My first bad tip

[Mr Hero]

But she deserved much better.

My gf is visiting for the weekend and we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. I brought cash and my cc just in case. The total came to just over 37 dollars. I give her a 20 and a 10 and ask the rest to be put on the card. She came back to the table informing me that the card was declined. So I give her my other 10 and apologize. I said that I'm sorry that this was all I have and feel bad for leaving a lame tip. I also told her I thought she did an awesome job. Throughout this conversation I was both embarrassed and apologetic. Sorry awesome TR waitress, you deserved a better tip.

[raudf]

This is a case of "crap happening." At least you tried to leave some sort of a tip, instead of straight stiffing her. That's probably what usually happens when a card declines, after all.

[Eevie]

Hey, crap happens and there's nothing you can do about it. Don't let it get to you.

[Peppergirl]

That happened to me once. I was sooo embarrassed. I ended up scraping up almost exact change and apologizing profusely. I also got her name and address and sent a money order for a proper tip two days later (I was out of town when it happened).

Not suggesting you do that, of course, but I felt the need to brush up my particular karma that week.

At least you apologized and felt badly. So many people don't.

[Caractacus_Potts]

I had a similar situation, had to actually go out to the car and dig for change just to pay the bill.

I asked the waitress when her next shift was, went back two days later and handed her a $10.

[Seshat]

On a trip to the States, same story, same situation. So I did the best I could for a tip: gave her an $AU10, and showed her the unique/different aspects of the bill. Told her who was in each side of the bill, and why they were significant historic Australian people. Showed her the microprinting, and how the one under 'Banjo' Patterson was the verses of 'Man from snowy river'. That sort of thing.

This was at the Outback, so it was kind of in theme. She seemed interested and grateful for the unusual tip. I only hope it wasn't a tight fiscal week for her.