A server at D’Jais Bar & Grill in Belmar, New Jersey, recently posted a pic of her receipt on Facebook that has spread across the social network.
The image has sparked a conversation from thousands of Facebook users about tipping etiquette in the restaurant industry. Here’s why:
The Asbury Park Press reported on August 17 that Jess Jones was serving a table of eight at the restaurant and nightclub.
After the party paid the $112.03 bill with a credit card and left, Jess checked out the receipt to see what her tip was.
The 10% rule has been gone for a long time, with most people leaving closer to 20%. But Jess didn’t get anything at all.
All she got was the line, “LOL. 1 hour for food.”
The Rutgers University student responded to the “tip” via Facebook: "Last night, I was stunned by this receipt that was left for me by a party of eight people.”
"I would have preferred a ‘$0’ tip than a ‘LOL’ tip, but as a waitress, bad tips and harsh notes are all part of the job,” she added.
Jess noted that it is true they waited an hour for their food, but the she still her job as their server, while the kitchen staff moved slowly.
"Even though they did wait an hour to eat, they remained satisfied with filled drinks and proper notice that the kitchen was a bit busier than normal,” she wrote.
“I’ve worked in the service industry for five years and I take pride in providing great service to my customers.”
Jess has since removed her Facebook post. But stories about the incident have been trending on the social media site.
Even Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty caught wind of the story, and he responded on his own Facebook page:
"If you visit Belmar please treat the hardworking men and women in our service industry with the same respect you would expect at your job. This is ridiculous.”
Jones reminded her Facebook followers that in New Jersey, servers make a measly $2.50 an hour, which forces them to depend on tips.
"Most of my paychecks are less than pocket change because I have to pay taxes on the tips I make,” she wrote.
She further explained, ”I need tips to pay my bills. All waiters do. We spend an hour or more of our time befriending you, making you laugh, getting to know you, and making your dining experience the best it can be. We work hard, and we really do care.”
Facebook users weighed in on Jess’ story.
Annette Lawless, a Kansas journalist and news personality, shared the story on her Facebook page, asking her followers to respond with their opinion. Thousands replied.
Facebook user Al Pearl criticized the industry rather than the non-tippers. He said, “Here’s an idea. Pay your staff fairly and stop expecting the customer to.”
Jim Troast commented that we shouldn’t feel sorry for Jess at all.
He wrote, "Gratuity is not mandatory. I know we all love to portray the waitress as this victim of a terrible customer, but remember we’re only hearing one side of the story. A 1 hour ticket time for food is unacceptable.”
Troast continued, “Coming from the service industry myself, I also would not have left a tip. Tips need to be earned. And don’t cry poverty that the server makes pennies an hour and relies on the tips.”
“There are a lot of things in that server’s control to ensure she gets a tip when the kitchen is slow."
Not everyone was has harsh as Troast. Others sympathized with Jess.
Judy Gallaher of Arizona responded, "It wasn’t her fault the food took awhile. Servers get blamed for everything, from a hair in the food to slow service.”
“It sounds to me that a party of 8 should have a little more patience and want their food prepared fresh, making it worth the hour wait.”