Why don't black people generally tip in restaurants?

Question

Black people generally do not tip or tip insultingly low even when receiving good service. In addition, they are generally a pain in the *** and complain about everything.

Why do the majority of black people behave this way?

Answer 1

I've waited tables and tended bar for years and this doesn't match my experience at all. In fact, I don't think race ever occured to me when it came to tips, so they must not have tipped any different than anyone else.

But for you to ask such a question give me a pretty good idea why they didn't tip YOU.

Answer 2

I was surprised to see this question b/c my friends and I had just discussed the same issue a few weeks ago. We are five black males that get together once a month-- usually for dinner and a game of cards.
I can't remember what triggered this topic, but they all admitted knowing co-workers and family members who were poor tippers, or who did not tip at all. In fact, two said that they never go to restaurants with certain family members or co-workers due to their embarrassing behavior and pettiness.

I was shocked, and I sat there dumbfounded with my mouth open. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, b/c among our small group, tipping has never been a problem-- never. We always leave 20%. I know this for a fact b/c it's usually me or another guy who's always expected to divvy the bill, collect the money and leave the tip. So, if a bill came to $91, I'd make sure we collected $110 to cover the tip. And I never leave a restaurant until I personally hand the bill sleeve to the waiter or manager.

Why don't black people generally tip in restaurants? Since it has not been my personal experience, I really cannot answer the question credibly. However, I do think the anwser lies in very specific class cultures and mores, rather than race or ethnicity. While growing up, my parents taught me how to act in a restaurant. That was the only way I knew how to act, and so I've always done as I was taught. Consequently, people who are taught to behave in a way that is counter to popular etiquette will continue to do so b/c no one in their social circle is challenging that behavior otherwise. No matter how wrong, it is all some people know how to do, unless and until they're persuaded to do differently. Don't get me wrong: It's not an excuse; just my opinion and personal observation.

Answer 3

I work in a casino and bartend. I Generally believe the stereotype that most black people do not tip. Here is my opinion on why this is. I think most black people feel they are "getting even" by not leaving a tip. They know that they or their ancestors have been given a raw deal throughout history. So this may be a little way of saying "screw you for doing that." That is my belief. I have had many experiences where I have given great service to black people and not recieved a tip. It's not surprising to me anymore...I don't feel mad but sometimes I feel disapointed. I have a college degree, bartending is a 2nd job for me so I do it because I enjoy it not necessarily because I absolutley need the money. I have been stiffed by all kinds of people young old white black etc. But it is no longer shocking to me when a group of black people sit at my bar and have $30 worth of drinks and do not leave you a $1 after they have had great service. I smile I"m fast effiecient...etc. I work like I don't need the money...if they tip me great if not it's ok I'm not gonna go bankrupt...Again it's my experience that black people on average will not tip as often as white or Asain. I know that it's their right not to tip which is fine...again I feel they do not tip as whole well because they feel like they have been "stiffed" their whole life by society. Again just my opinion.

Answer 4

Okay, I hate racism. I think it's evil. I am married to a black man and have four gorgeous children with him. However, I was a server at three different restaurants for a total of seven years. The first was a family style chain restaurant, the second a bar and grill, and the third a fine-dining, high-end restaurant. I had the experience of being completely stiffed or extremely undertipped EVERY SINGLE TIME I served black people, which I must have done a hundred times. Yes, EVERY SINGLE TIME. I was a great server, but they would complain, nit-pick, generally be very high-maintainence, and NEVER tip well. Even when I would wait on tables for the Chicago Bulls! Yes, spending hundreds of dollars, and leave a $5 tip. This doesn't explain why, but I just want to verify it's true!

Answer 5

I want to tell everybody this... I am black and I was a waitress 12 years ago and black people did not tip me no matter how good I was......I was very upset and now I always tip starting at $10 and the wait staff will lose one dollar depending on their attentiveness. When I was a waitress none of the white staff would accept the black tables and I was offended but the blacks did'nt tip me either. Again I am black and I don't do that but I am embarassed to say that was my opinion. The lowest I give now tip is $5 even if the server was horrible because it's difficult living off of $2.50 an hour plus tips. I don't think all blacks are like this because I don't do that but I do feel the pain of the asker. Peace and Love

Answer 6

My daughter is a waitress and has a black friend who waits tables. He told her that he doesn't tip even though he depends on his tips! She was shocked. She would agree that many blacks do not tip. She still gives good service. Just recently she had a table with blacks she gave good service. They told her that they usually don't get good service because the waitstaff don't think they will tip. Because she provided good service they did tip her. She had a similar situation with young teens. She gave good service and they tipped well. They told her they usually don't get good service because they are so young. But, on the flip side, good service doesn't always pay off and many different people/races are poor tippers. Especially Canadians.

Answer 7

If only the USA would adopt a higher minimum wage (like in the UK, Europe and Australia) then this whole tipping culture endemic in America would hopefully cease to exist. Tipping is not (nor should it be) compulsory yet Americans feel they have to tip everyone from their hairdresser to their dog's psychiatrist. Tipping should be a reward for good service and not given because workers cannot survive on their low wages alone.

Enough of my rant: I have not noticed that one particular culture, whether black or white, behaves in this way but i am prepared to accept that it may be so. Instead of complaining about blacks giving low tips (if they do), how about using the energy to campaign for higher minimum wages for blue collar workers? Then you won't NEED tips like you do now.

Answer 8

That statement is boarding on stereotyping or racist. I know that typically in Black restaruants tips are not expected.

TIPS are not mandatory!!! They are a given, not required. If you are expecting to get rich 'waiting tables' choose a better establishment.

If the place is of any quality, gratuity is included into the menu, and that depends on the resturaunt.

Wendy's - No Tips
Red Lobster - May Tip
Bonefish Grill - Tips
Olive Garden - Tips but depends on service
Morton's Steaks -built-in the tab


Many Blacks may not understand the 'standard' tip scale (15%)

Back in the early days with TIPS started, it meant

To Insure Prompt Service -

If the kitchen is slow, and through no fault of your own, tell/commnicate with the customer (honestly & often).

Always smile (that helps) no matter how cranky the customer gets. Check their drink levels (non alcoholic).

Talk to them and not treat them as pushing cattle through the feed trough.
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Another thought is - that during the time before Pre-Civil Rights era, tips were not expected, nor that tradition passed on to children that tips should be given when you get good service. So this could be a lingering effect of the racism that America permitted so long. Then when America had to open doors to Blacks there was nothing experienced to know whether to tip or not.

And I repeat, TIPS are not required by nature or law. Be nice anyway, you can never tell if you just waited on a murderer that is eating his first meal out of prison. :-)

Answer 9

the ingredient approximately stereotypes is they have an inclination to be genuine. of path there are exceptions, yet while a learn genuinely proves that blacks tip decrease than whites then that announces plenty. i think of black human beings might get very protective while they hear this. despite in the event that they're undesirable tippers, they genuinely do no longer opt to take heed to it to their faces. in component of actuality, everyone who techniques decrease than 15-20% is a foul tipper. in case you do no longer experience which you're able to tip this volume, then basically admit which you're a foul tipper. yet assume to stand the outcomes. i've got self belief sorry for the black people who're good tippers as a results of fact they could get crappy provider. yet it is existence.

Answer 10

wow sweetie. that is so wrong of you to say that the majority of black people behave this way. maybe it's the vibe you give off as you assume they are going to be bad tippers and don't do your best to get a good tip from them. there are bad tippers in every ethnic group sweetie. maybe you should change jobs or your attitude sweetie. if people get bad or substandard service they have the right to complain as they are paying for this service and giving low tips is a way to complain.