Irene’s comment about the waitress debacle really struck me:
If you compromise your integrity because of peer pressure, you’re on a slippery slope. Your blog and your readers depend on your honesty, so get back on track by admitting the error, returning the money to the owner, and being scrupulously honest in the future.
Her point is that my actions extend beyond merely misbehaving in a social setting. My actions set an unprofessional precedent for BargainBabe, which absolutely requires total honesty.
I publicly confessed that I gave into peer pressure when my friends dismissed my suggestion to let the waitress know she undercharged us by $11 for two beers. But that admission – and the flogging that followed – is not enough. I must make right the wrong.
I’m heading by the BBQ joint on Saturday and intend to hand over $15 (which accounts for tax, tip and interest!) to the waitress or the manager. How does humble pie taste? I’m going to find out.
Related:
A better credit system up north? (comment of the week)
The value of art (comment of the week)
Ads suck? (comment of the week)
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
We’re proud of you Bargain Babe!
You are doing the right thing!
Way to go Bargain Babe! It takes courage to do the right thing!
Right on, Julia!
I bet they will be stunned and very admiring of you.
What? “Your readers depend on your honesty.” We do? Who sets their moral compass by the integrity of a random blog author? I can’t believe people are so outraged by this.
Besides, waiting staff have amazing memories. The waitress didn’t forget, she liked you guys and didn’t add it to your bill. And it won’t come out of her tips; it’ll come out of the restaurant owner’s bottom line (which probably benefits more from beer sales than anything else).
This kind of thing happens to me all the time, and I simply increase my tip to thank the staff. There is a restaurant in LA I’d eat for happy hour at least once a week and they’d almost never charge me for drinks. (For those who are looking for how to get these free drinks, flirting helps.)
I disagree with all this criticism of you. Their admiration for you for returning to the restaurant and 50 cents will get you a very small bag of chips. In addition, that waitress knew EXACTLY what she was doing! If you go back, she might get in trouble. You should really reconsider, and just let it go. If you really feel guilty, as pathetic as that would be, make a donation to charity. In the meantime…grow up, wise up and figure out how the world REALLY works.
That’s the right choice. I applaud you for being so open and honest about the original situation, your conflict and the resolution. We’re all human and can relate.
I think that you’ll find that humble pie to be one of the sweetest things you’ve ever tasted.
i would let the waitress know….but not the manager. waitress might have made a mistake & this could get her into more trouble.
Excellent choice!
As a store owner, I applaud your new found honesty.
My employees make innocent mistakes sometimes and only the righteous point out the error. The rest of the time, I’m the big loser. That’s just dollars that could have helped pay for my employees salaries, store expenses and discounts and sales for my customers! This is viable in both good and bad economic times.
Hello. This is the first time I’ve commented. Good job! It’s really nice to see people doing the right thing. I think it inspires others to do it too!
I’m really quite excited you’re putting something this compelling and morally-conscious into your blog; you’re setting a gold standard of what Integrity means, and taking blogging into the level of what News should be/hopefully is. Thank you for taking a stand for honesty. Let’s hope most people do the right thing the majority of the time.
Good for you! My husband is a waiter in a fine dining restaurant. When a customer underpays he is responsible for the difference. It comes out of his pocket, not the owner’s bottom line. Please update us on how they reacted at the restaurant, very curious to find out.
way to go!
🙂
I’m glad you are returning the money, but honestly, if you screw up it doesn’t affect my life very much!!!! I read your blog for ideas on savings tips but your word is not G-d. Some people have to lighten up!!!
We all need to lighten up about this. I say give her the money sure. But find out if she wanted to treat u and your friends to a few beers. U maybe feeling guilty for no reason at all.
Get the facts!
If the waitress wanted to treat your group to a few beers, I’m sure she would have told you. Let us know the outcome! I really hope the waitress doesn’t get into any trouble.
Guess I just feel that you are only being honest because the comments some readers have given….would have just been nice if you had been honest in the first place. I’ll take your money saving advice but my morals and ethics have been in place for a long time.
good for you. nothing but good karma for your actions.
Stacy and Yuriy’s attitudes made me ill. One’s moral compass should always be towards doing the right thing, which isn’t always personally advantageous. What’s next, insurance fraud? Shoplifting? Consumers always end up paying more due to the, “for free,” “something for nothing,” mentality and actions of others. Those actions were no less than thievery, whether on the waitresses part, or yours. You can’t lower that bar any further. Perhaps you should find more ethical friends. Sorry, but that is the truth as I see it. No wonder this country is in so much trouble…