Tipping is not mandatory but a gesture of good will commensurate for a job well done. How do you see tipping?

Question

It amazes me how many people think that everyone must tip 15% no matter how poor the service. This only promotes poor service and rude manners for the next customer to suffer through.
I say good tips are for good servers, and let the lazy or bad servers suffer the consequences.
Example; how do you tip a waitress who serves the wrong plate, does not bring your drink and then charges you for you it after you mention the errors, all the while she does not stop by often to politely ask how she may better serve your guests, and gives attitude when you ask for assistance?

Answer 1

Omigod, I can't agree with you more!!! Seems like there are more and more of those servers that have an attitude and its frustrating!!! But what about those restaurants who already add in the 15% gratuity or on the bill it asks you to give at least 15%. I swear the nerve!!!! I definitely believe that tips should be earned they don't deserve it it they didn't work for it. Happy dining sir!

Answer 2

You have a right to choose what to tip - and if the service is poor, a better thing to do is to speak to a manager about the issues. Be aware of all that is happening in the restaurant -- if the server is doing his/her best to get your food/drink/etc. and the kitchen is overrun, the bar tender forgot to make the drinks on the second line, then he/she is being punished for things out of his/her control.

If the server is not any good --there are no reasons for the delays, he/she is rude, he/she seems uncaring -- it may be because of a couple of things -- 1. it's a crappy night, and there is nothing they can do to make things better, so they are just trying to get through. 2. the customer has been demanding or rude, and perhaps the server can see that no matter what he/she does it won't matter. 3. they shouldn't be waiting tables in the first place

Servers make about $2.13-$2.30 an hour on the clock from the restaurant itself. ALL of their money comes from tips -- I was a server for over 10 years in 3 different restaurants. I carried non-negotiable $0.00 checks in my book to show people (when they asked) what a server could sometimes get from the company. After taxes, lousy benefits, etc. nothing or not much was usually left. Servers pay taxes on their sales -- their sales are tracked very carefully -- but even if their whole night they got 5% tips -- they still have to claim 8%, and of course if they make more than 8%, they are to claim what they made.

Most upper restaurants make servers give bus boys a percentage 1%-2% of sales -- bartenders 2%-3% of bar sales so even on a straight 15% night, they are still under -- and since many people don't believe in tipping, no matter how wonderful the service (I can't tell you how many "I don't believe in tipping" business cards I received) that affects their livelihood.

If a server has an attitude or is not giving you the attention you need, you have a right to speak to management -- to be assigned another server --to let management know that you are dissatifiied. It's your choice whether or not to tip, but the management should be told if the personnel that they have are not representing their establishment in a positive manner.

Answer 3

In many places waiter and waitresses are not served full pay- in other words they don't even get minimum wage. For example when I worked at Pizza Hut as a server, I was paid $2.35 an hour. During my time as a server I had to deal with rushes, people changing their orders, and as many as 30 tables at a time. While not everyone tips, I did feel extremely grateful to those who did. Not only did I have to take orders, remember who ordered what, get it to the computer to enter it, get drinks, bus tables, wash glasses and sometimes plates and silverware (no automatic dishwasher for our Pizza Hut) but I also had to get checks to the correct table, run cashier, wash my hands after touching money, seat customers, and maintain the salad bar. Through all this I had to have a sunny and cheerful disposition. To say the least it was hard work.

One tip that a recent employer and all around good person gave me was: Always try to think that the other person is doing their best. Even if their performance is lacking, think that they are doing their best and treat them that way. In other words think the best of people and be nice to them too maybe their best really sucks but perhaps it is all they can give.

Answer 4

Considering that servers make a crap wage of like $2 a hour and depend on tips, I do a minimum of 15% and if the server, bellhop, etc go above and beyond, I do as well. Having said that, the individual who makes the crap wage should remember they are paid based upon services rendered and always provide the service they want to get paid on.

If I get the kind of service you mention above, I speak to a manager. When you don't tip the waiter/waitress, you also hold funds from a host, hostess, etc.

Answer 5

If you are a regular then I would suggest at least 20% for good service, maybe more for Excellent service, this generosity will get you better seating next time and specials form time to time. obviously this isn't for your local Cheddars, or TGI Friday, though.

IN cases like that 15% for good and 20% for Amazing. Anything sub-par and the etiquette says to leave 10% and a note explaining why, I recommend some spare change or a buck and a sentence on why, otherwise you are leaving the server with nothing to go off of other than you are a crappy customer. Make sure they understand where the fault lies so they can improve.

Answer 6

I always tip 20% - I don't mind if an order gets messed up - that stuff happens! and it's not the waiters fault if the kitchen messes up the order, either.. so I don't care about that stuff.

but when I'm ignored or rude to - forget that tip buddy.

I've actually been to a restaurant - with 8 people - and our server never brought us drinks, didn't put our order into the kitchen, never stopped to check on us - and we sat there for 2 hours until we got up and left. we never did eat that night.
and he certainly didnt get tipped!

my friends mom will leave a 2 cent tip for bad service. it gets the point across, I suppose.

Answer 7

I never tip based on % or on anything else other than service.

Tips should only be for good service...and as a 10+ vet of restarants & waiting, tipping rewards the service given.

I might tip for bad service if the server makes up for it..but it depends on whats done.

I have ended up with free meals with the tip being the only expense.

Answer 8

always 15% if you served me well and was very good mannered. 10% for decent service and probably poor service. i just have a nature to tip whatever the service is, same with most people.

Answer 9

15% if they suck. I will call the Manager later and complain.

20 - 25% for great service.

I overtip, I know. Jerk waiter at Dead Presidents in Delaware was horrendous. I tipped him 15% and when he looked at the bill as he walked away, he literally tripped over his feet.

Answer 10

I completely agree with you! Actually, in high school, I was taught that TIPS actually stands for the phrase "to insure prompt service." I base my tip on how good the server is, because it reinforces their good behavoir.