An American server has been left shocked after she was labelled 'rude' in a message left on a receipt explaining why the couple she'd served wouldn't be leaving her a tip.
She couldn't believe her customer's handwritten note and shared a photo of it on Reddit thread, adding that 'he had the audacity to write this with my pen'.
The picture shows that the pair's total came to $65.80 (£52.24).
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While we can't see what food and drink the couple seemed to happily chow down on, what we can see is the message left after the fact.
And it turns out the patron was offended at the server asking whether they'd be splitting the bill.
Scrawled down the side of the receipt with a huge line through the 'tip' line is written: "No tip because it was very rude to ask my wife and I if we wanted separate checks???”
According to the server, the customers in question were a man in his late 50s or early 60s and his 'much younger' wife.
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They explained that, after a previous awkward interaction involving parents dining separately with their kids, she and all servers are required to ask diners if they would like to split the bill as part of the restaurant's policy.
“That is why we ask, because we want to prevent that situation from happening again.” they said.
The Redditor also caveated her post with the disclaimer that it wasn't the lack of tip that had irked her - as she always worked hard and didn't expect it.
The poster also said that this question of bill splitting had never been an issue previously - which was the main issue.
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And the message was met with a mixed response.
Some thought that asking didn't do any harm, with someone saying: "'Haha, no we're married, one check is fine.' Is that really so hard lol, talk about having an ego."
While someone else asked if it was not 'standard practice' to ask that question, adding: "I am literally asked this any time I am with more than one other adult."
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A third added: "How the f*** are you supposed to know? I've seen folks that look married that were brother and sister both with wedding bands."
While others said that they could understand the frustration, as one commenter said: "Ok, but honestly...why would you ask?"
Another said: "Where is this place? Never seen that before. On dates, double dates, bro dates, or corporate dinners, they always assume single check unless you state otherwise."
Meanwhile, some thought it was just an excuse to get out of tipping in the first place.
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Someone wrote: "Chances are they weren't gonna tip anyways and found some lame ass excuse."
To which the OP replied: "Bingo."
Topics: Food and Drink, Money, News, Reddit, US News