Why do people think resturant servers make alot of money?

Question

I work at O Charleys and i have noticed over the past few years that my guest have become alot cheaper, demanding and just plain rude, our tips are getting lower and we are working harder, i have heard people say that we make alot of money and we cheat on our taxes, this is not true, we are taxed on 17% of our total check average, that witch comes out of our $2.13 hourly wage, I work around 40 hours a week and my paycheck is usually around $20.00. When I file my taxes i hardly get back anything if i don't owe, I bring home on an average week around $250.00 to $300.00, I can barely pay my bills each month and yet i wait on people who drive Mercedes benz and tip me $5.00 on a $100.00 check, that actually cost me money. It's not fair but theres nothing we can say or do about it..there are some days i come home with less than $20.00, and people think they are doing us a favor by leaving us 10%, please tip at least 17% for the greater good of our community

Answer 1

I don't think its the fact of servers making a lot of money, as it is general population not knowing how much work is envolved, lemme break it down real quick for you ... the cooks are #$&holes...the managers are D-bags, and you are just plain *****...... but we gotta smile and kiss ur butts no matter how ridiculous u are...and lets say you eat and then sit for 2 hours and swill down drink after drink ( wich is ok )u leave and i get to the table to CLEAN UP AFTER you i find an awsome 2 dollars
oh and a note that says great job!!!.....so here in MI servers make around 2.65 an hour so you do the math could you pay your bills on good job notes?or even 3.65p/h?(pretty much the same) I dont care what kind of car you drive....but do notice....the only real prob I have is we are people just like you just because we have to work every holiday and clean up after you doesnt mean u should treat us like peasents i mean come on. ... and for those of you who decided that we should just get a new job.... You are probably one of the 60 percent of the population that have worked for tips and knows what its like but just are bitter and think they can do better, when the truth is you were one of the 30 percent that couldnt hack it!!! fact of the matter is if your server sucks tip him/her accordingly any thing under 4 dollar tip minimum is ridiculous
no matter how little the bill.. were not asking for handouts just to be treated decent and to be payed enough to get by...those of you who arnt we remember that 0 dollar tip and your little snotty comment!!!!!!!!!. so just check you food real good next time
by the way Im a cook but was a server for some time

Answer 2

I am a server, so I know servers don't make ALOT of money. However, I also know that they make a lot more than some say. I totally agree that a lot of people don't understand the concept of tipping or how much to tip, seeing as there is more to my job than just taking and order and delivering food. A lot of people will take out their frustrations on you, when it could be the cook or someone else's fault. But if you're working 40 hours at O Charleys of all places you should be able to make more than 250-300. I make almost double that, and I would consider O Charleys a step above where I work. All I can guess is that either your restaurant isn't very busy so you're not getting enough tables per shift, or maybe you're just not that great of a server (sorry, not trying to be insulting but there are people out there that are just not cut out for this).

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Just a question to ask yourself, are you a server, or an order taker? I've waited tables for 10 years and I know the difference between asking someone what they want and punching it into a computer, and giving someone a dining experience. I will not tip more than 10% to anyone who doesn't bother to ask me if I've been there before, suggested something for me to try, make eye contact with me, or most important of all smile. Just one of thoes things makes a huge difference between an order taker and a server. It wasn't until I worked for an awesome family that actually trained me how to cater to peoples needs, did I understand that I don't have to tip anyone for "punching in an order" any more than they would have to tip me. I was a glorified busser at my first job. Can I get you something to drink? What's for dinner? How is everything? I'll take the bill whenever you're ready. Where's my tip? With that script, I was making 10% Actually caring, having a three table station, that was what made me money.
I've never had anyone claim my tips for me. Isn't that against the law? I've been required to claim all my credit card tips, the clock out wouldn't let me punch in a penny less, but that's money I did make. Sounds kinda funny, you may want to look for another company that doesn't screw you around like that.
And think about it are you just an order taker or a true hands on, anticipating all needs before they're asked, I really give a crap about you being happy to come back and see me again and make me and the company more money, SERVER?

Answer 5

Either some of those responding haven't served before or they really don't appreciate the work servers put into their jobs! I work at a family restaurant, possibly the bottom of the restaurant chain when it comest to customers and tips, but I've noticed that it tends to be the people with the most money that tip the worst! Guests have become very fussy, needy and rude. Especially during the holidays I see people who will lay down just under 10% and feel as though they're being generous. Understandable that you're trying to survive the holidays, but we don't get a pay raise and will start losing money if people assume differently. Servers in certain states aren't allowed to get even minimum wage so asking for a raise is way out of the question. I have friends who work in restaurants that serve alcohol which tends to bring in better money, but that doesn't mean their customers aren't cheap either. If you can't afford to go out to eat and tip at least 15% without complaints on the service, go to McDonalds or Culvers. And if you have the money and just don't feel like spending the extra buck? I guess all I can say is I would hope you have a good reason. Serving is definitely not an easy job!

Answer 6

I have never thought that servers make lots of money...probably because I was one for many years. It seems as though you should try working in a nicer restaurant with better clientele. I worked in fine dining and got few crappy tips. When I go out, I ALWAYS tip 20%, and if service is really great, I'll tip more than that. Then again, I understand being on that side of the table.

Answer 7

I think 'regular' customers tip better since they obviously like the food and service and plan on coming back. Customers 'just passing through' don't have a conscience about their actions. You are correct with regards to the behavior of the general public. I see rudeness and disrespect in all my travels and its a shame that we don't treat each other better. I'm in the food service industry as well and believe in tipping a minimum of 20% unless something is seriously wrong with the service.
Also, keep in mind the difference between clientele at a family restaurant like O'Charley's and a high end restaurant. You'll definitely make more money if you go for a white tablecloth establishment. If you like what you do, maybe its time to get paid what you deserve! Go for it!

Answer 8

I would change job's. It sounds like where you work isn't in a area that you would get good tips. I've found that middle class area's you get the best tip's. I don't know why everyone's response to your question is so rude?! I was raised to tip 20% no matter what!! These people work for their tips and everyone has a bad day, you shouldn't punish your server if she has one too. I will not go to lunch with a person ever again if they treat the server badly or leave a bad tip.

Answer 9

I learned to serve in a small town steakhouse where I thought a dollar per person was a good tip. Now I work at Applebees and Ive learned alittle bit more about tipping. I believe that the tip should be reflective of the service from the true server (Ive been places where I only seen my server one time and that tells me he/she thinks their guests are not important-I work with a lot of these types). The thing that bothers me most is the guests who incounter problems, which are resolved, not tipping. I dont know how many tables I had that have complained and got FREE food and tipped me nothing because they had problems. You didnt pay for the food because it was bad... was the service bad too, just because the manager had to step in?

Answer 10

How much a server makes depends on how good they are as a server, the type of restaurant (diner, casual, fine dining, etc), and the location of the restaurant. I have worked for over 8 years in the restaurant business; half the time in a fine-dining environment, and the other half in a more casual, theme restaurant. I made a lot more money at the fine-dining restaurant, but had to work a lot harder to make less money at the more casual place. So, basically, if you aren't happy with the money you make now, go work for a nicer restaurant, maybe in a nicer part of your town. At my fine-dining restaurant, during our busy season, I could make an easy $300 in a weekend.