{"id":81470,"date":"2024-12-08T15:35:47","date_gmt":"2024-12-08T08:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/?p=81470"},"modified":"2024-12-11T16:03:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T09:03:54","slug":"i-left-the-bartender-a-50-tip-but-she-thanked-only-my-husband","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/i-left-the-bartender-a-50-tip-but-she-thanked-only-my-husband\/","title":{"rendered":"I Left the Bartender a 50% Tip but She Thanked Only My Husband"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-89506 src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/469938825_989795946504688_1688360598979144060_n-1.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"1080\"' height='\"1350\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/469938825_989795946504688_1688360598979144060_n-1.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><p><strong><em>When Molly and Sam decide they\u2019re too exhausted to cook, they opt for a simple dinner out. But what starts as a low-key evening turns awkward when the waitress seems to focus entirely on Sam. Will Molly confront her or let it slide?\n<p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-44303 src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/462574709_1894929488683885_7074660439651036979_n.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"992\"' height='\"992\"' title='\"\"'>\n</p><p>We hadn\u2019t planned anything extravagant that evening\u2014just a casual beer and a meal at one of Sam\u2019s favorite spots. Neither of us felt like cooking, and since he frequented the place with his friends, it felt like an easy, no-fuss choice.\n</p><p>\u201cMolly, let\u2019s just go out tonight,\u201d Sam suggested. \u201cI don\u2019t want to cook, and you\u2019ve been lounging on the couch, so I know you don\u2019t either.\u201d\n</p><p>I chuckled. \u201cYou caught me. It\u2019s been such a long, chaotic day at work. The restructuring has everyone on edge. I\u2019m absolutely drained.\u201d\n</p><p>\u201cExactly! Let\u2019s grab some food, have a beer, and maybe even dance a little,\u201d he said, grinning.\n</p><p>\u201cAlright, but I\u2019ve got this,\u201d I replied. \u201cDinner\u2019s on me tonight.\u201d\n</p><p>Sam smiled, giving my knee a quick squeeze as he drove. \u201cThanks, babe. Oh, by the way, Skye\u2019s the new bartender working Thursdays. She\u2019s just starting out, so we should leave her a good tip. Don\u2019t want to look cheap, especially since I\u2019m here so often.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-44308 aligncenter src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/467192428_1525165571535684_4723189234399399391_n.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"992\"' height='\"992\"' title='\"\"'>\n</p><p>I nodded, understanding. Having worked in the service industry myself, I knew how important tips were, especially for someone just starting out.\n</p><p>\u201cOf course,\u201d I assured him. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure she\u2019s taken care of.\u201d\n</p><p>At least, that was the plan.\n</p><p>When we arrived, we grabbed two barstools. The pub was lively but not overcrowded\u2014just a typical, friendly atmosphere. As the bartender approached, things took a strange turn.\n</p><p>She greeted Sam with a warm, almost flirty smile, completely ignoring me.\n</p><p>\u201cWhat can I get for you, hon?\u201d she asked, focusing entirely on him.\n</p><p>Sam ordered two beers, and I chimed in, requesting a burger with fries and onion rings on the side. But she didn\u2019t even glance my way, scribbling down my order like I wasn\u2019t there.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-44306 aligncenter src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/466819185_1267469784561484_7854303107400608483_n.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"992\"' height='\"992\"' title='\"\"'>\n</p><p>\u201cAnything else for you?\u201d she asked Sam sweetly, her voice dripping with charm.\n</p><p>I tried to brush it off. Maybe she was nervous or just leaning on familiarity since Sam was a regular. But as the night went on, the pattern continued.\n</p><p>She only checked on Sam, asking how his food was and if he needed another drink, while I sat there, practically invisible.\n</p><p>When she finally returned near the end of our meal, she pointed at my plate\u2014still half-full\u2014and directed her question to Sam.\n</p><p>\u201cNeed a box for that?\u201d she asked.\n</p><p>I felt my irritation simmering. \u201cWow, okay,\u201d I muttered under my breath. \u201cThis is supposed to be date night.\u201d\n</p><p>Sam, oblivious to the tension, took another sip of his beer. \u201cShe\u2019s just trying to be nice, Molly.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-44305 aligncenter src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/467311905_1433510870961716_652109878422699596_n.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"992\"' height='\"992\"' title='\"\"'>\n</p><p>I rolled my eyes but chose to let it slide. For now.\n</p><p>Despite the awkwardness, the food was good, and our glasses stayed full\u2014though largely because Skye seemed more invested in keeping Sam happy than anything else.\n</p><p>\u201cDon\u2019t you love this place, babe?\u201d Sam asked, stretching his arms contentedly. \u201cIt just feels so friendly and comfortable here.\u201d\n</p><p>\u201cI wonder why\u2026\u201d I replied, sarcasm thick in my voice.\n</p><p>\u201cIt\u2019s the people,\u201d he continued, ignoring my tone. \u201cThey\u2019re always great, and the service is top-notch.\u201d\n</p><p>\u201cI\u2019m sure they are,\u201d I muttered. \u201cEspecially for you, the regular.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-44307 aligncenter src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/462575423_1076381867367992_419457378873160210_n.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"992\"' height='\"992\"' title='\"\"'>\n</p><p>When the bill came, it totaled around $60. I counted out $30 for the tip\u2014a generous 50%\u2014and folded the cash neatly under the check.\n</p><p>\u201cYou\u2019re leaving that much?\u201d Sam asked, surprised.\n</p><p>\u201cYou wanted to leave her a good tip, right?\u201d I replied, sliding the money into place.\n</p><p>He shrugged, smiling. \u201cThat\u2019s my girl.\u201d\n</p><p>Skye returned to settle the bill, her movements quick and efficient.\n</p><p>As she collected the cash, she turned to Sam, her voice as sweet as ever. \u201cThank you so much for that! That was really thoughtful of you, Sam. I appreciate it.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-44304 aligncenter src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/462583178_563279233083863_7204440600334417864_n.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"992\"' height='\"992\"' title='\"\"'>\n</p><p>My jaw tightened.\n</p><p>I leaned forward, my voice sharp. \u201cI paid the tab, Skye. I tipped you. Not my husband. You\u2019re welcome.\u201d\n</p><p>Her posture stiffened for a moment, but she didn\u2019t acknowledge me. Instead, she walked away, her ponytail swaying as though she hadn\u2019t heard a word I said. But I knew she had.\n</p><p>The car ride home was tense.\n</p><p>\u201cDid you really have to say that?\u201d Sam finally asked, frustration lacing his tone.\n</p><p>I turned to him, incredulous. \u201cAre you serious, Sam? She ignored me the entire night.\u201d\n</p><p>He sighed, rubbing his temple. \u201cI mean, yeah, but she probably thought I paid. It wasn\u2019t personal.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-44302 aligncenter src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/462572692_1581021129454309_1248735052273562360_n.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"992\"' height='\"992\"' title='\"\"'>\n</p><p>\u201cOh, come on,\u201d I snapped. \u201cEven if she thought you paid, it\u2019s basic courtesy to acknowledge both people at the table. She didn\u2019t have to flirt with you and treat me like I was invisible.\u201d\n</p><p>\u201cFlirt? She was just being friendly,\u201d he insisted, laughing like I was overreacting.\n</p><p>\u201cFriendly? To you, maybe. But to me? I might as well have been a ghost.\u201d\n</p><p>Sam shook his head, clearly done with the conversation. \u201cYou embarrassed me. Now she probably thinks we\u2019re \u2018those people.\u2019\u201d\n</p><p>\u201cWhat people? The ones who expect decent service and mutual respect?\u201d\n</p><p>He stayed silent, starting the car.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"alignnone' size-full wp-image-44301 aligncenter src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/462566387_1254826849065837_477430115888897352_n.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"992\"' height='\"992\"' title='\"\"'>\n</p><p>When we got home, I replayed the night in my head.\n</p><p>Maybe I\u2019d overreacted. But the way she treated me felt all too familiar\u2014like every time someone assumed I wasn\u2019t in charge or underestimated my role.\n</p><p>It wasn\u2019t just about the tip. It was about being seen.\n</p><p>Was I too harsh? Perhaps. But I wasn\u2019t sorry.\n</p><p>And honestly? I\u2019d do it again.\n</p><p><em>What would you have done?\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Molly and Sam decide they\u2019re too exhausted to cook, they opt for a simple dinner out. But what starts as a low-key evening turns awkward when the waitress seems to focus entirely on Sam. Will Molly confront her or let it slide? We hadn\u2019t planned anything extravagant that evening\u2014just a casual beer and a &hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":88873,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642,1439],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-moral-story","category-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81470"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81470\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89507,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81470\/revisions\/89507"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></em></p></em></strong></p>