Why do black people generally tip poorly?

Question

No, this is not a racist question. It is just a fact. I always work hard to give the very best service to ALL of my customers. But whenever a black family comes in, all of the servers (this includes servers of all ethnicities) cringe a little because they know that in all likelihood, no matter how much they bust their butt, they will be tipped poorly. I am not a racist person at all. I have black friends, just as I have friends of most every ethnicity. They are all just people like anyone else. But there is no denying that this "bad tipping phenomenon" does indeed exist. I am just curious if anyone has any insight as to why this is. I could understand if the blacks were from another country/culture. But they're not. They're as American as it gets. So why the bad tips? I can understand if the service was poor, or if all the server did was bring the food and drinks. But not when I do my best to "wow" with my service, yet still get next to nothing. What's the deal?

Answer 1

How could you people call her racist. She is stating a fact that she has observed from being a waitress. I have worked in retail and in the food industry and I notice the same thing. Alot(not all) African Americans tip poorly. They also don't say thank you as much as other races and ethnic groups. It's not just blacks though. Middle eastern people also tip poorly or not at all. I'm not sure anyone on this whole yahoo thing knows the correct definition for racism. Someone asking a question about an observation they have made hardly makes them racist. It is getting to the point that if you say anything specifically regarding another race you are called racist.

Answer 2

Actually, when I was working as a server, I got mixed tips for black people.

Once, I had a group of 4 black people come into the restaurant with 15 minutes to go before we closed. I'd been working a double and was as tired as could be, but when they sat in my section, I perked up and was as sweet as sugar to them like I was to all of my customers. I took great care of them making sure their food was perfect and the ice never touched the bottom of their glasses (they way I did all of my customers). At the end of their meal they gave me money for their over $50 tab for which the change was exactly a quarter (as in 25 cents). I gave them their change, told them (with a big smile) to have a great night and to come back again. They left smiling 45 minutes after closing time and I figured I'd done a great job. But, when I went to clean off their table, all I found for a tip was that one quarter for their change. I was so upset that I yelled "Oh hell no!". When my manager asked what was up, I showed them their "tip". He rolled his eyes and said "What @$$holes!"

However, there was also an older black man who came in once just to have some wings and fries and watch the game. I took extra special care of him because he was the only one in my section and the night was pretty slow. Even though his tab was only $10, he left me a $20 on the table! I thought that was so sweet!

I will agree that the majority of black people won't tip properly, but then it's also a proven statistic that most black people are from humble means and don't have the money to leave a proper tip (which I've always believed that if you don't want or can't leave a proper tip that you shouldn't go out). I totally agree with you and understand what you mean. This truly has nothing to do with race. It's simply an observation.

Answer 3

I agree with the other answerers here about you trying to not sound racist, but you actually are. Perhaps you could have worded the question a bit better.

You said "they are all people like anyone else". That's the core of the issue. It has nothing to do with a race, but the individual people. How do you know people aren't from another country or culture from the short time you are serving them? They may not have been "wowed" by your service, could have been short on money (it happens), or just don't know what's acceptable for a tip.

I think what may be happening is subconsciously you are generalizing and projecting the image that you don't expect them to tip you. You may be thinking you're giving the same level of service, but you may not be. They pick up on that and give you what you expect.

Answer 4

That phrase always makes me laugh! "I'm not a racist" followed by "I have black friends" lol. I don't take offense though. I know what you mean. I used to bartend and dance at a strip club and the best tippers were 30 year old Irish guys! But I didn't expect a great tip anytime one came in. I think it's because most black people did not grow up in a culture where tipping is the norm. Some people in general don't even know how to factor how much a tip should be depending on the price of the bill. It's an etiquette that has to be taught. Unless you have worked for tips before like, you don't really know how much a person relies on that as their salary. As a black person myself, I always overtip. Even if the service wasn't all that great. So I guess your statement isn't fact.

Answer 5

Had a problem with a waitress being impatient with me, I just wanted to change the plate of a plate where I saw a hairpiece inside. Or it was cause I wanted to request something, I can't actually remember what got her upset. My Korean friend said that I should always let the waiter know that the customer is always suppose to get what they want, to paraphrase. Of course, my nerdy Cantonese friend prior to that told me not to be afraid to ask for help at school since it's their job, blah blah. Anyway with people like that we only tip $5 altogether I believe. I think it was more than that or our usual. She's lucky to get a tip, cause I guess my friends came to to conclusion that she served and checked on us from time to time. Real hazy on the details, some might not be accurate. Anyway, this was the day where I met some racist midde aged and pruny white women next to our table. They probably were offended or something.

Answer 6

maybe they just don't like you no matter what you do. Maybe you just rub them the wrong way or seem fake to get a tip.

I don't tip people who are fake nice well either and I'm not black. Those servers are just annoying, and you can really tell when they're fake. It also may be that the people at your place of business can see the looks on the staff's faces, and are being put off by it.

Sounds more snobbish than racist.

Answer 7

Some people have no math skills, so they cannot figure out how much a 20% tip should be. It's easier to stay ignorant.

This has NOTHING to do with race, but people in general.

Answer 8

maybe because even though you "try your best to wow" them with your service, they can still tell you are cringing. i don't doubt that you try to please them. they probably run you around too. this happened to us when i was waiting tables too. just deal with it and keep on going.
some people just don't know that you should tip 20 percent automatically and scale it up or down on the service.

Answer 9

A little word of advice, when you are trying to prove you are not racist, never say that you "have black friends". That doesn't prove anything. And as the young lady said before me, it's not about race, but rather about a persons understanding of things and how they were raised. Certain people of all nationalities don't understand the importance of tipping sometimes.

Answer 10

OK this is a generalization, so I'll answer with a generalization; check the statistics, black people generally make less money than white people. Good enough answer?

I'm personally VERY SICK of hearing servers complain, and have begun to tip less and less as I read more and more whiny complaints in Q&A.