Have you ever been a server/waitperson at a restaurant?

Question

And if yes, does this effect the way you tip and the way you critique the service your receive from wait staff?

I used to be a hostess, then a waitress, then a dining room mgr., so I always tip well...but I am especially irked if I get substandard service, b/c I remember what good service is supposed to look like. :)

Answer 1

Yep, been there done that!

I don't find myself to be as critical as most all the other answerers here, but I do notice. It also depends on the situation. If the restaurant is slammed, I'm more understanding because I know the stress involved. However, if the restaurant is slow and only a few people in the restaurant, I will expect great service. I'm not high maintenance or anything like that, but it's not that difficult to keep an eye on your guests when it's slow.

I always tip well, at least 16%, usually more. If I feel the need to leave a quarter for very bad service (which is rare), I will leave a note explaining why he/she got such a tip. Just so they don't think I'm just another cheap ******.

Answer 2

Yes, I was a waitress, and I do tip well, because I know what it feels like to get a crappy tip from someone. Even if the service was not as good as it should have been I tip at least 10%. If the service was good, I tip more. I hated when people didn't leave me a tip because of reasons out of my control, like the food took forever. People need to realize that the servers do not cook the food, and have no control of how fast it comes out, unless it's sitting in the window forever.

Answer 3

I've never been a server or hostess or anything. However 2 of my sisters pretty much always have been. I always tip at least 20% if not 30%. Except on rare occasions when the service is bad. Then I tip 10% (because they still have to clean up after me....)

Answer 4

Yes I am. And I work in a fairly upscale rest. I am a waitress, bartender & hostess. I've been there since the opening of the rest. I've had people do all kinds of things, yet, I learn. And, in a certain way, I let the customer know that I am in control, not them.

I tip, & I tip accordingly. If I didn't like the food, not their fault, I ordered it. Not their fault I didn't like it. I still have to pay for it. If it was rotten, then they pay.

You also have to remember the general public does not know what waitresses, bartenders, hostesses, and managers go thru..there's probably a 5% chance of someone that you talk to, outside of your "realm", knows what you're talking about.

Answer 5

I used to be a waitress when I was a senior in high school. It always used to irritate me when I would bust my a** to give people the best service and then find that they didn't tip me before they left. So now I always make sure that I tip VERY well. That being said...I also expect to receive the best service. It really ticks me off if I receive lousy service. My tips aren't so good when that happens.

Answer 6

Yes i use to be in food service and i am more than generous with my tips when I recieve excellent service. I feel that the great servers are not recognized at work (I know I wasn't) so I feel that recognizing them as a customer is helpful to them. However if the service is bad nad I mean BAD I do not feel sorry for paying my tab and leaving NO tip.

Answer 7

Yes, I used to be in the industry and find myself extra critical. It bothers me that the customer service is just not there anymore. I agree with the previous responses that servers these days expect their tip, they don't realize it needs to be earned. I have no problem leaving a 10% tip but I always let them know it was reflected due to their service.

Answer 8

I used to be a waitress, and I do judge the service. It irritates my fiance when I speak up and say something, but having been there, I cannot stand bad service. I want to be treated the way that I treated my customers, which is well. I tip according to the service. If you give me bad service, you'll be lucky to get $1. If you give me great service, you'll get over the normal 15%.

Answer 9

I use to be a bar tender- did it for almost 4 years and YES it totally affects the way i tip! Bartending may look fun and exciting and it is BUT its also ALOT of hard work! So yes- if the service is good I will definetely tip very very high!

Answer 10

Yes, I used to work in a my parents diner. The only pay I got were tips. And yes, I try to tip %20, but I refuse to tip for bad service. And if an establishment tries to figure in the tip with the meal, I refuse to eat there.