America's worst tippers get their just desserts

[emad]

The Independent
By David Usborne in New York
04 February 2005


A quiet rebellion is brewing in restaurants across America and the combatants are arming themselves not with rolling pins or butter knives, but with computer keyboards.

These are the waiters and waitresses who finally have had enough with patrons who show them no appreciation, especially when it comes to the tip. Across the internet, websites are proliferating dedicated to the rants of restaurant staff saying what they really feel about the people they serve. They do not like many patrons, it seems, especially if they moan, make a racket or, worst of all, give a small tip.

It is a revolution in cyberspace that offers diners good news and bad. On the one hand, if restaurant employees can now work off their frustrations in chat rooms and on blogs maybe they will desist from exacting revenge by other means, such as tampering with your meal.

On the other hand, if you upset them unduly, you may find yourself identified on one of the websites.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=607551

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. LOL..bet the Bush girls are already on it

[Jack_Dawson]

2. FUCK YES!

As a former bartender, it warms my heart to have these fuckwits called out. Scottie Pippen used to be called "no tippin pippin" around Chicago eateries. Some of the richest people are also the worst tippers...go figure.

[Nailzberg]

7. I know No-Tippin-Pippen! That Bum!

On the other hand, Ron Harper of the Bulls came into my restaurant frequently, maybe to just get a margarita and some nachos before heading home, and he was a good tipper.

[Jack_Dawson]

20. You had an encounter?

So it's true then?

[Nailzberg]

27. I didn't wait on him, but I know others who have.

It is true. And the name is also true, every waiter in the 90's in Chicago knew it well.

[Susang]

88. Well, I have waited on him several times

And yes, what they say is true. It's not just that he's a rotten tipper, he also treats the staff with rudeness and disrespect.

BTW, Phil Jackson was always an absolute prince to everyone at the restaurant. The place I worked at is a mile from the United Center and was very hip in the late nineties, so I saw Jackson, Pippen, Rodman, Longley, et al, quite often in those days.

[kysrsoze]

54. M.C. Hammer = "Too Legit To Tip"

My former manager ran an Elephant Bar out in L.A. Hammer would come in with upwards of 20 people and leave NOTHING for a tip. What a piece of scum.

[Jack_Dawson]

62. Karma baby, Karma n/t

[Kali]

16. Its always like that

break down on the side of the road - who will stop to help? Not the rich bastard in the new SUV, that's for sure. I waitressed way back when - working guys always tipped better than suits. (and in general men tipped better than women - what's up with that?)

Have some German friends - they don't tip either but that is cultural - workers get paid a decent wage - they are shocked when they hear tips ARE the wage here...

[Jack_Dawson]

18. But shouldn't they know that?

I mean, read a book. Watch a movie. You've gotta know the deal with the country you visit.

[Kali]

46. nah they learn - its just a habit sort of thing

in Germany the tip is generally just the small change - it takes getting used to - the reverse happens to me - I have done restaurant work and I START at 15% for average service - but when you travel to countries where that isn't normal - they think you are either wierd, stupid, or arrogant "rich american" throwing wealth around! Its almost as hard to be "chintzy" for me as for my friends to actually TIP. - its not the money, its what you are used to.

[Misunderestimator]

83. True. When I lived in Germany they looked at me like I was crazy...

if I left more than whatever the amount rounded up to be to the nearest mark. I still always left a tip.

I've heard complaints however, in Florida, about German tourists who just don't get it here.

As for the women thing... I've heard that too, so I always make a point of tipping more.

[Boosterman]

26. Michael Jordan is an awesome tipper

Of course he tipped a girl here a 100 bucks for a drink and they complained about it. I guess the fact he had lost 500k might have entered the picture.

[blondeatlast]

74. They never had to work for tips.

Most of us have and so we appreciate what others must deal with.

[driver8]

82. I used to bartend...the best tippers were usually

other bartenders and waitresses. My wife always tells me that I "tip too much" but WTF, these people bust their asses and get paid almost nothing.

[RandomKoolzip]

3. Good!

Members of the Food Service Industry (like me) get treated like scum, criminals, parasites, or worse by our "patrons," and if we're not entitled to a living wage, then at least allow us a forum to bitch about the way you fuckers act towards us.

[alphafemale]

4. Having served my time, I can get a chuckle out of this. nt

[Craig3410]

5. My mother frequents a site like that... I forgot the name.

[Beware the Beast Man]

15. This may be the one:

http://bitterwaitress.com/

[cheezus]

6. maybe they should do their job better

They do not like many patrons, it seems, especially if they moan, make a racket or, worst of all, give a small tip.


Perhaps the patron left such a small tip is because they did something to make us moan or make a racket-- and when they did they acted like it was the worst thing ever.

Maybe restraunt owners should pay their employees a living wage instead of paying them (legally) below minimum wage and expecting them to kiss ass for the rest

[Tempest]

9. As someone who eats out a lot

I can tell you from experience that service has very little to do with tipping.

I've watched more times than I can count waitresses and waiters bend over backwards for customers and then be left just the coins from their change. I've seen almost as many be left no tip at all.


According to a survey taken in 2002 of the restaurant industry, service at restaurants was rated very good overall.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

10. just curious, have you ever waited tables?

or do you know anyone who has?

[Jack_Dawson]

22. I'm guessing "No"

Only someone who has never waited tables would make such an asinine comment.

[dr.strangelove]

64. WRONG!!!

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.

[Jack_Dawson]

66. If you've done the time,

then I respect whatever decision you make regarding tipping. Obviously a waiter who takes multiple smoke breaks deserves shit. I'm talking about the a-holes who punish the waiter for things beyond his/her control.

[Ramsey]

76. I agree

I reject this argument that I am REQUIRED to tip every waitperson because their employer doesn't pay them well enough. They should get a decent wage and get a tip if they do a good job.

My standard tip is 20%, or more, like you, for exceptionally good service.

But if a waitperson is neglectful, rude or incompetent, I leave 10%. If they are a total disaster, especially on the rude part, I leave nothing but tell them why and offer to let their manager know why as well, or I leave a penny, just to let them know I didn't forget.

It's rare that someone doesn't do a good enough job to get some tip, but I refuse to reward bad service or bad behavior.

[blondeatlast]

75. I think we already know the answer to that. The 'tude speaks

volumes.

[SmokingJacket]

24. You're right that restaurants should have to pay their staff

a real wage. Of course, we'd pay more for food. Which is a good thing, actually, since restaurant food is usually not the healthiest.

But cripes: have you ever worked in a restaurant? I worked my sorry ass off and I was STILL a lousy waitress. The even moderately friendly ones deserve a massive tip in my book. Many many people are godawfully rude, and it takes a LOT to put a smile or even a neutral expression your face when serving them. Customers' rudeness would shock you if you've never done it before. I guess it's because they're hungry, and maybe not used to bossing others around.

I remember one of my fellow waitresses -- and she was good at it -- saying that waitressing had destroyed her ability to like people.

[ernstbass]

28. Never waited tables, have you?

[jmm]

31. Many of them are blamed for stuff that's not their fault

This summer I ordered some chicken wings which obviously weren't put into the fryer long enough because they were hot on the outside while pink and icy on the inside. The waitress was very nice and offered to have a new order brought out for me. She even gave it to me for free yet a friend I was eating with wanted me to stiff her on the tip.

Yeah I've had waiters and waitresses act way out of line before but too often they're blamed for things they have no control over.

[Nailzberg]

36. Has nothing to do with the service.

In my experiances, the people I know who are lousy tippers are lousy tippers ALL THE TIME, regardless of how the service was.

The people that are good tippers, still leave a decent tip even when the service was less than good.

I've busted my ass for a party of 20 and they complained about the automatic gratuity for the large party. 15% was too much to tip.

That was my only table for an hour. That means in that hour I was going to make around 2 dollars + whatever the tip was.

[Greylyn58]

42. As someone who has worked as a waitress and

worked in the fast food industry, waiting on the general public is a hard and sometimes thankless job.

It was hard when I did it in the late '70s and early '80s. I can't imagine doing it now. I wasn't paid all that much then, it hasn't gotten any better now. Plus lot of folks have become rude and expect things in a hurry. I like to observer people when I go out and I know that alot of them couldn't care less about the folks serving them.

So when I eat out, I try very hard to give the waiter or waitress a decent tip because I know from experience their regular pay sucks.

[kysrsoze]

53. OK, so you're a cheap-ass.

On the whole, that is a crock. As a former waiter and bartender, often geography and one's degree of "trashiness" had much more to do with my tips than how well I served - and I was GOOD.

[Orangepeel]

87. "Maybe restraunt owners should pay their employees a living wage"

of course they should. but they don't. the system is set up so that servers depend on tips.

[SmileyBoy]

90. I expect that kind of attitude from somebody from Grand Forks.

:eyes:

[KurtNYC]

8. This was a big controversy while the GOP was in town

These fat cats would eat and drink like swine and then tell wait staff things like "bless you" or "I'll pray for you" as their tip.

British are not known to be great tippers since the concept is foreign in pubs, etc. there. Kind of ironic that they do this article (and single out italians).

[Tempest]

11. There was a post here from a NYC waitress about this

She had personal stories, and stories from her co-workers, about how cheap the Repugs were during the convention.

She also told stories about how married Repugs would try to pick her up while she was working.

[KurtNYC]

12. I see Rev. Schuller made the list

Not a nice man. Came with three fawning guests. They insisted on being seated on the outdoor deck which is so narrow fire marshalls only allow two people at a table. When refused they moved themselves and pushed tables together. Wouldn't move back to a suitable table when asked. There are no rules - fire marshall's or otherwise - that apply to the Reverend Schuller! Nasty people. I've waited on thousands and thousands and maybe a half dozen have put me in tears. Schueller & Co. were among those. Terrible tippers, too. Probably because I refused to join the breathless adoration of His Schuellerness.

http://www.bitterwaitress.com/gossip/articles.html?id=911

[Jack_Dawson]

23. Saw that too...SO doesn't surprise me

[skypilot]

13. I've waited tables and can sympathize, however...

...I'm not keen on the idea of putting bad tippers' names on a website. Kinda reminds me of those anti-abortion people who post peoples' pictures and addresses. I'm surprised that the article actually printed some of the names. Maybe the names they printed were made up. I hope so.

[RandomKoolzip]

17. No, they're not made up, and it's about time, I say.

[blondeatlast]

77. Too bad they don't post photos, eh?

Been on the other side and you have my respect and sympathy.

I try to always be respectful, polite, and generous, even with less than perfect service. I know what happens that is NOT in my server's control...

[killbotfactory]

14. Cheap bastards piss me off

Mostly rich white assholes. In my job, 99% of the trouble makers are rich white assholes who are outraged, OUTRAGED! that they have to pay a fucking dollar because they spent too much time in the parking lot. ONE GODDAMNED DOLLAR. They act like I just urinated in their faces when I tell them they need to pay me a dollar. It's like they are insulted if the rules apply to them. They will gladly hold up a line of cars for minutes while they complain and possibly cost the people behind them another dollar for parking. Assholes. I hate them.

Same type of people who don't tip.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[killbotfactory]

32. My wife was concerned she was becoming racist

She worked in customer service phone bank for a cell phone company. Black women would treat her like shit constantly.
:shrug:

[Jack_Dawson]

33. There were some very nice ones

but overall I ran my ass off for chump change.

[Cleita]

19. As a former restaurant worker, I always felt that the

gratuity should be added to the bill as a percentage like today's standard of 15%. It makes sense because the servers who work for minimum wage must make their money on their tips. Also, they must claim their tips on taxes and they are not honest, so there is no verifiable record there for the bookkeeper (me). Also, the kitchen staff and busboys often get stiffed and they are very much part of the whole system and they too for the most part make minimum wage.

A gratuity added system would help the restaurant owner too. If you paid your workers more than minimum wage, like a regular wage without gratuities, it would make many restaurants go out of business. Since restaurants rely on the public patronizing them, having a staff standing around scratching their asses on a slow day would be devastating. So a gratuity added on the bill would reward the workers for actual work done. Minimum wages reward the worker for showing up and being there.

I know many vehemently disagree with me that a gratuity is to insure promptness or TIP, however, I think extra special service could be tipped in addition. The gratuity itself should be re-labeled as a service charge

[ernstbass]

29. I totally agree

If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat!!!

[blondeatlast]

78. I support this 100%. Very sensible and completely fair to all. nt

[TlalocW]

21. I can honesly say

I always tip at least 20% no matter what the service is like as a self-preservation thing - I don't want the waitstaff remembering me as cheap next time I'm in and spitting in my food or worse.

http://stainedapron.com/

TlalocW

[soothsayer]

45. so do I (after tax!) but is less than 17% a bad tip? YES, says

bitterwaitress.com

"a shitty tip is, by my definition, any gratuity under 17% for service which one's peers would judge as adequate or better (eg. orders are correct, on time, special requests are honored, etc.)"

WTF??

[devilgrrl]

25. Just so you waiters & waitresses know...

I tip 20%.

[Boosterman]

34. Hmmm other rich celebrities I can think of

I know that Franco Harris is a good tipper. Jerry "the king" Lawler, and Joe Theisman are all good tippers. Russell Copeland (most wont know him) is good.

Yancy Thigpen used to come here and he was a relatively crappy tipper but OK. I have heard bad things about Jerry Lee Louis but couldnt swear to it..

[alfredo]

35. Sorority sisters are horrible tippers.

Chet Atkins, the late great musician was a great tipper.

[PowerToThePeople]

37. I would say

I would say that the service does NOT weigh into the tip that much. I have worked in service industry for most of my adult life and there are people who tip good, and those who don't. I have indeed seen seen people who haven't tipped well slightly increase their tips if they are extremely overserviced compared to normal, but they still don't reach higher end tips. Some people are just cheap, that is all there is to it. Level of service only plays into it if it is realy poor....

[Touchdown]

38. Got a tipping story for you.

Not sure how much car washers/waxers are supposed to get, so I assume 15%.

Anyhow, this brand new Subaru VR? or VXsomething (the little 4 door sports car) comes out of the wash first, then my old '95 Mazda. One bossy blond kid takes ownership of the new Subaru, and tells two others to wax mine. He does a fantastic job, that Subaru is spotless and shining. The other two boys do a pretty good job on my car, but not as good as bossy blond.

The Subaru owner is nowhere to be found, so Bossy Blond runs off and grabs rags and starts on an SUV...then Subaru owner gets into his car, after giving it a once over, and starts her up. Bossy Blond comes running over to him, stops looks dejected and waves to the cheapskate...no tip.

My two guys get done about 2-3 minutes later. I look the car over, and give one of them a $10 to split between the two of them. Wash and wax was $45, is $10 enough? I drove off with a bit of smugness that Bossy Blond made a bad assumption that a new car would tip better than one that's paid off! I hope my two boys threw their tip in his face! :D

[misanthrope]

39. I worked in the bar/restaurant industry...

...for many years and have performed every job imaginable in those type institutions, from the back of the house to the front of the house, from the bar to the stage, I've done it.

I can tell you with the utmost confidence that quality of service has very little bearing on the gratuity. Those who are the most difficult to serve or please are almost unfailingly the worst tippers because it all breaks down to one thing: conscientiousness.

If someone is conscientious of others, it will show in their behavior. They will not make ridiculous demands, they will set their expectations relative to the current situation and they will tip better. It's mostly decided before they ever even walk through the door.

And, yes, sadly enough, waiting on the public is a real good way to learn just what kind of jerks comprise a sizable portion of society.

[driver8]

86. You are exactly right!

Like I mentioned before, I used to tend bar and saw it all the time. We had a regular clientele and I knew who was going to give me a hard time and who wasn't. I knew who was pleasant to talk with and who to never say a word to.

In restaurants my wife and I try to be as courteous as we can to the people working there. She was a waitress after college so she knows what the waiters and waitresses go through. I hate it when I see some schmuck being mean or talking down to a restaurant worker. There is no need for that shit.

[double_helix]

40. Tips should be based on service - not social obligation or wealth.

When I was a teenager (in the early 90's) I bagged groceries. There is no salary for that job, all of your earnings come from tips. But I knew that if I did a good job and interacted well with people I would get better tips. Needless to say I made more money that each of my friends with "on the books" jobs, and of course I didn't pay any taxes (hey, I was just a kid). When I got home I was often tired, but felt rewarded and motivated to go back the next day to see how much more I could make.

Tips are the incentive for people to work harder and longer, where the people who do the most gain the most. Fixed salaries in service industries set up a dynamic where the person who does the least gains the most.

However, because of social correctness, tips have become more about obligation than service, where everybody gets the same amount, which defeats the whole notion of a tip.

And just because someone is wealthy doesn't mean they have to leave a huge tip - it should be based on the service. A wealthy diner may be a self made individual who came from poverty, who understands the dynamics of capitalism: profit motive/incentive encourages personal and financial growth.

When I tip at a restaurant/diner, I start with a baseline - like 15% for average service - then subtract or add percentage points for bad or good service - leaving no less than 10% for horrible service.

ps. I don't blame bad food (which is the cook's fault) on the waitress. I judge her on how she does her job. Even if the food is bad, and the waitress is nice about it, she'll still get a good tip.

[misanthrope]

44. "You get what you pay for"...

Isn't that true with everything?

[mrbassman03]

59. Very true!

Especially the last part about bad food... usually the waitress will be very understanding, no reason they should not get a tip!

[cattleman22]

41. Some servers don't deserve a good tip

My wife and I generally tip 20% if a server is average. However I have been subjected to poor service and I do not feel that poor service should be tipped as well. The biggest complaint I have is that we seem to get poorer service than people who order alcohol. My wife and I always order water. My next biggest complaint is that some servers never refill my water. I will drink 4 or 5 glasses of water with a meal and sometimes I never even get 1 refill. These servers do not deserve to be tipped at 20%.

[misanthrope]

43. If you go...

...back to those restaurants on a regular basis, and always tip 20%, your service should be improving dramatically. If it isn't, then I suspect there may be some other reason for such.

As a rule of thumb, patrons who drink alcohol normally tip better than those who don't. And those who order water have a tendency to be cheap.

However, if you're defying those patterns, and giving them repeat business, I don't know what to say.

If we go somewhere and service is consistently bad on three visits, we just don't go back. It's pretty simple and avoids the frustration for both yourself and everyone else involved. But getting in a pissing contest with the person lowest on the business' hierarchy ladder? You're only wasting your time, creating bad energy and not reflecting well on your wisdom or maturity.

[cattleman22]

48. I find that to be dispicable

A server who gives poor service simpply because the patron did not order alcohol deserves to not only receive little or no tip, but to also be fired.


My wife and I rarely repeat restaurants as we are relaitvely low income and dine out infrequently. When we do got out, we like to try new places.

[miyazaki]

71. Well

Sometimes I don't leave my server jack shit if they are undeserving. Wanna add me to the list?

[blondeatlast]

79. You're probably already there. nt

[KayLaw]

47. Don't know where you go

You might try warning the server you're big water drinkers. Some restaurants have carafes they can leave on your table so you don't have to go thirsty. I've done that with tea on really hot days.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

49. They have some for "George Bush"

http://www.bitterwaitress.com/std/index.html?keyword=bush&search=search

[donheld]

65. Dear Tupac - he's a hero here.

Tupac Shakur Baltimore 6 $1240.00 / $500.00 40% read details
http://www.bitterwaitress.com/std/index.html?page=11

[Siyahamba]

Uh oh...

http://www.bitterwaitress.com/std/index.html?keyword=John+Kerry&search=search

There's no way to verify these, of course. It's all anonymous.

[ChickMagic]

50. I generally tip 20%

If the service is really bad, I go down to 15%. I am not good at math, so I carry a cheat card with me. My hubby thinks 10% is good enough, so when he's not looking, I add to it. :)

When I was tending bar and waiting tables, a gregarious group of well to do folks came in. One of the other waitresses swiped my hamburger order, so I had to explain that to the fellas. After falling over backwards to make up for it I got a 35 cent tip.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

52. I usually tip 20% and if they're really good 25-30%

Even if someone else pays the tab, I have been known to "slip" a little something extra. It makes these people's nights. They feel good and I feel good about it. What's an extra two, five, ten, twenty dollars to me? Not that much....

I figure that they usually make less money than I do and many are one step away from being broke. They don't have health insurance and often either don't even get "base" pay or if they do it's $2.00/hour.

I was a waitress for about a week and it is really really hard work. It's the only job that I've ever been fired from in my life....

If someone was really rude and gave horrible service - I might go down to 15% or below. Once someone was really nasty and gave horrible service and I think I only gave them 10%.

[mojaverose]

51. "Little People" All Over The Country Are In This Boat

There seems to be a revolution taking place in this country - and it's not a good one. Maybe it's the growing gap between haves and have nots, I don't know.
People treat clerks in stores, waitstaff, hotel employees, car park attendents, and the like as if they're slaves; have no intelligence, no feelings, and can't hear what is said about them. Customers yell at these people, make comments about their incompetence, and in general feel perfectly comfortable making a**es in themselves in front of us. They demand extra service, and yell when they can't have it, or it's too slow in coming.
Some of us get even by such things as putting their bread under heavy objects, or making their bags extra heavy, or some such. Some of us say things under our breath. I have one friend who says, "F*** you very much", very softly. Often the person will say "What did you say?" and he puts on an innocent face. "Thank you very much". Others profess ignorance if they're asked if we carry something in "that" tone. If you can't get good help, you might take a look at your own behavior. Like I say a lot, a clerk has no power, but he/she has All The Discretion in the world.
These people are getting angry. You should Hear the comments in the break room. We try to hold each other up but a rebellion is brewing. It's good that waitstaff have a website that they can go to. But it's only the tip of the iceberg. Whether people know it or not, those "little people" make everybody's world go round.

[rucky]

55. I've always said that everybody should wait tables for at least 2 weeks

that'll take care of the bad tippers.

[Boosterman]

56. Would eliminate a lot of rudeness too. eom

[sadiesworld]

61. Exactly...

Forget mandatory National Service, a few weeks waiting tables or tending bar should be required for everyone.

Ah...I still have the occasional "in the weeds" nightmare (17 years later). :)

[Jack_Dawson]

63. LOL!

Me2. :toast:

[blondeatlast]

80. It'll cure an awful lot of what's wrong with American culture.

I learned more about life from schlepping burgers than my entire education gave me.

[Misunderestimator]

84. I waited tables for three months... that was definitely enough for me.

[earth mom]

57. OMG...i LOVE this!

15 years ago, I left waitressing after 10+ years. It was a stress filled, maniacal and exhausting job that required having to deal with far too many rude and demanding customers...I am absolutely delighted to see servers exacting some revenge! :bounce:

What far too many on the other side of the table don't realize is that servers are literally working just for tips. By the time income taxes are paid via an estimation of tips from gross daily sales, servers usually don't bring much of a pay check home from their employer. We're talking maybe $50 to $75 or so a week. In addition, there are servers out there who WILL exact their revenge immediately ie spitting in food, dropping food on the floor, etc. Of course, I was too nice to ever do that-LOL-but I DID witness it.

Those who don't treat people with respect no matter what kind of work they do are really a lower life form; or in other words, scum.

[newportdadde]

58. Well I have to say my tips are based soley on the service.

If I get good service I leave a good tip, if I get poor service I'm going to leave a smaller tip. I'm not dropping 15%+ when in the course of an hour I see a waiter/waitress two times, once getting the order and maybe 10mins a quick buzz by after someone else in the back brings out the food then nowhere to be found while my overpriced soda or water runs out.

I have never once in my life complained about food, asked to have something taken back etc, all I want is my water not to run empty and I'm happy.

[cattleman22]

68. That is my sentiment as well.

I have never sent any food back either. Yet it seems to me that one of the basic jobs of keeping the water refilled is overlooked by some servers.

[Susang]

89. Do you still get paid if you have a bad day at work?

Are you required to pay out of pocket for every little mistake you make? Just curious......

[salin]

91. I almost always leave a good tip

25%+. I have done the waiting tables and bar-tending thing. However, on a few occaisions I have received such horrendous service where there is no "obvious" reason (e.g. there is not a crowd, or the floor is not under-staffed) and the service was frustrating (ie there is a difference between inadequate service and really awful service) that the idea of giving a full tip is hard to fathom. This is extremely rare - and I can't remember "stiffing" - but I have given a low tip (10%) in such cases. Having done the work, I do not believe that a decent or big tip is entitled in the face of extremely poor service. Per your question - I still got paid for bad days - but if it had an effect on my service than I would expect a lower rate of tips. And in other jobs I have held if I consistently did not perform - I wouldn't expect to have a job - but earn less - I would expect not to have a job at all.

[Lisabtrucking]

60. George Steinbrenner is a great tipper.

Worked his son,s wedding, and every-one who worked it got paid very well, and got an extra hundred on top of that as a personal tip.

[BunnyPuncher]

67. I tip well so i get that extra...

splash of liquor that the bartenders don't give the cheapskates... about 25% of the alcohol is in the top 3mm of the shot glass (it is okay, they just short shot the skin flints).

Cheers.

[Solly Mack]

69. I'm sooooo glad I'm a good tipper!

lol

I waited tables while in school...it's a thankless job.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

70. Question(s)...

A waitperson serves dinner for two at a posh restaurant. The tab is $500.00. Tip is $100.00.

A waitperson serves dinner for 10 at Denny's. The tab is $100.00. Tip is $20.00.


Who worked harder and who got screwed? Both got a decent 20% and both are probably relatively happy with their respective tips. But something feels wrong. Today's America in a nutshell?

[misanthrope]

72. Often...

...the server from the posh place is working under a different set of circumstances.

Working their way up to waiter from a lower position takes longer.

Their customers are more than likely into conspicuous consumption and those people are usually horrendous to wait on.

The server has to "tip out" a lot more folks than a server at Denny's.

Not to mention, one mistake (sometimes innocuous) can cost a server a lot more income in a nice place than in Denny's, so it's a different kind of stress. Not greater or lesser, just different.

I really think you're comparing apples and oranges. I've done both and each carries with it its own set of pros and cons.

[makhno]

73. A short order cook ...

... busts his ass for 14 hours a day and makes $40, no tips. Now, that's wrong.

[Misunderestimator]

81. L......O......L

Good.

[sendero]

85. Whether right or wrong...

..... I do tip according to service. My basic tip is 15%, 20% for exceptional service, 10% for lousy service.

I like to think I'm smart enough to tell when any problem arises is due to the negligence of the server, or something beyond their control. I don't penalize the server for the cook's mistakes.

I go out to eat pretty frequently. I, and my whole family, drink water because I can't have sugar and the rest of my crew have been taught how pointless it is to drink sugar water. I'm sure some servers are thinking "cheapskate", but that is not the case as they usually find out when we order our food :)

It is very very rare that I get poor service. Most servers around here try hard to take care of everything. One of our kids has a million allergies and his orders almost always have to be special. Most of the time, the servers and cooks handle our requests without making us feel like we are being a problem. And I appreciate that.

[emad]

92. The waiting staff in NYC's "Gustavavinos" are cool and deserve

every hard-earned $$$tips they make...
xx