Clearly youve never been a server in central florida, at a chain restaurant. I have. Olive Garden, in Orlando. We were busy from opening to close. And some tables I made $100 or more, but others I made 10%. Not bad service. Just people who dont know/care about the rules.
What rules??? Nowhere is there a set of rules stating any diner is required to pay a tip to anyone......it is a commonly accepted practice, but not a rule. Do you think maybe your service level between the two different tips could have resulted in the variation??? I'll bet you don't....in your words, just being there and punching the time-clock should be enough warrant the highest tip possible. I am sure you have good days and bad days, but you also need to expect a difference in your tips if you are having a day where you are a little off. Being off happens to everyone, but in a service job dependent on tips you can't let the bad day effect your customers. By the way, Orlando is not the only place in the world that has busy restaurants......matter of fact, I am going to bet my experience in the industry would make your head spin; I have done it all. I stated earlier, I have worked nearly every position in the restaurant working my way to the executive chef title so do not assume I am clueless. I do understand the view of the server, but I also know they can often have tunnel vision where tips are concerned.
I understand why Disney is doing this. Because we had the same issues at Chilis and OG. People would come in, use a coupon, and instead of making $10 off that table, Id make $5 or less. And guess what? If thats 90% of business (as it is at WDW with the dining program and DDE) then the servers at Disney arent making even close to what they should be. And they do exactly what you suggest. They quit. Which means when they cant keep servers, they either take in less guests (HA NOT an option at WDW) or they give servers more tables, so a restaurant that is meant for the server to have a 3 table section, now has an 8 table section. Which means that server gets penalized for hanging onto her job while the others quit. She wont make 20% of each of those tables, because 1 person cant give 8 tables full service like you get at Disney. So whats the managers options? They cant keep servers, because the smart ones figure out that they can make more money at restaurants on I-Drive where no one has coupons or promotions. Or they can standardize the tipping process, to make sure their employees are being compensated for the work they are doing, in a society that has set up the way servers get compensated. So that they can keep those restaurants fully staffed so as to GUARENTEE you get good service.
So, you have worked at WDW as a server and are stating this from personal experience, or are you just making assumptions??? I would remind you about the
DDP, it has always had an included 18% tip, but next year the tip will have to be paid OOP by each guest......this has in no way aided in poor tipping yet so this assertion is ridiculous. Next year we may (or may not) be able to make that assertion, but right now it does not fly. No, she probably won't make 20% on every table, but I bet she will still make more for her time and effort than the dishwasher and line cook who will deal with every table in an indirect way.
The things you say in your paragraphs I agree with 100%. If you work hard, you SHOULD get compensated for it. But you dont always in that proffesion. And its HIGHLY dissapointing to take care of a party of 30, have a $500 bill, and have them leave you $25. Its happened to me, and its happened to every server out there, no matter if they work at Dennys or (insert name of upscale fancy dining)
When you expect 20% out of every customer, you will set yourself up for disappointment. Instead, be grateful for those who tip 20% or more and be gracious for those who do not.....it will make your life less stressful and maybe with an "attitude of gratitude" (which I teach to my employees) you may earn more in tips more consistently. And the whole argument about tipping out other positions of the restaurant is a valid one, but you do realize they are doing part of the work for you which allows to be be freed up for the service of guests. If you are tipping them out and they are not helping appropriately you need to complain to management about it.
Why solve the problem by blaming it on the servers? (CHANGE PROFESSIONS) If all servers listened to your advice, youd be cooking your own food all the time.
You said you normally tip 20% for basic/good service. (and kudos to you for that) If you go to Disney, and the service is less than par, I promise it will take no more than 5 min more, to alert a manager and explain what happened. Having done management in restuarants I can tell you, THE MANAGEMENT WANTS TO MAKE YOU HAPPY and they dont want bad servers. Usually, its just a misunderstanding, and theyre usually more than happy to comp your dessert or a an entree to make up for the misunderstanding. Ntm have a good talking to with the server if he/she made a mistake.
Why blame the servers??? For what?? I have not blamed servers for anything, the servers though want to say, because of the few who do not tip or tip inappropriately everyone should be locked into a mandatory gratuity. My only argument from the beginning has been how now service which is sub-par will be granted a reward that should be reserved for exceptional service. That will make the great servers who are willing to work hard for tips wonder why they are working so hard. If the bad servers are getting the same great tip why not just ease up too.......everyone claims that will not happen, but just watch! As far a cooking my own food, that will never happen.......my workers are important to me, they are not just employees, they are family and I do what is necessary to develop loyalty and a sense of pride in our operations......even the dishwasher knows they have an important part of my business!
Calling management at a WDW restaurant is not a 5 minute process; see one of my previous posts about the one time I did try to get the manager to handle bad service.
bottom line - there are lots of cheapskates out there, and like every situation in life, the bad apples have ruined the bunch, and you're now gonna pay for the bad tippers mistakes. - Sorry. If you dont like Disneys new idea, there are several restaurants on I-Drive who would love to take your money.
Well, as I have said before tipping well is not the problem; tipping well for bad service is the problem. You say sorry, but as a server I bet you really aren't too sorry.
Just a little joke!
).
) ... BUT ... I would usually leave at least 15% and there's no way I'm going to quibble over 3%.
Sorry!
