It can be easy for servers to crack under pressure while tending to large parties. From the constant demands to running back and forth from the table to the kitchen, there’s only so much one server can handle—all while their tips hang in the balance. Consequently, some might feel compelled to lie to ensure they receive a good tip. This is exactly what one popular New York-based server did to his 30-person bachelorette party table. And the lie paid off.
Dean Redmonds (@deanredmonds) is a well-known server and content creator who posts videos about his experience serving large parties or difficult customers at a restaurant he never names. He’s previously gone viral for revealing how a lie led to a 40% tip. It seems like that high tip amount only encouraged him to continue to lie. Because now he’s saying that a similar lie prompted a table to give him a hefty $200 tip.
“Lie to your customers because I was just serving a 30-person table. And I’m dropping off the check to them. And this woman is like, ‘I know you did not just add an automatic gratuity charge of $350 after the service he received,’” he says.
Mad About Automatic Gratuity
He says he attempted to explain the reason for the automatic gratuity, but that she continued to blame Redmonds rather than restaurant policy.
“I’m like, ‘I’m sorry you didn’t like my service, ma’am. It’s just policy that parties of 10 or more have automatic gratuity added to them,’” he recalls telling her.
He says the irate customer proceeded to list out everything that she believed wasn’t tip-worthy. “She literally stands up and is like, ‘You are trying to gaslight me!” the content creator recounts. “‘First, you took forever getting a drink order. Then the mimosas were all juice. The bride-to-be over there waiting forever for sweet potato fries that never came. And then I was left waiting 20 minutes for my Diet Coke refills. Anything to say for yourself?’”
The Lie That Paid Off Big
Redmonds, quick-thinking, says he conjured up a lie that he thought would garner sympathy. “‘I could get fired for telling you guys this, but I have to tell you the truth,’” he says he started. Redmonds says he made his voice crack and seem shaky so they would think he was about to burst into tears. “‘I’m a triplet, and one of my siblings passed away this morning, and I’ve been such a mess.’”
He notes that the whole vibe shifted. Instantly, he recalls, all of the women’s mouths fell open in shock. Some of the women apologized for their friend’s behavior.
“‘We are so sorry for her. We could never do as good of a job as you, especially after losing a sibling,’” he says one of the women told him. This lie stirred the group’s emotions. And Redmond took out a stack of $20 bills to prove it.
“They gave me 200 extra dollars in cash!” he exclaims. “And they just hounded this woman.”
According to Redmonds, his lie wasn’t far off from the truth. He claimed, “It’s not even a full lie cause I absorbed my triplet in the womb!”
Viewers Praise The Lie
Redmonds’ video has 1.4 million views. Many with siblings gave the server their stamp of approval and shared that they planned to use it themselves.
“I AM A TWIN WHO ALSO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A TRIPLET LOL AM I ALLOWED TO DO THIS?!” one viewer wrote.
“Hahahhaa as a triplet….how have I not used this before?” a second commented.
“I mean I could totally use this excuse…my only sibling actually died. He just died 11 years ago,” a third stated.
Moreover, servers revealed their own go-to “excuses.”
“It’s definitely not the same but its been my first day so many times at the restaurant ive worked at for ten years,” one commenter shared.
“I go to work every single day with 4 living grandparents and none of them are actually alive,” another revealed.
@deanredmonds Server life in a restaurant #customerservice #restaurantlife #serverlife #bistrohuddy #storytime
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Why Do Some Restaurants Add Automatic Gratuity For Large Parties?
Toast states this is to ensure the entire staff is paid fairly since bigger parties require extra work. Although this is typically in place for groups of more than eight, any-sized party may be auto-tipped. However, certain states require restaurants to disclose this.
BroBible reached out to Redmond via email and TikTok direct message.