Tipping Advice from former waitgirl!

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

So if someone does "poor" we give them a bonus?

yikes.

Well now, in theory, a server can earn all the way down to 0%. Fair or poor service deserves a fitting tip - that's the subjective part of it all... Personally speaking, 10% (or slightly less) sends a message, whereas 0% simply shouts "you've been stiffed."

 

[candee0512]

Especially, since some servers do not claim all their cash tips as wages.

This is certainly true. I did payroll for many years for a restaurant company and the servers made more than the assistant managers sometimes, but all they claimed was enough tips to make minimum wage. It's an open secret.

This is beginning to change somewhat. My son, who is in college and waits tables on the weekends, says that if it's cash they keep it and don't report it but they're having a lot more tips reported these days because of debit/credit card use.

I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying that it is this way. A good server at a good location makes out like a bandit.

Candee

 

[crisi]

For the record, in the 1940's and 1950's, the standard customary tip was between 10 and 15%, not just 10%. These days a standard customary tip is considered between 15 and 20%. Not exactly "double" in your lifetime.

For the record, an acceptable tip in the Midwest when I was in college in 1984 was 10%. I have a wallet card from that era that has 10 and 12% tips on it that was routinely handed out at that time. So yeah, a 20% tip is double in my lifetime.

The coasts may have been different.

 

[soontobebride]

when we go away we can be away for up to 3 weeks to pay 30% to every waitress/waiter is a lot of money. We always tip and say please and thank you and are very patient however I have to admit I could never be a waiter or waitress, my husband says this all the time, my husband says this all the time that you have to have the patience of a saint to put up with some people. Sometimes we have left a healthy tip and have been chased out of the restaurant by the waitress (we left a 18%) tip which worked out to around $25 if I remember correctly. she said that she wanted more, granted this wasn't a disney restaurant but we don't like to be dictated to, especially when we left a good tip. I felt like taking the $25 back and saying you are getting nothing now.

We did not order alcohol it was just a straightforward meal and we did not make a mess and was polite the whole way through.

I disagree with 30% though not because you don't deserve it it is just physically too much to pay for any lenght or stay vacation.

 

[goofy4tink]

Wow......I can't believe this is still going. I have to say though, I find it interesting that anyone can tell us what we need to leave as a tip/gratuity. The last time I checked, a tip/gratuity was given in recognition of better than expected service. Why in heaven's name would I, or anyone else for that matter, even consider tipping at 30% for great service down to 15% for less than great service? I've waited tables before. And no, I don't hold the server responsible for the quality of food or how it was prepared. I do hold them responsible for taking my order, being pleasant, bringing out my food in a timely fashion (if not able to bring it out, then appear at my table and let me know at least that there will be a wait), check back with me as to the quality of my food..if something is not right with it, try to rectify it. Then, clear the table, check about dessert, bring me my bill in a timely fashion. And return with my change, or charge slip.
This isn't a lot to ask. I do have a problem with a server expecting a tip if they disappear after bringing me my beverage, if they bring my meal but never check to see that it is prepared properly. I have had those experiences and I didn't tip very well. As someone else stated....zero means you just got stiffed, who knows why. But, a small, token tip sends a message to the server. If the service is really lacking then a discussion with a manager may be in order.
But it frosts me to have someone tell me what I 'have' to leave. I've had many discussions with servers at WDW...they have agreed completely with my assessment. Good service equals good tipping....plain and simple.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I am not sure I am understanding the point here....

Wages have gone up for everyone since 1950, not just servers. Cost of living has gone up for everyone also (at a higher rate than wages, I might add).

Also, I would like any of the people who are so "frustrated at the sense of entitlement from servers who post" to direct me to the post where a server has stated that they expect to be rewarded for doing their job poorly. Fact is, it just isn't there. On message boards like this, people tend to jump on a bandwagon whether or not there are any actual facts to support it.

I really don't care if you believe any us....as far as "sense of entitlement" from some servers' posts. I'm not going back through months of posts to prove the point. If you don't believe it.....you don't believe it.

 

[Tricia1972]

Wow......I can't believe this is still going. I have to say though, I find it interesting that anyone can tell us what we need to leave as a tip/gratuity. The last time I checked, a tip/gratuity was given in recognition of better than expected service. Why in heaven's name would I, or anyone else for that matter, even consider tipping at 30% for great service down to 15% for less than great service? I've waited tables before. And no, I don't hold the server responsible for the quality of food or how it was prepared. I do hold them responsible for taking my order, being pleasant, bringing out my food in a timely fashion (if not able to bring it out, then appear at my table and let me know at least that there will be a wait), check back with me as to the quality of my food..if something is not right with it, try to rectify it. Then, clear the table, check about dessert, bring me my bill in a timely fashion. And return with my change, or charge slip.
This isn't a lot to ask. I do have a problem with a server expecting a tip if they disappear after bringing me my beverage, if they bring my meal but never check to see that it is prepared properly. I have had those experiences and I didn't tip very well. As someone else stated....zero means you just got stiffed, who knows why. But, a small, token tip sends a message to the server. If the service is really lacking then a discussion with a manager may be in order.
But it frosts me to have someone tell me what I 'have' to leave. I've had many discussions with servers at WDW...they have agreed completely with my assessment. Good service equals good tipping....plain and simple.

(Also I love the phrase "Frosts Me" I may need to borrow it if that's ok with you)

 

[TLSnell1981]

(Also I love the phrase "Frosts Me" I may need to borrow it if that's ok with you)

I personally like "cooks my last grit".

 

[sjaakie]

Oke don't flame and just keep your guns in there holsters but I can't believe what I read.
Nobody is happy with the tipping system.
The waiters morn and the guests complain.

Other country other rules that's the rule.

Thursday my husband and I will go to our Valentines dinner and you know our waiter is more than satisfied with a tip of 10 Euros.
Thank God we don't have to deal with this tipping problem.
"our” Waiters earn a normal income and tipping is just for the fun.
And no we are no communist but the system you use stinks as more waiters also say.
Sorry to say this but the system you use is made of people shaming them selves and waiters refusing to wait on families with children and ladies without mail companions.

Lets not mention the sneezing waiters. Its disgusting .

 

[joenan88]

Quote:
Originally Posted by joenan88
Again here is the definition of a tip:

Optional payment given in addition to a required payment, usually to express appreciation for excellent service.


I will not leave 15% for crappy service..no one should have to..it is an optional show of appreciation..so until they change the definition of a tip it will be at my discretion...

This is simply a difference in opinion. I do not see it as optional. I see it as a required expense. I know that tipping the server helps keep menu prices low. I know I have a pretty liberal view on tipping, but it comes from personal experience and a knowledge of just how costly it is to run a restaurant. When I don't feel like shelling out an extra 20% go to places that don't have servers.
__________________

Tipping is optional..and everyone seems to forget that. It is just as the definition states...Unless you want to rewrite the dictionary... a tip is an optional payment usually to show appreciation for excellent service. I live on Long Island and I am by far a bad tipper...your statement stated I would be a jerk if I left a 10% tip..WHY..because I had to wait a ridiculous amount of time for my food or the attitude of the server was demeaning? I tip based upon the service..bottom line..if I do not have good service the tip will reflect that...end of discussion.

 

[DiszyDean]

Oke don't flame and just keep your guns in there holsters but I can't believe what I read.
Nobody is happy with the tipping system.
The waiters morn and the guests complain.

Other country other rules that's the rule.

Thursday my husband and I will go to our Valentines dinner and you know our waiter is more than satisfied with a tip of 10 Euros.
Thank God we don't have to deal with this tipping problem.
"our” Waiters earn a normal income and tipping is just for the fun.
And no we are no communist but the system you use stinks as more waiters also say.
Sorry to say this but the system you use is made of people shaming them selves and waiters refusing to wait on families with children and ladies without mail companions.

Lets not mention the sneezing waiters. Its disgusting .

The system we have works in that their compensation is driven by performance. I have been to Europe many times and I can say that just like in the United States, some places have great service and some places have lousy service. The service in Europe is not better than in the United States.

I am not sure where you get that "our" waiters refuse to wait on families with children or single women. I have never seen this once in all of the years I have been going to resteraunts, anywhere.

Not all waiters mourne and not all guests complain.

The tipping system has worked here for many years and will continue to work fine.

 

[DiszyDean]

I really don't care if you believe any us....as far as "sense of entitlement" from some servers' posts. I'm not going back through months of posts to prove the point. If you don't believe it.....you don't believe it.

Thats what I thought...Wake me up when you come across one.

 

[waynesgirl]

Wow, I just looked at this. I didn't mean to open up a can of worms on this...

Please understand that I was not telling anyone what to tip. I would never tell someone what to do with their hard-earned money. I was only offering a view point. I stated I STARTED at 30%; it wasn't a guarantee that they were going to get it. But, that was also for servers when I have my children with me. And I have seen it with my own eyes at DW eateries-generally by people bragging about where they are staying (deluxes), what they are driving at home, their kids running around and throwing food, the parents boozing it up, and watch them complain AT THE END OF THE MEAL and throw a tiny cash tip on the table after getting the meal for free. I have sat next to people and seen the poo-poo tip they write down for what I would have viewed as exceptional service. But I have also had many servers at DW thank me for expecting my kids to be behaved-no matter what amount of money I spend, nor the fact I am at DW (which is for kids) means that we should forget common courtesy by not letting children act like they own the place.

I do appreciate people that understood I was only expressing a viewpoint.

However, in my personal defense against the person whosewife was a hairdresser, I generally leave close to 50% when I get my hair cut, simply because where I live, the patrons to my hairdresser are usually non-tippers for very expensive services-AND I REALLY LIKE MY HAIR and her service. But there are a few rest. I will not eat at due to horrible service-many high priced, some average chains.

Again, please accept my apologies for anyone who took this the wrong direction. I only offered a view point.

 

[mom2my3kids]

The system we have works in that their compensation is driven by performance. I have been to Europe many times and I can say that just like in the United States, some places have great service and some places have lousy service. The service in Europe is not better than in the United States.

I am not sure where you get that "our" waiters refuse to wait on families with children or single women. I have never seen this once in all of the years I have been going to resteraunts, anywhere.

Not all waiters mourne and not all guests complain.

The tipping system has worked here for many years and will continue to work fine.

 

[DevilDuckie]

Well now, in theory, a server can earn all the way down to 0%. Fair or poor service deserves a fitting tip - that's the subjective part of it all... Personally speaking, 10% (or slightly less) sends a message, whereas 0% simply shouts "you've been stiffed."

Personally, if it's so bad there is no tip at all I am generally irritated enough to either speak to a manager or write the server a note. Once left one that read like this:

Wendy-

In a customer service position, especially a tip-generating one, it is a good idea to treat your customers with courtesy. Mocking guests with dietary requests to your co-workers is in poor taste. Doing it within earshot of our table was offensive, stupid and expensive.

Sincerely,
The "ridiculous" family


(And yes, I *DID* go tip the bus boy directly but I chose not to mention that to this cow who would probably have tried to take some of it from him.)

 

[sandym718]

I haven't read this whole thread, nor will I, but I will say that for 30%, a waitress would have to perform an un-natural act on me, waiters have no chance.

Bill From PA

This is Soooo what my husband would say, LOL!!

 

[eliza61]

I haven't read this whole thread, nor will I, but I will say that for 30%, a waitress would have to perform an un-natural act on me, waiters have no chance.

Bill From PA

for 30% and up, I want un-natural acts from both waiters and waitresses

Tipping is personal and optional. Not rocket science in my world. Good service=good tip. Lousy service=lousy or no tip. Period

 

[my3disneygirls]

Wow, I just looked at this. I didn't mean to open up a can of worms on this...

Please understand that I was not telling anyone what to tip. I would never tell someone what to do with their hard-earned money. I was only offering a view point. I stated I STARTED at 30%; it wasn't a guarantee that they were going to get it. But, that was also for servers when I have my children with me. And I have seen it with my own eyes at DW eateries-generally by people bragging about where they are staying (deluxes), what they are driving at home, their kids running around and throwing food, the parents boozing it up, and watch them complain AT THE END OF THE MEAL and throw a tiny cash tip on the table after getting the meal for free. I have sat next to people and seen the poo-poo tip they write down for what I would have viewed as exceptional service. But I have also had many servers at DW thank me for expecting my kids to be behaved-no matter what amount of money I spend, nor the fact I am at DW (which is for kids) means that we should forget common courtesy by not letting children act like they own the place.

I do appreciate people that understood I was only expressing a viewpoint.

However, in my personal defense against the person whosewife was a hairdresser, I generally leave close to 50% when I get my hair cut, simply because where I live, the patrons to my hairdresser are usually non-tippers for very expensive services-AND I REALLY LIKE MY HAIR and her service. But there are a few rest. I will not eat at due to horrible service-many high priced, some average chains.

Again, please accept my apologies for anyone who took this the wrong direction. I only offered a view point.

Sure you are expressing your viewpoint as are the rest of us. As was stated many of us don't feel it is our obligation to tip extra because some people are mean and cheap with their servers.

 

[waynesgirl]

Of course no one should have to compensate for someone else's bad tip.

All the people on this post who have accused me of not working in the industry are wrong. I did it for a long time-and I did exceptionally well because I was, and could still be, very good at what I did. i had customers follow me to various nightclubs and rest.-even when I became manager and no longer served them-they knew I would train people to do as well as I did. But, it was ONLY a bit of advice from a different viewpoint.

As far as another poster stated, I should strap on a uniform and be in the military in 130 degree heat. Believe me, I have NO idea, other than what my husband and cousins and brothers told me it was like, but being pregnant in my 30's, working for a major car rental (off airport site) company, and having to climb into the cars, clean them up after some really nasty people, in the rain, in the 95+ degree days, in the freezing cold, I do empathize with the hard working conditions. And these people paid $19 per day to rent cars and never realized the effort that went into cleaning them so they would not have to sit on a nasty seat and smell wet dog, especially when they have children. And I did that for customer service sake, not for a tip, because we did not get them at all. I still have former clients begging me to return because of my customer service.

Now, before anyone else flamethrowers me, I am again sorry. It was only a viewpoint from someone who did it and returns the favor when I can....

 

[DiszyDean]

Its interesting to watch things like this get blown out of proportion...

The next "hot" thread will be:

Disney Servers Demand 30% Tips! - How do we stop them??!!!