Do you tip

[Chattyaholic]

A perspective from "the other side of the fence"....

I have been a waitress in a great family-oriented restaurant for almost 7 years and we get quite a bit of "take out" business. I never thought much about tipping for take out until I started waitressing. We make $3 an hour so we depend on tips to make our living. It's the waitress, not the cook, who answers the phone and writes down your take out order. Sometimes, if the order is big and detailed, that can take a few minutes...which is taking time away from the customers in the restaurant because we can't get back on the floor to refill coffee/sodas, etc. Then, when you come in to pick up your order it is usually the waitress (and quite often the same one you talked to on the phone) who asks if she can help you when you're standing at the counter, and when you say "I have a take-out order" the waitress is the one who goes to the back and gets a big box for your order. It's the waitress who checks the order to make sure everything is in the styrofoam boxes so you don't have to call back and say "I ordered such-and-such but didn't get it...." and it's the waitress who puts napkins/plastic silverware in the box, gets your drinks if you've ordered them(and makes your malts and shakes, which require even more time than just sodas), and rings up your order on the cash register. All of that takes time, away from our customers IN the restaurant. Not all of our take-out customers tip, but we DO appreciate those that give us a dollar or two for our services.

 

[C.Ann]

I think that's a little different scenario than what I myself was referring to.. The places where I don't think tipping jars should be are donut places (where you walk in and ask for a donut and a cup of coffee), fast-food restaurants (where you drive-thru), and things of that nature..

I have a friend who was a waitress for years and years (in a "regular" restaurant) and I could never understand why any business is allowed to pay someone only two or three dollars an hour and expect them to make up the rest of their needed salary on "tips".. By any chance, do you know why the labor laws allow that? I'd be curious to know.. She made REALLY, REALLY good money (great restaurant and great service) but what about those who work in a place that isn't so great? Doesn't seem fair they should be expected to work for such a meager hourly rate..

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by ducklite
When I stop for coffee at the Drunkin Donuts....

LOL...That's pretty much what all the donut stores downtown should be called after the nightclubs let out. Hee Hee.

I too usually put a quarter or two in the jar when I go to a coffee or donut shop. The folks are pretty nice and they have lousy hours to work. I don't mind tipping for friendly service.

 

[Chattyaholic]

C.Ann: I really don't know why restaurants are allowed to pay their employees much below the minimum wage and then expect their earnings to come from tips. I'd be curious to know too. Seems like it's just "always been that way."

I'm not voting to change the system though, it works pretty well for me just the way it is. Like yesterday, Easter, I elected to work from 11 - 4 and I made $134 in tips so I sure can't complain. But yet it all "averages out" because on those miserably cold, snowy, icy nights in the winter I barely make minimum wage in a shift.