Meant for Customers and Food Servers.?

Question

Not a server, just tired of explaining to people I know how and why to tip properly. Can you servers properly explain why to tip properly and how it impacts you so that customers who tip poorly or don't tip can understand? Thanks.

Answer 1

I've been on both sides of the fence when it comes to working as a food server. When I was in college, I worked in the cafeteria for minimum wage-- no tips-- and it was hard work physically and you do tend to see the worst of people in that kind of job.

That's why now that I have a good-paying job and my family eats out a lot, I would always prefer to err on the side of generosity when I tip. And also why when I am with other people, I tend to watch the way they treat waiters and waitresses, and make my judgements of the character of people based on how they treat wait staff and others who really can't defend themselves from rudeness and unpleasant behavior.

I've read the rationalizations some people have posted here for not tipping, and what it all boils down to for most of them seems to be "well, if the person chose to take a low-paying job, why should I care and have to make it up to them?" The answer is: no reason, as long as you ignore the fact that tipping in such service jobs is considered customary, we all know it, and people who don't tip based on their objection to the custom are punishing an individual, not a system.

I wonder how many people who claim to object to tipping based on the principle that management should pay the waitstaff a realistic wage so people don't have to tip, have ever actually gone to speak to the manager of a restaurant about this? Or written a letter to the corporate headquarters of a national chain to voice their objection? That's what you do if you have a genuine objection to a system. Thinking that you're punishing the system by shortchanging the individual who can't do anything about it, the waiter or waitress, is just plain mean and crass and stingy.

The long and short of it is that people who short-change wait staff when they tip are finding a way of seeing the person, the individual, who they are shortchanging as an object, not a human being. And I think it's petty and small-minded to rationalize that it's okay to shortchange that person because they took the job knowing it only pays minimum wage. In the long run, such behavior says more about the person who indulges in such petty mean-mindedness than about the person who is on the receiving end of it.

It's nice to be in a position to be generous, rather than having to depend on generosity to make one's living. I'm thankful I'm in the better position and I never forget it when I calculate a tip.

Answer 2

Dont get a job as a waitress/waiter. If you know it only pays $2.50 an hour. There are plenty of other jobs out there that pay minimum wage and over.

Tipping is a choice, it is optional. If it was mandatory they would include it in the bill. I have no problem paying the bill with service included, they do that in a lot of european countries. If its optional, then of course Im not going to give away MORE money.

Also, the 20% thing is ridiculous, if I go to a mexican restaurant I get better service and the bill can be $10. $2 tip ok! I go to a high class restaurant and the bill is $100, service was...ok, but the tip would be $20. Why would I pay $18 more for someone to bring me food to the table just because they work in a different restaurant! I dont agree, they can have $2 like I tip the Mexicans.

Answer 3

Most people don't tip well because they don't realize that servers don't make that much money - they assume 'they are making at least minimum wage' when a lot of servers make only a few dollars an hour, and rely on tips to make up the rest of their income.

Granted, noone is forcing them to be servers, but if they do a good job, they should be rewarded. A lot of impatient people ignore the fact that their server is doing everything in their power to ensure a pleasant experience, and will blame them for the cook taking too long or not preparing their food correctly and tak it out on the server by not tipping them.

In short, a lot of people that go out to eat are *******.

Answer 4

I used to wait tables, and I still don't understand why people are the way they are. Everyone knows you are supposed to tip. Think of it like this: For the hour or so you are at a restaurant, your server is like your employee. You have to provide them with some kind of pay. The 2.13 or whatever it is now that they make hourly, goes to taxes, a lot of the time we have to take money out of our tips to go toward taxes. Servers also have to 'tip out', which means they have to give away a percentage of their tips to the hostess, the bartender, and the busser. Imagine if someone at work told you 'You aren't going to get paid, because we can't afford it (or don't want to). Wouldn't go over well, would it? As far as what that guy said about give 10% if you can't afford it, that's complete bulls---. If you can't afford it, stay home. Or order less expensive food, so that you can.

Most servers really want you to enjoy your meal. They work very, very, very hard. Sometimes they work 15 hour shifts, 2 or 3 days in a row. Tip based on service, but take effort into consideration as well. Keep in mind that anything wrong with the food is the kitchen's fault.

When I go out, I use these amounts:
Great service- 25%
Never have to ask twice for something, they do something special for your table
Good service- 20%
Above average
Average service- 15-20%
Bad Service- 10%

*ALWAYS TIP BASED ON TOTAL CHECK, INCLUDING ALCOHOL AND ANY FREE ITEMS. You don't have to include tax

Answer 5

Here's something else to think about: the IRS taxes the waiters on the expected tip whether they get it or not. My best friend used to work as a waitress, and she was irked that she ended up having to pay the IRS for tips she didn't get. Also (and I'm a Christian, so I'm not Christian-bashing), if you are going to leave a religious tract on the table for the waitress, leave it WITH the tip, not as the tip (the servers still need to be able to feed their kids).

Answer 6

It doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to know that servers are paid less than minimum wage, as gratuities are considered part of their income.

Quick and easy TIP guide:

20% - If you receive exceptional service and/or you can afford to tip at this level.

15% - Accepted figure for good service.

10% - for ok service, or if you are financially strapped. If you can't afford to leave 10%, go to Burger King.

For crappy service leave a penny or a nickel. It sends a stronger message than leaving nothing. If you leave nothing the server will assume you either forgot or were too cheap to tip.

I hope this is helpful :-)

Answer 7

servers in most cases make 2 to3 dollars an hour so if they work an 8 hour day thats 24.00 times 5 days a week thats 120.0 a week before taxes could you live on that , i don't understand why it is so hard for people to understand they are makeing sure you have all you need to enjoy your visit ,and not only for you but every other person in thier section sometimes 15 tables that could be upwards of 50 people at one time or more if there is something wrong with your food 9 times out of 10 its the kitchens fault the server takes the brunt they bring you your water your bread your salad your drinks your food and when the customer starts carrying on because they need a refill they get it and smile even when you have been rude and then after all that rudeness you have given them they tell you to have a nice day and get ready for the next group i mean come on people ,if you were doing the job you'd want the tip to and besides watiers generally have to split their tips 3 ways hostess gets a piece bussers get a piece and they get taxes taken outof there tip so next time you go out and eat rmember they are makeing about 2.50 anhour

Answer 8

Restaurants generally pay no more then minimum wage, which we all should know is not a living wage. That is why Waite staff counts on tips and should deliver good service to consumers to expect a fair tip. A fair tip is generally 15% - 20% depending on level of service provided. If service is poor, no one should be expected to tip.

Answer 9

Improper tipping shows ignorance and a lack of class. I have always been told that TIP means: To Insure Promptness, or To Insure Prompt Service.

Answer 10

Servers make less than minimum wage and tips make up the difference so they can survive. Anyone who doesn't know this is a troglodyte and need to crawl out from under the rock they've been hiding under.