Not sure what to make of this

I went out to our office Christmas party yesterday (Thursday).  While it was a work function, it wasn't put on by the company; one girl we work with plans it every year. It's held at a restaurant where she knows the owners, and staff are invited to go. We each pay for our own drinks/meal etc.

This was the first year I went and I had a lot of fun.  I had 2 vodka martinis over the course of the evening.

At the end of the evening when I was ready to go I went up to pay my bill.  The waiter, who must be 20 years younger than me, told me that he was only charging me for 1 martini and the other was on him.  I was surprised and graciously thanked him.  He put his arm around my back and hugged me to him,  and told me that I am a "real sweetheart."  And asked me to promise to return and ask for him.  Now this is even before I had paid, so he didn't know how much, if any, a tip I was going to leave.

I left him the standard 20% which I always do if the service was good, and it was.

But I'm not sure what to make of his actions.  I'm rusty.  Was he making a move, or was he just trying to garner a bigger tip?  LOL

LOL...this made laugh. Maybe he likes older women!

I can't really say for sure without being there and reading body language and facial expressions, but it's not uncommon for waiters and bartenders to flirt and flatter for better tips.

Hey, he paid for one of your martinis, complimented you, and made you feel like a million bucks! 

I'm watching this program from the states called "I married a cougar" and that's the first thing l thought of 

I would go back if you liked him, and if he doesn't ask for your number on the next visit , put it down to flirting for an extra christmas tip  

People who work for tips flirt with their customers, they just do. That's how they get good tips and repeat customers. I see this all the time directed at my husband when we have a female waitperson serving us. If they were serious about wanting to date him, I doubt they would flirt with him in front of me.

I'm glad you had fun at the party! It's always nice to relax a bit with people you know.   

While it's common to flatter someone for bigger tips and repeat customers, what got me was him buying the drink. It could be simply a nice gesture. But as a bartender, that part raised my eyebrows. Not in a bad way.

Well, it seems he was flirting for tips!  LOL   I heard from a few other girls at work that he also bought them a drink!  lol

I wonder how many drinks he bought and how many he "bought" on the owner's dime by simply not charging for them. 

This reminds me of the shows Restaurant Stakeout and Undercover Diners. Mostly scripted, my boyfriend says, but they're presented as shows that get an undercover look at businesses that believe they have a problem staff member. They periodically showcase bars and restaurants with bars that have significantly lost revenue because of bartenders giving away drinks to increase their own tips.

LaraLove said:

 
 "bought" on the owner's dime by simply not charging for them. 

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That's likely my guess too.  I used to bartend and while I would give away the odd drink, it wasn't a regular habit.

Apparently he has been working there 17 years, so he must be doing something right.

Many bars I have worked at have a 'promo' tab. This is a check the bartender keeps open all night in order to record what drinks have been given away. Usually, there is a $50 (or whatever ) limit per shift and it helps keep the liquor inventory accurate. Giving away drinks for birthdays, promotion celebrations, etc. or for regular customers or even just because (like in Natalie's case) is part of the business and wise, experienced bar owners expect it. If you abuse the promo tab, you lose the privilege of having one.