Tennesse Bartender Holds Man’s Wallet Hostage
A video of a Tennessee bartender explaining why she kept a customer’s wallet after his cards were declined has now gone viral.
In the video, Jemima June, who regularly posts on social media about her interactions with customers, shows how she attempted to charge the man $27 for the shots he’d taken when his card was declined.
After she handed the man’s card back, he gave her another card which was also declined.
“[G]etting annoyed because he’s acting like it’s not a big deal and he’s just not gonna pay for it,” the text on the video says.
June explains that the bar she works for in Nashville keeps a tight liquor inventory where every drop must be accounted for, and if a customer doesn’t pay, then she does.
“Well, I need $27 right now because you already took the shots,” June can be heard saying in the video.
The man then said that his friend would pay for the drinks but June, realizing the man was drunk and would most likely not come back, asked for his wallet as collateral.
“Go get me $27, and I’ll give you your wallet back,” June says.
“You’re wasting my time, all these people are waiting for drinks.”
About an hour later, the man returned with his friend to pay the bill.
The video has been viewed 12.2 million times since Saturday, with hundreds in the service industry relating to her story.
“Very professional!! customers have no right to get mad at the end of the day your doing your job and protecting the liquor license,” commented one user.
“Being a bartender in a busy bar like that seems like the most stressful job ever,” one viewer said.
Others joked about the man’s wallet.
“Two cards declined for a 27$ payment and he thinks you’re gonna take what out of his wallet??? Lint” one user joked.
“What does he think you’re going to steal from his wallet? he doesn’t have any money lmao,” another viewer exclaimed.
Some users seemed more concerned over the supposed liquor count.
“Idk about Tennessee labor laws but most states. They cannot legally make you pay for an unpaid tab or ticket because that’s considered theft,” one user said.
According to the Department of Labor, employers of tipped employees are not allowed to “take deductions for walkouts, cash register shortages, breakage, cost of uniforms, etc.,” because the deductions would lead to the employee making less than minimum wage.