Why they didn't tip and can I get fired?

Question

I'm a server at a small family owned restaurant and had the rudest table I've ever had tonight. Originally I did not take the table, my friend and co-worker did, but at a certain point in the night she had to leave to go to her other job and I took over the last part of the table. Up until then she complained about them heavily as they were incredibly rude. The most rude thing they did was insist that a martini consists of about 5oz of vodka as opposed to the 2oz I've always served. Later on when I was serving them they complimented my martini over hers and suggested that she was putting water in them to make up for the 3oz we don't include. I watched her make all four of them, they were pure vodka. They insisted on a price reduction for the 'watered down martinis'.

My friend and I both were polite and gave into their demands (there was much more but I'll spare you my rant), and in the end they paid a lot less than they spent. After leaving the bill on their table I noticed they had their card in it but opened. I went over and asked if they were ready for me to take it and the man rudely replied "Not unless it's free" I was confused and said sorry? The man repeated himself and I could only reply that it was not free and I didn't understand what he meant. The woman then jumped in, and in the rudest tone I've ever heard told me that they were having a conversation and were not ready to pay for the bill yet and to leave them alone. 

I was taken back so much because of how horrible she was to me. Upon walking away I went up to the counter with the other server and started complaining about what I had just heard. I never said anything to the customers face, only to the server behind the bar, but the bar and the table were not that far away and I'm afraid they overhead me. Almost seconds after I left they closed the book and stuck it out for me to take it, making me fear even more that they heard. And of course they didn't tip.

My question(s) are do you think they didn't tip because of what I said? Or do you think they always had the intention of not doing so, suspicious because they got excessive vodka and brought their bill price down after complaining.

Also do you think I have grounds to get fired? Normally I'd say yes as being rude to a customer is automatic firing but I was honestly polite the entire time, any anger I had was released away from their table and not directly to them. This is also in theory if they came back in and complained. 

Thanks for your input.

? · Accepted Answer

Based on your testimony, to me this smells like they were being rude on purpose. As for getting discounts or comps for drinks that didn't exactly meet their "standards" never happens, obviously they looked for everything they could complain about to receive preferential treatment. This is the type of business no one wants or needs, which is why most establishments will post "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." Bottom line is you, your colleague, and your boss are nobody's doormat and don't deserve to be treated this way.

Anonymous · Answer

As rude as they were I'm almost certain if they had overheard you they would have had something smart to say to you right then and there. You have nothing to worry about, probably they were just passing through. In my expereience there is about 2% of the population that no matter what you do they will never be happy, and will always try to humiliate others, you just have to try and deal with them the best you can and hope they never come back. The good thing is it sounds like 2 miserable ******* are together and not making someone else miserable so at least the WORLD has that going for it. 
               And the reason they didn't tip is because they are *******....plain and simple

Bruce K · Answer

From the perspective of a restaurant owner
They seem to be the customers from hell or drunk.  Where was the manager or owner in all this?  They should have dealt with the situation early on.  I have asked customers to leave and never return for swearing at my staff, but this happened  only twice in 25 years.  My issue is with you and other staff "giving in" to the customer when you made 5 oz martinis, which leads me to believe they were over served.  What you have done is lost money for the owner, by not following proper procedures.  If a customer insists on have 50 oz martinis, you immediately get your manager and let them deal with this type of situation

Bill Dauterive · Answer

If everything you say is accurate, I tell the manager, owner, whoever is in charge everything up front. If these people come back and repeat their behavior, there is a reason that restaurants have the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. Get the management on your side and refuse service.

A martini has 1.85 ounces of gin, I suppose the same amount of vodka in a vodka martini.

? · Answer

that is really rude...i hate customers like that...
honestly some poeple will do ANYTHING or say anything to try to get something free or so they dont have to leave a tip! people are soo rude! 
i dont think you did ANYTHING wrong at all! 
you wernt being rude to them...if they over heard you talking thats theyre problem they shouldnt have been so rude to you..i mean you were just repeating what they had just said to you!

Hellz Kellz · Answer

Believe me when I say they didn't hear you. If they did, they would have caused a scene. Rude people like that jump at a chance to start drama. They didn't tip because they are cheap idiots.

razzledazzleem · Answer

What exactly did you say when you were complaining? You weren't very specific on that.

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Why they didn't tip and can I get fired?

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