Why do we give tips to servers/waiters?

Question

I'm just curious. I mean, isn't it their job to serve me as a customer?

Answer 1

Because they receive a sub-minimum wage in anticipation of such tips. Tipping is the custom, unless one is an inconsiderate cheapskate.

Answer 2

I think this is an a great question. I live in Australia where tipping isn't really a big thing, people who work in restraunsts are often proffessionals and the restaurant pays their wages, tips are just a bonus, when I do tip its, 5-15% I know thats a big window, but thats pretty much the range of service we get here.

I have travelled to the US and had a stand up row with a restaurant manager because we didn't tip more than 5%. He told me that if we didn't tip then it would come out of his own pocket, I asked "isn't that the way it should work", however I was wrong I didn't understand the American system.

Over there tipping is part of the culture, as dinining out is also part of the culture, so not to tip up to 20% in the US is literally rude. The tips pay not only your waiter but also the cooks, people washing up, the works, food is in theory cheaper because of it (though still more expensive than here!) Took me a while to get my head round that.

I do think that the Americans go too far with their tipping culture, as we go not far enough, the people who have it right in my opinion are the Spanish. They have a true service culture and its a pleasure to eat there, any tip is received with gratitude rather than disdain that its not enough, or surprise as they are being paid to do the job anyway.

Answer 3

While it is their jobs to serve us, in most restaurants, servers are paid a wage, sometimes below minimum wage with the expectations of tips by generous customers. If restaurant owners were to increase the out of pocket wages they paid their servers, they would also have to increase the prices of their dinners and entrees. When you think about it, it is really a good thing because the anticipation receiving a tip usually motivates "most" waiters and waitresses to provide us with excellent service. Peace and God bless.

Answer 4

Ive been working for 35 years in various jobs and sometimes on minimum wages and nobody's ever tipped me. I always thought that if i wanted more money i would upgrade my skills and find a better job. Obviously waiting staff may have skills but when it comes to bargaining power they obviously lack something. I never leave a tip, my view is if the person cant do the job without a tip then get another job. I hate 2 faced people !!!!!!

Answer 5

Sadly it's something that has crept into our psyche.

In the U.S., for example, waiters etc. are paid very low wages and rely on tips for their real wage. In Aus. waiters used to be paid a standard rate of good wage, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

It seems to be a typical example of globalisation.

Sure, if the service is good, I'll boost the bill up a bit bit. In Australia I really cannot accept the expectation of a 'tip' or 'gratuity' if the service is bad.

If the service is poor, don't expect anything extra from me. You're being paid to do the job but if you excel, hey you might get a bit extra but don't expect it!

Answer 6

As a New Zealander, (where it is NOT customary to tip) who has travelled regularly to the US, I have often come back here and wished that we DID tip here.

The better the server, the bigger the tip, so excellence is rewarded. The number of times I've waited for service in a coffee shop and been ignored or mumbled at by a snotty teenage girl , I have wished that I could make my feelings known by the lack of a tip. Wait staff here don't go out of their way because they're gonna get paid whatever they do. And it kind of ruins your dining experience.

I know that the bright smiling girl in the US who makes it appear that she was born to serve me is doing it for the tip, but it leaves a good feeling nevertheless; it makes me go out of my way to be nice to her, and I'll leave feeling happy and probably being nicer to the next person I meet.

I understand your question. It IS their job to serve you, but the enticement of a tip affects the manner in which they serve you.

Answer 7

Well, yes- it IS their job. But restaurants pay VERY little to their wait staff- they depend on tips for their living. It also serves to make them better at their job! If you give very good service you will, hopefully, get better tips. That works for both the owner and the server, as far as ensuring better service to the customer.

If I get good service, I tip at least 20-25%; it's hard work and the server has bills to pay, too! AND if I get BAD service, my tip will certainly reflect that (a dime in the bottom of a coffee cup, or a dollar tip on a $20 check will get your point across). If the service is VERY bad (or VERY good!), you should really speak to the manager and make them aware of how their employees are doing.

Answer 8

In Australia they get paid a decent wage, one they can live on and most people don't give tips. To say thank you all you have to do is say "thank you", not hand over your hard earned cash. If a waiter/waitress looks after you real well then it is not unheard of to give a tip, but it is not the general rule.
I've sen it in movies where the bellhop waits for a tip, sometimes even asking for it as it is expected, in Australia that person would get the sack for harassment.
It is their job to look after you and if they don't they get fired for not doing their job, simple.

Answer 9

Not all waiting staff receive less than minimum wage. There are a number of establishments which pay good money for good waiting staff.
The reason people tip is to reward good service. I don't like when it is automatically included in the bill, because I think tipping should be for above average service, not just getting your drinks right, which is the job.

Answer 10

yeah its a servers job to give you your food and drink, you tip them because they keep your drink full, clean your table when you leave, not to mention the disgusting thing servers find on the tables, and you tip them because they make 2 dollars an hour and you appreicate them
I was a server for a LONG time and let me tell you 2 dollars an hour is not enough to live off of.
If you don't like tipping, then you need to do something about raising their pay.
Also, some people actually enjoy serving tables. they love the fast paced atmosphere and chatting with people all day.

If you don't want to tip accordingly, I suggest you stay home or get fast food!

Answer 11

It's now built into their overall pay. Servers DON'T make the minimum wage. They get about half of that, so tips are the big equalizer.

Also, the tip you give is usually split between the server and the busperson. And, in some places the host/ess takes a cut.