Change tip based on waiting too long after ADR time?

[new_mouser]

Hey all,

Just wanted your opinion - had this discussion with a co-worker and we don't see eye to eye. I imagine that most people will be split on the issue, but wanted to check nonetheless....

If you arrived for your 6:00PM ADR at 5:45PM and weren't called for your table until 6:30PM or later, do you think it is appropriate to tip less than you normally would?

My feelings: The tip is give to the server for his/her service and the tip should reflect that portion of the experience. He/she has no control over when you were given your table. You have a right to complain to a manager about your wait time and tell them about how dissatisfied you are.

His feelings: The tip should reflect your total dining experience. Having a reservation at 6:00 means you should be sat at or very near to 6:00. The restaurant's management either took to many ressies or permitted others without ressies to sit when they shouldn't have, thus delaying your meal.

Thanks for the responses.

- Ken

I pretty much agree with you. Generally, my tip is based on the service I receive once I am seated at the table. However, I often tip even more based on my "total dining experience". But that more to do with attitude than what time I was seated.

 

[mking624]

I would never decide my tip based on things outside the server's control. I could be eating awful food, but that's not the fault of the server...if I'm receiving excellent service in spite of poor food, I will tip well.

Now if you're experiencing things beyond the server's control, then it's time to talk to the manager. But the server shouldn't be faulted for things that are not his or her fault.

But I do agree with what has been said...just because you make an ADR doesn't mean you are GOING to get in at that time. Sometimes you will still experience a wait. It just means you have a higer priority of seating over people who just walk in or have ADRs later than yours. That's actually one of my annoyances that they changed the term "priority seating" to ADR...at least PS got the hint around that you won't necessarily get in at that exact time.

 

[jonimce]

I have to disagree with ngtotd_dtrt. I have never known any place to let the server comp anything off your check. Only the managers have this abilty. Unfourtunitly, the servers always get blamed for everything.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I have never known any place to let the server comp anything off your check. Only the managers have this abilty.

I've worked at many restaurants and they were all like this. Sometimes I would sneak a dessert out, but I wasn't supposed too. The manager had to comp ANYTHING and most of the time they never would, unless it was an extreme situation. I also agree with the other person who posted an ADR just puts you above walk ups, you could still have to wait 30-45 minutes if you have a lot of earlier ADR's in front of you or they have a table big enough to seat your party. At least you're getting a table as many places now turn away walk ups.

 

[Allison]

I have to disagree with ngtotd_dtrt. I have never known any place to let the server comp anything off your check. Only the managers have this abilty. Unfourtunitly, the servers always get blamed for everything.

I also disagree with him and I especially disagree with the use of the word charity. The server is working for the money, it is not charity.

 

[ngtotd_dtrt]

I have to disagree with ngtotd_dtrt. I have never known any place to let the server comp anything off your check. Only the managers have this abilty. Unfourtunitly, the servers always get blamed for everything.

Happens all the time, I'm guessing, since it's happened to me a dozen or so times and witnessed it happening many more to other tables. Waiters may not have the authority to do it, but either they do it anyway, or, more likely, they go the extra-mile and check with the manager, explain what went wrong with the dining for that customer, and get approval.

Like it or not, the manager may be ultimately responsible, but the waiter is the face of the place. Much like tellers at banks, and sales people at stores, or produce clerk at the grocery store. They are the main ones left to ensure you will be a happy customer, and have to be the messengers quite often for things that aren't correct. It's a very poor manager who doesn't listen when a waiter/teller/salesman/clerk relays a repeat message/complaint.

Of course they get grief for things that aren't their fault. The difference is some shrug and say 'I'm sorry..I wish there was something I could do', and some figure out what to do to rectify the problem and make you want to come back. Rows of bad produce will bring comments to the guy working in produce...bad service/food brings comments to the waiter. It should bring comments to the manager too, but people don't always go there...they just stop going to that establishment. It's mainly the wait staff that is responsible for overseeing the customers, which is why most of them say 'Hi, I'm Pat, and I'll be taking care of you tonight!', instead of 'Hi, I'm Pat. I'll bring your food when you order.'.

Of course, many servers/workers like to do only exactly what is in their job description, and they take the most limited version of that. They are the ones who complain about getting shafted on low tips, think that everything is outside their realm of fixing/responsibility, and survive based on patrons who think you tip a generous amount if the food was brought promptly, no matter how bad everything was. They are also, in general, the ones who are bound to be replaced by someone who wants to do that job better.

All this is less so the case at WDW where most places are crowded all the time and they don't need repeat customers. But then, waiters and waitresses there pull down some pretty good bucks, so the competition for those jobs is high, so quality and aptitude makes a difference there as well.

It behooves every waiter to do everything reasonable to satisfy every patron.

I also disagree with him and I especially disagree with the use of the word charity. The server is working for the money, it is not charity.

Never said server wasn't working for money. I stand by what was actually said...'Tipping good service 15% is part of the meal. Tipping over that requires a nice overall dining or exceptional waiter/waitress...otherwise it's poor use of charity'.

Tipping over 15% when it's not deserved is charity.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I tip the server and their performance, essentially. The hostess may get a cut, or the busboys, but even then - the hostess usually can't be to blame for not having tables available. She isn't the same person booking the ADRs nor is she able to go tell people to leave when they keep chit chatting at a table.

If I am frustrated with waittime, I find a manager or leave. I don't penalize the waiter who likely has NO idea how long I've waited to eat.

And Disney doesn't guarantee reservations at all so the argument is silly in that case.

 

[TSM1993]

I have to disagree with ngtotd_dtrt. I have never known any place to let the server comp anything off your check. Only the managers have this abilty. Unfourtunitly, the servers always get blamed for everything.

The place I used to work for left me comp anything I wanted too. (Even the whole check). Never had to comp to many times. I did comp a whole check once or twice in my yearr or two of working there. The times I did do this it was because it took to long for the people I was serving to get there food. All I had to do was write down to intials and reason why on back of the check and fold the check and the hostess would know not to charge them. We also had to put what we were comping on the back of the check.

 

[TSM1993]

OT: Also do you know that most servers atleast here in PA usually only make $2.09 an hour. Atleast this was when I was still a server a couple of years ago. Thats like the lowest the state allows servers to make by PA standards plus PA hasnt had a raise in the Min. Wage in awhile. This is just in an ordinary dining establishment nothing fancy. (ie Perkins,Denny's is the type of establishment iam talking about) Plus worked at a bar and made $2.04 an hr in tips and shared tips with bartender.

So I dont take in to consideration things out of the servers control for their tip I base it on their sevice.

 

[Allison]

So I dont take in to consideration things out of the servers control for their tip I base it on their sevice.

Exactly!

 

[mom2my3kids]

It's not the servers fault that the ADR's are running slower then they should.. That is just stupidity..

 

[chobie]

People who would do that are just plain cheap. They resent tipping and so they will look for any little reason to justify leaving little or nothing.

They only thing I don't tip for is a rudeness from a server. I will tip less if the server is truly absent throughout most of the meal. However, I will take into account how busy the restaurant is and how many people appear to be on staff, and if the server at least makes an effort to let you know they have not forgotten about you.

So, its rare I don't tip 20%. Even at buffets.

 

[cobbler]

I agree with you. WOW - I honestly can't believe that somebody would cut down on a tip to a server over something they had nothing to do with!

Oh it happens all the time. I was a server for two years and servers get the brunt of a lot. If they waited to long to be seated and are irritated by that time (say like at a restaurant where there aren't any reservations) then the tip reflects it.

Since they are busy and the cooks are overloaded and it takes a little longer to get them their food, then we get the brunt of it and less tip. There is a mistake that isn't the servers fault, it gets reflected. It happens all the time.

 

[jonimce]

Glad to hear from other servers. Only the ones that have done this kind of work can truly understand. So next time you have to wait, please don't take it out on the server, or the hostess. She didn't take your reservarion.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Only the ones that have done this kind of work can truly understand.

That is so true