Is it inappropriate to ask a customer if they would like change?

Question

I am a server, and recently a customer came in to eat. I dropped off his bill and came back to his table to see if he had a credit card or cash to pay his tab. There was money (I forget how much) on top of the ticket I had set down. I reached for the money and the ticket and politely asked if he would like any change. He got mad at me and told me that when I asked a question like that I was EXPECTING a tip....It's 2006....of course I expect a tip, but I didn't remember how much the ticket was, and I was just asking if I needed to return to the table with change. He made a scene in the DR and told me that it was rude to ask. I should just take the money, and bring back the rest. If he was going to leave a tip he would, and that it was his money to do what he wanted with it.

I have been a server for several years, and when it's busy, you just ask if they need change to save you a trip back to the table.

What do you think. Should I just not ask for change from now on?

Answer 1

When you go to collect the money, just say, "I'll be right back with your change." That gives them the opportunity to say, "Ok, thanks" or " I don't need any change."

Answer 2

Now here's my two cents worth...

I get extremely angry when a server asks if we want our change BUT I don't say anything. How lazy does a server have to be to try to avoid coming back to the table to pick up the tip.

Whenever a server asks this question we always cut back on the amount we had planned to tip. It's just plain rude and lazy to ask such a question that assumes you know you are getting a tip. We do tip 99% of the time but when a server acts like it's automatic they have overstepped their bounds.

This is no different than if someone in the corporate world made a statement to their boss like... When you give me my Christmas present, etc. You know you're getting a gift but you don't take it that much for granted.

Just seeing comments from people saying the customer was rude makes my hair stand on end. Why not just take it a step further and decide how much your tip should be and then tell them! It wouldn't be any worse.

Answer 3

You were wrong to ask if he would like change. He has the RIGHT to his change; you do not. Had you asked me that, I would have been just as upset, because if that's the way you phrased it, you didn't make it clear that you were simply offering small bills, rather that asking if you could KEEP his change.

I'm surprised, if you have indeed been a server for several years, that you haven't already learned to make sure that there are small bills in a customer's change, so that he can EASILY give you a tip. You should never ask that - you should just bring it; nobody is going to worry about WHAT bills you bring back as long as they get the right amount. Your question does indeed indicate that you're busy thinking about your tip, and not about your customer's convenience, and customers get ticked off when it's obvious that's the only thing you're thinking about. Just say something like, "I'll be right back with your change; " if the customer doesn't WANT change, he'll almost certainly say at that point something like, "Oh, that's ok - I don't need any change."

All in alll, definitely a bad move - change your tactics.

Answer 4

I was a server for 6+ years. When I started out, I had a customer give a similar reaction for doing the same thing you did. From then on, if they left cash, I would simply pick it up and say, "I'll be right back with your change." If they wanted change, they would say "Thanks," or not say anything at all. If they didn't want change, 99% of the time they respond, "Oh, I don't need any change." This approach got the same thing accomplished without perceived rudeness. I understand where you're coming from, food service is all about managing a ton of menial tasks for multiple tables and your asking for change was not meant to imply "will you be tipping?" but instead was just an inquiry as to whether or not you'd be adding another trip to your list of things to be doing during a busy shift. This isn't clear to every customer, so I would advise always telling the customer that you will be right back with their change- it is by far the most efficient and conflict-free approach to this situation.

Answer 5

Asking a customer if they want change is not the same thing as asking if they want change. You might try to rephrase it as "How would you like your change?", but the truth is that Americans are simply rude people. Not the servers, but those who are waited upon.

I suppose you could ask the management exactly how they wish you to handle the situation, whether you should ask or not, and then you have their authority to back you if this happens again.

On the other hand, if it happens when you are planning to leave your job anyway, you could say somehting like "No, I'm not asking you for a tip. I'm asking you if you wish to be a tight-a$$".

I've done some travelling, and I can assure you without a doubt that Americans are the most rude and obnoxious people around. It's bad enough that I, at times would rather say I'm Canadian to avoid the stereotype that so many Americans have made for us throughout the world.

Answer 6

Not everyone realizes you are asking to save time, and that you don't recall the cost of their dinner; to them it seems very tacky when there is a bill/check for $12 and there is a $20 bill with it. If it's a $12.23 check with $14, the extra bill (instead of $13) was likely intentional and therefore asking might be ok.

My personal preference (and I have been a server before) is for the server to bring my change without asking, but I don't get all bent out of shape over it. I do try to tell the server on my own if the tip is included.

Answer 7

i don't feel you should ask such a ? just because he has paid the bill doesn't mean you should not return to the table its like you got what you wanted and you don't have time for him anymore you should return the money to the table then he can leave you a tip if you need one not everyone deserves a tip if you sucked you should get nothing you should not expect it don't ask let them do what the want there is no rule stating you must be tipped that's like some places auto tip if you are a large party that's not right because some people take advantage of that and give awful service and FYI yes i do work in the food industry

Answer 8

I don't think you were being rude. From what I remember, most servers ask us this when we go out. If we only had big bills on us and it's way more then we want to leave as a tip, we say yes. If not, we tell them to keep the change.

The only time I get upset with tipping is when the tip amount is left for us on the bill. I don't think anyone should be told how much to tip.

Answer 9

I am a former server and I know that the reason people ask "Did you need change?" is that you are hoping they will say "Oh no keep it".
I have discussed this with other servers.
I have never asked a customer this question and I agree with your customer.
You don' t need to drop hints that they should leave a tip.
It is insulting and for me that knocks at least a dollar off the tip you would have gotten from me right away.
I also find that usually it is the young, female servers who ask this innocent question.
Knock it off!!

Answer 10

I have never had a server ask me if I wanted change - normally if I do not need change I will point that out when they come to collect the check. Otherwise, they just bring the change and I leave my tip.

Answer 11

In my case (and mine only) if the money was handed to you with the ticket folded together, than it is yours. If I give you a card, then cash will be on the table when I leave.
Mind you his manners were off. He shouldn't have made a scene, just politly told you yes.
Now the standard tip in my town is 15%. If the service is good I go 25%. If it was bad, 10%.