Do you tip even if you have bad service?

[kymberlykane1]

A couple times in my life, I have not tipped because of rude behavior coupled with complete incompetence. Most of the time, I have been over generous. I try to be generous because most servers tell me that women have a perception as being worse tippers. I've worked hard to try to overcompensate a bit to overcome this "bias".

WIth that all being said, times have changed for me. This recession has hit me harder so I am going out much less often. When I do go out I tip a standard 10 percent for good service. I've reduced all my tipping. We have not had raises myself in 4 years and have positions that are "at risk". I feel we need to tighten up all expenses . Dining out is usually not a necessity. Over tipping is not required although I'm sure it's appreciated. It's sad, but it's just one of those things I feel I've had to adjust.

 

[redlight]

There is only one time I can think of where we didn't tip. And to say it was bad service was an understatement. Not only did it take FOREVER(this was a fridays) We were brought wrong items over and over. We finally ate something that he brought out- it wasn't what we ordered but this was 4 times being sent back. The manager came over and comped our meal but the waiter wasn't only bad he was rude. Never an I'm sorry. More like we were a hassle. So when we left I looked at him and said "I don't want you to think we forgot to tip you. You shouldn't be a waiter" and walked out.

A simple "I am so sorry" would have gone a long way.

That's really bad. Did the manager apologize?

Unless the service was really, really bad, I would tip.

 

[Binnie]

There is only one time I can think of where we didn't tip. And to say it was bad service was an understatement. Not only did it take FOREVER(this was a fridays) We were brought wrong items over and over. We finally ate something that he brought out- it wasn't what we ordered but this was 4 times being sent back. The manager came over and comped our meal but the waiter wasn't only bad he was rude. Never an I'm sorry. More like we were a hassle. So when we left I looked at him and said "I don't want you to think we forgot to tip you. You shouldn't be a waiter" and walked out.

A simple "I am so sorry" would have gone a long way.

Mine was at a Fridays, too! Interesting...

 

[N.Bailey]

As long as the wait staff is not downright rude, I will always tip. I've never encountered anyone being rude in my life, but if it were to happen, I wouldn't leave anything (maybe a penny so they'd know they weren't stiffed).

I know they're busy and can't always get back to our table to bring us everything we might want, but as long as they're pleasant while they are at our table, I walk away happy.

If they exceed our expectations, we double the tip.

 

[kt_mom]

There is only one time I can think of where we didn't tip. And to say it was bad service was an understatement. Not only did it take FOREVER(this was a fridays) We were brought wrong items over and over. We finally ate something that he brought out- it wasn't what we ordered but this was 4 times being sent back. The manager came over and comped our meal but the waiter wasn't only bad he was rude. Never an I'm sorry. More like we were a hassle. So when we left I looked at him and said "I don't want you to think we forgot to tip you. You shouldn't be a waiter" and walked out.

A simple "I am so sorry" would have gone a long way.

We were at a Friday's as well......

 

[inaminute]

I do not tip if the service is really bad.

For instance we were at a family-style restaurant where the tables aren't set until you sit down. Our food was delivered, and we still had no silverware. I asked--twice. Still no silverware, so I got up and got my own from behind the counter. That was just the icing on the cake--there were numerous other little things that all added up to lousy service. Not only did I not tip, but I never went to that restaurant again. They went out of business a couple of months ago. I guess I wasn't the only one complaining about bad service. The food wasn't very good, either.

I will, however, tip if the service is good but the food is bad--that's not the server's fault.

 

[Took]

My thoughts exactly. It's not that I haven't done it--I will and I would do it again if the situation came up, but it's incredibly rare.

I'm much more likely to adjust my tip lower if I feel there are problems with the service. To get all the way down to zero the server would have to do something egregiously wrong.

This is how DH and I feel. Again, I think I've only skipped tipping maybe three times (and we eat out a lot). But, on those two occasions, the service was really bad. I will also complain (politely) to management if service is a poor. I try to stay positive when possible and mention what was done right, too.

took

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

If it's truly terrible, then I do not. However, if it's that terrible I will call a manager over and let them know how terrible it is as well. I've only had to do that once...it was at Red Lobster and I ended up getting a gift certificate for the total cost of the meal I had just bought.
Otherwise, I tip 20% at a table service restaurant and 10% at a restaurant where the owner waits on me (I feel like they're already getting the whole profit from my bill anyway....why should they get an entire 20% tip on top of that) or at a buffet.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

We almost always tip. I would feel guilty if I didn't, but that's just me. With two kids, we tend to make a big mess. But, if someone's extremely rude, then I would have no problem not leaving a tip. Customer service is part of the job, and if you are not doing the job, why should you be rewarded?

One time I did not tip was at Cracker Barrell. My oldest DD was about 11 months old, and the waitress carrying her big platter of plates squeezed between her high chair and the high chair behind her (really bad place to sit two babies) and managed to spill the entire tray of food on my DD! Hot plates and food all over her. She was screaming and I was in total shock. The waitress apologized, but just stood there looking at us until the manager came out. He apologized, by this time I was bawling I was so upset. We were there with my Dad and his wife. The manager comped my meal and DH's, but I couldn't even eat it I was so angry. The waitress avoided us the rest of the night. Probably a good idea on her behalf. We did not leave a tip and haven't eaten at any Cracker Barrell since.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I just thought about it...there was one other time I didn't tip. It was at a Shells restaurant (seafood place.) I ordered crab legs and the server didn't bring me anything to crack them with. I ended up having to ask him for them three more times before I finally got them and it's not like I was asking him for anything else and he kept bringing me the other things but forgetting the cracker. After that many times and when it should have been common sense to bring them the first time, I didn't leave him a tip.

 

[bananda]

i dont tip much at all. before anyone starts judging me, let me explain.

the minimum wage in australia is AU$14.31 per hour, which works out to be about US$11.83

if i have alot of extra change and the service or food is particularly good, then i tip the establishment.

i dont really know anyone who tips.

 

[maddmike]

I tip only in restuarants and no where else. I will usually tip 15% unless service is exceptional which I then go up to 20%. If service is poor is goes down accordingly. If it is really bad the tip is nothing. I find it funny that many on these boards say they tip 20% for good service and 15% for horrible service. Why would you reward anyone for horrible service? Too many people expect a free ride now days. They should have to earn their money.

 

[Papa Deuce]

If service is just not up to standards, I still tip up to 15%... but if service is BRUTAL, I leave 1 penny - which I have been told lets the server know of your displeasure with the service. Usually I tip about 17 - 18%.

Great service can get up to 30%.

 

[4Seasons]

I waitressed at one time in my life, so I understand that sometimes things happen and if it gets busy a server can get "in the weeds" real quick.
HOWEVER, if it's slow/bad service and there's no obvious reason (i.e. they got seated with a large party) I will tip less than the standard 18-20%.
I've only not left ANY tip on a couple occasions, one being last December in Las Vegas. We went to have dinner at Mr. Lucky's Cafe in the Hard Rock Hotel, they have a fantastic "gambler's special" for $7.77. It was later in the evening (after 9 pm) and the place wasn't real busy. The guy who waited on us seemed fine........UNTIL.......we ordered the gambler's special. His demeanor immediately changed (I guess because we didn't order something more expensive) and we had probably the worst service I've ever had. I bet he didn't say 5 words to us the rest of the time we were there. When our food came out he almost threw it on the table (no exaggeration here, the plates hit the table with a loud thud). Never got drink refills, asked if we needed anything and didn't say a word when he put the bill on the table. Our bill was still about $50 including the drinks so if the service was good we would have left about $10. We're not hard to please people either.
I know I should have spoken with the manager but it was late, I was tired and our kids were with us. I did make sure to explain to them why we didn't leave any tip (they like to have an input on how much to tip when we eat out, LOL) and how his behavior was totally inappropriate. They agreed

 

[C.Ann]

No..

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I always leave a tip.