Why do African Americans give such bad tips??

Question

I've been a waiter for a while now as a 2nd job and 90% of the time, African American people tip for $%$&%&%& ... I really try my best with everyone (At the end it's my money, I could be messin' with), but, it kills me when they run up a $50.00 tab and give you $3-$4 ... I really hate to stereotype ... but Jesus, how long till they realize the crap they're all pulling ... I'm also a minority (Latin) .. so non of that "we're taking revenge ^*&(& ... please someone explain!!!!! Don't they know this is not an easy job ... it really is stressfull ... I just got to do it for my bills and flexible schedule!!!

By the way .... most waiters say this .... this is not a "ME" subject!!

Answer 1

As a former waitress, I understand many people believe this stereotype. However, I have been given poor tips by whites, blacks, hispanics, young, old, rich, poor, male, female, etc.

Maybe as a culture we should educate ourselves on how to value a SERVICE that someone is providing.

Answer 2

You categorize yourself as a minority so then you should understand how it is. Exactly how much do you tip when you go out to eat? I tip according to service and what's left in my wallet. If my meal is $20.00 and all I have on me is $25.00, I'm gonna give the server what they deserved, the extra $5 I have left or the change outside in the console of my car. Some people don't need to get jobs as servers because of their attitudes, they don't want to SERVE. I refuse to tip anyone who rolls their eyes, rushes me while choosing my dinner, gets an attitude when I ask to be seated away from unruly children/adults and/or smoking, slams my plate down, etc. But I can't lie, sometimes its not all the servers fault. Some do an outstanding job, but some of us are just cheap people. It's the same way in the grocery store, we'll argue over shelf prices that are only a few pennies or a dollar off than what was advertised. A lot of us don't have money to burn so we hold onto it tightly. You might look at it like, we don't need to bring our broke azz out to eat if we can't tip well, but I think improper tipping comes from people of all backgrounds. I watched one NFL player dine in Hooter's and he left $5 on the table. So he was Black, but he lives in a Yacht and Country Club here in Jacksonville, drives nothing but Mercedes vehicles and was wearing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry that evening. He had the money and just didn't wanna let it go. If you're so fed up, maybe find another occupation, I definitely would never be a server, I'll be broke before I work in a restaurant.

Answer 3

I used to Hostess in the late 80's at an average priced restaurant, and our whole wait staff (blacks and whites of various ages) ALL said the same thing. They also said that a black family is more likely to make you run more, for water, refills, condiments, napkins, etc. They learned to be more proactive with such families, stocking them up ahead of time on everything that they could.
That's only my experience, in one restaurant, so I am not stereotyping, just reporting our experiences.
The biggest cultural changes so far towards racial equality occurred in the 60's and 70's, but think about it, that really was not a long time ago. For example, did you know that inter-racial marriages weren't legal until 1974? We need to give it more time before we can expect more open mindedness, acceptance and trust from the blacks in America.
Does that make the low tipping OK? No. But let's face it, how many non-blacks out there would prefer to be black in the same economic standing (meaning you can't choose to be Oprah) ? At least in this generation? Not me...
I suggest you be happy you aren't stuck in their mentality (the low tipping ones--and by the way, old white men came in 2nd on our low tipper scale) and keep giving that great service with a smile! The positive attitude will go a long way for you, I promise. And for them too I bet, whether you can see it or not.

Answer 4

As an African American I'm sorry that you feel this way. Usually we tip as good as the service we receive. Maybe there is something we feel when you serve us. Maybe you don't want to serve us because you feel that we won't tip you. However, when I go out with my friends we tip first the standard then depending on how we were treated we may increase the tip at least 10 - 15 dollars more. We are critical of how we are treated. We also know when someone is being phoney. I'm not saying its you but not all African Americans give bad tips.

Answer 5

I am a White man and my wife is African American. Every Friday night is 'Date Night". We go to a different Restaurant and she usually handles the tip because she can do math in her head quicker than I can. We discuss how much to tip and if the service is really good we leave the standard 15%. I think we only left less than this once and that was at a Denny's where the service was horrible.However, I think it is wrong for you to pin this solely on African Americans.

Answer 6

This is such an incorrect stereotype. The majority of Black people over tip just to avoid this stereotype. In addition have you ever heard that you get tipped based on your service maybe you suck as a waiter. Black people generally pay for what they get...I don't know, just marinate on that for a minute and see if you need to adjust something about you.

Answer 7

I was a waitress for 8 years, and I've noticed this, too. At least you're getting 3 or 4 dollars. That's a heck of a lot more than the average I got out of certain tables. I don't think it's a racial thing, I think it has something to do with tipping and severs overall. Good luck on finding out.

Answer 8

Since you're being racist, I don't have to spare your feelings.

African Americans are very decent tippers. What you all need to do is keep an eye on those Mexican busboys. THEY ARE STEALING THE TIPS and I have seen this happen!!!

They tend to steal from the tables that hosted African Americans, because they know that everyone will think the black folks were too ignorant to leave a tip.

Answer 9

That was so racist...maybe you give them bad service because you don't expect a tip...so you don't get any tips from them.
I'm sick of people expecting a tip when they don't give good service, that is what a tip is for. Not for doing your job, for doing a GOOD job.

Answer 10

probably because your restaurant doesn't serve malt liquor. ZING! Come on! Even African Americans think that's funny!