For many years I have used credit/debit cards when eating out. I usually tip 20 to 25 percent unless the service is poor.

I have had a bit of an influx of cash, and getting to the bank is a hassle, so I decided to spend the cash bit by bit and leave the plastic alone for a while.

Yesterday I bought lunch. The check came to $20.25. I gave the waitress a 20 and a 10 (I had nothing smaller.) Twenty minutes later, I flagged her over and asked for my change. She said she had become confused, apologized, and brought me $9.75. I left her two bucks (she was a crappy server.)

It it typical for wait staff to assume you mean "keep the change?" I always thought the server brought your change back in the little folder, and you left what you wanted for him/her. Am I just out of touch? Do I need to keep a stack of ones in my wallet?

A waiter who "assumes" that you meant to leave them what amounts to a 50% tip is completely out of line. Really, unless you say keep the change, it's out of line to not bring the change back to you.

Any chance she was just delayed and it was an honest mistake?

I would have expected the change back.

Whenever I've paid in cash the server always says they'll be right back with the change or asks "Do you need change?". Never had any that just assumed.

quote:

Is it typical for wait staff to assume you mean "keep the change?"

NO

Unusual experience. Typically they something like, "I'll be right back with your change." Expectation being that you'll quickly tell him/her if you are giving them the change for tip.

We use cash in restaurants most of the time. I got tired of replacing credit cards that were compromised. I've never had a server assume a nearly 50% tip was theirs, like you did.

I always pay cash and tell the server what I want them to do when I give them payment if I need change. That way there is no misunderstanding. Also I'm usually with my wife so between the two of us we usually can come up with the correct payment plus gratuity. I usually tip 20% for satisfactory service except at buffets where I do somewhat less. I very rarely tip over 20%.

Your change should have been brought to you. The waitress should not have assumed you were giving a 48% tip. And in instances where the change you were going to get back involved a $10, they should bring it in a $5 and 5/$1's. Likewise if the bill was $4.75 and you paid with a $10, you should get back 5/$1's (and the quarter) and not a $5. They should realize they need to give change in the right mix to give customers tipping options.

Anytime I give cash to a a server they always say "do you need change?" and if I don't I always make sure to tell them "it's all there plus your tip".

She was trying to get one over on you.

I'd have taken the $2 back!

Unless I say keep the change when I hand it to them I expect change.

She was trying to get one over on you. Notice she said she was “confused” instead of simply forgetting to give your change back.

I myself would be inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt as to her intent.
But, I wasn't there to get the full picture. Assuming that size of a tip would be wrong on her part.
ETA, she should have assumed nothing. It is quite literally entirely up to the diner of course.

Never had a waiter or waitress assume anything. They usually ask either "Do you need change?" or "I'll be right back with your change" which gives you the opportunity to say if appropriate, "No change necessary." I usually tip around 20% unless the service is bad.

I have had the same thing happen on a couple occasions, after getting my change back I have never left the would be thief a tip, that should take care of that nonsense.

I usually tell them how much change I want. In your example $20 tab, $30 tendered and I tell the waitress to bring me $5 when I hand it to them.

I was at a restaurant and my light lunch was exactly $6. I only had a twenty and the waiter asked if I needed change back. Really, you expect a $14 tip on a $6 meal?

Nope. They bring it back unless you tell them.

Timely post. I just came in from getting a hair cut. $13... I handed the girl a 10 and a 5. She kept the $2 change without asking. She then ask if I needed my receipt, I replied "No" and "Keep the change"... she said "Thanks".

PS: I usually tip more for a haircut but since she claimed it without asking I let her ride for the $2. Her loss

The all too common "do you need change?" grates on me like nails on a chalkboard. When a waiter or waitress asks, "do you need change?", I most often reduce the tip from my customary 20% to the 10%-15% range. As for the OP, the waitress in question clearly outstepped the boundaries of tipping etiquette.

“She said she had become confused, apologized, and brought me $9.75.”

Yeah. She confused you for someone who would let her get away with a chickenshit ploy like that.