It’s Jarring When They Go Tip Jarring

I am a bartender and it’s nearing the end of the night. I’ve just poured a customer’s drinks.

Me: “That will be $11.96.”

They hand me $11.85.

Customer: “Ah, d***, that’s all my change.”

I know this customer, they’re a regular and they always tip well so I tell them:

Me: “Don’t worry about it. Got plenty in the tip jar tonight, so I’ll just use a penny and a dime from that.”

Customer: “Oh my God, are you sure? Thank you so much!”

The next customer I serve has been a jerk in general the whole night, hasn’t tipped, and has tried hitting on one of the bartenders to the point she had to tell him to stop.

Me: “That will be $26.80.”

He hands me $20, and then, having witnessed the previous transaction, takes $7 from the tip jar and hands it to me.

Me: “Buddy, you at least have to have a conversation with me before I buy you a drink, man.”

Next Customer: “You let that last guy take something from the tip jar!”

Me: “That was eleven cents, I gave him permission, and he’s been tipping all night. You just stole seven bucks, you were NOT given permission to do so, and you’ve been an a** all night. Now pay up, or I’ll have you kicked out and banned.”

Next Customer: “This is how you treat paying customers?”

Me: “Say that sentence again but slowly.”

He paid using his credit card… eventually. The first one declined.