M is for Money

Here is the situation: Your darling aunt Pattie has invited you out to dinner, her treat. Unfortunately aunt Pattie is a terrible tipper, thereby insulting otherwise decent servers and embarrassing everyone in the process. What can you do in this situation?

I have my own aunt Pattie. My late grandmother never left more than two singles as a tip, no matter what the bill was. Now $2 may have been a great tip back in 1955, but it certainly wasn’t come 2005. I always felt bad for the servers, it wasn’t their fault she left a lousy tip. Finally I came up with a solution, so here are a few tips, ha ha, for dealing with lousy tippers.

Option 1 – Offer to Pay the Tip

Whenever we are treated to a meal now we always offer to cover the tip, even with people whom we know are great tippers. It is our contribution to the cost and a way of saying thanks to our host. If you are dining on the dime of a terrible tipper, offer to cover the tip. They may appreciate the savings, and your concerns about an adequate tip are taken care of. Of course they may say no, they have it covered. In which case you have to go to Plan B.

Option 2 – Sneak in a Few Extra Bucks

This was my solution with my grandmother, before we left the table I would carefully slip a few dollars out of my wallet. As she got up to leave I would linger behind for a minute and slip the extra money in with the tip she left. You could also excuse yourself to go to the restroom beforehand and give the money to the manager or server directly. Either way, you have discreetly dealt with your terrible tipper and saved embarrassment all around. In group situations, you can always make up the shortfall with your own money. Sure it sucks, but either way someone is getting screwed. Just make a mental note not to dine with that group again!

Option 3 – Dine on your Own Dime

Instead of being at the mercy of a terrible tipper, turn the tables and invite them out to dine. Now the tip is in your control, just don’t let them offer to pay it when the bill comes or you’ll be the one with egg on your face!

If leaving restaurant servers with a decent tip is important to you, take control of the situation. You don’t have to be at the mercy of a terrible tipper, you are free to add your own money to make it up. Don’t call out the person on their poor tipping habits, they are likely to take offense and not likely to change. You are always free to decline the invitation if none of these solutions work for you.


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