everyone should read this?

Question

I am a waitress and have been for many years. I understand that my job is to wait on you, but you are normally not my only table, AND it is NOT my fault that your food was cooked wrong or it took longer than normal, i dont cook it, i just serve it. I also dont understand how people can go out and then leave a bad tip. bad service deserves a bad tip, and good service deserves a good tip. by the way, it is usually considered a good tip if it is between 18 and 20 percent of the ORIGINAL bill. so if you got a discount, had a coupon or the kitchen messed up your food and your bill was taken from say $50 to $35, and your server worked their butt off to make you happy, dont leave them three dollars. We are humans too and we do make occassional mistakes. there is a lot that we have to remember. please be nicer to us. Let us say what we are required to say when we greet you, please dont be rude and try to understand that its like being a parent, never a moment where somone doesnt need something

Answer 1

AMEN!

I agree! I've never been a waitress but I have seen them abused by patrons often. It's terrible.

Waitress does not equal Slave. Waitress does not mean you don't have to treat them with respect or manners.

Good for you for speaking up!

Regarding tips:
Your tip should be based on the original cost of the entire meal, BEFORE discounts and BEFORE meal tax also.

A tip is what somone leaves leave when they want to acknowledge good service. It is just as rude for you to request a specific amount as it is for them to not leave one that is appropriate.

Excellent or superior service would merit a 20% tip. That should not be the norm. A tip is supposed to be given to show appreciation for a job well done. If you do just the bare minimum you have to, you really do not deserve a tip at all. You're just doing what you get paid to do. It's up to YOU to EARN the tip by offering more in the way of service than required by the job.


Side note:
I resent establishments that add a mandatory 18% tip to large parties. Basically that's saying that if you come in a group, we can charge you more for the same food. It's no longer a tip, it's a surcharge for having a large group. If the same number of people came in separately, they would not be forced to pay the 18%, so just because they all sit at the same table, they should have to pay more? What is that? Rent for the table space?

Answer 2

I always tip, regardless of service. (If the service is truly poor, and for no apparent reason [not busy, server doesn't appear to be run ragged, sick with a cold, etc.] I still tip, but maybe only 10%, sometimes less.) If it really is swamped and the waitress looks harried, worn out, running around like a chicken with her head cut off, I still tip well, even if the service isn't the greatest. Most of the time this happens on a Friday or Saturday night, and I've come to expect it. With great or outstanding service, I generally tip 20 to 25 percent of the total bill (including tax). I can't speak for everyone, but when I go out to eat, I expect to be waited on hand and foot. I realize that sounds strange, and I don't mean to sound pompous, but really--isn't that the point of going out to eat? So I don't have to stay home and be the hostess, server and cook to my family? *I* wanted to be waited on for a change!!

What makes me tip well is A) drink refills without me having to ask; B) food arrives correctly (what I ordered is on my plate and it's cooked properly--and yes, sometimes this is the server's fault. I've been known to ask to see servers' order pads to see what they wrote. 9 times out of 10, they didn't write what I asked.), receiving something I ask for within a minute or two (extra napkins, a straw, more cream for my coffee, etc.), I don't want to be harrassed about dessert. You offer it, I say no, don't ask me again. Most importantly, when I'm ready to leave, I'm ready to leave. I don't want to have to ask for the check, but if I do, I expect it in less than 2 minutes. I realize this is making me sound hateful and rude. I really am not--my whole family (except for me) has worked in the food service business at some point. Until recently, my mom was a "career waitress." I'm always nice (after all, you never know what type a day someone's having), and I treat people fairly.

Answer 3

Many people were raised with and have always used the 10% rule. They don't realize that the reason it is now a 15% rule has nothing to do with improved quality of service, increased costs or higher standard of living, but simply that now service staff has to pay a percentage of their assumed tips in taxes (whereas before 1988, tips were not taxed as income).

Folks tipping 10% or less are generally older and uninformed, seeing a tip as a bonus rather than part of a server's income.

Answer 4

"I also dont understand how people can go out and then leave a bad tip. bad service deserves a bad tip, and good service deserves a good tip. by the way, it is usually considered a good tip if it is between 18 and 20 percent of the ORIGINAL bill. "

You have got to be joking! I would not consider tipping anyone more than 10% and only then if they earned it with exceptional service. It is not my job to pay your wages, that is what I am paying for with the price of the meal. If you are being paid a low wage, take it up with your employer and insist on a fair wage.

I know the "tip everyone for everything" mentality is pervasive in the USA but it is not the case in countries like Australia where people are paid a fair wage - including waiters and taxi drivers. I tip if I feel it is warranted for good service, otherwise I wait for my change.

Answer 5

I always try to be as nice as i can to the waitresses, they have a rough job and if the service is good i usually tip 20%..if lousy, theyll be lucky to get 10%.

Answer 6

I feel your frustration, and I am sorry that people are acting like spoiled self centered beings, but think of it this way at least when they leave they take their baggage with them. You do not have to take it with you. As for tipping I always tip accordingly and if I do not have $ for a tip I eat where one is not expected.
Peace be with you.

Answer 7

Oh I totally agree. I always try to be very nice to my waiters when I am dining. And it's not just because they might spit in your food if your not, it's because what my waiter does is appreciated. They are doing a job that otherwise would have had to be done by myself or my mother. I understand that waiting is not an extremely rewarding career.But I'm curious about one thing, is this ypur permanent job?

Answer 8

What is your question here?, everything that you wrote is plain old common sense, but... you didn't ask me.... sincerely

Answer 9

i work in grocery retail, you just learn that people are generally cheap and stupid!

Answer 10

WOOO preach it sista!