Prove It

I frequent bars, usually by myself. I found this one that I really do enjoy the enviroment and the others that seem to regular there.

I've only been there 3 times and it's the same bartender everytime. Each time I've gone she's always put an extra beer on my tab. I only have 3 maybe 4 usually, so I'm still totally coherent and aware of what I've had.(I typically dismiss it when it happens because I'm willing to accept that mistakes are made.)

Numerous times I've seen people challenge their tab which tends to end in something to the effect of "Well you're the one who's been drinking and the bartender is the sober one, so I'm going to side with the bartende.r" Be it a manager or a cop.

Also it's a place I'd like to continue going but I definitely don't want to get off to a bad start with the bartender.

Small issue, but how would you handle it?

Pay for each beer when you buy it?

Inconvenient, but leaves little room for mistakes.

yeah, pay cash.

Obvious answer. Which is usually the hardest for me to realize.

next time that happens, just keep ordering more drinks one at a time, and ask for the tab after each one, until she evens it our or err's on your side.

...

yeah, i'd have to agree, pay as you go to avoid the hassle.

if she's scamming money from the customers, then she knows you're a good mark because you've let her get away with it before. the next time you run a tab and don't agree with the tally, definitely bring it up. even if you lose the argument, it probably won't happen the next time, if she's doing it on purpose. and if the manager of the place is worth anything, he or she won't let something like that go on for much longer, whether the discrepancies are deliberate or not.

And on a side note another guy there who happened to have 12 beers had a burger on his tab which he claims he didn't order because he doesn't eat red meat. He ended up paying that tab.

And as for the tip, tonight I gave her $7 and change on a $12 tab which is typical despite the mistakes.



[Edited on Sep 08, 2004 by Calibri]

There's a bar I frequent here in San Diego where one of the bartenders consistantly gives change for a $10 after you give her a $20. She's tried it with me multiple times and has attempted it with friends of mine as well. To avoid this, I simply flag another bartender or tell her I'm good whenever she comes by...

It's the Alexandria Ruby Tuesday's on RT 1. You'd think after a couple times of decent tips she'd let up. She did remember me though, because she knew what I drank. Maybe I have become a mark.

if it's the same bartender all the time and you have a good repoire, just call her out on it. if you aren't a dick about it, it shouldn't be a big deal. i'd take it up with her before writing a letter to the office.

The bartender at one of our local bars tried that on my friend once. When he gave her back change for a $10 instead of a $20 she said "I'm not that drunk yet John" and without saying a word he promptly gave her the extra $10. Shady.

Overtipping is the answer

Find a different bar, this one sucks.

Either management is padding the bills or the bartender is incompetent or putting her buybacks on your tab.

If you've been there three times and gotten fucked each time and multiple people are disputing their tabs its time to go elsewhere.

Wow, I *really* have to be careful when I go to the US.

I wouldn't think about tipping a barperson over here.

i heard that before... but other there a barperson is considered a good career and they make nice $$. in the u.s. (and canada) you're lucky if you even make minimum wage. in canada at least, you actually get paid less than minimum wage cause the business knows you're making tips.

I always put a small tear in my coaster each time I get a beer, thats usually for my own benifit so when the coaster is ripped to hell its time to go but its also a good tally for what I have been drinking...

I would break her nose, but that's me.

Please, please stop going to Ruby Tuesday's. For the love of God, man!

Do the servers there wear suspenders?

Look at Brian, he has thirty pieces of flare.