Why do people undertip or stiff servers when there was nothing wrong with the service?

Question

I'm not talking about when the service was bad or something went wrong, but when everything went right and the server was friendly and efficient, why do people leave less than 15%, like barely 10% or even sometimes nothing at all. It's like a kick in the face. In Colorado servers never make more than $2.13 and hour. Why do people treat us like this?

Answer 1

I'm a server. My opinion is that people who tip less than expected (typically 15%) are either receiving service they do not find up to their standards, are living on a limited income (older and younger patrons), or don't understand how their tipping affects the waitstaff.

Waiters are NOT really being paid by the restaurants in most locations. The wage is a nominal wage and basically is enough to cover taxes for the amount of tips declared to the government (tips are part of a server's income and thus must be declared to the government to be taxed, which is taken out of your paycheck, which typically does not include tips but only the hourly wage). By the time taxes are taken out, the $2.77/hour or thereabouts that a server is making from the restaurant (YES that is all servers get!) is literally down to about $0.50/hour. No exaggeration. So tips ARE the entire pay that a server gets.

One situation I see a lot is when people order expensive food or wine. They figure, "Well, I could have ordered the cheap kind and that wouldn't have been any less work for the server. Why do I have to tip her more because I wanted something more expensive? She didn't work any harder!" That's how you end up with people with $100+ bills that tip you only $10 or $12. They figure, "Well, $10 is a big tip! I can't be expected to pay $15 in tip. That's absurd! No, the fact that my bill is bigger does not reflect the amount the server worked. To hell with the percentage."

What is important for these people to realize is that your tip makes up for the kindness we show all our patrons, regardless of their bill or ability to pay. For instance, I refill an elderly couple's water glasses dozens of times and fetch them new napkins every time they drop one. They eat $20 worth of food and tip me $2.50. I don't complain, because I know from these people that is a lot of money. However, I can't live off $2.50 tips from everyone. In some sense, your ability to pay the more expensive bill makes you able to pay more of a tip to make up to the server (assuming they gave you good service) the difference in abilities of different customers to pay.

Also, some people are just jerks. Nothing to be done about them except ignore them next time they come in.

Answer 2

I have a $5 tipping standard which means that I always tip at least $5, even at Waffle House. When I'm in Las Vegas, I tip $5 a drink. $5 tip for the bellhop. $5 tip at the buffet. Certainly, if the meal is expensive, I may tip $10 or more.

I like to tip an amount that can buy something. Sure, $5 doesn't buy much but it's better than $1.45. I think about the waitstaff holding that $5 bill and thinking, "wow, that guy must really care!".

The reason why some people don't tip well is because they too have there tipping standards. They somehow believe that they shouldn't have to leave a tip or that a waitstaff is going to be tickled to death with their $1.50 tip. Unfortunately, all a waitstaff can do is always put on their best and hope for the best.

Answer 3

I'm a waitress in Oklahoma, and normal wage for servers here is also $2.13/hour. I think it should be part of a home economics class that everyone is taught how to tip waitress, hairdressers; etc, because until I was a waitress, I also thought that they were paid well by the restaurant, so why should I pay them extra for doing their job. I honestly think that many people don't know what we are paid, nor do they know what a decent tip would be if they were to leave one. Maybe that's why some people will say what excellent service they got, and the food was wonderful, but then only tip 5%, and be totally proud of themselves!!!! Hopefully a lot of people will see this, and tip better. BTY- if the service sucked, you should tip 10%. If the service was great, you need to leave 20%. Thanks to all you folks who do tip us well!!!

Answer 4

First of all, always tip 18%. Many people don't understand that this is how servers make a living. We live off tips and server's paychecks are small. When a server dose not recieve the minimun 15%, he/she stills is expected to report that money. the government assumes that they are making 15%. Secondly, I don't think people are educated in the world of dining out. Being rude and snapping of the fingers is not what servers look forward to. Servers are human and can make mistakes, but usually try to fix the problem a.s.a.p.

Answer 5

Some people are naive and don't think about tipping. I firmly believe that if you don't have enough money to tip well than you shouldn't go out to eat. If you do out and realize you have less money on you than you thought then don't order as much food as you had planned. You should always come to a restaurant planning to give AT LEAST 15 percent.

Also some people have trouble calculating 15 percent. Just take ten percent of the bill (if it's 20.00 it would be 2.00) then add half of that (1.00) and add it on for the total tip of 15 percent (3.00).

Answer 6

I think it has alot to do with the way people were raised. If they never saw their parents tip a waiter or waitress , they probably won't either. I also think people don't realize that waitpersons do not make a decent wage. I was a waitress when I was younger and I got stiffed at times. The absolute worst was when I had a table of those people with attitude that could not be satisfied in any way and they would leave a penny on the table!

Answer 7

I always tip at least 20%, unless the service was abysmal (then it's 15% but never less than 10%). If you become a regular at a restaurant and are known for being a good tipper, you'll get exceptional service every time. Hasn't failed me yet.

Answer 8

if there's nothing wrong with the service and people undertip, it could be because 1) they're cheap 2) they're poor in which case they shouldn't eat out until they can afford to tip 3) something wrong with food and they're taking it out on the servers instead of complaining to chef/cooks 4) they can't do math 5) they're drunk and can't do math 6) they're ignorant of what % is the norm to tip (in Europe, gratuities are normally included but people still tip, just much less than the norm here)

Answer 9

this is the risk of working in a company that places out undesirable nutrition. people seek for sturdy nutrition the comparable as sturdy service. It is going hand in hand, regrettably for you. i be responsive to this all to nicely as my own relatives is in the nutrition and repair industry. i in my view attempt to cut up those 2 issues and safeguard the server in the event that they have been sturdy inspite of the undesirable nutrition. yet, i've got been "the server" so i be responsive to the version. fortuitously my families company places out a sturdy product consistently, that helps plenty.

Answer 10

I never tip less than 20% for good service. I think a lot of people lack knowledge of tipping etiquette. TIPS - To Insure Prompt Service. I guess they don't want prompt service.