Race vs. Tipping at Restuarants?

Question

There have been a couple of other questions about this...
What is your ethnicity? How much do you generally tip for top-notch service? (ie good food, service with a smile, timely manner, etc) How were you brought up to tip?

I ask this because, as a server for more than 3 years (a very good one at that!) I always ALWAYS treat every table the same. But then there's the issue of tables with blacks. Our black servers hate waiting on tables with blacks (harsh generalization, I know, but in my industry it happens... FYI I'm biracial). For the most part, blacks come into our restuarant later in the evening (9-close) for dinner, get served, rack up a $60 bill and tip $4-5 (if you're lucky). I know people from Asia and Europe simply don't have tipping where they come from... but what is the cause of this phenomenon?

((Note: common tipping practices include 15-18% of the bill, BEFORE discounts. Anything below 15% is insulting.))

Answer 1

Hi,

http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/wml3/pdf/blk_wht_tipping.pdf#search='cornell%20black%20tipping'

This link is the complete study & results of Cornell University's study on the topic of race & tipping. It's very interesting. I actually read every page of that study before responding here.

As a former server & bartender, I can speak from personal experience & say that yes, there is some truth to that study & that it is common knowledge, something that anyone who has worked in the tipping industry can attest to. I can also tell you that the best tippers tend to be other people in the restaurant service industry or former servers, regardless of their race. They know that the standard proper tip is 15-20% of the check. Most leave more for superior service. None would ever leave less than that.

I would guess that almost every server at one time or another was left scratching their head wondering how the customer could have forgotten their tip when they tried their hardest to provide the best service possible. It's frustrating when you KNOW you did nothing wrong. After that consistently happens with the same group of people, it is hard not to observe that race is a factor.

I would challenge all of the people who claim there is no difference between the tips of white & black patrons to get a job as a server and THEN tell us! Even the black servers will tell you the black diners on the AVERAGE do not leave as much, if anything for a tip!

As to the question of "Why" this could be, think about how most people learned tipping behavior in the first place, through years of eating out with their families. Historically, black people were prohibited from dining in nicer establishments by segregation laws. Therefore, they did not have the benefit of years of proper tip observation & teachings from their families. After the laws changed, they could eat at those nicer places, but they still did not have the benefit of learning the social rules on tipping that go with it. Furthermore, many of the people who claim they leave "good" tips, might actually be sadly uninformed of what a "good" tip really is. They might THINK $5 is good, but that depends on what the total bill was.

That is not to say that every white person is a good tipper & every black person is not, there are cheap people and there are uninformed people of every race, but statistically there is a basis for the conclusion that overall, black customers do not tip as well on the average. Some tip very well, and some white customers don't. The study is only stating the averages & it takes income, age, geographical location & other factors into consideration.

The study also concluded the reason for the undertipping was because they did not know what the expected societal norms were. Some people believe 10% or less is an acceptable amount. Others believe the same dollar amount should be left regardless of the total bill. Still others believe that tipping anything to the server is optional. That is the case among both groups of races who were interviewed for this study, whose random participants, by the way, numbered in the thousands.

(A side note: Tipping may be optional in some other business settings, but not in having a server waiting on you & doing everything for you. Tipping the server is part of the cost of going out to eat and should be budgeted as such. It is NOT extra "if you have any money left over at the end." If you cannot afford to add a tip to your bill, you really should not be dining out in the first place! Stay home and eat, or stick to carry out food until you can save up enough for the dining out experience, regardless of your race.)

As for the the diners who are claiming they are not tipping because they are receiving poor service, then that should be addressed with the management. I'm certain the establishment would like a chance to make things right so you can enjoy your meal instead of resorting to stiffing your server.

Aside from claiming lack of funds or dissatisfaction with service, the other reason for inadequate tipping seems to be ignorance. That can be fixed. (Oprah quote: "When people know better, they do better.")

That study also included suggestions for getting the word out there to ALL uninformed diners, not just black ones, what the expected and customary normal tip is. The results so far indicate that when ALL diners are educated on what the norm is, that tip averages do appear to increase.

As far as Europeans being notorious for not tipping, that is also due to being uninformed of the cultural norms here. You see, over in Europe, gratuities are already included in every bill so they assume it is the same here. They are not familiar with the concept of leaving separate money for the server. If they knew, they would probably do it. (By the way, it might not be a bad idea to educate the travellers coming here as well.)

Some people have suggested America should eliminate the tipping system here & adopt the European system to eliminate confusion with diners having to compute percentages. However, you would see service decline because that would also eliminate the incentives for the server to do a really good job because he/she would know they would be getting the same amount regardless. I think a better solution would be to publicize what customary expectations are for good service and leave it to the diners to do the right thing with regard to gratuity for the server. That way, the very best servers can still make more tips than the mediocre servers, thus retaining good servers.

The risk with asking a question like this is that automatically everyone is going to jump to conclusions and assume you are a racist and that you are accusing THEM of not tipping, when in fact you are stating STATISTICAL averages, which is different. By bringing the issue into the spotlight, it is possible to increase awareness, to allow for changes to evolve, and to eliminate the problem in the future instead of allowing it to continue.

Answer 2

I am white. Race does not influence me when I decide to tip. I made my own rule of tipping 25% of the total bill. For example, on a $12 bill I would tip $3. I used to work in the restaurant industry and I know waiters and waitresses earn a meager hourly rate -- with the rest of their income derived from tips. I understand the job isn't easy. I know a tip is not required. But the reasoning why I tip is twofold. First, it's a good way to say thanks for good service. Secondly, if you're remembered as a good tipper and you dine at the same restaurant regularly, the staff will be more likely to give you above average service upon your return. I'm unsure why most people don't tip. In some restaurants it's added into the bill before you pay for large parties.

Answer 3

I'm a white male. And I'm 24, if age has anything to do with it. I usually tip about 30%. If the bill is over a hundred dollars I'll go for about 25%.

But my tip really doesn't have anything to do with service. If I'm grading the server I'm not enjoying my meal. So when I go to a restaurant I have the mindset of wanting to enjoy myself and have a good experience, so that's pretty much what happens. I don't want my tip to be a compliment or an insult, just part of the server's salary.

I also recognize that "poor service" isn't always the part of the server. I don't want to penalize them for something going wrong with my meal just because they're the only person I directly talk to in the restaurant.

Answer 4

Come to Tennessee and the small town settings. If you get a dollar tip from anyone local, consider yourself lucky. Most restaurants pay a pleasant wage just because ignorant red necks choose not to tip accordingly. Generally the educated, implanted people do quite well at the tipping scene. Myself, I tip for the quality of service. Generally I go for 15-20%, but I have left a note saying if your looking for your tip, leave your attitude at home, or for great service 50% or more.

Answer 5

I was in the business for 23 years. There is truth to what you say. There are exceptions, but not alot. Alot of people answering are saying "if the service was terrible, I won't tip well" Does that mean your server was bad or the kitchen is to blame? Why should the server be penalized if it's not her fault. The general public has no concept whatsoever about what is going on around them in a restaurant. Unless a server is rude to me or acts like they could care less that I'm there, I generally start at 25%. If my server is busy, I don't get bitchy. But if she is standing around twirling her hair, chatting up her coworkers, the tip starts at15% and can go either way.
Across the board, 15-20% is the tip rate.

Answer 6

I am white and I generally tip 15% rounded up to nearest $1 or $5 depending on the size of the bill. Occasionally, I'll tip a little more if the service was truly exceptional. If the service is truly bad, I tip just UNDER 10%. I don't stiff the server because for one thing she probably really needs the money but for another, if I leave no tip, she might be able to convince herself that I just forgot.

Not to be racist, but maybe some of the black customers just aren't very good at math. I've seen a few people who just leave the same amount for every meal, regardless of how much was spent or the service received. I'm sure there are a few who leave the same amount they did when they first started treating for dinner or what their dad always left. I really don't mean it to be racist; I just know the state of city schools, having attended in the city myself, and I know that many kids graduate with the barest grasp of percentages and tipping is never used in word problems.

Answer 7

As a food server, I've learned to roll with the punches. Never noticed a difference in tips based on race, but rather on 1) age, (the elderly do not tip well at all, I assume because they can't or lived through The Great Depression), or 2) social standing (white trash the worst). I just try to always have a smile on my face and give the best service possible regardless of who I am waiting on. Makes a very hard job much easier. :)

Answer 8

I'm caucasian, and I notice the same thing when I'm out with my friends, most of whom are black. I generally will tip 20-25% for top notch service. My friends, however, kick in $1 or $2 for a tip and they think that's fair! I end up excusing myself and secretly giving the server a more deserving tip. Does it piss me off???? You bet! Young white women are even worse!! Chances are that you won't even get a tip from them!

Answer 9

I am native canadian/caucasian.....and I tip based on service. Nobody gets an automatic tip because they are in the service industry (not from me anyway....), that's why it is a tip rather than a raise in your wage.
I'm not one to blame the server for cold food, hair on plate, or other kitchen issues either. I've worked in the industry...and I know if it is bad service, or the server is trying her best but the rest of the crew is screwing up.
Before you get into the whole tipping out the bar and kitchen deal - so a tip should be given regardless....I feel that if the server knows he/she has to tip out to the BOH or others, it should be all the more reason to earn the tip.
Generally....I'm a 25-30% guy though....example - bill Friday night was 97 and change, I left 130. Bill a week ago was 84 and change, i left 110.
Hope that helps.

Answer 10

I can't believe how stupid people like Topez and Pobet are. If you choose to use the restaurant system, then you need to abide by the rules. Yes, tipping is optional, but it's also 'tradition' to leave 15%+ for good service. If you can't afford to tip, or the thought of tipping pi$%es you off, then don't go out. Get take-out (don't order in or you'll probably stiff the driver) and sit at home. You are cheap idiots who keep servers from making rent.

You aren't rebelling against the system, you are keeping a server from paying their college bills, feeding their children, and paying auto insurance. If you don't like how the system works, don't use it. If you don't like tipping, go somewhere else. If you were a bad tipper and came into a restaurant frequently, I'd ensure that you got poor service and I'd spit in your food. People like you make me sick. It's a terrible feeling to have been on your feet for 8 hours straight being insulted, being bossed around, and being treated like crap and to then be as nice as possible and make $5 on a $50 check. It's personally insulting and actually is depressing to a server.

As a former server, yes, I noticed a difference frequently in tipping amounts with the race of the customer. Not always, but often, and especially if you work in a lower mid-priced restaurant (Think Fridays, Applebee's, Olive Garden). But, it's not just race - Europeans who are on holiday, families who think they are superior to you, and seniors were also frequently bad tippers. It had nothing to do with service level. Service could be perfect and speedy and friendly, and you'd still get 10% or less. The best tippers were usually college students who had worked in retail or the industry, business people who are traveling on their company credit card, and regulars.