Do people understand how to tip properly?

Question

I recently started a job as a server at a local restraunt. I've had no previous experience, but always imagined I'd end up doing it sooner or later since I enjoy people so much. I like the atmosphere and my coworkers. My customers are usually nice, but I've been getting very frustrated because it seems no matter how hard i work it seems people will never appreciate me enough to give me gratuity that would be worth my while. I'm not doing anything wrong and for the most part i enjoy my customers and likewise. Just was wondering what some folks thought about tipping. I just feel degraded and unappreciated after getting stiffed at lunch today and getting around 10 dollars after a $120 total bill for lunch. I get paid $2.13 an . I work hard, keep glasses full. make recommendations and keep a nice conversation going. just wanted some input and maybe some sympathy :-P... I just feel like its criminal becuz we also have sidework and alot of responsabilities besides customers.. ty..

Apparently some people don't understand that I DO work hard.. I am a good server, i receive compliments and still get a bad tip. If i were bad i wouldn't expect it from people. It's just discouraging, i know people are set in their ways... however there is no way i can save any money on $2.13 an hr + bad tips... im really just venting out... sorry some people may take offense... and i appreciate those who understand somewhat... i'm sure things will get better.

Answer 1

Yes....most people dont understand the importance of tipping. There is another post i answered and most people assume since you are a waiter you are uneducated. They just dont get it. They would rather give 10 dollars a movie to lohan and paris who work so hard....than 4-6 dollars to you who acctually work. I cant believe people.

Answer 2

To answer you question I would say no I delivered Pizzas for several years I worked for min wage plus tips but the customer either could care less or just does not know that out of that comes my gas to make sure the pizza is hot and fresh , my insurance which is sky high because of my job. Not to mention wear and tear on my car. I have had people who will leave you on the stoop of the house in freezing rain while the answer the phone, feed the dog etc then will not only not tip but will wait while you go back to the car for a penny. Women are the worst when it comes to tips but the best tippers are the poor. They can appreciate where you are and where you have been. I had a Bank president every time I delivered to his home he would always be 50 cents to a dollar short I useally just bit the bulliet and went my way till I found out he did it to everyone. I see thise on here who are critical but How would they feel if they were given the same treatment everytime they wanted a raise?

Answer 3

I'm sorry you're not making as much as you feel you should. I'm sure you work hard and certainly deserve more than your base pay, but the truth of the matter is that a lot of people feel like they are being pressured to tip.Your job is an exception as it's always, in my lifetime anyway, been customary to tip waitstaff, but waitstaff is going to suffer because other employers are more or less forcing their employees to beg for tips. Look at all the places that have set out tip jars in the past few years. I frequent convenience stores that have signs saying they appreciate tips. It's out of control and a lot of folks are offended by the jars and signs and will just refuse to tip anyone, even waitstaff.

It's a sad reality, but it has gotten to the point that normal folk can't leave the house and have a nice evening out without spending more than they can afford, so tips are the first place we are going to cut back. I would never stiff a good waiter, even if the food was bad, but I refuse to tip anyone that drops hints about tips. The word TIP should never come out of the mouth of waitstaff within earshot of customers.

Hopefully things will get better for you, but if I were you I would keep looking for a better job where your people skills are appreciated by your employer as well as your clients or customers.

Answer 4

You are in a tough business and, yes, most people are clueless about tipping. If you have been on Answers you would note the inordinate amount of questions about tipping and statements from those who refuse to tip. So many people are cheap and/or uneducated about the tipping process. If your $120 bill was for 6 people, you might want to step up to a classier restaurant. When we dine at our favorite restaurant, it's a $100 per person and our tips are huge. A four person dinner with wine is a good $100 or more tip depending on how much wine is ordered. Get trained in an upper end restaurant.

Answer 5

Geeze, I didn't think places paid that little????????? I thought 15 to 20% of the bill is the right amount to tip? I hate to say this but with winter coming and heating and gas prices going thru the roof, people might not have that much extra $ to tip.

Answer 6

Your wondering what my thoughts on tipping are...well, here they are. I refuse to tip bad service. To me that is just rewarding bad behavior. It doesn't matter to me what is going on behind the scenes, your job as a server is to serve me, the customer. If you cannot do that then don't expect a tip.

Perhaps this isn't the vocation for you.

Answer 7

Thats their choice.

After paying that much (however much that is in pounds) for a meal, do you maybe think they might not want to give away more money?

Your in the job for the wrong reason if all you are after is tips. It just sounds greedy to me. A person will tip how much they feel is appropriate. Now how much money you need.

Answer 8

no sympathy here. clearly, you're not as good as you think you are.

p.s. as your customer, I really don't give a rip about "sidework and alot of responsabilities besides customers".