random question about dining out and tipping your server?

Question

i work at a restaurant and notice that a good percent of the time customers fail to tip me 15% or more. I know i am an excellent waitress for the most part ( i do make mistakes so i understand getting undertipped in those situations) but i'm just curious, are people unfamiliar with the 15% rule, or are they simply greedy and don't think tipping is necessarry? and are you aware that mast servers make between 2-5 dollars an hour depending on the minimum wage where they live, so we really need those tips to pay our bills just like everyone else. one more question. What could your server do that would guarantee them a very generous tip (i'm talkin 20% or more) besides giving away free food, because risking my job wouldnt be worth the nice tip.

Answer 1

I once worked as a server so I know where you're coming from. Ever since my experience, I'm very picky about how my servers serve me. If they show as much pride as I did in their work, I always tip 15%. If they show more, I've been known to tip as much as 25%! However, I've also been known to leave as less as 5% or nothing at all, but that's only reserved for the people who REALLY suck at what they do.
I think people who don't adequately tip are those who think you're "just doing your job" and think an income of $2-$3 an hour is enough to live off of. What they fail to realize is, their servers don't actually HAVE to serve them. THEY were the ones who chose to eat out that night. If they don't want to leave a tip, they shouldn't have gone out to eat! These are the same people who have never worked in the food industry and don't know what it's like having to be on their feet all hours of the day and dealing with some of the pickiest and rudest people on the planet.
Of course, there are those select few who really honestly don't know how to tip, but ignorance is no excuse IMO.

Don't worry, dear! There are people out there who sympathize!

Answer 2

I think that most people know the 15% guideline. But it shouldn't be called a rule because a tip is an extra, and not required. I usually give tips to those who really worked for it. If everyone around me is getting the same service, whether good, bad, or great, then i didnt get anything out of the ordinary and figure that is what the server is told to do in that restaurant. Now if i notice that i got my food or drinks quicker, or the waitress/waiter stoped by just enough (but not too often!) to keep my glass full then I'll give a good tip. My point is that if everyone is getting the same service then why should I pay extra for it? Just try to make your customers actually notice that you are putting in the extra effort. If they dont notice it, then why should they leave anything extra?

I usually start at 10% and if i dont go thirsty and my food comes out in a reasonable amount of time, then it goes up to 15%. If they put in really good work then it may go up firther. Especially if the waitress is cute.

Answer 3

I try to tip 15% when I recieve good service. I define good service as my server being friendly, takes my order acuratly and is pleasant overall. I don't think its too much to ask or expect from a waiter. Usually I recieve good service. There are times when I have recieved bad service. Once I was at an Ale House and the waiter just walked off and said "I'll be right back" while my boyfriend at the time was in mid-sentence of giving his order. Needless to say that guy did not get a tip. When the service is that bad I don't tip and I don't return to the resturant. There has been a few times when I have recieved exceptional service. To me exceptional service is going beyond just being pleasant. For example, not having to ask for a refill is nice, staying visible so I don't have to flag down some random server would be good. In those cases I tip more than 15%. that rarely happens but i am happy to do it when it does cuz the server did such a good job. I have gone out to eat with people who habitually don't tip. There reason is that they simply don't want to. They don't feel it is nesecary because the servers are already getting paid. I tell them that the bulk of servers income comes from tips but they don't care. Their response is "Well they need to get another job." If that happended there would be no resturants. I try not to go out with those kind of people, stuck-up, rude, inconsiderate. But sometimes even if you go above and beyond people still don't tip. Some people are just like that.

Answer 4

I was a server for years, so I know the feeling. I think people these days are so concerned with saving a buck here and there that they're willing to short their servers regardless of service quality. But you can always tell a current or former server when you come across them. We always tip well. As far as what to do to get better tips, don't stress over it. The harder you try, the more desperate and needy you seem, and the more you'll annoy your customers. Instead, have fun. Talk to them, strike up a quick conversation (but know when to walk away and let them talk), and be attentive. Fill drinks without being asked, clear plates, you know the drill. And if you make a mistake, don't be afraid to admit it and get a manager involved without waiting for them to ask you to.

Answer 5

The number reason would be a mean or very rude server, which I've actually encountered. As a server myself I just can't imagine being rude to a guest and getting away with it.

Answer 6

Yes, most people are getting really cheap. The other day I had a table of four, it was right before lunchtime, so I devoted all my attention and time to them I know I gave them an excellent service and gues what? They ended up tipping me 10 % I can't believe that. It is obvious that some people have never worked in the restaurant industry and don't know how HARD it is.

Answer 7

I nearly always tip 20%, and more if it's a lower priced meal like breakfast. Exceptions would be driven by poor service. I live in the NYC metro area, and I understand tips vary around the country.

Answer 8

I think most people are familiar with the 15%, they just don't care. Not to mention it is very expensive to eat out anymore. People are looking out for themselves not for you. I also used to work in the food industry and I know how hard you work for nothing it seems. Hopefully your good tips cancel out the bad.

Answer 9

I worked for $5 an hour much of the time but I had a job!
What's your problem? You gonna complain?

Answer 10

i am an ex-server so i feel your pain. working that industry is a financial/emotional rollercoaster but don't forget the tip is based off of the total before taxes. if you calculate your earnings off of the subtotal you might not feel jilted as much.