Florida Bar Employee Spit On Customer For Not Tipping

We hear stories all the time about the antics of Florida Man and now we're hearing about a Florida bar employee who spit on a customer for not tipping.

I have worked in the service industry on and off for many many years. My first job at 14 was working the counter at a bakery. Since then I've been a server and a bartender at a variety of places. In Illinois, Wisconsin, North Dakota and here in Southwest Florida in Cape Coral. It's a position that can be a lot of fun, but also stressful at times. And while the customers are usually the best part of the job, you can't dictate how they will treat you. Or how they will tip you. Of course, you always strive to give the best service, but at the end of the day, some people just don't tip. And there's nothing you can do about it.

In this case, this employee DID do something about it. 28 year-old Victoria Louise Rachel Jones of Hobe not only spit on, but slapped a customer at the bar she worked at.

According to WEAR, Jones was working at BodyTalk Sports Bar in Port St. Lucie, a spot for topless entertainment. She, along with other employees, were mad that the victim wasn't tipping. So what did she do? Slapped him twice, spit on him and threw a stack of money at him. The story continues with a bit of a he said-she said. According to the arrest report, the victim was buying drinks, but said he didn't see any sign saying that tipping was mandatory. Jones though, said the victim was drunk, bragging about how much money he had, not tipping and being rude to employees.

While she claims she was just "messing around", the cops didn't think so. Jones was arrested and charged with battery.

An email crossed my inbox this week that was titled, The Expert’s Guide To What You Can And Can't Remove From A Hotel Room. I immediately thought, 'Do we really need a guide for this kind of stuff?' Then, I reached for the moisturizer in my purse that had Walt Disney World Resorts on it. It sparked a conversation with a friend whose family owns hotels in Southwest Florida and another who has been in hotel management for decades including properties in Fort Myers, Naples and Key West. You won't believe the crazy things taken from hotel rooms in Florida.

I get it. You are having a great time on vacation and want something to remember it by. Back in the day you could swipe a matchbook with the hotel logo. Some still have pens and notepads. Then you look over and see the cool coffee mug, robe, fill in the blank here.  You think, 'Surely they won't miss this one.' Then I hear my mom saying, 'What if EVERYONE took just one? Then there wouldn't be any to take.'

Jeff Webb is the area general manager for Home2 Suites in Fort Myers, Naples and Nashville. Over the course of his 37 year career in the hotel industry he has seen some pretty crazy things. One of the most bizarre happened in Key West. Housekeeping called him to a room which had been cleared out. Literally. Everything single thing in the room was stolen. He says that is why televisions and even some artwork is bolted down in hotels these days.

Finally, getting back to that original email. It was from Mark Johnson, the founder of H18NY. He says, "Before you put anything you’re not sure about into your suitcase, remember you can always ask hotel staff if it’s okay to take." Here are some general guidelines from both Jeff and Mark.

These are meant for you to use and are OK to take. Especially if the toiletries were opened and used during your stay. A friend of mine keeps a bag of them and puts them in her guest bath so there is always something there for visitors to discover, use and maybe even take for themselves to keep the cycle going.

Mostly yes. For instance, it would be OK for me to pocket the pods from this coffee maker pictured below. But not the coffee maker itself. By the way, this was the best in room hotel coffee I think I've ever had. It was at Bardessono in Yountville, California. Then there is the mini-bar. Feel free to clear it out. You'll be charged handsomely for that one.

Nope. I get it, the sheets and the pillows gave you the best night of sleep ever. But they need to stay. I know we always need beach towels living in Florida, but those you got from the pool should stay too. Definitely that plush robe as well. I've had so many great robes including a leopard print one at hotel in Portland, Oregon. NO, it did not end up in my suitcase. Most hotels will sell their bathrobes and some sell their pool towels too.

This should be a common sense "don't". But apparently that is not the case. Never take cable boxes, hairdryers, irons, or lightbulbs. Yes lightbulbs. Keep the TV and its remote and the batteries in your hotel room. It's not going to work with your television anyway. Also do not remove the clock/radio or tablet. These things are not souvenirs.

If your room provides a small sewing kit it is generally thought to be OK to take. It is typically part of the bathroom 'amenities' anyway. So are slippers. They are designed for single use and great to use on the plane. Toss them when you depart. However, if you hotel still has an ashtray, you should leave it along with glasses, mugs and dishes. Artwork belongs to the hotel too. Don't take it or any other décor, including furniture.