Why do african americans tip so poorly?

Question

I am not trying to be rude. I truely would like someone to answer me honestly. Is it a cultural thing. I am white. Do they tip everyone poorly or just me. I am a very experienced server and do my best to give everyone the same service. I have actually made it my goal to go above and beyond for African Americans just to see if I can get a good tip.
Sorry if this offends anyone.

Everyone can say that it is true in all races and that is true. 99% of the time african americans do not tip. It has gotten to the point that it is comical. My co-workers and I bet on how poorly they are going to tip. It is usually the left over coins from the bill.
Like $39.46 they leave $40

That is an awesome answer Nora. You really gave me an explanation that makes sense. I understand struggling. I am a single mother that is just trying to keep my head above water.

I hope that someday people will realize how important it is to tip your server.

Answer 1

They are not targeting you. Many are new to having a little money and eating out, and they probably assume that you are better off than they are, based on their previous financial level. It's a self-perpetuating problem, though, as the children of those people will follow their parents' lead in most cases.

I'm African American, and female to boot. I've always eaten out, sometimes in some pretty nice places, and as a bank officer or consultant, often I was the person paying while entertaining a party of four or more men (usually white, at that). I can't tell you how many times I've been given dismal service, only to have the server do a double take when they saw me claim the bill!

Not to worry, though. I always tip 15% to 25%, based on how hard the person has to work and their general attitude instead of looking at how they treat me specifically.

All I can say to you is keep up the good work, and we'll both try to enlighten and train this generation of restaurant-goers to be more generous with their tips.

Now, if you can help me let them know to tip hotel maids too . . .

Answer 2

I worked as a server too. A lot more white people happen to come into the restaurant that I worked at so we would always notice when black people came in. So when a black person tipped us poorly or complain too much we definately noticed and remembered. At the restaurant I worked at a lot of servers didn't want to wait on black people for the same reasons you mentioned.
However, when I actually looked back and thought about it I got good tips with no complaints from black customers.

Just like white people or any other race there are different classes of black people. Some are ignorant, trashy, and have no respect for others and neither do they try to better themselves.
I currently work with a black woman who ordered a pizza the other day and wouldn't tip the driver because the last time she ordered from the place they messed up her order so she was punishing the current driver. She is a nice woman, but you can tell by looking at her she is not very classy.

I think you and the people you work with notice that black people don't tip for the same reasons I mentioned. You probably don't get a lot of blacks in your restaurant and the few you see you remember. You probably don't work at a upscale restaurant either or you would have only classy black people that come in and wouldn't do things like that. You probably also live in an area where there is not a lot of very rich very well educated people because you wouldn't see that type of thing as often.

I would advise you to treat everyone the same and to not go above and beyond for anyone because most people can sense when you are trying too hard and a lot of people don't like that. That could be why your are not getting good tips from black people because they think you are fake and too nice which turns me off too. I also noticed when I was a server that people I waited on who were too nice and friendly were the ones that screwed me.
Give everyone the service you want to receive when you go to a restaurant. If they don't tip you good then they have no class and should stay home and eat until they learn to have some.

Answer 3

I have no idea. I only worked in the service industry for a short time and experienced that, but I have friends who have been in the industry for a very long time and they say that blacks are more likely to complain about everything from the food to the service, send food back, have them running around and leave a meager tip if any at all.

Answer 4

You have made a valid observation and the only plausible reason for this trend is mainly economical. Not many African American are in the "well paid" jobs bracket. Many would rather prefer to eat at home than eat out and the few that do go out are always on a budget.

Answer 5

because they are cheap and they possible think that the world owes them? I am sorry you have had that experience... we eat out alot and good servers are very hard to find. But lemme let you in on a bog secret ok?? I am white and I don't often tip. Why? because the service was crappy. We eat out at a certain buffet style restarunt and they know us there,as we have been going there alot. i have no idea why african americans dont tip well. The ones I have seen, in our certain restaraunt, tip well, and are well-behaved,and are very polite. But then,i live in the South,and ppl are expected to behave, no matter what gender/race/color/creed/ or nationality.ps, if i knew you and you brought my drink when I was dry,replaced plates,and didn't hover over me while I ate, you would get a tip!

Answer 6

Um...Im not Sure About this one Because Maby They Dont Believe in Tiping People Because they Might Believe Its a Waste Of Money Or They Might Just Be Selfish or Sumthing I hope this dosent Offend anybodi im Juss Trying To Help....

Answer 7

I wasn't even going to answer this one until I saw Arthur F's comments. His view is so typical of what I call the welfare mentality. He is blaming his situation on a race of people, not taking a bit of responsibility for his own failures and actions. I think it's time to stop holding on to things that happened in Lincoln's lifetime. The white race owes the minorities nothing. We have enough problems in our own backyards to deal with without having to go out of our way to make sure immigrants and free-loaders have a fair shake.
I'm sorry this has happened to you but you're not going to fix it. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way for these people when they don't tip you, but don't do anything to piss them off because they will be the ones that get you fired for being a "racist". It's so sad that blacks perpetuate their own stereotype. By the way, I'm not Irish American, so why do we have to recognize blacks as African American? Are they from Africa? No, they're from the land of the Free.

Answer 8

i think its true in all races cause i know some white people who are cheap as hell and dont tip well.i think its more wealthy people that dont tip ,thats why they have the money,lol. i feel if you can afford it and the service is good whether you are black or white you should tip well,but also some people cant afford to tip so dont take it personally. to answer your question though i think race is not an issue it depends on the persons own morals and values.

Answer 9

Maybe you are not working at the right place. Poor redneck families are the same way. I worked at Golden Corral the best money i ever made...the black people tipped but the redneck trailer trash wouldn't eat and their little badass kids would leave a huge mess on top of it all. It's not just black people...they are all like that!!

Answer 10

Maybe your tip is going to the collection plate at the church they go to, if they happen to go to church. Somebody told me that african americans tend to give a higher percentage of their income to the church's they attend then those of european decent. Of course how many of them were fornicating with the pastor was not enclosed lol. But you can never pick out a race or group of people & say african americans, do this hispanics do this, homosexuals do this... So my answer would be depends on the individual & the only conclusions you can come to is in my city or town in my zipcode at the place that i work most african americans... Of course if you only have a few african americans that come to the place you work at it's not even worth forming an opinion on.