For friends, there’s often nothing better than going out to grab a bite and lingering over the details of life. The meal becomes dessert, then coffee, and endless refills. While a delight for guests, it’s a big problem for servers.
Because of this, server Ariana (@Afmglow) is turning toward the internet for answers. She’s wondering exactly what her fellow service industry workers say to guests to get them to pay their tab and move on.
The on-screen text details Ariana’s dilemma: “Quick servers: what do you tell your tables to get them to pay the bill FASTER without feeling rushed?”
Servers Rush To Reply
The answers range from subtle manipulation to strident straight-forwardness.
Ekoun (@Ekoun_whs) kicks it off, writing, “‘Here’s the bill so I don’t hold you hostage’ they usually have a laugh and get ready to pay.”
While Jaden Lexus (@Hermmmosa) uses body language and housekeeping as a cue. Lexus said, “Put my hand on the book and ask is this all set? When I know it’s not. And then when they have the card I run it immediately and start pre bussing little by little down to glassware.”
Another played on sympathy and the (general) good nature of her guests. ““Hi guys ! They’re sending me home for the night so ____ is going to be taking care of you from here [sparkle heart emoji] 90% of the time they’ll say wait we can cash out real quick so you get your tip!” explained Amy Raymond (@Amyraymond)
Chelseaa99 (@Chelseaa99) blames technology. She shared, “Hi! I don’t want to rush you, but we have to close our systems for the day and get everything in before we close. I’ll give you a minute and be right back for this!”
And Bailee (@bailee_glassford) is no frills, saying, “Hey can I grab you anything else? Or just the bill?”
While Leah Brubaker (@Leahbrubaker_), a user from the non-server side of life, quips, “These comments are making me realize how many times I’ve been subtly rushed out of a restaurant.”
But What If You’re Not Ready For The Check?
A Reddit thread gets sociological with it. There, user u/alternative-dig-2066 explains, “In the USA, if you’re at a low to mid range establishment, it’s considered ‘Okay.’ [Since] we Americans tend to lack patience. At a high end place, not acceptable. But there, waitstaff are also expected to have perfect vigilance, needing no more than a look [big eyes emoji] to see when the guests are ready.”
The publication Food & Wine weighed in with some etiquette—that customers shouldn’t stay over 30 minutes past the finished meal. The publication notes that 45 minutes is rude, and an hour is completely unacceptable. If you’re still there at that point, you should move to the bar or order something else. After all, servers rely on tables turning over to make money.
So the next time you’re tempted to recount your intense summer with your best friend from college, order the mega slice of cake. Then tip well on top of it. That way, everyone wins: The server keeps making money, and you get cake.
BroBible reached out to Ariana via email and with a TikTok direct message. We will update this if she replies.
@amfglow “Here’s the check, no rush whenever your ready”😩 I need a new line cuz there is a rush and I need you to pay me and leave . . . . . . . . . . . #fyp #serverlife #serviceindustry #server #serverproblems