Walked tabs, also known as open tabs or open-ended tickets, referring to the practice of not closing out a tab at the end of a drinking session. This is becoming increasingly common in bars and restaurants, with many providing a grace period for customers to leave without closing their tabs. Some bars even automatically add a 20% gratuity to the bill for walked tabs, which is seen as a convenience by many patrons.
History and Background
The practice of walked tabs originated at some point in the late 20th century, as point-of-sale (POS) systems became more advanced and widespread. Before then, customers would typically have to return to the bar to settle their bills at the end of the evening. The ability to keep a tab open with a credit card information has allowed bars to streamline the process, making it faster for customers and potentially increasing revenue by allowing them to stay longer before paying.
Practice and Usage
Walking a tab is particularly convenient for customers who have been drinking for several hours and are ready to leave. Instead of waiting in line to pay, these customers can just walk out with their cards, knowing that a percentage of their bill will be automatically added as a tip for the server. This eliminates the need for servers to manually calculate and collect tips from customers as they leave.
Impact and Considerations
While walking a tab can be seen as convenient by some, it also poses challenges for servers and bar owners. For instance, it can be difficult to manage the increased workload that comes with manually closing out walked tabs at the end of each shift. Additionally, not closing out a tab can appear slightly robotic to some customers, who may see it as a lack of personal interaction with the server.
Trends and Implementation
The practice of walked tabs has become more popular in recent years, with many bars adopting policies to automatically add a 20% gratuity to walked tabs. Some bars also offer the option for customers to keep their tabs open, with the gratuity calculated upon departure.
##and Future Developments
As technology continues to evolve and improve, the practice of walked tabs is likely to become even more seamless and streamlined. As always, it's important for both customers and bar owners to communicate clearly about any policies or changes in expectations regarding walked tabs. With ongoing advancements in technology and shifting consumer preferences, we can expect to see future developments in this area that further enhance the drinking experience for all involved
