Reply #64: WRONG!!! [View All]

[dr.strangelove]

I bartended and waited tables for over 10 years. I now consider myself a great tipper. When I tip, my minimum for good service is 20%. I often tip 25-30% for very good service. Once I gave almost 50% for a party of 15 where a single waiter ran around serving us for three hours, while taking on 3 other regular tables.

However, BAD SERVICE means a poor tip from me. I used to bust my ass to be a good server. I ran to get orders, rushed to bring drinks as soon as the guests were seated. I cleaned up once the plates were clear and I went back to each table at least 4-5 times during a meal. During peak meal times it was difficult and maybe my service would decline, but I busted my ass. When I see a lazy or poor waiter, I leave a poor tip.

I once left no tip and wrote a note to the waiter. The waiter left after our drink orders were in and went out to have a smoke while our drinks were on the bar for 15 minutes. I went out and asked him where our drinks were. Later he did the same thing after dinner was served and one of my party got the wrong meal, he was again having a smoke. He never came back to ask how our meal was or ask if we wanted coffee or desert. I had to find him to get the check. The place was not full either. He was a bad waiter and he got no tip from me.

So, I know how hard a waiter works. If you work hard, I treat you better than most. I expect good service though. If you do a bad job, the tip will reflect it. If you get a poor tip, maybe it is because the patron is cheap, but it may just be that you did a bad job.

I know nothing about this situation, but I take exception to the indication that a former waiter would never let his tip indicate how the service was. If I read your post incorrectly, I am sorry, but this is what it sounded like to me.