Is it ever okay NOT to tip? If I get lousy service, like the last time I was out am I still expected to tip?

Question

I hadn't really noticed it because I don't eat out a lot but my daughter kept making me aware of all the things that weren't happening, like for instance, when they brought us to our booth I HAD TO REMOVE the service tray that the last bus person left there; We had to keep looking for the waitress for EVERYTHING, like more bread, beverage refills, you name it.

I thought we were on one of those hidden camera TV shows at one point. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want any spit in my food...ya know what I mean?

Hey greedy, for your information, I was neither impatient nor rude and I happen to be a shuttle bus driver who "appreciates" tips THAT I EARN and DESERVE. My daughter couldn't believe how PATIENT I was during all this NON-SERVICE. It was lunch time but the restaurant wasn't crowed at all. I was amazed that no one cleaned off the table direct across from us the entire time we were there. I guess they were ALL having a bad day. That might explain why there were so few patrons. And this one will NEVER go back there again.

Answer 1

Yes, if the service is lousy you can certainly not tip. I would also talk to the manager and let him/her know why you were not leaving a tip.

If the service is good but the cook is bad, on the other hand, don't take that out on the server, who has little or no control over what the cook does.

Answer 2

Although some servers will argue with it, it is perfectly reasonalbe to not tip the server. If the server is giving bad service or if the service at the restaraunt is just plain bad, you can withhold your tip. If you really want to make a statement of it, have a manager come over and explain why you are not leaving a tip. If the bad service continues at this place when you go back then stop going back there.

Yes, the servers are being paid less per hour than minimum wage, however, that is no reason for the customer to have to pay extra for bad service.


ADDED:
greedy1004 says you should always tip no matter what. I think that person's name says it all. Maybe if the restaraunts instantly fired bad performing employees and there was a way to guarantee that those employees never work in the food service again, then always tipping is an option. However, that is not true. There are tons of people working in food service who should not be there and the management (sometimes it is the management) will do nothing to get rid of them. The reason for the restaraunt to be there is to serve the customer and make money from that service. If the customer is not pleased then the business AND its employees are not doing their job. The customer is fully within rights to withhold tips. Part of the problem is that servers are too accustomed to tips. They expect them no matter what. Another part of the problem is that these tips are being shared with people who are directly contributing to the service that the customer is receiving. Busboys do not contribute to the service that a customer is receiving. They should be paid above minimum wage and not get a share on the tips. The same goes with people washing dishes. They do not contribute directly to the service that the customer receives. They should not get a share of the tips. The cooks should be paid a fair wage and should not get a share of the tips. There are too many people wanting in on the tip action. Only people who make a direct positive contribution to the service that the customer receives should be in line for a tip. In other words, if the person never talks to the customer, then the person should not get a tip. If the service is foul and the customer is not taken care of then no tip should be expected. Maybe the server will learn from the experience and do a better job next time. There is no reason to ever force a customer to pay extra for bad service.

On top of that your "Rule of thumb #2: Never piss off your server or your bartender." is a threat and is not even remotely part of class or manners. Why not piss off the server or bartender? Hmm? I know what you are implying. The server or bartender will do something to get even. There is the threat. Any person who does something to get even with a customer is not a person who should ever be in a job working with customers.

Answer 3

If you have very bad service you do not have to leave a tip. However, if it is a good restaurant you should let the management know about the quality of the service before you leave. Also, deliberately leave three pennies on the table. That way the waiter/waitress knows you did not simply forget to tip. I learned this from my aunt and uncle who ran one of the best restaurants in Colorado for over 25 yrs.

Answer 4

This is timely - we ate out last night with lousy service.

I leave a tiny bit of money, like one time two pennies, just so the server knows that I didn't forget to tip. And yes, I serve, so I know how challenging the job can be at times and I am pretty critical so I make sure that someone with me agrees that the service was horrible.

My husband has suggested bringing pen & paper with us to write a note detailing things like what you wrote above - to let the person know the reason for lack of tip. I think I'd only do that if I was never going to the place ever again.

Answer 5

Some people, especially those in the restaurant/hospitality industry say you should tip, even for bad service. Their rationale is that tips are split among others aside from the waiter.

Maybe so, but that is NOT your problem. You received bad service. You want to send a message. Do so. Maybe pressure from the cooks and the busboys will get the bad waiter to improve.

Answer 6

I was taught that tip stands for"to insure proper service". If I have a good waiter/waitress, I always tip 20%. I f I have a terrible server, I either leave no tip or I leave 2 pennies on the table. That way, they know I didn't forget to tip, I just did not receive proper service.

Answer 7

I don't say any thing to them about the service i just don't give them a tip if i feel they don't deserve it.
If the service is horrible i never go back to that restaurant again and i tell all my family and friends about the service at this restaurant.

Answer 8

Shame on everyone who said not to tip...or give a pompus insult of leaving pennies. Serving impatient and rude people who have never done it in their lives is not easy. Servers are the middle people between you and the kitchen...they have no control of other people taking up their time and making them run around. They certainly have no control over anything in the kitchen. Servers generally make just over $2.00 an hour. What if they are just having a bad day? What if you were having a bad day, so your boss just decided you didn't deserve to get paid?

The rule of thumb is if you are generally satisfied with your service (not your meal), you tip %15-%20. If you are less than satisfied, you tip less...NEVER NOTHING or pennies!!! People who do that are ignorant, have no class, no manners, no social etiquette, and should just stay home and cook it themselves.

Rule of thumb #2: Never piss off your server or your bartender.

Rule of thumb #3: Karma exists.

Answer 9

If the service is that bad, instead of stewing about it, ask for a check covering what has been served. That will get the message across and if asked, explain that you are not happy with the service. Leave a normal tip and leave with your head held high, that is the gracious thing to do.

Answer 10

Usually when that happens I don't tip well but I do leave something.... Everytime something happens I usually say ok thats one less dollar there getting....But espicaly if it's a place you will go back to you don't want to have a reputation of not tipping because ur service will suck everytime you go in there