Tipped To Be A Good One
In the depths of lockdown, the restaurant where I work is doing takeout. We decide to do a big family meal for the July 4th weekend: fried chicken, multiple sides, housemade potato salad, and fruit cobbler, for a set price.
The good news, the holiday meal is incredibly popular and we do well that weekend. But we, the staff, are run off our feet in a hot kitchen, taking orders out to cars for pickup on a steamy summer day, and fielding dozens of calls complaining about this wonderful dinner. There are not enough drumsticks in the fried chicken, how dare there be carbohydrates in the potato salad, my kid doesn’t like the cobbler and I want a refund, etc.
We work all weekend and are closed on Monday to recover. On Tuesday, we get a call:
Caller: “Yes, I am following up on my July 4th meal.”
Me: “If there was an issue, ma’am, I’m very sorry—”
Caller: “Oh, not at all! Everything was absolutely delicious! I’m calling because I just realized when I saw the receipt that I completely forgot to add in the tip when I ordered. I feel terrible; you all worked so hard to provide a treat during this weird summer. I have my card. Would you be able to run it for a belated 25% tip?”
Me: “I… Wow, that’s very kind of you. Yes, I can run your card and add in the tip, if you’re sure.”
Caller: “I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t. Here you go.”
When we reopen soon for in-person dining, I hope she and her family come in. I’d like to thank her for being a bright spot in a rough time. It’s thanks to customers like her that we’re going to be able to reopen!
This story is part of our Fourth-Of-July-themed roundup!
Want to read the next Fourth-Of-July-themed roundup story? Click here!
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?
