On Tuesday, I posted what I thought was a sweet little tribute to the Veterans of this country in honor of their day, mentioning how grateful I am that there are people in our country who are willing to do jobs that I couldn’t imagine having to do. I also included a link to the many restaurants around the country that will provide veterans with either a free or a discounted meal as a thank you for their service. At the very end of the post, I added:
Please remember to tip your server, even if there is no bill… No one who serves, whether it be in Iraq or Olive Garden, wants to do it for free. As the restaurant thanks you for your service, please make sure to tip your server for theirs.
No big deal, right? Wrong. A lot of people thought I was kind of an asshole for mentioning the whole tip thing. A few people agreed with me but plenty of people acted like I was a goddamn un-American asshole for even talking about the tip.
Susan said: I Would Have Thought Risking Your Life For Stranger’s Is Tip Enough……I’m Just Sayin…….
Cynthia said: Heaven forbid you would give up that all mighty tip to do something nice for a veteran without being compensated for it! Shame.
Dylan said: One day of the year were your tips shouldn’t matter as you wouldn’t be alive without these veterans.
Michael said: You’re a server and these folks have given far more than you’ll ever do. Shake it off for once and stop thinking about yourself, you self-absorbed twat. They risked their lives in service of their country to help protect the freedoms you enjoy. That’s tip enough, bitch.
At first, I could see their point and I felt bad for even reminding them that they should leave a tip if they were getting their food for free. After all, they did a great service for our country and we certainly owe them a lot for it. But then I started thinking. Veterans Day is a national holiday so all the people who work in banks and offices and for the government got a paid day off on Tuesday. Most people who work in restaurants have never even heard of a paid day off. If someone told a bank teller that they were going to have to come to work on Veterans Day this year but they weren’t going to get paid for it because the veterans already gave so much for their country, that bank teller would be all, “ummm, fuck that shit. I want my money. I don’t work for free” No one would think that’s fair to the bank teller and no one would suggest that it happen, yet for food servers, plenty of people seem to think it’s alright that we sacrifice our tips that day and that we should just focus on the “bigger picture.” Isn’t this just one more example of people looking at the occupation of server as less than a “real job?” Why should we be okay with giving up a portion of our income on behalf of veterans who don’t leave a tip. Just because a server expects to earn money when they go to work does not mean they think less of our country’s veterans. It just means that we want to get paid for the job we do just like every one else does. Regardless of why you got your food for free you just have to leave a tip!
Now before you jump all over me, I know there were plenty of veterans who left great tips because people also commented on that:
Teresa said: I enjoyed serving the vets AND I made bank!
David said: I did very well!
Grace said: Survived the free meal special at Applebee’s today. Thankfully we always have sweet and generous veterans who visit us. I love being able to serve our nation’s heroes but tips do help.
Let me just leave you with one more comment:
William said: For all that have anything negative to say about vets in this post u are just ignorant un-American pieces of dog shit. I am a vet and majority of my friends are vets and we always tip.but if one day out of the year we feel like being assholes guess what we deserved it and maybe u should dawn those boots and riffle and then maybe we would care about what u have to say on this subject.
Alright, William, listen. No one in any comment said anything negative about vets. All they did was asked to be tipped. Just because you “dawned” boots and a “riffle” does not give you the “I Get To Be An Asshole Card” for the rest of your life. You can be as rude as you want to people but if you think it’s alright to deny a server a tip and make them work for free, you are wrong. When President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day in 1919, I don’t think he meant it as justification for you to go to a restaurant once a year and stiff your server. If that’s what you think you earned for serving our country, maybe you are an asshole. (Your words, not mine.)
In closing, I want to make sure everyone knows that I am not anti-Veterans Day or un-American. I have never had anything bad to say about anyone who serves our country. I only have bad things to say about people who don’t feel the need to tip and if you happen to be a veteran, then so be it. If the restaurants are going to let the vets eat for free, maybe the restaurants should cover the tips for the servers too. Just a thought.
Reginald
I am an icu veteran at the v.a. I was treated like a shiftless bigger when I contacted the brownsborough rd dominos.
MJ Padilla
I would like to share a slightly different point of view. My husband is a veteran with PTSD. Veteran’s day is one of his favorite days because it is one of the few days he feels remembered, and I know he isn’t alone in feeling that way. And who doesn’t love free stuff. The first couple years I always found myself disgusted and upset about the treatment we were given by the waitstaff at all places. A free meal is nice, but it certainly isn’t enjoyable when your waiter rolls their eyes at you for only ordering the free meal, and then disappears to never be seen again. It seemed that the vast majority of waiters assumed we were cheap and wouldn’t tip, so we did not deserve even basic service. Every place we have visited on Veteran’s Day, we have tipped the value of the meal, not that the tips were ever really earned since we were never treated like people to begin with. After two years of being treated horribly by service workers, I began leaving the tips in plain view on the table before ordering our free meals in hopes that my husband would have better experiences. Our service was indeed mildly better which is quite sad because tips are supposed to be earned based on the job performed. It is not a required bargaining chip in hopes that your drink will be refilled with your meal or that you will be treated with kindness. Still, we were not treated with hospitality, people were often cold, once our food was delivered we were no longer their problem, could never get a refill or a to go box or hell even a smile. While I do understand that the corporations decided to hold Veteran’s Day and offer freebies, and that their employees do not have a say in those descions, much like a solider chooses to enlist, a waiter chose their choice of occupation. There is never an excuse to not do your job well or to treat people like less than human beings. I believe in a strong work ethic, and I also believe in paying people for their time and services which is why we have always tipped. After a while I realized it’s not so much about the tips, it’s about graditude. I encourtered so many service workers on Veteran’s Day who carried negative attitudes and judgements about veterans. I truly, truly wanted to change their perspective of veterans. I think many of them felt that something was being taken away from them unfairly, rather than an honorable opportunity to give back. I imagine working Veteran’s Day is beyond rough, and I wanted them to know how much their service makes a difference to veterans. I wanted them to feel pride in working that day. So, I started making thank you cards to give out to service workers working on Veteran’s Day. I wanted to thank them for their efforts in making Veteran’s Day possible, and for making my husband and other veterans feel remembered. Finally, I saw a change, I could see the pride in their eyes when they were given the card, that they were making a difference. I could tell it touched many of them. Ever since I started doing this, we rarely have a negative experience on Veteran’s Day. In fact, many people remember us from years prior. Gratitude can go a long way.
Beefcake
This is a really hot topic. No draft, only optional. The end.
Lisa misak
As the wife of a vet I see nothing wrong with reminding people no matter who you are to remember to tip. We went to Olive Garden and my husbands meal was free and as his wife mine was 10% off. But we tipped as if we were paying for everything. My husband said his meal may be free but everyone from the server to the chef and busperson are still doing the work for meals for 2 patrons. As we had a wonderful server who we’ll ask for next time my husband tipped her 25%, she deserved it for the great service we got.
Noya
Olive Garden us tip bussers and bar on sales not on tips , most of us got tiped on the amount after the discount , so we had to pay for sales that were then given away , I also paid taxes on them . My family has served and is still active , my son is in jrotc and plans on enlisting straight after high school , he is also a busser that works for us, he was in shock that he they (bussers)made twice as more as I did.
Noya
Olive Garden us tip bussers and bar on sales not on tips , most of us got tiped on the amount after the discount , so we had to pay for sales that were then given away , I also paid taxes on them . My family has served and is still active , my son is in jrotc and plans on enlisting straight after high school , he is also a busser that works for us, he was in shock that he they (bussers)made twice as more as I did.
Robin
Hi Bw,
I have been a fan of yours for many yrs. I remember getting a kick out of you being on Dr. Phil! So please take this as gently as your reminder to tip was.
I know your heart was in the right place when you asked folks to tip. But I think what pissed off most was the fact that you even had to remind them to do it in the first place. At first blush it seemed as if you were lumping together US Vets as bad tippers that needed to be reminded to tip. Of course, you always bitch about tips regardless of race creed or color of those hats those women wear, but some folks don’t know that.
Take Care,Robin’s
The Bitchy Waiter
Thank you, Robin. (See? I really do read all the comments!)
Mike
As a veteran of 22 years, I agree wholeheartedly with your posting that a free meal given by the management doesn’t mean that the Server shouldn’t be tipped.
And when I went for lunch with my dad and my brother in law, both veterans, on Veterans Day, we made it a point to tip $5.00 each because we’ve all also been wait staff earlier in our lives, and because hey, steak, steamed broccoli, baked potato, and iced tea for FIVE FREAKING BUCKS, and because lastly, we knew some jackass who happened to be a Vet (and there are a LOT of jackasses who are vets)was going to stiff the server and we didn’t want her hard work to go unnoticed nor for her to associate Veterans Day and veterans with getting shafted.
m
Not sure how William managed to misinterpret your post as an attack on vets. Pretty heavy on the veterinarian jargon with the dog feces slur, William. So heavy that I must admit I don’t know what it means to dawn an animal, or what kind of animal upon which dawning can be performed. I do know a lot of cats are named Boots so maybe Riffle is a common dog name where he’s from. Maybe dawning is a gender-neutral term for spaying and neutering. Either way, I just didn’t know veterinarians could become so inflamed by something clearly not directed toward them.
PurpleGirl
Daring to say I wanted to make money on Veteran’s Day is one of the things that resulting in me being pushed out of my restaurant a couple of years ago. The attitude of “it’s not about YOU, it’s about THEIR SACRIFICE” really chaps my ass when it’s a fucking MANDATORY work day ….
Lauren
Its not about what’s fair and what’s not. Its about doing the right thing!!
Is it fair that a Vet had to leave their family & friends to sacrifice a normal life and in a lot of cases their entire life?
No. Its not fair. But these men and women felt it was the right thing to do and thank God they did!
Is it fair for a waiter to have to work for less than minimum wage and often not get tipped at all for things that aren’t their fault but the kitchen, or chefs fault? Or for someone to think I sacrificed enough, so I’m taking it out on your paycheck?
No it’s not fair. Some people have that job to feed their family. And tipping is the right thing to do even if it’s a Vet.
A Vet makes the choice to sacrifice for our country. And I would never ever belittle that sacrifice! My fiancé is active duty and over seas. But he’s not gonna force sacrifice onto a waiter that doesn’t even make minimum wage!
Because bottom line, it is about what is right to do!!
Jamie
To the ones asking servers to take one for the country instead of our vets leaving a proper tip.
I see your point, and it sounds wonderful on paper, but we servers didn’t come up with the idea, or bosses did.
If a gas station decides to give free gas for a veteran, the guy at the counter is still getting paid his wage.
If Baskin Robbins were to offer free ice cream for veterans, the counter help is still getting paid.
If a place offers free oil changes for a veteran, the guy doing the oil change is still getting paid.
If a grocery store offers free groceries for a veteran, the grocery staff is all still getting paid.
So now, tell me why it isn’t “right” to tip a server who served a veteran on Veterans Day. They don’t get paid but for the measly $2.13/ hr in most cases, and must divert attention from paying customers who WILL tip in order to take care of that veteran.
I totally get that some of these vets don’t have the money to go out. I really do. But it isn’t right to do a disservice to one to compensate for the service of another.
It can be a true honor taking care of these people. However, if someone was truly sympathetic to the idea of a veteran having to tip on this day, then maybe you should offer to pay his tip when you see him at the restaurant, then the patron honors the vet in the same way as the restaurant.
Additionally, it can also be through the grace of the server to not accept the tip, but it shouldn’t ever be seen as rude to accept it.
JTE
Excellent points, Jamie. Well said.
brent
I’m a vet and a server. guess what. military are notorious for not tipping. I love my military friends but I love calling em out on it too. as for free meals on veterans day, etc. I have never gone to one, but I think the gesture is awesome! I took care ofa guys meal and he left me 10 bucks. way less than it would have been. but way better tip than 30 percent would have been. we talked mil and we both left happy with the “transaction”
BobbyAnn
Dylan is by far my favorite over reaction. He said, “One day of the year were [sic] your tips shouldn’t matter as you wouldn’t be alive without these veterans.”
Really? The whole of the serving world would be annihilated if we didn’t have veterans and active duty protecting them? That’s some hyperbole there folks. WOW!
It makes me wonder what Dylan does. If he is a lawyer, is going to forgo legal fees for one day a year for all those clients who served in the armed forces and need his expertise? A doctor? Does this mean free surgery Dylan? How about a book store owner. Will our brave men and women get to shoplift for one day a year?
Better yet, let’s suppose Dylan, you are a grocery store clerk. Are you going to work free for 8 hours on Veteran’s Day so you can give thanks for the whole of the United States not being wiped out in WWII, Iraq, Afghanistan? ::eyeroll::
I grew up military, I have an extended family that served in every single war since WW II. My friends list on FB is full of classmates who are veterans and/or still active duty. Not a single one of these men and women would ever think that they were entitled to not tip a server.
I am skipping Veteran’s Day on the internet next year. Some of these arguments are just ridiculous.
Molly
As both a server AND a vet who works in a restaurant that gives free meals to vets on Veterans Day I would just like to say….as a server: tips are how we make our money. I think a free meal is a wonderful gesture of thanks to our vets, no one should be getting upset about having to tip after recieving the gift of free food. And, as a vet: I make money and chose to serve my country. ANY gesture of thanks is greatly appreciated. But I do not EXPECT anything. I serve my country as a choice and was proud to do so. I think all the vets complaining about tipping on Veterans Day after having been given a free meal are self important pricks. Servers are people too and need to make a living.
Kate
My gift to my Veteran customers on Veteran’s Day was a red corset and overflowing cleavage. How’s that for gratitude? Love my guys!
Anonymous
Stripper?
m
Hahaha it’s funny reading comments where you can almost hear them pausing for the “WHOOOOO YEAH” chorus and then there’s only one slightly confused comment and that’s it
Lynn Mckeel
Nobody wants to hear my opinion on Vets. So I dont share it. But I do let people know that I have an opinion. But I have more a realist outlook than an idealist outlook.
Dan W.
I am a vet of our U.S. army and would still be if I had not been injured after 3 years. Anyhow I believe you are absolutely right that we tip even if the meal is free. I can u see stand this better than some because my wife also used to be a server. It’s very, shall we say upsetting, to provide service and time so someone reguardless of what day it is so they don’t have to cook or do dishes and then get stiffed on a tip. Servers are people to who get paid less, less than minimum wage an hour and have to make up the difference with tips. Poor service should result in poor tip but most servers are always bending over backwards to make ur meal an enjoyable one. But just because someone served does not give them the right to be as the other guy said “an asshole”. Most of us younger soldiers chose to serve our country for any length of time, we chose that for a career and it does not give us the right to an entitlement of any sorts. You don’t help someone on the side of the street or someone’s house burning down expecting something which can be just as dangerous. We do it because we have the ability to protect those that don’t have the ability to protect themselves because we are ericam soldiers.
Dan W.
American soldiers*
Cynthia
Hey Chrystle….Why dont you work one day without any pay and see how you feel…
Jessica
I’m not a server but have worked many a floor and have always been in a restaurant for almost a decade, and since when did a company courtesy of a free MENU ITEM become a personal courtesy for servers everywhere? MOST people know a servers tips are their wages. I know several veterans and a couple active duty and maybe I just know better people, but none of them would argue the idea of tipping a server because it’s veterans day. That’s ludicrous! I’d also like to say that I’m pretty sure the servers aren’t referring to the veterans that are homeless or financially unstable and drop in to eat there on just that day without the ability to tip, I would bet they meant the ones NOT in that situation! High fives for everyone for yet again declaring self righteous war over a simple reminder that your fetch and carry for the duration of the meal gets NO company courtesies EVER and is still making 2.13 and would maybe like to be home celebrating the veterans in their lives!
DHB
Hey, if BW really wanted to piss people off, he could do what I did: point out to business managers that it is ILLEGAL to give free stuff to one group of people and not everyone equally. It’s called the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I went to the movies on Tuesday at a theater that was letting vets in to see “Fury” for free. I asked to see a manager. The lady comes over and I said I am not a vet but can I get in to see “Fury” for free just like they can. She turned me down. I told her what I just told you. She looked at me like I just grew a third eye ball. I told her she had to either offer the free movie to everyone, or stop the promotion completely. More searching for a third eye. I told her to relax, let the home office know they are violating Federal law, and I really had no interest in “Fury.”
So everyone of you complainers out there that has a problem with BW’s tipping content, he was spot on, and maybe you all learned something today.
I went to see “Big Hero 6” in 3D anyway.
Sarah
Just to be clear, the Civil Rights Act does not deny the right of a private business owner to offer promotions or discounts to specific groups. It’s primary focus is preventing the *government from discriminating on the basis of race, gender, religion, etc. it. It DOES mandate that private business can’t discriminate on these parameters in public accommodations, or in terms of employment, but in truth, you can give any legal resources to anybody at any time that you so desire. They can give away all the free movie tickets they want.
BobbyAnn
I love your response Sarah and you are completely right.
I suspect our buddy above would walk into a Friendly’s Ice Cream shop and say “I want my free birthday cone.” When asked to prove his birthday he would say “Oh it’s not for a few more months, but you can’t discriminate against me because TODAY isn’t my birthday. It isn’t my fault I wasn’t born on November 13th.”
Yeesh, some people.
Ashley
That’s not what the Civil Rights Act is…. That’s probably why the lady who knew what she was talking about looked at you like that though.
DHB
I’ll have to disagree with all of your replies and I will back up my statements with two recent examples from the news.
Have you ever seen or heard of any business such as a restaurant offer discounts to folks who bring in church bulletins? That’s illegal under the Civil Rights Act. Many businesses have been threatened with lawsuits until they either give the discount to everyone equally, or stop the promotion that discriminate against people who don’t have church bulletins.
Similarly, there are some on-going cases regarding restaurants that have given discounts to customers who pray before eating. I’m waiting to hear the outcome of those.
Have you heard of Jessica Alquist in Rhode Island who won a lawsuit against her high school? Florists in her town would not deliver flowers to her because they were angry with her. They were threatened with lawsuits under the Civil Rights Act, so they actually closed their businesses for the day to avoid them.
So you see the Civil Rights Act isn’t just about the government and race; it’s been used to ensure equal treatment of all US residents. It’s too bad it hasn’t been amended to include sexual orientation.
Ashley
Okay, I think I understand why you’re saying this. The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on protected classes. For example: a business involved in interstate commerce cannot deny a person access based on their sex, nationality, etc.
This has nothing at all to do with giving out discounts such as veteran’s discounts, birthday specials, any of that. Religion is also considered protected, which is why you could find those examples you brought up.
Bobbie
I am a Vet. I am also a server. No one has the right to be rude or stiff anyone. Restaurants are doing a nice thing by giving free meals to our Vets. It makes me sick to think that a Vet wants to be mean because someone did not join. I don’t like to be thanked for my service or the fact I almost lost my life serving. I joined because I wanted to, not for the thanks.
My 2cents
Anonymous
I’m a bank teller (after being a server for years), and I don’t know if it’s the same at every bank, but where I work we totally get paid for all those little holidays we have off. All these fucking idiots claiming servers shouldn’t worry about tips need to either pull their head out of their ass or work a shift for free and see how it feels. Fuckers.
Mark W
When I was a server, I worked with three veterans. One Marine, two Army. The Marine worked there before he joined and came back when he was discharged. He got the other two their jobs. One, Ron, was a guy in his 50s. The Marine, Paul, was mid-20s, and his friend Lacy was also mid-20s. Ron was a veteran of the first Gulf War. Paul a veteran of the second, and Lacy served in Korea.
Every single one of them busted their ass for tips. One night, a large family (this was in Salt Lake City, where the bigger the family means the more likely to get to one of their heavens) came in with their son. The son was in a Marine uniform. Ron and Lacy worked the table together. At the end of the meal, the Marine told Ron to be sure he got the check, NOT to give it to his dad, so Ron did as he was asked. When he collected the check, the Marine asked him if the tip was added to the check already since it was a large party. Ron told him that normally they added 18% for parties of six or more adults, but that he wasn’t going to autograt this check.
After the family left, Ron picked up the check. Almost $300 was spent in total. Had it been autogratted, the tip would have been $54. It wasn’t autogratted, though. In the tipline, the Marine wrote “I’ll cover it next time.”
Ron was pissed. He asked a manager to discount the check so he and Lacy could get a tip out of it. The manager told him to forget it, and said “The guy is active military. It’s not a big deal.”
Ron told him “Bullshit. The kid is fresh out of boot camp. I served in Iraq. I don’t give a shit if he’s a WW2 veteran, I expect a tip out of him. I didn’t bust my ass to give him good service because of his uniform, I did it to pay my bills!”
So, all those people who are on the “patriotic” bandwagon, getting all indignant towards BW for saying veterans should tip, I’m telling you first hand that Gulf War veterans themselves say that veterans should tip their servers.
Jason M
Love this.
The Bitchy Waiter
You’re awesome.
DHB
Maybe dear old Dad should have (1) picked up the check, and (2) taught his son some manners. At least he didn’t leave a Mormon tract.
leanne
Obviously chrystle there should volunteer to serve every year since she doesn’t need the tips… i come from a long line of military with myself processing army… every single vet/person serving in my family tips.. why? Becausetheir food is free and because they know SERVERS HAVE BILLS TO PAY AND LIVE OFF THEIR TIPS! im sorry but had i served that day i would have expected tips. Even if ur actual mos in the military was a damn cook who had never actually seen combat you were getting a free meal working your servers ass off and getting thanked profusely for your service you were being taken care of which i might add that server was making 2.13 an hour.. so giving up a lil more money as a tip for a free meal and gratitude out the ass wouldnt kill anyone
D
The government is still expecting the server to pay taxes on Veterans Day and the restaurant is still expecting the server to rip out the hostess etc on Veterans Day, so why should the server have to effectively pay out of pocket to wait on the vets that don’t tip?
D
*tip out not rip out.
Jenn
I worked a lunch shift Tuesday. I made decent money for a weekday lunch. My biggest gripes were 1) customers asking to be seated just to order their free app to go. No one that did this left me so much as a $1 and tied up my table. This caused me to be skipped over in rotation as my section was “full”. 2) I had a few customers (not all) run me too the ground with demands and bad attitudes only to get stiffed. I made sure to thank every vet first and foremost before anything else once I knew they served. I also ended evert meal with a handshake. I realize some vets are living on thin incomes, as am I. It was a bit hurtful to still be treated like a pos when I was truly being sincere. My daughter turned 17 Tuesday, every $1 I received helped to make her day a bit more special. Every $1 I didn’t receive was a bummer but, honest appreciation and kindness were appreciated. Those who were just plain jerks, well that just sucked.
LaFawne
I am so thankful to all our vets. But the truth is, they are humans like any one else. Some are wonderful people, some are assholes. Some are somewhere in between. But they all deserve the free meal, regardless. And the servers deserve to be tipped like usual. The restaurant is comping the meals, sure. But no one should insist the servers comp their time. The restaurant probably makes a profit from the other members of the vets party that DO pay. I have never been a waitress for tips, but I really feel strongly about this! Leave tips according to level of service,People! Never stiff a hard working server-same as when using a coupon- tip on the TOTAL bill, not the adjusted amount.
Sophia
One other thing I want to add is sure, you wouldn’t be alive without vets, but if you’re a server you wouldn’t be alive without tips, so…..
DHB
Stating that we would not be alive if not for veterans is just silly for a lot of reasons.
If we weren’t alive, we wouldn’t know it and it wouldn’t matter.
We wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for an almost-infinite, incalculable number of reasons, so what makes being a soldier or veteran more important than my parents?
And what about all the people who have DIED because of our military?
Blood and Guts
The job of a soldier isn’t to die for his country, it’s to make some other poor bastard die for his.
Chrystle
Chrystle Jones WELL …first of all as the wife of a veteran and previously a server myself i believe you should be thankful and serve them as they did for you ..only they never met you prior to helping you. What you seem to fail to realize is that many vets come home unable to obtain employment and families that may not be capable of standing by them when they try to adjust to the “normal” life . What some soldiers endured is more than i would wish on my enemy ; it is life lasting not just for the day or a shift. I personally have witnessed veterans fight very hard to provide for their families and even disabilty. There are many homeless and maybe cant afford much becasue they survive on a limited income — all because they chose to sacrifice for this country and your right to be a server . One day of sacrifce in tips doesnt compare to what some have witnessed and the everlasting effects some soldiers endure for the restof their lives,
Cynthia
Chrystle….My entire family was in the Military…My father fought in two wars my uncle got a Silver Star and my son in law got a purple heart….Yes of course Veterans need to be recognized for their service to our country….But servers pay bills like everyone else and forfeiting a days pay can be costly. The veterans are getting a free meal. They can at least afford to leave some kind of tip. Any Veteran in my family would leave a tip and not be so classless. We are doing a job too and deserve to be paid for our SERVICE as well…!
Ange
Well as another wife of a vet I read him this story and your comment and I’m going to quote him now: ‘what a load of shit, she’s talking out her ass. You should always tip your server, they worked hard to bring you that free meal.
Noxy
As the wife and daughter of vets (both of whom went overseas), they both agree.
You’re getting a free meal. Leave a damn tip or stay home. Especially if you’re gonna go ape shit and eat in every possible place that is offering free meals to vets that day.
Anonymous
Obviously this isn’t applying to veterans who can’t afford the meal otherwise. It’s for those who just don’t bother and knowingly make the server work for free.
Ashley
Like the post said, though, if this were any other profession we wouldn’t expect employees to work a day for absolutely no pay. Why is serving meals different? Do grocery store workers say “we’ll give vets a discount on this day, and don’t worry, we won’t pay our employees today because you deserve to be taken care of absolutely for free to reward you for your service”?
Dave Rad
I’m a federal officer and they I’ve had yet to have a paid holiday off. I work every federal holiday as do all of my uniformed coworkers. All “essential personnel” like myself are required to work on holidays. Please don’t lump all of us together.
Alan H.
Dave, I’m sure they were referring to the desk jockeys and bureaucrats who do get paid holidays (like my mother used to before she retired from SSA).
John Hulsey
Any of the folks I saw discussing the free meals available at local restaurants were also including the reminder, “and tip your servers on the value of the meal, since every dollar counts for them.”
Personally, I don’t do the free meals. I prefer to leave those to the combat veterans. But that’s just me and my hang-up.
But a server is already going to be overloaded on a day like Veterans Day. Why not at least let them enjoy the tips AND the chance to serve some food to heroes?
John Hulsey
CPL/USMC
1985-1989
Kylie
I really respect this post more than you can know. I respect anyone that has joined any of our armed forces, but will always have greater respect for those who have served in combat. I’m 20, and I am so sick of seeing kids my age that have enlisted, gone away to the training and come back claiming to be veterans, or that they deserve more respect because they are Marines or in the Army, when they haven’t even seen combat. They haven’t even left our soil. It was their choice to join, and I respect that, and the fact they can be called to service at any time. I do not, however, respect the narcissism that comes from them and the feeling they seem to have that I owe them. It seems ridiculous to me that they act this way, and makes me scared for them when they do have to go overseas. They act like its going to be just like the video games, and that killing someone will be easy. I just don’t understand. So I respect this post of yours. And I thank you. (This isn’t meant to offend anyone, just simply stating an opinion)
Lani
This post spoke to my soul. I’m glad in not the only one that feel the wy u expressed in this post. You said what I felt so smoothly. I had this convo abou vets and tipping with my boyfriend and he to was a tad upset by my thoughts. So THANK U. Because I didn’t kno how to politely say what I thought and u did it with such fines
Lani
By the way-I meant that the general blog spoke to m soul bitchywaiter, cuz it was great.
amelia
Our franchise donated millions of dollars to feed the veterans for free maybe that prevents employees from paid vacations or sick days or even adequate insurance. Please! I love serving our vet’s I am one my family is full of them. No one signed the dotted line to get free food and not have to take care of their server. Ridiculous
BobbyAnn
You sir, are a nice man and I am sure your parents are very proud of you. I now if you were my son I would be.
Thank you for such a kind and respectful comment.