Why do people tip waiters poorly?

Question

For example: if the bill is $22 the tip should be $4 not $2.

Ridiculous!!!

Answer 1

Son, no one is required to pay a tip at all. Remember that.

In addition, the 15% tip is really only in countries where waitstaff are paid a small fee and expected to work for tips.

By the way, a $22 bill would be the amount before tax. You don't tip based on the meal plus tax. In addition, the tip on a $22 meal is $3.30 standard, not four bucks.

It isn't ridiculous. The only way to get a larger tip is to WORK for it. If you're complaining why your tips aren't larger, consider your attitude, AND consider the service you give to a customer. I've been on both sides of the service coin (customer AND service) and I will tip low if I get bad service. I tip very well for excellent service. This isn't an entitlement, Son. It is a gratuity.

By the way, if your attitude is the same as the one displayed to the 46 year old virgin whose question you answered, no wonder you're getting poor tips.

EDIT: Stephanie, at bottom, is ignorant. No one forces anyone to be a waiter. You don't like it, you find something better. This is life, and yes it is perfectly legal. You might want to read up on business law.

Answer 2

Many people don't know waiters are paid below minimum wage with the anticipation that tips will supplement their wages to or above minimum. I think this is a crappy law and should be removed from the books.

On the other hand, bad service earns bad tips but 10% is not in that range, it's just a bad tipper. Of course the tipping percentage keeps rising and when the tipper was young, maybe 10% was the accepted amount.

I have walked out without tipping only once. I had a friend who walked out of a restaurant in NYC without tipping and the waiter pursued him asking if he realized he hadn't left a tip. You have to give us very poor service to not get a tip.

It is my experience that a busy waiter gives better service than a idle waiter.

Answer 3

I do believe you have to work hard for it, but I also get sick of the mentality like some of the responses. Meaning that it is not required and then they give a long explanation why. Those people will never tip well. Not a waiter but in the industry. Most waitstaff work their butt off. Alot of customers want their butt kissed before they tip at all. The waitstaff work for alot less than the minumum wage so if they do their job right don't be a scrooge. Look for friendly greeting, attentive service, continual check ups, and the ability to bring you your food while it's still hot. If the food is bad it's the cooks fault. Not your server. If your drink runs low and you have to ask, lift your head and see if it's busy. He or she may be helping others and are trying to make it back to you. And if you can't afford to tip properly you shouldn't be eating there. And lastly, a tip isn't given, it's earned through the previously mentioned.

Answer 4

Well, I know I work hard for my money. When I go to
a restaurant and if I get good service, like if they wrote
down my order instead of trying to remember it and usually
getting it wrong. The length of time it takes me to be
served. I hate having them come over every two minutes
to ask if everything is ok. However some waiters are very
good, and they do their jobs well, I don't look at what they
expect to receive as a tip, I give them what I think they are
worth. I often leave large tips, ten to fiften dollars or more,
depending. So I would say it all depends on how well
they do their job.

Answer 5

I really only tip on the service, but I will tip every time my mom used to be a waitress and my uncle is a manager of a restaurant so I do tip right. But lets say the waiter/ waitress did a really bad job I'm gonna tip a little smaller. So that's pretty much how I tip and how I think it should be.

Answer 6

Actually, for a bill of $22, the tip should be $3.30.

I routinely tip at least 15% and 20% if the service is good, but waiters should earn that instead of expecting it. Just slopping food on the table, not caring if your drinks aren't refilled, etc. doesn't earn you a tip.

Answer 7

Well, some people are stingy tippers, but some people will tip based on the service that they receive. I was a waitress while working through college. I know how hard waiters and waitresses have to work and how much crap they have to put up with, so if my waiter is providing good service, I tip them well. If they are ignoring me, I will stiff them. If they provide substandard service, again, I tip accordingly. If my service is poor, but I can clearly see that the waiter is swamped and is hustling to help everyone, I will cut them some slack and tip well because I know that sometimes it is very hard to keep up with the crowd. But if a waiter is CONSISTETLY getting poor tips, I would suggest that he examine the service he provides. After all, some people are cheapos, but not everyone. Consistently low tips probably equates consistently poor service.

Answer 8

You can't bunch everyone together. If I get wonderful service, I usually give a 20 percent tip. If I get regular or average service, I give 15 percent. If I get poor or just ridiculous service, I leave 1 penny. I know that it sounds rude to leave a penny, but it is better than leaving nothing so that the waiter or waitress doesn't think that you just forgot or stift them. I appreciate good or wonderful service. If the person is going way above the call of duty, I tip way above, just to show the appreciation.

Answer 9

The only things I can think are: 1. they don't understand the
little waiters get paid 2. they don't understand that waiters are
having to orchestrate the meal with the bartender,
chef (hors d'oeuvres, soup & salad, entree and dessert),
3. entertainment, 4. table activity and 5. that they are
one of usually 8-12 tables that their waitress is covering.

Main thought is -- lack of consideration for what the waitresses might be dealing with.

Yes-- Understandable, they are out to enjoy, but they have to consider that restaurant help needs to be considered -- THEY WORK HARD FOR THEIR MONEY!

Answer 10

If the waiter sucks so does the tip. I dont have to tip i do it if i get good service, just ask the pizza delivery guy who keeps showing up way late at my door