They only make $2.13/hr, so why don't people tip more?

Question

Are people aware that waiters/waitresses only make $2.13/hr? And if so, why don't they tip more? My gf works at Red Lobster, and you'd think that people would tip about 15%. Most tip less than 10%, and after working 6 hours, she doesn't make but an average of $6-$7/hour. The $2.13 only covers taxes, and she usually owes the company on payday for her medical insurance. Her largest paycheck for a week was $3.06. Do people not know that waitresses DEPEND on tips to make a living?

Answer 1

this is for the people who don't think they should tip. DON'T GO OUT TO EAT at a sit down restaurant. go to a fast food restaurant, because you obviously cannot afford to eat anywhere else. and just remember, we are the ones handling the food you eat, so I'd be very careful. ever seen waiting? hhahahahahha oh, and i never forget my good tippers, but i especially never forget my bad ones. and for those that say "go to college", how do you think most of us are paying for college, you idiots.

Answer 2

do you realize that most waitresses make MUCH more than what you are talking about? do you realize that almost all waitresses are feloniously evading income taxes? if your friend gets 10% average tips and makes 6-7 bucks an hour, she must be a REALLY bad waitress and should get a different job. i have never made less than 15% average in tips, and usually between 10-40 dollars an hour, probably 20 on average. every place i have been, EVERY single waiter is guilty of income tax evasion. do you realize these realities?

oh yes, and ask ANY waitress at red lobster if she would rather get a $10/hour salary to do that job and pay taxes like most other people, or keep the current 2.13 + tips and 99% will keep the 2.13 + tips. i guarantee it. if not, they would go get another job that pays $10 per hour, but they know that they would be taking home much less money if they just made $10/hour and had to pay taxes.

by the way, would you like to dine out?

Answer 3

Hi,
You are a very special boyfriend.I am sure that she realizes this.Everything that you said is "sadly" true. People should be embarrassed,when they do not tip 15%-30%. I do.Waiters/waitresses work hard for their tips.Their hourly
rate vary from state to state and it isn't over $2.80. Waiters/waitresses should get minimum wage and over.
Teenagers,when they go in a restuarant like Red Lobster should be told that
their expected to order their own food and drink(no plate sharing) and they should be expected too pay their waiter/waitress no less than 20% of their total check.Also,they can't pay with change...that is very annoying( I never did that when I was a teenager.)
Senior Citizens(a good percentage of them)tip as if they are back in the 20's 30's 40's etc...they leave .25 or a little bit more,but they think they are being fair.So...one cannot depend on them.
Other people ages 20-60 should pay a waiter/waitress 20% or more.it should be included on the tip.They work hard for their money: they take down your order,bring you your choice of beverage,clean up your dirty dishes,glasses,silverware,and paper waste. They keep your beverage filled up,bring you whatever you need,and make sure your food is cooked correctly,or that it is fixed when the cook screws-up(look at your waiters/waitresses as middlemen between the patron and the cook)Your
waiter/waitress is going to do everything to please you,so that they get a fair tip.
Being a waiter/waitress is a hard job,not everyone is able to do this occupation.They have too put up with all kinds of people,people that are extremely rude,men that can't keep their hands to themselves,people that have had a bad day and take it out on their server,parents with out of control children running around and in the way of: tripping servers and a large tray of hot food,or if their children are talking loud,crying and sceaming over all the other people in the eating establisment. You'll get the point.PLEASE DO NOT TAKE any of this out on your server by GIVING HIM /HER AN INSULTING TIP.
put yourself in their shoes,they are trying to make a living.
next time that you are in a restuarant,please tell your server that you appreciate what he/she does for you so that you are able to have a nice dinner
out.Tell him/her their strong serving point and where they could improve(please say it in a nice way). This way ,they are able to improve at ther jobs.
Please tip them fairly. I hope this helps your girlfriend and other struggling waters/waitresses out there. The more ppatrons of eating establishments
that know this problem,will hopefully start doing something about the problem of under paid,unappreciated servers. Good-Luck.

Answer 4

I can't answer for anyone else, but as a personal rule when I dine out if the service received is courteous the gratuity will reflect it. Poor service, likewise. I even take into account some waiters/waitresses could be having a bad day because of other patrons. That is the nature of the business though.

My advice to her is to keep striving and giving the best service possible and surely better gratuities will come her way.

Answer 5

Since tips are proportional to the service received, have you considered that she may not be a very good waitress?
How could a restaurant keep a wait staff if ALL the servers made $6. per hour and netted $3. for a week's work?

Answer 6

Unfortunately the government has made it so we as customers are required to leave a tip. However, as far as I am concerned a tip is a gratuity, a thank you for good service.
If the service is not good, believe me I won't leave a good tip. There have been occasions when I have not tipped at all.
Maybe that makes me cheap, but I feel it's not fair of someone to expect something from me when it hasn't been earned.
Now, on the other hand, it is also not fair that employers cut down the wage they are paying their employees just because they will be earning a tip.
In short I guess what I am trying to say is, a tip should be separate from whatever the wage of the employee is, it should not be counted on our income taxes. That way if we as a consumer don't feel obligated to leave a tip we don't have to and the poor employee who is just caught in the middle doesn't have to earn that tip just to make a living.

Answer 7

I've always tipped 25%. I've never waited tables, but I do understand that they are busting their backsides.

My problem with owners of eateries is this: Why do we, the public, have to make up for what a wait staff person should rightfully be paid? If restaurants did this, I think that it would be better all the way around. This way, regardless the size of the tip, at least the wait staff person would be making a decent, well-deserved salary.

Have a lovely rest of the day.

Answer 8

We always tip 20% regardless. Our favorite waiter/waitress at our regular restaurant actually get 50%. It really depends on service at most places. Our faves always seem to know what we want without having to ask. If there happens to be a wait for our table, They bring our drinks out to us while we wait. Our glasses are never empty once we are seated and that's very important. Also, having great suggestions for our meal. We depend on them for that. Bottom line is we do know what they make and compensate for their good service to make up for their lousy wage. Don't lump us all into the same category.

Answer 9

I used to be a waitress and it sucked, you have to run around like crazy for some a**hole to screw you on your tip. When I go out I always tip unless I get some completely rude waitress that screws up my order, people don't realize how hard it is to be a waitress it is exhausting and alot of work, and not only that but you have to be a slave to some rude customers and their messy *** bratty kids. So I agree w/you people need to stop being so damn cheap. And for you people up on top who are saying go to college or get another job well maybe she is in college and working her way through it, and if it wasn't for these waiters/waitress none of us could go to restaurants you would have to stay home and cook for yourselves.

Answer 10

I agree I am a server but I make $6.75/hr. I know some states only pay $2.13/hr. I deal with cheap people too. I think that some people just dont know how to tip. Why go out to eat if you dont have the money??!!

Answer 11

Most people do tip. And the people who dont are rude and ignorant. The waitress, cab driver or pizza delivery man all deserve to be rewarded for there hard work. A tip is a small way of showing it.