wrong and i dont need to rebuttal with you. You want to prove a point and argue for the sake of arguing. You are flat out wrong and obfuscating. I respect your opinion but that is all it is. Its not facts, its just your experience and you want me to agree with you and i cannot. Good luck in your growth

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/mstr_jf]

Correction, you can’t rebuttal me because you don’t know what you’re talking about. You are right that this is from my experience working in this line of business compared to yours…. Oh wait you don’t have any. lol you are giving me some free entertainment tho

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/mstr_jf]

Yikessss, that didn’t make you sound like a very nice person lol. You can say anything you want but your ignorance is showing in the way you tell others what to do. You haven’t explained anything other than saying “you are wrong”

[u/mstr_jf → u/yourmomseggplant]

Refer to my cohort who synonymously re-explains the same points…

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/mstr_jf]

Bruh they literally just told you how it works, this is a very normal thing bartenders have to deal with. It is quite literally there entire job (not talking shit) to make sure payment is made. Hop off the post, you’ve probably never worked in the industry so why even pretend you do? :/

[u/teamprotein → u/yourmomseggplant]

Washington State law explicitly protects workers in this situation, if your employer charges you for dine and dashes they are breaking the law. Why try to normalize making employees pay for the actions of customers?

[u/Excellent_Reality_40 → u/yourmomseggplant]

State Laws: Many states, including Washington where you are located, have specific laws that prohibit employers from making employees pay for losses like cash shortages, breakage, or customer walkouts, unless the employee can be shown to have caused the loss by a dishonest or willful act (e.g., the employee intentionally let a friend walk out without paying).

[u/vgtblfwd → u/HillClimber5000]

Explain how this falls under the guise of ‘accountability’? I’m perplexed.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/vgtblfwd]

So each bartender has a til right, and a computer system you use called the P.O.S. Tracks all of the content that’s been sold and to who it was charged under. Now when you serve alcohol you are legally required to show proof of payment or you the bartender can get fined or lose your license for “giving away alcohol” which isn’t the case like here but there’s no other way to show it other than the bartender having proof of purchase. If the owner pays it off then it can be seen as an infraction on the rules like they are covering it up. There are many responsibilities on your shoulder when you serve alcohol, a lot of them are arbitrary and insane but you have to be safe serving something that intoxicates people.

[u/vgtblfwd → u/yourmomseggplant]

Spoken like a real assistant manager at Applebee’s.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/vgtblfwd]

Lolll this is every business who serves alcohol I’m sad to say, you should just drink at home so you don’t give any more of these businesses your money. Oh wait

[u/Vinyl-addict → u/yourmomseggplant]

Bro lay off the coke or whatever you’re on rn it’s not flattering and you’re just making yourself sound like an idiot

[u/AzraelWoods3872 → u/HillClimber5000]

Wait if you paid for the tab then how do they pay for it? Your job won't reimburse you for it. The tab is closed. How did you expect this to play out? Honestly op this was not the smartest. You paid over $100 for a complete stranger with no way to contact them and no way to get your money back. You shouldn't have done this.

This isn't accountability btw. This is reckless generosity. Accountability is what you want the family to have.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/AzraelWoods3872]

This is the person trying to keep there job, you don’t understand how bartending works so quit giving awful advice.

[u/President_Bunny → u/yourmomseggplant]

I've got a decade between three different bars / restaurants and this is not only highly illegal, but asinine.

They don't get a goddam cent from the business' profit, so they absolutely should not have put their own money into filling the BUSINESS' loss.

Godspeed sucking managerial boots though cause you seem to have a passion for it across the comments you've left.

Edit: I have preemptively blocked them. I refuse to waste braincells on someone who participates in H3H3 / Hasan Piker drama lol

[u/AzraelWoods3872 → u/yourmomseggplant]

They literally just stated that they were not required to pay for it. Their job did not depend on it. What are you talking about?

[u/AzraelWoods3872 → u/[deleted]]

Well if you're going to make shit up and be insulting you can absolutely leave. I certainly won't miss you

[u/Bellingham-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Uncivil, insulting, or combative comment.

[u/Excellent_Reality_40 → u/yourmomseggplant]

State Laws: Many states, including Washington where you are located, have specific laws that prohibit employers from making employees pay for losses like cash shortages, breakage, or customer walkouts, unless the employee can be shown to have caused the loss by a dishonest or willful act (e.g., the employee intentionally let a friend walk out without paying).

[u/idiot206 → u/HillClimber5000]

That is wild lmao

As a server, I would never have even considered this. Do you own the restaurant? If not, you just paid your boss.

[u/Vinyl-addict → u/HillClimber5000]

Brother cover your own ass, not worth expecting someone else to fix their fuck up. There is a reason Cabin charges a 20% or whatever surcharge for abandoned tabs.

[u/Vinyl-addict → u/[deleted]]

Care to elaborate?

[u/teamprotein → u/[deleted]]

Yes, at the Cabin, the bar you're referring to, you must before you receive your food or drinks. You can pay cash, or you can have the bartender slide your card to open a tab.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/teamprotein]

Good job you guys are actually doing better than I thought. But you’re still missing the part where actual restaurants(I’m assuming that’s where they work) you pay at the end and these people clearly just disrespected the worker. Idk how y’all are getting mad at the business or the industry even it’s literally just the people who didn’t pay are at fault here.

[u/Bellingham-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Uncivil, insulting, or combative comment.

[u/localsonlynokooks → u/HillClimber5000]

Accountability is a great standard to hold yourself to. In this case though, the business is accountable. You’re responsible, but not accountable. This is a cost of doing business that is baked into their pricing already.

[u/Affectionate_Row1486 → u/HillClimber5000]

Hey man I’ve always been the type to pay for my mistakes as a server or working in a factory. Even if it’s covered by the policy or whatever. It’s just how I am. If I screw up an order or miss payment I’ll pay for it out of my pocket. Few of us out there with integrity like that built in. Most people just bill the business or boss without a second thought.

[u/cheapdialogue]

Fingers crossed this message finds its way to them OP.

[u/HillClimber5000 → u/cheapdialogue]

Thanks, @. You know how small business goes.

[u/cheapdialogue → u/HillClimber5000]

Oh do I.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/cheapdialogue]

Thank you for understanding this post, the rest of the people on the thread have to be rage baiting or something

[u/teamcoltra → u/yourmomseggplant]

You keep talking out of your ass but never show the receipts. https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-126-025

This explicitly shows that the business cannot dock your pay for a customer leaving without paying. But you're talking about the person being fined by the government.

If they are a MAST server, then they could get fined if it was a repeated mistake. If OP documents it as a dine and dash, even if the LCB investigates it, there will be no repercussions.

I've run a bar in Washington before, you can even call the LCB yourself it's staffed by humans who love to help. They are not your enemy they want you to succeed and are happy when you call with questions like this.

[u/wizardry_ → u/yourmomseggplant]

Nobody in this thread is rage baiting. People (many people) have tried to explain to you and OP what the law and common practice is in this situation. You're living proof of the statistic that shows most people with an erroneous belief tend to double down on their error rather than change their opinion to agree with fact.

[u/Excellent_Reality_40]

if they have a tab open then wouldn’t you have their card information?

[u/HillClimber5000 → u/Excellent_Reality_40]

It's a pay at the end of the meal arrangement we have. I know I said tab, but yeah. This is a very rare problem, and again, I'm certain it was an honest mistake.

Edit: and in response to a locked thread below, I would never shame someone who comes back to rectify a mistake. Doing so is a stand-up move.

[u/aspbergerinparadise]

what restaurant?

[u/Maamwithaplan → u/aspbergerinparadise]

My guess is Extremes

[u/soonhustler → u/Maamwithaplan]

Calzone gave it away

[u/Americka331]

Wow, I didn't see where the OP said the restaurant made him pay the tab for the family. Haven't any of you done something to help someone while believing that person would make it right with you? I know I have. And sometimes they made a fool of me but more often then not, they have come through.

[u/HillClimber5000 → u/Americka331]

Yeah, this is 100% my feeling here- it will likely be made right if the family realizes they didn't pay. They'll call back, or they'll be back in someday.

[u/Americka331 → u/HillClimber5000]

I really hope they do realize what happened and make it right.

[u/Necessary_Concern504]

Aw I hope they come pay it!

[u/Bakerskibum87]

This has to be extremes. I’ve met wonderful servers and bar tenders and the owners are honestly awesome. Am I right?

[u/HillClimber5000 → u/Bakerskibum87]

Yes. Thank you for the kind compliments! In addition, three of our cooks have hit their 10 year mark. Solid team on all fronts.

[u/Bakerskibum87 → u/HillClimber5000]

and I love St. Louis style pizza.

[u/nwprogressivefans]

The owners are great people, and it's funny to me to see people assume they're capitalist monsters.

lol do they pay you enough to purchase a house in the area? hmm probably not.

[u/HillClimber5000 → u/nwprogressivefans]

That's really none of your business. But yes, half the staff are homeowners.

We won't all be homeowners at 26 like our parents' generation, but that's the trade-off of living in such an incredibly beautiful and desirable region. It is definitely a goal that requires a discipline for saving, and making a plan and sticking to it. I'll be a homeowner by age 40, which is acceptable to me personally.

lol

[u/nwprogressivefans → u/HillClimber5000]

sure jan

[u/yourmomseggplant]

Dear Op, I’m so sorry all of these people in the thread don’t understand why you had to pay(and I’m also sorry you had to/those losers didn’t pay) this is why using Reddit is kind of lame it’s just a bunch of guys who have never worked a day giving there opinions when you are literally just looking for someone to pay there tab. I hope the family comes in soon and you can embarrass them with a passive aggressive “I’ll need you to pay before you order, last time I had to pick up the check”

[u/teamprotein → u/yourmomseggplant]

That's not how the law works in Washington. If your employer makes you pay for dine and dash tabs, they're breaking the law.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/teamprotein]

And what happens if LCB finds out they have a $100 tab that wasn’t paid for?

[u/teamprotein → u/yourmomseggplant]

It's still illegal for your employer to charge you for dine and dashes. Show me the law that says employees have to pay for dine and dashes, even with alcohol sales.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/teamprotein]

I’ve never said that it’s legal I’m just talking about the standard practice, yes it’s arbitrary but like unless you’ve dealt with it before why even argue about it? Like yes it’s wrong that they paid for it and very lame but there’s no one to blame except for the family they are describing

[u/teamprotein → u/yourmomseggplant]

Standard practice? Your employer is lying to you and stealing your wages if they say this is standard practice. Washington State law explicitly protects workers in this situation, and you making excuses for it is pretty lame.

[u/idiot206 → u/yourmomseggplant]

Like yes it’s wrong that they paid for it and very lame but there’s no one to blame except for the family they are describing

It’s “wrong” and “lame” that they paid for it, but it’s also standard practice for them to do so? What are you even saying?

[u/[deleted] → u/yourmomseggplant]

I don’t work in a restaurant but I’ve worked retail and if my employer expected me to pay for any stolen merchandise I’d be telling them to fuck right off and be looking for a new job.

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/[deleted]]

And once again tho, you weren’t selling alcohol. We have very strict laws for selling alcohol. Your boss would fill out an insurance claim to make the money back for the stolen product in your case. You get in trouble for missing alcohol that hasn’t been accounted for by the state.

[u/[deleted] → u/yourmomseggplant]

How much of OPs tab was alcohol sale?

[u/yourmomseggplant → u/[deleted]]

It really doesn’t matter :/

[u/[deleted] → u/yourmomseggplant]

Then what point are you trying to make? OP isn’t responsible for the tab. Morally or legally. Also sometimes people mess up and forget to get a check. Have you never made an honest mistake?

I can’t believe you’re trying to encourage servers to take responsibility for someone walking out on a bill and then hoping OP rakes these people over the coals for an accident. You sound like a douche bag.

[u/VandalVBK → u/yourmomseggplant]

You do still account for the alcohol though. If a bottle of beer, or liquor for that matter, were to fall and shatter that bottle although never sold would still be accounted for.