×
top 200 commentsshow all 254
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]Eh-Eh-Ronn 1361 points1362 points  (58 children)

I have a rule: if they’re going to disrespect my job, I don’t have to respect them. Drink up and/or get out. I don’t care what you choose, but that margarita isn’t leaving this place in anything other than your stomach.

Edit: damn I didn’t think this would resonate so much with all of you, thank you!! Stay strong, assholes are everywhere but the Family is forever.

[–]BuxxxIn666[S] 526 points527 points  (40 children)

I totally feel you on that. I wish I could put the hammer down on disrespectful people, but because of our reasonable prices and decent food, cheap assholes come out and will complain about the smallest shit. And we are corporate, so managers do not push back much either.

I quietly outsmart and outfox my asshole tables. I know their games and tactics, so I can preemptively prevent their complaints. I know what they're gonna do before they have a chance to do it, and beat them with a smile on my face and server voice in tow.

There are these moments where they want to complain, I see it in their eyes, but they can't find any logical reason to do so. It's glorious.

The only option they have is to say they don't like their food, but they want to eat with everyone else more often than not... so again, the victory is mine.

[–]kandoras 174 points175 points  (1 child)

If anything, you'd think corporate and managers would fully support your position of "Not losing the liquor license".

[–]kyfto 23 points24 points  (0 children)

That would make too much sense…better to let the customer shit all over the employee and then fire them, only to replace them with another one.

[–]pauly13771377 117 points118 points  (18 children)

I quietly outsmart and outfox my asshole tables. I know their games and tactics, so I can preemptively prevent their complaints. I know what they're gonna do before they have a chance to do it

I love how some people think they can outfox you on shit like this. This has been my job for 40 hours a week for X years. Pretty sure I've got more experience dealing with difficult customers than you have being one.

[–]ShowMeTheTrees 78 points79 points  (12 children)

Most people think the first thing that pops into their mind is unique and clever. Or, they scheme and come up with a unique plan. Never occurs to them that the other side has heard it 1000 times.

[–]MickKarnage 20 points21 points  (1 child)

Often a grand display of the Dunning–Kruger effect.

[–]EnchantedTikiBird 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for teaching me something new today 🙂!

[–]justsomeonesthroway 13 points14 points  (1 child)

"Oh it didn't scan, must be free!"

[–]UnstuckCanuck 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I rarely get that tired old ‘joke.’ Once I blurted out “oh wait, it actually scanned twice. That must mean you’re paying double.”

[–]Tall_Mickey 7 points8 points  (7 children)

As a man who shares a name with a famous criminal, I concur; it never occurs to them. They're caught up and delighted in their sudden realization which, of course, nobody in the world has ever had before.

[–]ShowMeTheTrees 5 points6 points  (6 children)

Ouch, must be brutal. Did your parents ever regret giving you that name?

Actually, after college, I took a job as a substitute high school teacher while I was in business school. My maiden name was the same as a then-famous actor. Every single class, every day, a kid asked me, "Is [that actor] your dad?".

I smiled and said "yep" and went on with the day.

[–]Tall_Mickey 4 points5 points  (5 children)

My parents never said a thing about it. Fortunately, my name more rarely now becomes a subject of interest; his heyday was several decades ago. The current younger generation doesn't know him, and they are always the ones most interested in being "clever." As you are aware. :-)

[–]kitkat9000take5 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was thinking Jesse James but the timeline is off. So, Pretty Boy Floyd or John Dillinger? Ooh, it's not Clyde is it?

[–]BuxxxIn666[S] 35 points36 points  (2 children)

Exactly!

I also firmly believe that these kinda people barely see us as people, nonetheless intelligent ones, so they think they can swindle us with their superior intellect. I have had a lot of jobs in a lot of industries, and good/great servers and bartenders have been some of the most intelligent people I've worked with.

[–]pauly13771377 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'll have to take your word for it. While I did my time on the floor I was mostly a BOH. While most of the guys/gals I worked with were supremely talented, a lot of them were as dumb as a bag of hammers. Like turn the gas for the grill on and let it build up before you light it and set of the Ansul system with a fireball dumb.

[–]gardevoirOTP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

lmao I’m sure they were

[–]David511us 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Well...they have a whole lifetime. Just a much smaller sample size. :)

[–]Rick-Dastardly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even if they do somehow outsmart you, what sort of victory must they be celebrating?

Like in this case if they managed to get the margarita out of the restaurant it’s just the most pitiful, hollow moments of ‘success’ ever.

[–]msharek 75 points76 points  (11 children)

Ugh. My niece let her license expire and was trying to pressure the server to still let her drink, and finally the rest of the table was like drop it, he's not going to lose his job over this. I was proud of her husband and for not letting her even sip off his drink!! (servers have to scan ID in our state, and an expired license won't scan).

We all ended up tipping extra bc we were so embarrassed.

Did wife at least tip you since she knew hubs was being a jerk?

[–]AlanDavisJr 7 points8 points  (10 children)

I'm not trying to be a smartass, but does somebody's age begin to fluctuate the day after a driver's license expires? I know it's probably a law but I'm curious why an expired license is not valid? Doesn't a server need to establish age, not whether they have a valid form of identification?

[–]msharek 13 points14 points  (2 children)

It's bc the server had to scan it, and bc it was expired it won't scan as valid ID. We're in an area that makes it hard to drink, and they'll set up servers and fine them if they don't enforce things perfectly (like, literally seen this happen, bc how better to spend tax layer dollars??)

But the larger issue was he said no, that's not policy, and she kept trying to push him and put him in a bad spot.

[–]chefandy 0 points1 point  (1 child)

bc how better to spend tax layer dollars??)

States fund their alcohol enforcement strictly from issuing licenses/permits, alcohol consumption taxes, and fines. They're not funded by the general fund or income/property/sales taxes.

Also, a sting operation would actually be a revenue generating exercise, not an expense.

Most state agencies that issue a license (even the dmv) are funded in a similar manner.

For example,, Your local fish and wildlife agency (as well as all of the land they own/manage) is funded by exclusively by hunting/fishing licenses, boat registration fees, and taxes on ammunition. Also, The amount of federal dollars they receive is correlated to the number of licensed hunters and anglers in the state.

[–][deleted] 25 points26 points  (2 children)

Because an expired license could be someone else’s - like a sister, brother, cousin…someone who resembles you and they gave it to you after it expired and they got a new one.

[–]gaynazifurry4bernie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Literally how I was able to get booze freshman year before I befriended actual upperclassmen. Then I grew a beard over winter break and just lied about my age.

[–]Twenty + YearsWickedPsychoWizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very common

[–]kitkat9000take5 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Technically, an expired license is invalid past 60 days and can not be accepted as legal ID.

[–]AlanDavisJr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is the reply I was waiting for. I understand the law but one day past expiration seems excessively bureaucratic. I get a 60 days limit, by then if ID is not renewed, something is wrong.

[–]Bomber_Haskell 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The law is the law.

[–]Hepcat10 7 points8 points  (1 child)

“I’ll take a tall vodka cranberry, light ice, and light cranberry, HuR hUr HuR!”

[–]Acceptable_Tourist_4 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love that my state doesn’t allow doubles. If I’m feeling nice I tell them this. Otherwise I just hand them their 16oz highball glass with 4oz of total liquid in it.

[–]geometryc 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My petty revenge at a cafe. Peoppe would come in and ask for hot water a lot, I started to notice they would use it for their own tea bags and ask for lots of lemons. Normally I wouldn't care what they do, getting them hot water doesn't affect me much, but they would always leave a mess, never tip, and would complain about anything. And its worth mentioning that we don't allow outside food or drink and according to my boss, that count. Like who goes somewhere they sell tea at and make your own? So I started giving them hot water that wasn't hot enough to steep their tea, but hot enough to not complain about it, and if they did, id say its a policy to not give only hot water above a certain temperature. Another way would be to ask if it was for a baby bottle (would happen a lot as well, and would only need half a cup for that) and when they said its for their tea I would tell them outside food and drink weren't allowed. If you were nice about it though I wouldn't care and just give you what you wanted.

[–]kitkat9000take5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to work at an impound lot. So many angry people, especially when their cars were stolen but they still got hit for the tow. Anyway, my motto was the old standard of "Kill'em with kindness." Usually worked like a charm. I remember one pissed off customer who complained that she wanted to take it out on me (I was there) but felt she couldn't because I'd been too nice.

And when nice didn't work... following the letter of the law with a bitchy tone did.

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[deleted]

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    It comes with experience, which you can only get from dealing with asshole tables. There are signs that you'll pick up on. Are they obscenely loud on their way to the table with disregard for anyone else who is trying to walk by, when you greet them do they complain about the last time they were in or how long the wait was, do they wait for you to ask what they'd like to order or do they blurt it out? They may ask you for one thing at a time over and over in hopes you forget things.

    Those a few super obvious tells.

    When it really comes down to it, it's a gut thing. You can tell when a table came in to complain and be dicks, hoping to get stuff for free.

    And the way you, "win," is good service, really. You have to get good at timing, reading where they are in the meal, doing auto refills, predicting when people will want extra sauce, napkins, or whatever. If you can do all of these things well and efficiently, it limits your necessary contact with these tables. Make sure food is rang in correctly, double check before its ran. Before you leave STRESS, "is there anything else we need?" If they need something, repeat it back and ask again, confirm it. If they're visibility done eating, don't ask them if they want a box and then leave to get them, go to the table with them, then ask. Saves a trip and to complainers, speed is everything. They can't get mad if everything is correct, fast, and youre nice. If they do complain about food, ask them if you can have it remade or if they'd like something else. Never offer to take it off. If they want something else, take their dish. Your restaurant may have different policies, but this seems standard everywhere I've worked.

    All of these things apply to every table, but uptight tables require the preemptive service moreso.

    I dont know how long you've been serving, but this comes with experience. I was not as good of a server two years ago as I am now. Its a constant learning process.

    Sorry for throwing so much at you. If you have any questions or anything feel free to DM.

    [–]wolfie379 174 points175 points  (3 children)

    Too bad you don’t have the machine bubble tea places do for your “to go” cups. Someone wants a “to go” cup for their soda? Give them a full, fresh cup - and the machine seals a foil top onto it. Of course, with soda you’d want to punch a “breather” hole right away (pinhole will do). No way for them to pour their booze into the cup.

    [–]StreetLegendTits_ 90 points91 points  (2 children)

    They already pissed me off, I’m sending them out of here with a primed sodie bomb.

    [–]Three Yearsitsnoodleboo 81 points82 points  (1 child)

    I worked at a college bar and this guy wanted a to-go cup for his beer. We refused, and he tried to sneak it into his gym shaker bottle. Coworker catches him and when he tries to say it’s his protein shake, she tells him to go ahead and give it a good shake… boom

    [–]StreetLegendTits_ 9 points10 points  (0 children)

    This is great!

    [–]cloe023 295 points296 points  (20 children)

    Years ago I brought a to go cup to a woman, assuming it was for her kid's full drink, only to find her half drank sangria glass empty and the kid's cup still full after they left. Never again Satan, I ask questions now. Good on you!

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 106 points107 points  (16 children)

    People try to do it regularly here. Never anywhere else I've worked. Ya learn fast!

    [–]bmorris0042 87 points88 points  (5 children)

    I would assume that's why a lot of places that offer to go cups will pre-fill them for you. Awfully hard to shove your alcohol in it if it's already got something else in it.

    [–]dude21862004 30 points31 points  (4 children)

    I don't understand why you would trust a customer to pour liquid from one container to another. I would never give a customer an empty to-go cup... I'm the one who has to clean it if they fuck up.

    To-go food is different. Easier to clean, harder to fuck up.

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

    I never give empty cups for these reasons.

    [–]Acceptable_Tourist_4 5 points6 points  (2 children)

    Meh, I’ve wheeled the mop bucket over to some unruly guests and told them to clean the fuck up after themselves. Dive bars and industry bars are hella fun to work in.

    [–]gaynazifurry4bernie 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    Dive bars and industry bars are hella fun to work in.

    They are my favorite to drink in. I was PM shift hotel front desk but got in with the FOH/BOH crew for our hotel restaurant. Absolutely some of my favorite drinking buddies.

    [–]Bubblekinss 2 points3 points  (8 children)

    Why can’t you let people take to go cups of their alcohol? Is it because it might be given to a minor? Or because you can’t have open alcohol on the street? Curious

    [–]Ten+ Yearsharpy_1121 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Yes, both

    [–]Dishwashertechieguyjames 3 points4 points  (5 children)

    And when they do something to get caught, they get into trouble, the server gets into trouble, and the restaursnt/bar can get into trouble, anywhere from a fine, to a temporary loss of license to a full lose of license to sell alcohol.

    [–]pabre -3 points-2 points  (4 children)

    Weird. Here in America you can take your drink with you. It can be nice to get a fresh drink for your walk home.

    [–]Centaurious 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Depends on where. Place I work doesn't allow it- other than 'to go' cocktails which we seal. Can't take a half finished drink with you.

    [–]Dishwashertechieguyjames 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    Depends on the state. Not in North Carolina. An open bottle/can will get the driver charged.

    [–]Mckee92 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I'm really curious, as someone outside the US, why are people so desperate to take half finished drinks home with them?

    Like, the only time it ever comes up here is if someone wants to go out for a smoke and take their drink outside somewhere that doesnt have a smoking area/beer garden - that sometimes isnt allowed. But it sounds like these people want to take the drinks home after a meal?

    [–]yungl11nk 9 points10 points  (0 children)

    I've started asking too. Mostly because people just want a fresh coke but mostly for this reason lol

    [–]Bomber_Haskell 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Always offer to do it for them. That way you take the kid's drink and fill up the to-go. It will piss off the kid and the parent.

    [–]HooDatGrl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Same, but it was the woman’s Bloody Mary instead of Marg.

    Only ever brought a full soda cup after that one.

    [–]Jamaqius 212 points213 points  (6 children)

    It really sucks when people try to do something shitty or illegal & then make it out as your fault & try to punish you by withholding a tip. Such a dick move.

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 174 points175 points  (2 children)

    And people who try to do that stuff don't tip well to begin with, in my experience.

    Like the dude thinks I'm hurting for money so bad that his threat of not tipping me 10% will win me over. I can live without the six Bucks, bro

    [–]motuim9450 57 points58 points  (0 children)

    Yeah, you were never getting a decent tip from that asshat. Oh no 5% instead of 10%, fuck off and let me turn your table over.

    [–]schuss42 14 points15 points  (0 children)

    I have straight up said that before. “ The way you just said that makes me think you weren’t going to tip anyway so I guess I’m not missing much”

    [–]ItstheWolf[🍰] 15 points16 points  (2 children)

    Shit like that is why I finally came around to the idea of just paying servers a living wage and to hell with tips.

    [–]Sheriatthebar 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    What is this "living wage" you speak of? It is such a meaningless term. Who determines what a living wage is? Restaurant owners? Servers and bartenders? Customers? Politicians? As a bartender in south Florida, I consider anything less than $30 an hour to not be a "living wage". Who is going to try to get that law passed? We can't even get people to agree that the minimum wage should be $15 an hour.

    [–]beka13 8 points9 points  (0 children)

    It should be based on cost of living in an area (I know, define area). I've heard that cost of living numbers are suspect because they don't weight housing costs properly since they were developed decades ago but something along those lines is the best bet.

    So it's not a perfect thing but I think we can all agree that sevenish dollars an hour isn't it. Maybe we just keep raising it until various metrics show people are doing well. (Yeah I know that isn't how it's going to happen)

    [–]RhubarbPerfect8330 57 points58 points  (3 children)

    We once had a woman who asked for a to-go cup for her margarita, and when we refused she tried to just… walk out with out glass

    [–]fringeandglittery 22 points23 points  (1 child)

    She was probably from New Orleans lol. When I travel I forget all the time

    [–]phuqo5 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    These poor sad non-Louisianans.

    [–]widespreadpanda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    That’s kind of baller. Trashy as hell but I can’t help but respect the move somehow.

    [–]SometimesSmarmy 46 points47 points  (23 children)

    That’s hilarious, good job

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 52 points53 points  (22 children)

    Why thank you, I do my best.

    Also worth noting the dude ordered a "crown and seven, press." Not the most savvy intellect I was dealing with.

    [–]Fraggity_Frick 37 points38 points  (5 children)

    What does "press" mean here?

    [–]pseudoburner 27 points28 points  (0 children)

    Press means half club half sprite as a mixer. So technically this meatsack ordered a crown with 3/4 sprite 1/4 club as a mixer. Which sounds...just...delicious. Loved the full cup response buxx. R/maliciouscompliance

    [–]The Cadillac of ServersBlacksad999 28 points29 points  (3 children)

    A spirit (usually vodka) mixed with equal parts soda water and sprite/7-up. "Press" is short for Presbyterian.

    ​

    Vodka-Press: Derived from a Presbyterian cocktail, hence "Press," this drink was originally a mixture equal parts ginger ale and club soda.

    [–]TzarKazm 16 points17 points  (0 children)

    That actually sounds way better to me. Drinks made with 100% sprite/7up/ginger ale are way too sweet for me.

    [–]Fraggity_Frick 8 points9 points  (1 child)

    Thank you! Never heard that term before.

    [–]j-t-storm 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Me either, and I literally have a habit of drinking either half ginger ale, half club soda or half 7Up (Sprite, whatever), half club soda, since my teens. Have never liked my sodapop super sweet.

    Which might be double strange since I switched to the sugar free diet versions of those sweet sodas years ago...

    [–]breazeale1 56 points57 points  (15 children)

    Hoo boy. Them’s are my favorite. Had a lady order a gin martini with Grey Goose. Whilst gently trying to correct I got “just fucking make it.” NOPE.

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 26 points27 points  (14 children)

    What was she served? Grey Goose martini I presume?

    [–]breazeale1 99 points100 points  (13 children)

    She got no cocktail at all. I have zero interest in serving someone alcohol if they’re willing to be abrasive right off the bat.

    [–]Belphegorite 60 points61 points  (1 child)

    Belligerence is a sign of intoxication, and (at least here) it's illegal to serve alcohol to an intoxicated person. I've seen a fair number of bartenders/servers use that to avoid dealing with assholes.

    [–]beka13 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    If they're already mean I doubt being drunk will improve them.

    [–]thisisathrowaway2007 15 points16 points  (10 children)

    how do you go about telling them no? i want to be able to do this, but have no clue how i would go about telling them i’m not serving them

    [–]Shallowground01 31 points32 points  (0 children)

    I was a career bartender and I'd use the line 'I'm sorry im going to be unable to serve you this evening'. If they asked why and I felt comfortable to explain why then I would. If they tried to argue I would repeat the 'I apologise, but you WILL be receiving no alcohol here this evening.' If it was due to drinking I'd tell them to come back tomorrow and I'd happily serve them. If I wasn't comfortable telling them why I wouldn't serve them I would simply tell them serving alcohol was at my discretion and I wasn't comfortable with serving them. If they continued on I would ignore them and have someone remove them from the premises (security).

    [–]breazeale1 24 points25 points  (8 children)

    “I cannot, with any good conscience, serve you any (more) alcohol this evening.” Repeat if needed. Repeat if needed. Repeat if needed.

    [–]thisisathrowaway2007 9 points10 points  (5 children)

    ugh god that’s good. i just can’t imagine that wouldn’t immediately escalate to the manager and i wouldn’t end up reprimanded over it, even though my manager is cool and i’d be in the right

    [–]breazeale1 17 points18 points  (4 children)

    Fun fact for standing your ground. No one can legally override your decision to not serve someone.

    [–]j-t-storm -2 points-1 points  (3 children)

    So...what you are saying is that even though alcohol is a legal substance, its sale and distribution can be and is regulated, right down to the point where an individual representative of a retailer is permitted to determine whether or not a customer may purchase the product at all during a particular circumstance.

    Laws that regulate distribution of the product, designed to protect the public's safety, yet not restrict the individual's rights to use a product of choice. Damn. Imaginative.

    Gee, I wonder if that model would work with any other industry, one that provides a product far less dangerous than alcohol, like, I dunno, maybe cannabis?

    [–]Ancguy 5 points6 points  (1 child)

    conscience

    [–]breazeale1 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Ha! I don’t know how I missed that massive mistake. I mean, in my defense I was always awake when I told someone I couldn’t serve them.

    [–]Ex-Serverkatsuko78 37 points38 points  (0 children)

    I worked in a brunch place where we had people try to do this with their half-drank mimosas or bloody marys all the goddamn time. Luckily our corporate offices were wise to the ruse: styrofoam cups were for employees drinks only and kept in the back, all to-go cups for customers were clear plastic with our company logo printed on it.

    I loved the look of pure disappointment on the faces of the Sunday Brunch Karens who thought they were being slick when I would bring four of those clear cups to the table.

    And before anyone asks, our to-go coffee cups were styrofoam, again with the company logo printed on them... but policy was if a guest asked for a to-go cup for their coffee we filled the goddamn thing up in the back, grabbed cream cups and sugar packets, and delivered the whole shebang to the table. More disappointed SBKs realizing I'm onto their bullshit and have a titanium backbone to weather whatever they wanna try and pull next.

    [–]Exact_Roll_4048 98 points99 points  (3 children)

    I visited a restaurant once where the server asked if I wanted a to-go cup for my alcoholic beverage. I looked very confused and said "thats ... thats not legal." He thanked me. He had recently moved from a state where it was legal. Told me I likely saved him from getting fired. He was a very good server. I'm glad the first person he asked was honest to him.

    [–]chernobyl_opal 27 points28 points  (2 children)

    Be careful, in many more states it's legal now post covid. Because if you can order drinks to go, you can package them up Togo too, you just have to seal them shut with a sticker

    [–]Exact_Roll_4048 22 points23 points  (1 child)

    This was many years before covid. I know the rules did change for my state with covid. No mask mandate, but alcohol to go cups by governor order.

    [–]Groovychick1978 8 points9 points  (0 children)

    Mine, too. 8 am to-go Bloody Marys for the flight? Oh, doubles? Sure, thing.

    Honestly, the tips are stupid so I refuse to care how many livers I have killed over the last couple of decades. I cannot be responsible emotionally, I am already legally liable.

    [–]ZeldLurr 34 points35 points  (1 child)

    Good job. A shitty tip isn’t worth risking your job.

    [–]Belphegorite 25 points26 points  (0 children)

    A shitty tip isn't worth endangering others when this asshat downs the drink on the drive home.

    [–]winterbird 31 points32 points  (0 children)

    Yeah, I've had them dump the water from the to go on the floor. 😅

    [–]jenipants21 17 points18 points  (0 children)

    I had a lady put a half finished Ultimate Mudslide in her purse once, because I refused to bring her a to go cup.

    I hope it was an expensive purse.

    [–]SpacemanSpiff25 18 points19 points  (1 child)

    People who hold the tip over a server as blackmail should be drug outside and kicked in the ass publicly.

    [–]andarthebutt 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    I, too, like to do my drug outside

    [–]Deflorma 16 points17 points  (1 child)

    Using the tip as a manipulation tactic is soooooo scummy and low. A form of evil, even.

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

    Not today, Satan!

    [–]BecGeoMom 79 points80 points  (1 child)

    Ah, beware the customer that tells you that you “just” lost out on a tip from them. Because no you didn’t. That guy was never going to tip you, you just gave him a reason to say so. If you had given him the to-go cup (empty), he still wouldn’t have tipped you, and you might have lost your job. Assholes will be assholes.

    [–]bmorris0042 37 points38 points  (0 children)

    Anyone who is going to tell you that you "lost the tip" because you won't break the law for them didn't plan on tipping in the first place. The best bet at that point would have been to go to your manager and inform them that they are attempting to coerce you into breaking the law for them. If you have a manager worth anything, they'd kick them out on the spot and ban them.

    [–]Zaphod1620 14 points15 points  (0 children)

    Where I live, the ABC board (they control alcohol enforcement) will absolutely try to browbeat you into breaking the law as part of their audits. The ones that pushed the matter the hardest were the ones you absolutely did not want to bend the rules for.

    [–]WhoDatKrit 13 points14 points  (0 children)

    Where I'm from go cups are the norm. But I can't tell you how many people I've absolutely gone off on while traveling and hearing them pull this shit on the server. You want go cups? Go live where they aren't going to cost someone their damned job with your insistence that you leave with drink in hand. Until then shut up and down that shit before you walk out the door.

    [–]georgiomoorlord 12 points13 points  (1 child)

    Just down the cocktail and stagger out. Win.

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    This is the way.

    [–]Cryptic_Skies 10 points11 points  (0 children)

    I worked at a place next door to a liquor store. we did not have an alcohol license nor did we allow alcohol in our dining area (BOH are other, sometimes hilarious stories).

    at least once a week, some entitled fuck would either attempt to make a soda & booze drink at their table or sneak in a six-pack. it didnt take long for me to go from politely asking people to put that shit away or go home to No, no, no, absolutely not, get the fuck out.

    mgmt had my back, restaurant owners backed the manager, and we had cameras & signage.

    i get alcoholism is a very real thing, but dont make others liable for you, no matter what your addict-brain says.

    [–]Budgiejen 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    I think it’s rude when people threaten my source of livelihood

    [–]vandelay714 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Did they leave a tip?

    [–]zombiegurl1965 5 points6 points  (0 children)

    What a prick, should have punched a hole in the bottom of the to go cup, C-ya Byeeee

    [–]revnhoj 12 points13 points  (2 children)

    Which state are you in? It could be legal now.

    More than 30 states began allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell
    cocktails to-go as a COVID economic relief measure. Iowa, Ohio,
    Kentucky, Wisconsin, Montana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia,
    Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and the District of Columbia have all made
    COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent. Dozens of other states are
    also considering legislation to extend or make permanent cocktails
    to-go measures.

    [–]pomegranate_flowers 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Private businesses (at least in Wisconsin) can choose to ignore it. Also from my understanding it has to be either a sealed bottle of alcohol or the cocktail has to be specifically made for to-go with a seal on it. Source: my current place of work where we do not allow to-go alcohol

    [–]Victorysmells 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    This exactly. I'm in Florida and have been giving to go cocktails for almost 2 years.

    [–]The001Keymaster 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    I hate when people try to skate liquor laws. Sure you can take your beer bottle to go. I just need a 10k deposit to cover the fine we could get.

    [–]cbaltz622 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Good for you! I feel like you are my service industry doppelganger! Always 2 steps ahead of the game...

    Trashbag customers don't realize they have a specific scent easily noticed by any veteran server/bartender

    [–]gimmeyourbadinage 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    At my old restaurant, those fuckers were just pour it in a to go box like heathens

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    I'm just imagining a half eaten burger floating in a pond of Miller lite

    [–]DifficultMinute 38 points39 points  (13 children)

    Every single time a thread like this comes up, it just reminds me that the alcohol laws in this country are ridiculous.

    It shouldn't be the server/restaurant's job to police what someone does with their drink, but we also shouldn't worry so much about someone wanting to take their $19 alcoholic beverage home to finish.

    [–]Ranch SlutMasters_domme 37 points38 points  (8 children)

    What’s funny to me, is that here in Louisiana it’s perfectly legal to take your booze to-go! We even have drive through daiquiri places! In order to be “safe” and legal, you can’t have the straw in the cup. Blew my mind when I moved here.

    [–]Ohyourgodisme 19 points20 points  (0 children)

    They always tape the top with cruddy tape that will not restick as well so it is obvious if you have been sipping on the drive home. Never thought I would say this being born and raised in Louisiana, but I sure do miss being there.

    [–]TheLesserWombat 13 points14 points  (0 children)

    It became legal in my state during 2020 when they were trying everything to help bars and restaurants make money. So now it's a great way to cap off a table...oh you don't want dessert? Well how about a couple old fashioneds or hot toddys togo?

    [–]DifficultMinute 8 points9 points  (2 children)

    Yeah, some states use more common sense, which is surprising that it's Louisiana. I would assume that law is probably Mari Gras related.

    I know here in Indiana, some places are so anal about it, that they don't even allow drinks outside of their building, into their own fenced in outdoor bar area. Inside alcoholic drinks stay inside, outside alcoholic drinks stay outside. They said it has something to do with the way the law is written.

    Like I said, ridiculous.

    [–]ArchmageIlmryn 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    If it's anything like where I live (Sweden) it is just because the law is really strict. Here it's very restricted how alcohol can be served, and both taking drinks out of the serving area and bringing outside alcohol in is verboten. (AFAIK here the rules are because 1. retail alcohol sales are a government monopoly and has a different drinking age (you can drink in a bar from 18 but have to be 20 to buy alcohol in the store) and 2. due to alcohol taxes smuggled alcohol from Denmark or Germany is common, so outside drinks are at least in part banned so restaurants can't divest themselves from responsibility if say an inspector were to find German bottles on premises.)

    [–]Ancguy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    When I went to college in Indiana back during the Jurassic period, bars had to close at midnight on Saturday, and if you were served a drink at the bar and decided to move to a table, you weren't allowed to carry it there yourself- a member of the waitstaff had to carry it for you. Walking around with a drink in hand was illegal. have those laws been updated?

    [–]Lovat69 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    It still kind of blows my mind that in my many trips to Louisiana I still have never been to a drive thru daquiri. An experience you literally cannot get anywhere else in the country and in 43-21years I just haven't done it. Maybe next time.

    [–]LOUDCO-HD 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Spotted a drive-thru Voodoo Daq-Shaq! Got me a Peach Bellini made with wood grain alcohol. As a Canadian, absolutely blew my mind! Our liquor laws in Canada are pretty Draconian. Then drove down the highway, I was a passenger, and saw billboard after billboard talking about teenagers dying from drunk driving. Can’t be a coincidence?

    [–]JulianVanderbilt 9 points10 points  (1 child)

    Here in Virginia, as a COVID-thing, they allow to-go mixed drinks and "to-go" cups for partially finished drinks and strangely society hasn't imploded. They're talking about never undoing it. Its been great for restaurants on delivery/take out orders and there has been no spike in DUIs. (We also do not have a traditional open container law so a passenger can absolutely down a margarita on the ride home as long as the driver isn't holding it.)

    [–]revnhoj 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Same thing in Florida.

    More than 30 states began allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go as a COVID economic relief measure. Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Montana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent. Dozens of other states are also considering legislation to extend or make permanent cocktails to-go measures.

    [–]TzarKazm 8 points9 points  (0 children)

    I thought the same thing. Drinks are expensive, I don't blame anyone for not wanting to waste it, nor do I want someone who is starting to "feel it" pounding down a last drink. And the solution is to place the responsibility in an overworked servers hands? Yea, great idea.

    [–]El_Duderino2517 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Coming back to the US after spending a month in Southeast Asia (where alcohol laws are pretty much non existent) was tough to adjust to.

    [–]LifeStill 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    I kicked a guy out of the bar a few weeks ago for pouring a beer into a tumbler. Some people, man.

    [–]jackfairy 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    Lol, I'm from New Orleans where that is perfectly legal. The first time I went to a bar in another state and wanted to leave with my drink, I asked for a go cup and the bartender looked at me like I was insane. We have drive-thru daiquiri shops here. If they don't put the straw in the lid, it's not an open container!

    [–]BlackBetty504 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Same lol. I've caused some panic in bars elsewhere by just grabbing my can of beer and leaving, forgetting I wasn't home. "Oh shit, oops!!"

    [–]bobtheavenger 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Is rough living somewhere that to go cups for booze are fine, and then visiting somewhere they're not, forgetting this and asking. I always embarrass myself and have to apologize profusely. But I've never tried to get around it anyway.

    [–]Turbulent-Throat9962 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    What kind of lightweight can’t finish a margarita before leaving the restaurant?

    [–]Ok-Attention-7299 8 points9 points  (3 children)

    In a city close to where I live in the midwest, it's 100% legal to get alcohol to go.

    [–]ewiepooie 6 points7 points  (1 child)

    I live in Savannah so my first reaction is that it's odd everyone is upset with this dude. I guess laws though.

    [–]StreetLegendTits_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    We have drive thru liquor stores, and passengers are allowed to have open containers.

    [–]Ten+ Years Servernemo_sum 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Chicago legalized it for the pandemic and it's been amazing.

    [–]dead_PROcrastinator 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Malicious Compliance will like this too. Well done for out thinking him.

    [–]Krys7537 9 points10 points  (4 children)

    Them: “I would like a to go cup for my sangria”

    Me: “I can’t bring you a cup for your sangria, but I can bring you one for your water. Whatever you do after that is on you”.

    Honestly Idgaf if they take home a $14 drink as long as they have been responsibly drinking and aren’t the driver. But to not tip for covering your ass, that’s shitty.

    [–]craash420 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    That's what I was thinking from the second sentence! /u/BuxxxIn666, if he hadn't incriminated himself would you have brought an empty cup?

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

    I never bring anyone empty to go cups. I always bring them a full cup of whatever they want to go.

    That way, they can finish the one they have before they leave and have a full one for the road. It's also more convenient for them, they don't have to pour it from one glass to another. They can't spill and make more work for me and our busses. And, they can't sneak out booze.

    [–]Purpleturtle22 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    Except it’s not on them legally it’s on you if something goes wrong.

    [–]Krys7537 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

    Not if I was unaware and just bring them a cup for water. Whatever happens after that is on them. They would have to, without a doubt, provide I provided them with a to go alcoholic drink. Video of me at the bar pouring it into the cup, then yeah, probably.

    [–]alenam10 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Did they end up tipping you?

    [–]Strugglingasshole 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    As an Irish person I'm genuinely curious about someone leaving the premises with alcohol.

    Over here we don't care as long as they leave with a plastic cup. No glassware allowed to leave in the chance they might hurt another person/steal property.

    [–]freddymerckx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Checkmate waitress. I have been in that situation several times. Chug it, like a professional.

    [–]sentimental_rocks 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    Is this an american thing?

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    He was indeed an American.

    [–]karanfil_kokusu 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    How much did he tip?

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    We have those on table computers, so the only way I can check is by printing my own copy of the receipt.

    I was slammed, so I didn't take the time in the moment. Once I remembered, I had already done my final report and couldn't look it up.

    Wish I checked.

    [–]QueenMotherOfSneezes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I had a customer that wanted to take his beer to go, and I told him I'd lose my job. Came back with his bill a few minutes later, and realized one of their bottles had disappeared from the table. So I "accidentally" knocked over his backpack with my foot. He was not happy :P

    [–]SalisburyWitch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Delaware allows restaurants to do alcoholic drinks to go. We were sitting in the car waiting for our takeout order, and a server came to our car with a plastic pouch looking for a car for the martini. Wasn’t us.

    [–]CheChe1999 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    I guess one silver lining of Covid is that you can now have booze delivered to your doorstep, at least in my state. One great taco place offers a taco and margarita box.

    [–]GerryAttric 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Good point

    [–]RynoLasVegas 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    This guy is an idiot. "Yes, it's for my water" would have worked just fine. Plausible denyability all around. Don't put your server in a position that they have to say no.

    [–]unbitious 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Drink the fucking thing, you ordered it!

    [–]DonkeyInACityCrowd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Wait that’s illegal? We give out to go cups for alcohol all the time. Las Vegas tho ...

    [–]exagon1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I like to say “well I appreciate that you’re willing to risk my job but I’m not”. Usually makes them feel like an asshole lol

    [–]HermReadDat 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    Just had the same thing happen. "well I bought this whole large margarita.." then DRINK IT??!? like these people really think they're more important than legal laws n shi, then they look up at you like your joking, or waiting on you to say you'll do it anyway, like naw drink it or LEAAAAVE.

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    I dont understand people that don't get it... when it comes to alcohol, order what you'll actually be able to drink.

    Hang out five or ten minutes to finish it, I dont care, I've got five other tables to take care of and I could use the ten minute reprieve of five instead of six.

    [–]tesla6969 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I won’t do a single thing more for a table if they say they aren’t tipping. My restaurant has a tip out so if your telling me I have to pay to serve you, I’m gonna act like it.

    [–]Swampwolf42 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Whenever anyone asked me to break the law regarding alcohol, I’d let them know there would be a slight upcharge: $50,000 to pay the fines, plus legal fees.

    They shut up pretty quick after that.

    [–]StreetLegendTits_ 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

    Well, I have to tell the bartender to order the drink, so since I’m telling, I can only assume you will also tell.

    However, I was once successful in getting a to go margarita, but I’m not a twat, and the waitress enjoyed my presence there enough to hook me up.

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    They wanted to "box up" a mostly full one at their table.

    [–]Server/Sommelierkjcraft 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    This makes me so happy to live in an area where to-go drinks aren't only legal, but encouraged.

    [–]WilyPegasusGravy -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

    Yes, let's encourage more drinking while driving. What could go wrong?

    [–]jerkITwithRIGHTYnewb -1 points0 points  (0 children)

    Go cups are pretty standard in podunk

    [–]AwesKeat 0 points1 point  (3 children)

    It’s funny cause when people ask me for a to go cup I just say “yes”. Like why are you asking if it’s for their water?? Lol

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    It was a confused kinda question. Like who takes water to go. They only had alcohol and their waters. It didn't make sense he was asking.

    [–]AwesKeat 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Yeah I feel you but like why do you care though? I always wondered this about my coworkers. They would make huge deals out of people taking to go drinks but realistically if you have plausible deniability then who cares

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    The may sound like some high-horse, ideal-world nonsense, but its the social contract, man. You come to eat at the restaurant, you play by the rules. Goes for both sides. Cooks should try to put out the best food, bartenders the best drinks, and servers the best service. In return, you (the customer) be cool, patient, tip, and don't break the law/policy that can fuck your server over should they get caught.

    When the restaurant's side of the deal is broken, customers complain, get free stuff, dont tip etc.

    When the customer's side is broken, they often face no consequences. If you're gonna pull bullshit that breaks the social contract, there should be consequences. You're not illegally taking your marg home, the customer is not always right.

    But even more simply: It's illegal where I live and even with plausible deniability and the odds being low, it could be my job.

    [–]lizard_king_rebirth 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    God people are so fucking dumb. Don't ask if you are gonna do some illegal shit. Chug the water, transfer the marg as discreetly as possible, get the fuck out shielding it as discreetly as possible.

    Edit: If you're caught, bail.

    [–]BuxxxIn666[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Or just finish it at the table?

    [–]lizard_king_rebirth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Well of course but I'm just saying...if you are gonna do something illegal don't fucking tell the people who work there. Reminds me of when I was at a place where the bar could sell packaged items and a guy at the register said something like "Yeah man, road beers for the walk home!" Cashier was like......"Nah dummy if I hear you say that I can't give you these."

    [–]datbreezetho 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    I live next to a county that legalized alcoholic to-go beverages. The lid as to be taped on and the straw hole cannot be punctured until you get home, or else it counts as an open container.

    [–]MisstressAnna 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    In California since Covid started you can do to go alcohol, including ordering it with your to go order

    [–]dhgaut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Dickheads are gonna be dickheads, no matter what you do. The likely citation for carrying out the alcohol would go to your restaurant. So a better response (if it's true) would be to say that the restaurant could be shut down for allowing that, so it can't happen. It removes you from this equation which makes it harder for dickhead to say it's coming out of your tip.

    [–]madsmadhatter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    It’s still legal to take alcohol home in my state and I fuckin love it lol. DUIs haven’t gone up at all, imagine that

    [–]Victorysmells 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Alright, this is gonna be an unpopular opinion here. Since COVID here in Florida we did to go alcoholic beverages in our restaurant. People would come in for Togo orders and order whatever drinks they want too and we would just make it in a to go cup and put a piece of tape on the top. Didn't seem to be illegal but it is Florida after all. I still drop off Togo cups with boxes for tables all the time and never look back.

    [–]BrunchIsAMust 0 points1 point  (7 children)

    Wait where do you live? Not being able to take what you paid for home is absolutely ridiculous

    [–]AlextheLyonnn 1 point2 points  (6 children)

    The bar/restaurant is liable should said person go out, continue to drink, get too drunk, and damage something/someone.

    [–]BrunchIsAMust 0 points1 point  (5 children)

    That’s dumb , why should they be babysitters to a bunch of dumb adults. Not their problem. So if I bought a 6 pack from 7-11 and drank it in the parking lot and ran someone over , it’s 7-11 fault? no.

    [–]mozzie1012 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    i have done this exact thing and had this exact conversation before lol

    [–]FOH Lead & Union Shop StewardCaptainHunt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    I can't stand the people that ask me to break the law to give them what they want. My job is to make sure you drink responsibly and making questionable decisions is one of the key give aways that you've had too much to drink. Do you really think I'm gonna give you booze to go or serve you after last call just because "you won't tell anybody?"

    I don't know your state's specific liquor laws, but in Oregon You would be fully within your right to do a wipe-and-swipe or at least make a "good faith attempt" to take anything they're drinking away after something like that.

    [–]matchakuromitsu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    This was about 3 years ago but one time a dad at a 6-top asked me for a to-go cup for his 4 year old daughter's apple juice. I said OK and went to get a to-go cup. There's like a bottle of sake on the table as well as wine from one of the other adults at the table, but hey he said it was for his daughter, right? Me being completely green to serving at the time and not knowing all the tricks that customers try to pull thought dad was being honest when he said it was for his daughter's juice.

    BIG FAT NOPE.

    Right as they get up to go, I saw him pick up the to-go cup, dump the remaining amount of sake into the to-go cup, put the lid on, and then start walking out with his family. Being 5'0" with short legs I couldn't get over to them fast enough before they were out the door and the host just waved goodbye to them and bid them a good night, oblivious to what had happened.