People think that I am rude for this...?

Question

but I generally don't leave large tips. Why is this rude?? If I ordered an inexpensive meal should I still tip gratuitiously?? Why is it that waiters look at me strange when I don' tip big...am I to blame for their lowly 2.13 an hour wages???

Answer 1

No, you shouldn't feel that way. You give what you can give.

Answer 2

I think the bigger issue here is not how much we should be tipping, but why are we letting people get away with paying such measly wages?!

Here in Australia tipping is not common practice. At coffee shops (etc.) there is often a 'tip bowl' at the counter where you can drop a little change in if you so desire (to show appreciation for good service etc). This is about as far as it goes. A tip is not required nor expected, and the waitstaff certainly don't sneer at you if you (rightly) choose not to! The reason why tipping is not vital, or even really technically appropriate, is because we make a bloody decent wage for what we do! Would you tip the receptionist at the local doctor's office for being nice and doing a good job? No.

Okay, so a waitstaff's wage will never be equivalent to a lawyers wage... but a 16 yold waitstaff's wage will be the same as a 16 yold carwashers wage, 16 yold 'checkout-chicks' wage, 16 yold receptionist's wage etc. etc. The wages (Award Wages, as we call them) are based on the age, not the type of employment (within reason). So when you turn 17, your wages will go up no matter what type of employment you are in (etc. etc. until you turn (I think) 21... then it transfers to a 'senior rate of pay', and is a little more negotiable between the boss and employee).

So I understand the necessity of tipping in these extreme situations where tips are considered part of a person's wage. I just feel that instead of arguing as to what the 'correct' amount is, and what the benefits/disadvantages of it are, why not band together and fight for better working conditions and fair rates of pay?

If people were able to make a decent, honest living from decent, honest work, this would not even be an issue.

But what do I know? I'm only an Aussie! lol...

Answer 3

What do you consider a large tip? I never tip less than 15 percent, and generally try to leave 20-25%. I would rather eat at a less expensive restaurant and leave a big tip than go somewhere where I can't be as generous. You have NO IDEA how hard waiters and waitresses work. They depend on tips to survive, especially in ratbag states where the minimum wage is $2.13 (if there are any that low).

Answer 4

No, you're not to blame for the Server's$2.13 an hour wage....But you have to think that server is there to bring you whatever you want...kinda like a slave...The motivation behind the Server working for $2.20 is "THE TIP" not because it 's their job. Not to mention the Tip is put in place to make up for their lowly wages. just think if it were you and some guy is at your table barking because the Chef made the wrong order....The Server isn't responsible for that mistake...the Chef is...but when the Server explains to you it's not his fought The TIP is always taken away from the Server.Who still continues to provide service to the party @ the table for no TIP and a lousy wage. If this happens on the Servers shift all nite long..then that shift was a total loss to the Server and a loss to the restaurant as well..because now it has gained a reputation for bad service...due to the lack of Tipping from the customer.In the end if you don't know what to tip...then by all means tip by the rate of service you recieved....or as a rule 15% of the check....My rule for me is always be a good TIPPER....since one day you may have to return to that same place again for service....and you might get the same Server....who may remember that you are a bad TIPPER..Hence anthother bad dinning experience.....Think about it especially if it's a favorite spot of yours and you go on a date there....i dont think you would want to be embarassed by all the things that could go wrong due to you previous BAD TIPPING! Moral of the story is this the customr may be KING but the SERVER has the power over your Food and Your Dinning experience! I dare Not Say More on the power over your food part...Happy Dinning!

Answer 5

Most people over tip anyway. I generally try to tip at least 15% for okay service. If the service AND the food were really good I will tip around 20%. I have been known to leave nothing if the service sucked. Tipping is NOT a requirement no matter what people say. It is a gratuity, a way to say thank you.

Answer 6

I think the "rule" for tipping is 10% of your check! If it is $20.00, then you tip $2.00. If it costs you $100.00, then you tip them $10.00. I don't always agree with this simply because you do not always get very good service. I will always tip the 10% if my waiter is courteous and checks on me frequently to see how I'm doing and to ask about my meal. If they do not seem to care, they get very little. Most of them do their jobs well just for the fact that they rely on their tips. Waiters and waitresses do work very hard and I think that working with the public is one of the most exhausting jobs that a person could have. I can sympathize with them. The public can be absolutely RUDE and impossible to make happy. So if they can serve you with a smile on their face and convince you that they really care about your experience at their place of work, then they deserve their percentage. Alot of times they even have to share their tips with the cooks and the dishwashers, so really they are not getting THAT much! And it's bull that they have to share considering the cooks and dishwashers are more than likely making more money than the one that has to put up with our crap!

Answer 7

it's not rude at all to give tips to the place you're eating at. if you like the place and you think the atmosphere, quality in the food, and the food is tasty then you can leave tips if you want.. and you don't have to tip really big.. just maybe about $10-$20 for a local or not as fancy restaurant. it's not your fault for tipping small.. i don't even think you should tip that big.. just depends on whether or not you want to tip or not. just because those lousy waiters are giving you looks because you're not giving any tips, doesn't mean you have to listen. it's your decision whether or not you want to tip or not. the waiters only work there. it's not like they're your boss or anything. you're the one deciding. not the workers/

Answer 8

well i was in the waiting business and really some of the wait staff do not do their job. it all comes down to the help thinking you owe them. some of the waiters and waitressess do not know that the title means to attend to the needs of the diner.really as a waiter you end up making more than the clerks. i know i have done both. i pulled in about 70.00 a day in tips. i always tip by what is done. some of the upscale places make huge amounts of money

Answer 9

if tipping were to go away you... the customer would be expected to make up the difference...look at it this way... that $6 burger is $6 because the restaurant does not have to pay the waitstaff over $2.13 per hour... now... look at it this way... pay the waitstaff $7 per hour and you get a snowball effect... that cheap burger just became a $12 burger...TIP ACCORDINGLY! 20% is norm...10% is what our grandparents tipped back in the day...when a dollar had much more value

Answer 10

It is rude to be a stingy tipper - you're tipping for the service, not the food. If the service was really good, the wait person deserves a tip reflecting that. Maybe if you tried walking a day in their shoes your attitude would change dramatically.

Answer 11

You ARE rude. Tip 15% unless the service is terrible. Tip more if the service is good. If you can't afford it, stay home. The low wage is set because tips are expected to make up the difference.