Tipping for bad service

[BriarRosie]

A busy restaurant should have enough waiters. I don't care how busy the restaurant or waiter is I expect at least an attempt to make sure my water and drinks are refilled as necessary. I also expect some comment like sorry we're short staffed and an attempt to give good service. If service is very slow than something should be comped, a drink, an appetizer or even coffee.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. If there are issues beyond a server's
control, sometimes the server has the forethought to come to the table and
say, "We're a little short-staffed tonight, but I haven't forgotten to get that
for you." or "There's a problem in the kitchen tonight. I'm sorry the order is
taking longer than expected. Would you care for more rolls?"

When the servers do that, I'm not upset with them, as it shows that they
aren't ignoring me. I will tip well if the servers keep the drinks refilled without
me asking.

I was comped at the Vineyard Room at DCA a couple of years ago, because
my entree was taking too long to cook, and the server AND the manager
kept coming to my table to apologize. I was dining solo, and I was not in
any rush to eat. (I tend to keep books on hand, while I'm waiting.)
I didn't feel it was a big deal, but the manager did, so a huge part of my
meal was comped. You can be sure I left a VERY generous tip, since I
didn't have any complaints.

My pet peeve about tipping isn't about service, but about businesses
that allow their staff to leave tip jars for services we've NEVER had to
tip before. I expect to tip at restaurants because the staff isn't paid
minimum wage. But Starbucks (which I believe started this trend)
employees leave a tip jar for MAKING A CUP OF COFFEE.

I don't believe in leaving tips in "Starbucks" circumstances.

 

[missypie]

I think you've hit the nail on the head. If there are issues beyond a server's
control, sometimes the server has the forethought to come to the table and
say, "We're a little short-staffed tonight, but I haven't forgotten to get that
for you." or "There's a problem in the kitchen tonight. I'm sorry the order is
taking longer than expected. Would you care for more rolls?"

When the servers do that, I'm not upset with them, as it shows that they
aren't ignoring me. I will tip well if the servers keep the drinks refilled without
me asking.

I was comped at the Vineyard Room at DCA a couple of years ago, because
my entree was taking too long to cook, and the server AND the manager
kept coming to my table to apologize. I was dining solo, and I was not in
any rush to eat. (I tend to keep books on hand, while I'm waiting.)
I didn't feel it was a big deal, but the manager did, so a huge part of my
meal was comped. You can be sure I left a VERY generous tip, since I
didn't have any complaints.

My pet peeve about tipping isn't about service, but about businesses
that allow their staff to leave tip jars for services we've NEVER had to
tip before. I expect to tip at restaurants because the staff isn't paid
minimum wage. But Starbucks (which I believe started this trend)
employees leave a tip jar for MAKING A CUP OF COFFEE.

I don't believe in leaving tips in "Starbucks" circumstances.

I guess all the "counter service" type places must think "It's worth asking". I never leave tips there. I work in a large office building and in the underground area are lots of CS restaurants that all have tip jars. So I go up, order a sandwich, the girl tells me how much it costs, I pay her and she gives me a ticket that has a number that will be called. The transaction takes less than a minute...why should I tip for that? Just because it involves food? I never see a tip jar at a grocery store, and those folks may scan 50 items for me, and bag them, too.

 

[missypie]

One more thing: Don't thhe Satrbucks employees and other CS staff make at least minimum wage? I've always understood that waitstaff are paid below minimum.

 

[tkilcull]

When paying by credit card I've been told to try to leave a cash tip instead of putting the tip on the credit card. Don't know the exact reason, but I'm sure it helps avoid some financial penalty from the credit card company. Any other reasons???

 

[janets]

I as a server, he as a bartender and then restaurant manager.

When we dine out, because of our past experiences, we usually assess the service based upon whether any problems are the fault of the server or the situation. If the kitchen is slow, our food comes out too slow or at times too quickly (just got the appie and the entrees show up), I will assess the restaurant and see if it's the kitchen or a server not paying attention.

I cannot stand empty glasses on the table. I want a server to check with me shortly after I receive food to be sure it's what I ordered and it's to my satisfaction. If something is wrong, I don't want to have to chase a server down. If there is a problem, I want to be informed.

I have 2 children who have eaten out with us often. One is so easy, you wouldn't know he was there (unless it was that awful period when we couldn't leave the house when he was about 2). The other is a bit harder. I have had servers who have gone out of their way to entertain my kids and pace my meal so that the kids can start eating and not wait for us, but make sure our meals don't come out when the kids are done and now have to sit while we eat. It's a delicate balancing act but some are up to the challenge. I ALWAYS make a point of thanking them profusely, going up to the manager and telling them what a great experience I've had. I often call corporate (for a chain restaurant) and make a point of telling them so that good servers can be recognized. And I usually tip around 20% because I know how hard this job can be.

But if I get what I believe is substandard service, rude treatment, or something happens that has nothing to do with the restaurant and everything to do with the server, I will adjust accordingly and make my feelings known.

 

[SDRocKGirL]

Howdy everyone! I saw this thread and was quite amused. I am a server at Buca di Beppo... If any of you all have ever eaten at this restaurant, you'll know that are service standards are QUITE high... We're not your typical restaurant. BDB is not considered a fine dining restaurant but the way our restaurant works, outstanding service at our restaurant requires A LOT of work, and like I said, if you ever have dined there before, you'll know that your servers or wait assistants will "table touch" your table 10+ times.

So when I go to a restaurant that only requires the server to ask, "What would you like to eat today?" I EXPECT awesome service. Alright I think I've talked enough, so I just wanted to post my own guidelines to how I tip, ranging from good to bad.

Remember, tips are solely based on your server's performance, even though they have to tip bartenders, bussers, hosts, when you tip, base it on your server.


Awesome, "I love this server!" tip: 20%-25%

Great server, did all that was needed and a little more: 20%

Average server, did only what was required: 15%

Poor server, did the absolute MINIMUM: 10%

Horrible server, (if a server is rude in ANY way): 5%


My boyfriend is also a server at BDB, so anytime we go out to eat we always decide the tip together... A smart thing to do that some other members mentioned is to add notes on the receipts. I do it for every single server who serves me, if they're awesome, I tell them... If they're horrible, I write them a note and also a note to the manager, but this hasn't happened to me yet. It's good that some of you have had some good experiences with managers, because I think the majority of the time if the managers are bad, you can report them to the District managers, might get them fired but if that's the way they are leading a restaurant, they probably don't deserve to have that job. Also, if the service was terribly horrible, push to get your meal comped... I haven't done this yet either but if I could get better service at a McDonald's, that's probably how I would do it.

People have also been adding, don't blame things out of the server's control. Which is a GREAT point.. don't include things like "burnt food, food not to your liking, food timing, and terrible table locations" on the server. Request a manager and let them know about that stuff, because it's usually not the server's fault. Staff should be more than happy to accomodate your needs.

Sooo. to conclude, (this has been my longest post!!) when i go to WDW in 12 days, (yay!!) I will definetly be analyzing the service there.. I am seriously expecting some outstanding service and dining experiences from what I've been hearing from family and friends.

So, HOPE THIS HELPS!!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

When paying by credit card I've been told to try to leave a cash tip instead of putting the tip on the credit card. Don't know the exact reason, but I'm sure it helps avoid some financial penalty from the credit card company. Any other reasons???

There are two reasons for this:

1. In some cases, servers will not get their cc tips that night. They have to wait for their paycheck to recieve those tips.

2. This is a way of avoiding paying taxes on the tips (please don't flame, I am just stating my experiences). If the tip is left in cash, the restaurant has no clue how much was left and the server can fudge what they made. The cc tip is in the computer and there is no fudging. I am not saying this is right, but what happens.

 

[SDRocKGirL]

One more thing: Don't thhe Satrbucks employees and other CS staff make at least minimum wage? I've always understood that waitstaff are paid below minimum.

It really depends on where they are located. In California, it is a law for EVERYONE to be paid at least minimum wage. But I know in areas of the Midwest and East Coast, some are paid below minimum or not paid an hourly wage at all... Some rely soley on tips.. Hope this helps!

 

[heatherfeather24]

A third reason for the cash preferred tip:

3) It costs the restaurant to take credit cards -- that is, they must pay a % of the bill (usually only around 1%) to the credit card company. Some restaurants (including the one that I used to work for), takes that % out of a server's tip. So, your $5 tip, isn't really a $5 tip when it comes on a credit card. It's not a lot of $ on a check by check basis, but it adds up over the course of a year.

 

[SDRocKGirL]

A third reason for the cash preferred tip:

3) It costs the restaurant to take credit cards -- that is, they must pay a % of the bill (usually only around 1%) to the credit card company. Some restaurants (including the one that I used to work for), takes that % out of a server's tip. So, your $5 tip, isn't really a $5 tip when it comes on a credit card. It's not a lot of $ on a check by check basis, but it adds up over the course of a year.

I never heard of that before.. But where I work they don't take a % out of our tips.. PHEW! taxes take enough out.. =]

 

[bicker]

If the restaraunt is packed then slow service is not the waiters fault and they should not be held responsible.

Well it depends. If service is slow because the server is handling too many tables, then the tip should reflect the poor service. The server is getting tipped by more table, so getting tipped a bit less at each table for providing poorer service is appropriate.

please don't penalize the server for things out of their control. ... they can't control where you are seated, and they can't control what the kitchen does.

They cannot control where you are seated -- for sure. However, they can control a good portion of what comes to the table from the kitchen. An incorrect entree, which is visually obvious, is the server's fault. The server, since s/he took the order, should verify that the kitchen got it right. If food runners are used, the server is responsible for ensuring the food runners provide that service effectively (just like a waiter is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the quality of the work of the assistant waiter and busboy).

There are two reasons for this: 1. In some cases, servers will not get their cc tips that night. They have to wait for their paycheck to recieve those tips.

Most people have to wait for a paycheck.

2. This is a way of avoiding paying taxes on the tips (please don't flame, I am just stating my experiences)

No problem -- it is just a good reason not to tip with cash.

3) It costs the restaurant to take credit cards

That's a reason to never use credit cards. However, the convenience of using credit cards is worth the down-sides to most people who use them.

 

[Amyg]

Generally I've had decent to excellent service and tip 10%-20%.

I've only had really bad service once; the restaurant was not unusually busy and we waited 15+ minutes to order, 30+ minutes to get meal, never a water refill and the waiter pretty much ignored us. We (three of us on a business trip) left one coin each so that the waiter would know we didn't forget the tip but that he gave us bad service.

 

[monty]

Thanks everyone for your comments,you have certainly given me food for thought. I thought you might be interested to know that here in Aussie restaurants it is the custom more often than not, for the waiters to "pool" any tips that they may receive, or tips are left at the counter in a glass, meaning that everyone in that establishment is accountable for your dining experience and you are actually tipping the whole restaurant. So if your meal was burnt or you were given a dirty glass for example, depending on how it was handled by your waiter or the manager,you would still perhaps tip or not tip at all if it was handled badly/rudely.
I'm not sure what waiters get paid here,but my guess is that they wouldn't get paid less than the kitchen hands, dishwashers, etc so I think this could be a fairer way of dealing with tips.
Our travel brochures for U.S. always tell us that tipping is the custom in your country and if we are good visitors we should follow your customs.I have no problem with that, sometimes though we don't quite understand what is expected and who we need to tip and when. I suppose in basic terms we don't tip people here, be it waiters,taxi drivers,bell boys, etc for just doing there job.Tips are a bonus for doing a great job! My concerns are that if I don't tip enough I risk offending someone and if I tip too much I will run out of money. I had never thought about leaving a few pennies as a tip, to show your displeasure, as some of you had suggested, and now understand the reasoning behind this.Intresting.
At the end of the day,whilst not wishing to offend, we just don't quite get why your society doesn't just pay these people more if they are relying on the tips to make up their wages.It probably is ignorance on our part,as suggested by Jana, but I guess if you were used to wearing clothes all day, winding up in a semi naked African village doesn't mean you would instantly rip off all your clothes without a second thought.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Monty:
Of course, if they paid the servers more, then the "menu cost" of the meals would skyrocket. And people would then complain about that!! Enough complaints now about the cost of dining out, and that increase might just keep some from even going out to eat.
At least with tipping, the true cost of the meal is sort of "hidden".

 

[bicker]

we just don't quite get why your society doesn't just pay these people more if they are relying on the tips to make up their wages.

Fundamentally, the advantage of the American system is that a greater portion of server compensation is determined by the person in the best position to know how good the server's performance was -- the patron.

 

[robertchance]

bad servive? no tip,, that sends a message that hopefully they will understand

 

[jarestel]

I prefer not to reward poor performance so a small, or no tip gets the message across to the server that improvement is needed. These are essentially the same rules our bosses use when evaluating our performance at work, so I don't think it's unfair. It's probably not a coincidence that the best servers in a restaurant usually take in the most tips.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I realise it is the custom to tip in your country for services ( I'm from Australia and here it's considered a bonus rather than an expectation ), but at the risk of sounding petty, do people really tip for BAD service. Elsewhere on this site I came accross a tipping chart and as a guide it was suggested a 15% tip for good service, 20% for outstanding service and 10% or less for bad service. eg given as tip $5.00 for a bill coming to $100.
I do not wish to offend anyone, but if you receive BAD service, why would you tip anything? I'd be interested to know what others opinions are on this?

If it is truly bad, leave one penny under the plate. That lets them know you thought to put it there hence something is wrong. Some no longer understand the meaning of this gesture but usually in any restaurant someone will know and set em straigt as to what it means.
If it is mediocre but not truly bad, 10%. Good service 15%, great servide 20%

Hope that helps.

 

[jana]

Monty said

It probably is ignorance on our part,as suggested by Jana,

Maybe you misunderstood what I'm saying. It's not that most non americans don't understand the policy of tipping (most, not all, do). It's just if no tip is left by a non american a bad waiter will usually asume it's because the people don't understand they were meant to tip, as opposed to the waiter thinking "did I do something that meant they made a concious decision not to leave a tip". Human nature means most people will blame others before they look for fault in themselves. For a non american not to leave a tip will not get the message across that you were unhappy with the service, therefore it is necessary to say something to the restaurant manager and/or the server. Most wait staff I know will say leaving a few pennies is a much stronger (insulting) statement than leaving nothing at all.

we just don't quite get why your society doesn't just pay these people more if they are relying on the tips to make up their wages.

While I tend to agree with you, I can see why/how the system grew up. In a perfect world it should work to the customers interest. Which do you prefer having the choice to pay someone yourself for a service rendered, or someone else deciding what it's worth. However, much of that choice has been removed by social pressure so that instead of it reflecting good-excellent service it is expected for someone just doing their job. I think I could make a very good argument that all parties would benefit if waitstaff were paid a slightly better base salary, so their reliance on tips to pay their gas to get to work was reduced and customers were to get back to the habit or rewarding BETTER THAN ADIQUATE service.

IMHO the sneaking but increasing habit of automatically including 18% gratuities into bills could (IMHO IS) leading to a lower level of service AND a higer charge for the customer. It is confusing to many customers, particularly those from overseas, and often leads to customers leaving "double tips" because they don't realize they have already paid the service.

 

[bicker]

I prefer not to reward poor performance so a small, or no tip gets the message across to the server that improvement is needed.

As likely as not, it simply is interpreted that the patron is uncouth or selfish. A deliberately small tip is a much more powerful message than no tip at all.

Nice chatting with y'all.