Why do people some people tip even when they get bad service?

Answer 1

Because we don't like to look bad ourselves.

Because we sympathize with people who are getting paid crap for a hard job.

Because we don't want to have an empty wine bottle thrown at our heads as we leave.

Answer 2

It depends on how bad the service was and what happened.

I will not stiff (nor leave a smaller tip) for a server for something that is out of his or her control. Sometimes the kitchen is backed up with orders. When it seems that you've been waiting a bit too long for a grilled chicken salad and a burger, remember that your server is feeling anxious about the kitchen situation as well.

On the other hand, if the server has a "whatever attitude", the food arrives cold (or warm if it's supposed to be chilled), or we have to repeatedly track someone down to refill our water or coffee, I will leave a much smaller tip than usual.

Why would I even consider leaving a tip to a server with a "whatever attitude"? Perhaps because I know what its like to work in a restaurant and depend upon tips to pay my bills.

Answer 3

Depends on why I got bad service, and what was bad about it. I ate at a mexican restaurant, had to ask 3 times for more salsa, from 3 different people, I ran out of soda, after our food was delivered we never saw our server again. I could see her across the restaurant, watching tv and talking to another server. I didn't tip her. But if I see that the server is trying and polite, if the server is busy, the restaurant is busy, there may be a reason why I didn't get good service, I'll leave a tip under those circumstances.

Answer 4

I give the server the benefit of the doubt. As someone whom has worked in a restaurant, I know that there are things that go on behind the scenes that customers are not aware of. It's not always the servers fault. If the food is cold, bad, etc it's not their fault. If someone seems generally apologetic about a mistake then I still tip. I have never not tipped. However, if I felt like the server was rude or out of line, then I might not.

The way I look at it is, everyone makes mistakes. How would you like it if you made a mistake at work one day, and then didn't get paid for your work that day?

Answer 5

I feel bad, because even if the service is bad, these servers are still making below minimum wage and need to make it up somehow. I do tip less though (around 10%) if the service is horrible.

Answer 6

Tips are necessary when you serve food, etc. for a living, and beyond that it's just polite. Even if you get bad service, some people tip out of principle. Others vary tip amount (8-18%) on quality of service.

Answer 7

Sometimes the service may be less than ideal, however, not because of what the server did. Perhaps something out of their control. One should always tip, if the service is that bad, don't go back to that particular establishment. God bless****

Answer 8

Beats me. If the service is terrible I don't tip. I don't feel bad either because they know that their tips are based on their service so they should strive to do a great job. Also, they still get a paycheck.

Answer 9

The type of service I get dictates the type of tip I give. If I get bad service I will leave a penny. If I get good service I usually leave 10% of my bill.

Answer 10

I've finally reached a point in my life where my tip reflects the service I have received. I will still leave a tip but have been known to leave 50 cents.

Answer 11

I always tip at least 10%, because in the state that I live in, servers are required to claim 10% of their total sales as wages, whether they received it or not.