So its either you tip 20% or none at all? That is to say since I will get an angry stare if I tip 10%, I might as well don't tip and still get an angry stare!
2007-05-13 05:03:01 · 10 answers · asked by ali 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If the service is bad, I will just leave a note saying "I'm not tipping for bad service".
2007-05-13 05:17:14 · update #1
How would I know that servers don't get any wages? If it is so bad being a waiter, then just quit and find another job elsewhere.
2007-05-13 05:18:06 · update #2
Do you understand that servers don't get a regular hourly wage because the company expects some of the money the server makes will come from tips? Also, tips are taxed and have to be claimed? Good service deserves at least 15%. Excellent service, 20% or more. If service is bad it needs to be brought up to the manager - I would only leave 10% if service were really bad, or if I was at a buffet restaurant. If you can't afford to tip what's normal and expected then stay home and make a PB & J.
PS - You mean you have a little paper and pen in case service is bad? LOL
PPS - This is pretty basic knowledge about servers. The job is hard, but usually worth it...unless we get too many cheapskates who decide everything isn't perfect and they leave notes instead of a normal tip...
2007-05-13 05:12:42 · answer #1 · answered by applebetty34 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
As a former waitress, I felt bad if a patron only tipped 10%. Tips are supposed to say something about the service received. Anything under 15-20% says that the customer thought the service was poor.
Also to be considered when tipping is the fact that servers are typically paid $3-5 per hour. Restaurants get away with paying less than federal,state or city minumum wage because it is expected that servers will get tips to supplement the low hourly pay. Not to mention that servers usually only get to work 4-6 hours a shift, are usually not full time and that they don't make any money during the slow periods in a shift.
Beyond that, servers have "side work" that they perform for the restaurant. Servers are expected to do dishes, clean glasses, wrap silverware, set tables, fold linens, help stock etc. for the privledge of working at the restaurant. While doing their "side work", they are also expected to seat, serve and check on their customers. Its a lot more work than you see from your table and that kind of work should be compensated. Servers have families to support, bills and taxes to pay, just like you do.
I would never suggest tipping for poor service, but I think a decent tip is a way to help a working person, help the economy and show appreciation.
As for finding a job elsehwere..LOL! In many places the economy is in pretty bad shape and other jobs are scarce. Not to mention that some people can only work short shifts or oddly timed shifts because they have children and need to be home. Otherwise, there are a lot of people that simply aren't qualified for anything else.
2007-05-13 05:19:45 · answer #2 · answered by Melanie J 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This answer has previous answers in mind.
1. Tipping is optional. Even when they add the automatic gratuity for large groups, you can have it removed.
2. Tipping should be based on service. If you receive bad service, the best tip to leave is two cents. Many servers recognize this as the customer getting their "two cents worth"
in. Adequate, but less than good would receive around 10%. When the service is good (not exceptional) I tip around 15%. Now with exceptional service I tip much more. If service is so good that it enhanced my day in a noticable way to have had that service, I tip 20-25%. On rare occasion even more.
3. The one who said that the tips have gone up because of inflation is using a typical excuse...inflation. Well te cost of the meal has gone up for inflation, so that would take the tips up, so that is a bunch of bull.
Again, I do not mind tipping for good service, but if I do not get good service, I do tip lower and hope that the server learns why their service was considered merely adequate or less.
The sad part is that people tend to give the same amount no matter how the service was, and this creates (the few bad ones) some servers who do not give great service in order to earn the higher gratuity.
2007-05-13 05:33:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I used to wait tables. Glad I don't anymore but I learned the mentality. If you are going out to a restaurant, especially if you plan on eating there again, you should consider the 20% as part of the bill. In a servers eyes 10-15% means your cheap but shouldn't make them angry. Anything over 20% should make them remember you in a good way and they will want you to return so they can give you better service. If they are rude to you during your visit, don't tip at all. They knew they had it coming.
2007-05-13 08:29:52 · answer #4 · answered by Kisa791 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So the food companies 'expect' the customer to pay part of the server's wage? That's nonsensical, through and through. That's like saying the bus company expects patrons to pay the driver's wage, and drop a little something in a tip box beside the fare box.
It's hard to comprehend how this business got started in the first place. I know all that jazz about To Insure Prompt Service, but it is now so deeply embedded in the food industry that servers can and do, make rude comments if you 'only' leave a 15% tip.
Why can't the restaurants just pay a decent wage. Sure, we'll be paying for it in the end, because it all comes out of revenue generated by selling food products, but it would take servers out of the role of medaeval minions, grasping their forelocks and thanking the lords and ladies for throwing them a coin. If serving is a profession -- and there are good servers and bad servers -- let's reward the good ones by giving them a good wage, just as we do in any other profession.
2007-05-13 05:33:46 · answer #5 · answered by old lady 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Something else to think about that no one has mentioned yet is that in some establishments the waitresses have to share their tips with the chefs/cooks, buspersons, prepstaff and sometimes the host/hostess. So if you tip a waitress/waiter 20% they may actually only get 10%. As far as them "getting a better job" this may be the best they can get and no one has the right to look down on them for it. I have respect for anyone who does honest work no matter what type of work they do.
2007-05-13 16:04:34 · answer #6 · answered by Coop's Wife 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
15-18% is the norm, depending on the locale. The old 10% rule has been adjusted for inflation. =) If you get good service, do the server a service and acknowledge it. A tip is a way of saying "thank you" with your money. If you get bad service, leave a very small tip - even like 2%, as then the server will know he/she goofed. If you leave none at all, they will just think you're cheap.
2007-05-13 05:13:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you...tipping is a stupid tradition. You can leave any tip you feel like leaving. Leave what you can afford or feel comfortable leaving considering the quality of service you received.
As for one of the comments you made about the waiters' wages...I agree, if it's so rotten, then they should do other jobs. They can't expect the customers to "pay" them just cuz their bosses are cheapskates. They know the wages they are getting before they even start the job. If less people were so eager to become waiters and waitresses, eventually the wages would go up.
So, my tip to you....leave whatever you think is fair. And as for any stares you may get, ignore it. It's their problem, not yours.
2007-05-13 06:06:43 · answer #8 · answered by princesssandy73 2 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Not only thatr the management cream off the tips if they can bully the waiting staff . Walk a mile in my shoes !!!!!
2007-05-16 21:20:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you plan to ever eat at that restaurant again leave a bigger tip.
2007-05-16 12:48:47 · answer #10 · answered by b21uneu 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋