How do you NOT tip a bad server on free dining???

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

for me DP is free so i won't worry about it. But do talk to a manger, they should be notified of the situation, you may not be the only one that complained about that server that day

 

[Sonno]

Well, I was generalizing. There's a huge difference between being genuinely helpful, and interupting my conversation every 5 minutes making me feel like I should be leaving now. Hey, that's just how I do things. What can I tell you?

 

[meshmar]

Service would have to be exceptionally bad for me not to tip - or even ask to speak to the manager. I can recall only twice I have done so, and neither was at Disney.

The worst I can recall from Disney was not getting "the show" at WCC for lunch several years ago. Service was still good, but it was a little disappointing not to have the extra I expected.

I will be at WDW 9/28 - 10/3 and expect the usual good service.

 

[lexmelinda]

Being a server is a tough job and you can never assume to know the many circumstances that lead up to "bad service". After having waited tables during my college years, it has always been my opinion that there should be some sort of manditory requirement that everyone should have to wait tables for at least a few months! It would be a kinder, gentler dining world.... I still occasionally have restaurant nightmares even after all these years....it is a very stressful job! I agree that only in the case of overt rudeness should you speak to the manager and for crying out loud, let them have the free tip.

 

[magnumaid]

Being a server is a tough job and you can never assume to know the many circumstances that lead up to "bad service". After having waited tables during my college years, it has always been my opinion that there should be some sort of manditory requirement that everyone should have to wait tables for at least a few months! It would be a kinder, gentler dining world.... I still occasionally have restaurant nightmares even after all these years....it is a very stressful job! I agree that only in the case of overt rudeness should you speak to the manager and for crying out loud, let them have the free tip.

I totally agree. Waiting tables is tough.
When I was around 19, I waited tables for a few months. I actually had a man take my hand and stick them into his mashed potatoes so I could feel that they weren't hot!
My sister waits tables and has one repeat customer who is a huge PITA. One day DSis just had enough of this man's rudeness. He asked for a danish and added "but take the icing off." She politely said to him, "what would you like me to do, -lick it off?" He never bothered her again!

 

[Evil Queen]

I would just speak to the manager, not much you can do about the tip if using the free dining plan.

But, I would only speak to the manager about the waitstaff's actions, not the pace if the place was busy.

 

[Microcell]

I think the golden rule applies here, My Dh has a habit of challenging himself to turn the tide (he calls it) with abrasive people.

When he has a bad server who forgot something, he always smiles first and says "You know, I see you are busy, but when you get a chance I would really like that hot sauce if you can" and they usually fall all over themselves.

If you get an indifferent person who is just annoyed with you existance, and will not rise up to being decent, I would get the manager involved.

I have really found, though by observing my DH (and my FIL- see below) that just about everyone will start smiling if you make them feel important.

FIL is the master of this. He is a minister, so this might not work for everyone, but he will say hello to every server, and lightly touch their arm and ask their name, and then will introduce himself. He usually shows an interest and comments about things like "My goodness, I bet it never stops being busy here, how do you handle how badly your feet must hurt at the end of the day?" and the listens to the answer. He makes it about them. He has asked those indifferent people how much they work in a week, or if they have kids.

He is the salt of the earth, I know but using this in modified form vitrutally guarantees great service. I married his son because FIL was in the hospital, after a heart attack and his "taster didn't work right" and didn't eat much of the hospital food. The woman who came to pick up his plate walked in to grab the tray and expected to be ignored like usual, but nope, not with my FIL. He asked her name and then told her his and that he was not feeling well, and couldn't eat much, but to be sure to understand that he was sure the food was just great and he was thankful for their hard work in the kitchen. He also introduced us to her and she walked out of there with a big smile on her face.

It is important to make people feel like they matter, in whatever way you can. I figured he had to have raised his son right, and he did!

 

[lexmelinda]

It is important to make people feel like they matter, in whatever way you can.

Well said! Most of the bad restaurant experiences people recount here at the DIS have to do with bad service. What a wonderful testament to turning the tide with a little kindness. Hope lots of folks take it to heart.

 

[disneybride96]

, it has always been my opinion that there should be some sort of manditory requirement that everyone should have to wait tables for at least a few months!

Halleluiah! I'm glad I'm not the only one who believes this. I would also substitute "Work in Retail" or "Work on a Holiday" (as most in retail & restaurants do).

 

[crisi]

Well, I was generalizing. There's a huge difference between being genuinely helpful, and interupting my conversation every 5 minutes making me feel like I should be leaving now. Hey, that's just how I do things. What can I tell you?

No one has the power to MAKE you feel anything. Unless they say "can you please leave now, we need this table" you are reading a lot into "is everything OK." Some guests drop their fork every five minutes and need a new one - you wouldn't want to make a guest wait twenty minutes to catch your attention for a fork.

 

[CathrynRose]

When he has a bad server who forgot something, he always smiles first and says "You know, I see you are busy, but when you get a chance I would really like that hot sauce if you can" and they usually fall all over themselves.
!

Right on!

The years I served - the laid-back customers truly got better service. Being nasty and rude usually will get you the bare minimum. We already *knew* that your were doing "Tip Calculations" and watching for the first mistake to start whining about it.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Here is a example..
A couple years ago I had this party of 8-10 people, a family mother,father,grandfather and kids.. When the food came out, the cooks put the strawberrys for the ladys pancakes on the side in a dish. So I deliver the food and can you believe the women was pissed off that they put the strawberrys on the side..I mean she was mad, her daughter said mom come on just put them on your cakes. She said I wanted them on it and slammed it on the table. I said just a second, I went up grabbed a can of whip cream. I went straight to her grabbed the strawberrys dumped them on the cakes and put on some extra whipped cream. I said there you go easy as that. She was fine after that. But this is some of the crap we put up with..Geeeessshhh...

 

[mom2my3kids]

And I did it all with a smile...

 

[dkostel]

I've only ever once not tipped, and that's because the waitress was rude to my 80yo salt of the earth grandmother. I can't count the number of times that I've been annoyed by other customers. Just last month, while dining at the cheese cake factory (a fancier type place) a well dressed 30 something couple threw a french fry at our waiter, while he was taking our order, missing him & just missing my mother. Their complaint was that the person who brought out their food slammed it down & walked away without saying anything. Being a the very next table I would have heard slamming of a plate. They didn't stop until the manager was at their table comping some part of their meal.

 

[MyGoofy26]

No one has the power to MAKE you feel anything.

Anyone else experience this? I've had some waitresses(not at Disney, just in general) who have asked if I needed anything else within minutes of bringing food. . . and when I say no, I get the check. They don't even wait til we're at least close to finished. I've always found that to be very rude, and it definitely makes me feel like they want me out so they can get the next warm body in . . those are the days that the tips do suffer.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Anyone else experience this? I've had some waitresses(not at Disney, just in general) who have asked if I needed anything else within minutes of bringing food. . . and when I say no, I get the check. They don't even wait til we're at least close to finished. I've always found that to be very rude, and it definitely makes me feel like they want me out so they can get the next warm body in . . those are the days that the tips do suffer.

**This isn't directed at you MyGoofy26, your post just made me think of this**

I've waited tables at many different places and I think the hardest part about serving is no table is the same. I've waited on tables that felt I checked on them too much, people who think I didn't check on them enough, people that hated when I said "you guys have a great evening" (you guys in general, there were a few women at the table who were offended by this), I've had people get mad when I said "y'all have a great evening" (I've been told by guests it's not proper English), I've had people get mad that I didn't bring them their check as soon as they get their meal, I've had people that got mad I didn't bring their check as soon as they've had their 5th cup of coffee, I've had people get mad I didn't bring their house salad before their meal, I've had people get mad that I brought their salad before their meal, etc.

Before I ever waited tables I assumed everyone else was just like me and my family and expected the same things when we went out to eat. I have found that is not the case. Just because we like to dine a certain way doesn't mean everyone else does too and I shouldn't assume the server knows how we like to dine.

And being nice and friendly instead of passive aggressive or rude, does get you better service. I would agree that if I had a server that I felt was very rude, I would ask to speak with the manager.

 

[crisi]

Anyone else experience this? I've had some waitresses(not at Disney, just in general) who have asked if I needed anything else within minutes of bringing food. . . and when I say no, I get the check. They don't even wait til we're at least close to finished. I've always found that to be very rude, and it definitely makes me feel like they want me out so they can get the next warm body in . . those are the days that the tips do suffer.

I'd MUCH rather have the check when I am done ordering than wait for the check when I want to leave - there is nothing worse than sitting around for ten minutes -the creme brulee dish licked clean, empty coffee cups, waiting for the check (and you can see that the waiter in question is busy taking orders for that big party that sat next to you, so it isn't like they are chatting it up with the busboy). So, as Neverlandclub points out, each guest is different. I don't feel rushed when I get the check, I feel that the waitstaff has done me the favor of giving me the power to set my own time - if I change my mind, an extra cup of coffee can always be rung up.

 

[Littlemotherhaywood]

For our family, it's nice if a server can check on us every five minutes or so. We have two small children...who are picky...require extra napkins....drop their silverware....etc... I've had service where the server checked on us after we got the food and didn't come back till she had the bill in her hand. I've had the opposite. Just this past weekend dh and I decided to share our meal. We never do this. When I told the server she sort of rolled her eyes. This was a busy steakhouse and I was thinking, gosh, how rude. She's already thinking about her tip. I've been on both sides of the table. Dh and I have both been servers in the past. We know how hard it is. She politely brought out a separate plate and we did order an additional side of veggies. Overall, I can't say her service was bad, but just that one act was a turn off. When my dh tipped her, he did comment that even though she shared we still take care of our servers. Our minimum tip is 20%. 15% if the service is substandard. He gave her $10 and our bill was $27 so she definitely got a decent tip even though we shared. I always like to tip extra because most of the time, these people are a big help. They do stuff for our kids to keep them entertained. We always tip extra if there's a mess. We always stack our empty plates and pick up the silverware and napkins...which saves them time. I have never sat around and made twenty-five cent deductions as an OP mentioned. All I can say is, I certainly hope I'm never your server (should I ever serve again).

 

[calgarygary]

It's probably already been stated, but anyone who is figuring out how to not tip on a free dining plan is probably involved in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

[Hollymom1229]

I have really found, though by observing my DH (and my FIL- see below) that just about everyone will start smiling if you make them feel important.

This is so very true. My DH has taught me how to be more of a people person. So on my last trip to WDW with my all-girl crew we had a waitress at Concourse Steakhouse who came out in a surly mood. I chatted with her, found out a little bit about her, she turned out to be one of our best servers that trip.