Hank was a good guy, popular with the guests at the Motor Vehicles Depot. Selling cars was how he made his living, thriving on the commissions he made through numerous sales. One day, a young man came into the Depot and he was quick to greet the prospective buyer. Together they looked through the various cars on the lot until the young lad chose the little red compact car that Hank all but raved about. They went on a test drive, went over the engine, and he gave a detailed account of all the benefits of the car. At some point in the sale effort, Hank became a little perturbed because the lad became a bit short with him, similar to how a sergeant got with his new recruits. He ordered Hank to get him a water, then something from the vending machine, something Hank was willing to get for the sake of the sale. The commission on this particular car would make it possible for him to buy a new computer for his little girl. He repressed his irritation and sported a smile so that everything would work out in the end and the commission would be his. After two hours of time being spent with the young man, all his questions, concerns, and demands were met. Now it was time to sit down and complete the sale. Hanks hopes were soaring at his good fortune. Then the lad asked for another sales man. What? He sat down with Hanks rival, Anthony and completed the sale with him, leaving Hank to weep over the loss over the sale. All of that hard work, and his rival was to get the commission. It was highway robbery! After all that he had done for the youth, how could he stiff him like that? Once the car keys were in his hand, the young man went to Hank with a satisfied smile splitting his face it two. Not wishing to lose his job for poor behavior toward a guest, Hank returned the smile, but dimly. How does it feel Hank? Pardon me? Hank all be choked out. You frequent Charlies Steakhouse, dont you? The name sparked a memory. Ah, yes, I love the place! Why do you ask? The boy shrugged. Good food? Good service? Always, Hank replied, cocking his head to the side in curiosity. What did his dining preferences have to do with the foul that had just been committed against him. Yeah, I know, the boy smiled. I was your server last weekend. You came in with your family. You were? Hank asked, digging in his memory for the boys face. He had been his server last week! Hanks face suddenly flamed with shame. You remember me now, huh? The boy tossed the keys up and caught them. I have been saving up for seven months to buy that car, but could never quite get up the money because of people like you. So I had to ask my dad if I could borrow money, and now I have to save up money to pay him back. Your bill was 300.00 last weekend. I am glad that money has been good enough for you that you could spend that much on a single dinner. Good for you, Hank! But then you left me, your server, 3.00 for the tip. What you didnt know is that your meal alone cost me around ten dollars in tip out to the bartender and the bus boys. I hope it was a great meal, because it cost me money out of my pocket too. I am so sorry, young man. I didnt know. Hank stuttered. Yeah, a lot of people dont seem to know, the boy stated, shrugging his shoulders. So I thought maybe it would help if you knew what it felt like to work so hard for money that was never going to be yours. He handed Hank some papers. Here is the paperwork. The commission is yours. Anthony over there was very obliging when I told him what I was up to. But I would never do to anyone what gets done to me on a regular basis at my job. With that said, the young man left the Depot in his new car. A car he could have afforded on his own if people knew what the server industry was all about. Tips, tip outs, and their minimal pay of four dollars an hour. After being taught a valuable lesson, Hank always made a point to tip twenty percent and recited his tale to anyone who would listen. This story is fiction, but the reality of it is not. Servers make far less than minimum wage and have to tip out their supporting staff up to five percent of their sales, not their tips. So if a server has 500.00 dollars in sales, they tip out anywhere from 15.00 or more of their earnings. So if you do not tip appropriately, that server looses money and they have bills to pay and families to fee as well. And most servers dont get benefits! So think twice about how you tip, please, otherwise a server just might come and visit you at your job! Also, be kind and considerate. Servers are people too, and if not for them, the dining experience would not be at all possible. Thank you for reading and do share! Signed, The Ranting Waitress!
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:22:19 +0000
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