Disrespect, disgust, frustration, collectively consumed me last night on my way out of the bar.

Yes folks, I went out for a drink on a Monday night. I really shouldn’t have done it. I know better now for more reasons than I will put down in this post.

It was my plan to hit the gym, something I haven’t done in quite some time. Instead, I went out to meet up with some folks for some light conversation and good cheer. When I arrived at the bar, my party wasn’t there. So I started my evening alone, ordered my beverage and patiently waited. Checked my e-mail, read a few blogs, sent a few messages all from my handheld. It kept me busy until my party arrived.

Folks arrived and all was well. Had good eats, good drinks, and OK service. No worries, four hours later, and I’m tired - ready to get up out of there. I asked for the check. I payed on my credit card. One thing I don’t like doing is paying on a credit card when it is more than just me. But I neglected to hit the ATM machine. I prefer everyone to pay their share, especially when I know I’m with people who have a habit of not doing so. But this post isn’t about them.

I give my card to the bartender to swipe. He comes back with the receipt, the pen, and my card. Immediately, I place my card in my wallet (one time I left my card in a bar, I will never let that happen again).
$87.95 was the check amount. So I rounded up to the nearest whole tenth. Final amount on the bill now reads $90.00; which on paper leaves the bartender with $2.05.

Now tell me something. Are you thinking I’m cheap? Are you saying to yourself how can you leave so little for such a big check? I’m sure that is what you are saying. If you are a person who hits the town every now or then you know the minimum to leave is15%.

No worries folks. My party was taking care of the tip in cash. I’ve never believed in leaving a tip on a check. It just hurts the server/bartender/waiter in the end. They already don’t make enough as is. When you work in the service industry you live off of tips, for the most part.

The bartender prematurely picks up the credit card receipt. Walks to register and looks at the bill. He quickly walks back to my side of the bar and says, ‘$2?’ In a ‘what the fuck? Are you serious?’ sort of tone.  I look at him as if he is nuts. Are you seriously questioning my tip? Are you coming out your face asking me about $2? I always wonder how people see me. So I ask, “Do I look cheap to you? Do I really look that cheap? Do you think I don’t understand the dynamics of your job?

He replied, “Oh no, I was just making sure.”

Making sure of what? That I was leaving $2? Of course, I wouldn’t leave that little but now I thought to myself, I should just walk out.

How often have you come across someone questioning the amount of tip? Is it rude or is it just me?

If you are wondering how much I left, just calculate 17% of the original bill. Had he not been so quick to chastise me over what he thought was his tip, it might have been more.

Oh well…