The Straw that Broke this Camel's Back

Here I go complaining again, but I just have to say that I'm at my wit's end with work. How many times can I express how much I hate being treated like someone's servant with little to no reward? I told off a customer today.

A real crowd pleaser for my French Canadian customers who are currently occupying the beach in droves. 

Here's what happened: 2 young boys, really shifty types, dine in. I serve them, having to get them like 3 refills each with hardly any thanks. This is the type of table that I just get a bad feeling about, so I watch them like a hawk to make sure that they don't duck out before paying (oh yes I've had this happened in the past). They do end up paying but I can clearly see that there's no tip. Outside they are just walking away with that young kid swagger, one putting a cig in his mouth (and there's no way he's old enough to buy cigarettes). I'm just sitting there fuming, finally having experienced one hit too many, and wishing that I had the balls to go out and say something.

Meanwhile, the ever efficient bus boy (ha. just kidding, we all know they've been a wee bit lazy this summer) comes to bus the table. I notice that there's a pack of cigarettes on the ground by the kids' table that is thrown away. After the table is all cleaned I see one of the boys come back in, he's circling near the table he sat at obviously looking for something on the floor. I just laugh knowing that the kid (because that's what he is, can't be more than 16) is looking for his smokes. But finally, here's my chance! So with my heart pounding and the adrenaline rushing I say "Oh did you leave something?" No answer. "Because there was no tip left on the table." Stopped dead in his tracks. "You know I get $2 an hour, so thanks" as he mumbles something and hurriedly leaves.

No, I didn't end up getting a tip, but the satisfaction that I got was reward enough. Now if only the tables I had after had tipped more than 7%...