So last night we went out to one of my fav. restaurants here in town with the family. And I did something I've never done before.

I complained about the waitress and left NO tip.

I am not sure what happened, but we sat for 45 minutes after THE BUS BOY brought our food and she never once checked on us. She walked by the table dozens of times doting on the table next to ours, but not once stopped by to ask how our meals were or if we needed refills. Which we did.

The busboy was more attentive with the water and clearing our plates.

I finally waved the hostess over and told her and we still could not get the waitress to the table.

I just about walked out without paying. It was that ridiculous. Finally I got the manager's attention and went up and told her. She came over and brought the hostess and they profusely apologized.

I wasnt looking for a free meal, but I think at that point, maybe saying something like "Dessert is on us, here are our selections" or I am going to take your drinks or one of your entrees off the bill" would have been appropriate.

But nothing. Then they drag the waitress over, she half heartedly apologizes.

I asked "Did you ever check on us after you dropped off the appetizers"?  No.  "Did you ask if we wanted refills or dessert?"  No.  "Do you think you provided good customer service tonight to us" Probably Not. And she walked away.

I am still pissed.

When the hostess brought the check, I asked if I could leave a gratuity for the busboy. No..she said anything I left would be split.

So I put a huge X over the gratuity line and put the total in the bottom.

Now my question for you.

A. Would you bother writing a letter to the owner? I know the people who run it personally and they are wonderful folks and this was so out of the norm for this restaurant.

B. I feel bad for the busboy. He was busting his ass to keep us happy. I know his family and he is a good kid who is working to save for college.  Should I just send him a thank you card with some cash to his house?

Both A and B.

The owners need to know when their employees aren't doing the job correctly.

Yes and yes. 

That was handled terribly by their manager… and I know from an owner's perspective…I would want to know.

And B just shows courtesy…which is nice.

I say yes to both as well.

I agree too

*nods head in agreement*

The busboy deserves kudos for going over and above and the waitress needs her ass reamed. Simple as that.

I was a waitress for quite a few years and that's just appalling. The only time I ever "neglected" a table was when I was the only waitress in a full restaurant (it happened on occasion) and even then, I *still* stopped at every table and apologized. (mgt, hostess, and even cooks would come out and help) I actually made huge ass tips on those days AND split them voluntarily with everyone who helped me. 

But yeah, that waitress needs her ass reamed.

The restaurant I work at is a complete circus. Like glory, I'm only guilty of ignoring tables when my head is spinning. I keep getting stuck with the bar area - which is it's own separate room… twice the size of the other sections, and they always fill it up at the same time. Last night they sat 8 tables within 5 minutes. And the shake machine went down. Talk about wanting to scream. It would be okay if I could void fucked up orders, but there's no way to do that. Half the time I leave the drinks off of the bill to make up for the chaos.

I would of made a show of giving that bus boy a tip in front of the other staff…

Can't stand bad service.

JRB

I would do both… letter.. and tell them that you would like to tip the bus boy….

oh. and i'm with every one else. write the owners. if it were my place, i'd want to know. not only about the server, but about lack of response by management - and about the hard work on behalf of the bus boy.

ditto.

I've been a waitress. that's just horrible form.

I'm going agree…let them know.  And tip the Busboy.

I've been known to just give the busboy a cash tip on the side.  Just because, and that won't get split. 

Granted, I do everything I can to not leave the tip on the card.  SO every one that waits on me looks like they got stiffed.  LOL!

Thanks all for your input. I am going to do as you all suggested.

I've never been this upset about a restaurant only because this is a nice place, not some dump.

Well hopefully it was an isolated incident; have you ever had bad service there before?  Maybe it was the convergence of a lot of factors all in one night… definitely let the owners know. 

I agree with everyone else.

I remember once I got gouged by the coat hook in a bathroom stall. I don't know what their position was, but whoever it was that asked about my crying (it was awful-- you should see the bruise I got) gave us our meals for free because they felt bad.

Unfortunately, last I saw (maybe just over a year ago) the coat hook was still in the same dangerous place.