This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Thais Rodriguez, a 21-year-old former server at Olive Garden in Florida. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.for two years and while I did, I found a way to get much higher tips as a server. It wasn't technically allowed, but it worked.I got the idea from when I went out to eat at a restaurant where a server gave me and my group free dessert.
I didn't do it all the time, and I definitely didn't offer it to everyone. I'd only do it if I was really hitting it off with a customer and we were having a good conversation. Basically, I had to feel like they deserved it.If they become a regular customer, they tip more. Also, if a regular tip was around 15 or 20 percent, I could sometimes get up to 40 or 50 percent when giving awayI never worried about it being illegal.
is like being an actor. You have to treat it as a performance and putting on that persona got really exhausting. I do sometimes miss the tips though.Do you work in the service industry and have a story to share? Email Manseen Logan at