no tab for you

Our manager doesn't like starting tabs for random people because it's too much hassle for the customer and the bartender, AND the management in case the tabs aren't closed, etc. Therefore, we only open tabs for regulars, or people that have dinner at the bar and several rounds of liquor, and ring up huge tabs.

These two girls come in when it's pretty busy and sit down at the bar. One orders a "pineapple juice, no ice," and the other orders a "gin and tonic, please." I bring them their drinks and the second girl asks if they can open a tab. Darling, how many of those gin and tonics do you REALLY think you'll go through? Especially since you're hanging out with your girlfriend who isn't even drinking alcohol?

"Sorry, we don't open tabs here when it's too busy, the managers don't want us to."

"Oh okay...well, how much is each drink?" As I only gave them the total price, because why would the girl pay for her $3 juice separately?

But then, I guess if she's only drinking juice, what did I expect from her friend -- to be generous enough to pay for the juice?

The juice girl takes out a $5 to pay for the $3 juice, the other girl takes out a $10 to pay for the $7 drink. (But still not as bad as the 3 women who ordered 3 glasses of wine and tipped $1 total, and then had the nerve to smile at me and say "Bye!" when they left. $1/$24 -- that's like, what, 5%????? SERIOUSLY!)

10-15 minutes later, the girls get up and leave. Now, did you REALLY want me to start a tab for you? It's more trouble than it's worth. Please, it's people like you who abuse the tab policy who give tab people a bad name!