Why do people in some professions feel they are "owed" a tip?

Question

Waiters/waitresses, for example.
They are simply doing a job, like the rest of us, which they are receiving a paycheck for, like the rest of us, yet they seem to think we should pay them something extra out of our own pocket, in addition to the over priced food and drinks we are already paying for.
What do they think makes them so deserving?
Do teachers get tips?
Stock clerks?
Cashiers at Wal-Mart?
Go ahead, slam me if you want, I can take it.

To all the people that claim waiters only make $2 an hour, then someone has been lying to you, are you are believeing the lie.
I don't know what country you live in, but that is certainly not the case in America, and has'nt been for at least 20 years.

F.Y.I. For all the people thinking I don't tip and calling me m.f. and such, if only you knew!!!
I am, in fact, an above average tipper, must to the chagrin of my wife, who thinks I WAY over tip.
I simply posed this question out of curiosity.
Also, why would ANYONE accept a job making $2 an hour?
They could probably make more on welfare, while they look for a decent job.

Answer 1

Ok, I want to know what state you people live in. I live in California and EVERYONE gets at least the minimum wage of $6.75 an hour (even waitresses) and then they get tips on top of that. I know because I used to be a waitress in an Italian restraunt. And in January, minimum wage is going up to $7 something an hr. So dude, I have to agree with you. Tips were just an extra bonus for me. I don't see why we need to tip here in Cali. Service sucks, it is expensive AND the waitresses get paid better than anywhere already. So if there are any waitresses complaining about their $2 an hour, move to Cali and get treated with better pay. No one gets a measly $2 an hour here. Is that even legal? Sad.

Answer 2

Not sure where you get your information, but there are states that require tipped employees to claim a certain dollar amount in tips per hour no matter what they actually get in tips. THIS MEANS THAT SERVER IS ONLY MAKING $2-3 PER HOUR ON THEIR PAYCHECK. No matter how many people like you they serve, they still must claim that they were tipped.

And if you really think about it, the workers you listed might get beter benefits rather than tips.
Teachers get short work-weeks & summers off (plus they work for more than minimum wage). Not to mention all those kids who might just bring them a gift for Christmas or at the end of the year (ever bring your server a gift even once??)
Stock clerks & "cashiers at Wal-Mart"usually work for more than minimum wage & have vacation pay, health benefits, among other things.

As a rule (but not always) tipped employees are only making minimum wage on their paychecks. Many of them do not have the simple benefits that the workers you listed have.

You are right about one thing though... tipping your server, no matter the locale, is your option. As a former waitress, I'm happy to say you are in the minority.

Answer 3

I don't know where tipping came from. But It must be this; Someone is performing a service to you. Do you want good service? If you don't get good service you don't leave a tip.
Yes servers get hrly wages. But sometime in point it came to be that you tip.
You list different job titles: Teachers are professionals not customer service providers. Stock clerks are laborers. Cashiers are customer service and I agree with you that they shuldn't be tipped. LIke at coffee shops or take out places that have a tip jar. I don't tip for take out orders. I tip the pizza person that delivers my pizza to my door.
Yes food and drinks are overpriced. But if you are there already then leave a tip if you get great service, especailly if you are going to be returning to that place.
I'm picky when tipping.
But have you ever been a server? People in general can be jerks and rude and expect a lot and servers put up with a lot crap!

Answer 4

No slam. I feel the same way. I think it's historical. It started many years ago and it's a habit that people feel "intimidated" not to stop. They feel "guilty" if they don't tip these people like it's not socially acceptable. The truth is that they typically don't "deserve" it. They feel they are "owed" it because they are working in job that makes only minimum wage (although in the State of Washington where I live, it's close to $8.00, pretty good in my opinion). I sometimes tip people that don't feel it's owed to them and they are the most grateful. Waiters and waitresses seem to "demand" it or feel it is "owed" to them as you put it. Hope you don't get slammed too badly. Have a great day.

Answer 5

Waiters/Waitresses do not simply do a job like the rest of us. The job you do guarantees a minimum wage. Waitstaff earn far less than minimum wage and rely on tips to earn at least the bare minimum.

Walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you criticize.

Answer 6

because waiters and waitresses only get paid around $2.00 per hour. Their tips are their pay. Did you not know this? teachers, stock clerks cashiers at Wal-Mart get paid at least mimimum wage and usually more, especially teachers.

Um...sorry Steve you are obviously mistaken. It is not a lie that waitstaff only gets $2.00 and hour. I was a waitress up until 6 months ago. I only got $2.00/hr from my employer. Everything else I made was in tips. I think I know my paycheck better than you do!

Answer 7

Hey, check this out. Many times, they want to put a 15% gratuity onto the bill. God only asks for 10% once a week. I understand that they don't make a heck of a lot of money and many times they help pay the bills with those tips, but don't just tack on a fee along with my bill. If you're good, I'll tip you over 10%. If you're not...then you will get much less. Always leave SOMETHING.

Answer 8

I had a guy chase me down in a restaurants parking lot and said " where is my tip" and he also said " was everything OK". No he messed up all of my friends orders and gave us the wrong bill the first time and then wouldn't use the coupon. I paid them and told them what lousy service this place has and never have been back since. I ain't going back either.
Other than that I always give 2 dollars a as a tip.

Answer 9

I'm not going to slam you, Dear. Just simply going to point out that waiters & waitresses only make about $2 an hour because they rely on tips. I don't know why it's set up that way, but that's the way it is.

Answer 10

Well, servers, hosts/hostesses, cooks, bartenders, and kitchen help are all automatically taxed for tips, whether or not their owners give it to them or not. So, at a sit down restaurant, you should be tipping something, a gratuity should be at least 10 to 15% of the bill or just double the tax. If, you have horrible service and food, you should talk to the manager before leaving and let them know how you feel.

Just remember, they will pay taxes on tips regardless of you feel!