Tipping in restaurants

[Lisa loves Pooh]

please remember, WE DO NOT EVEN MAKE MINIMUM WAGE. Here in MA, it's $2.63 an hour...



The thing is...if we didn't HAVE to be nice, in order to receive a decent tip, then we probably wouldn't be, sometimes. There is a LOT of tongue-biting and smiling through dealing with idiots, though i should say most of my customers truly are a pleasure. Still, service would definitely suffer if people knew they were getting paid $$ no matter what...a lot of people say this happened at Disney, because when the Dining Plan first started, it included tip...now they've done away with that, and it may have had to do with service no longer being at Disney standards.

I don't agree with this.

Customer service is customer service whether you are tipped for it or not. Cop an attitude with a client and I'm sure your boss would have words with you.

While service may have changed due to DDP--I can't say that any server was "rude" or unable to hold their tongue. And we tipped them as we should have.

If you need to be bribed to be nice, then any job with a customer base is not the job for you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

(and, uh, just speaking for myself here, but i have a REALLY good memory...if you gyp me on a tip and i see you back a week later, I REMEMBER. you really wanna be that person nobody wants to wait on?)

No worries, if your conduct was poor enough that I had to deduct from or even all out eliminate your tip, I would not be returning to the establishment anyway.

I won't be able to trust if mgmt has properly trained the rest of the servers or if you were just the odd duck.

And honestly, retalitation....will likely get your behind fired if I had chosen to return and you opted to punish me for what you had truly earned in the prior week.

I don't let my kids get away with that crap and I'm certainly not going to let a server who was so bad that I had to reduce their tip get away with it either.

But as I said, I won't be returning to your establishment anyway. (Haven't been to Tony Roma's since dealing with a rude waiter over 10 years ago. Didn't intend the long standing boycott, but it is not a restaurant local to us and I just don't purpose to visit when I'm out of town.)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Actually Bob Evans has started serving apptizers and they serve dessert so techincally they do several just as many course as other places. In fact I have worked at Bob Evans Ryan's Steakhouse and Buffet, Colton Steakhouse and Grill and Ruby Tuesday. Every restaurant I have ever worked out we box up leftovers for the customer. In all the places I have worked I didn't work harder in one restaurant then another.

I'm surprised at this coming from you.....

I would certainly not compare my Cracker Barrell experience to my $300 dinner at this posh place outside of DC.

While 20%...on our $20 tab at CB is only $4 for the 45 minutes we are there.... I would have to be sitting at CB for many many hours for it to even come close to the $60 tip at the posh place (we were there for 2-3 hours).

It just doesn't compare and while my CB server didn't bust their buns, the servers at the swanky place had a heck of a lot more on their plate to create the experience that we had.

I just don't think they are comparable at all. Which is why for a lovely dinner for our anniversary, we chose that place and didn't hit up the local CB or Shoney's or Bob Evans.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

For those that have not left a tip of any kind, are you implying a server needs to be on their game everyday, every moment, every second and if they cannot accomplish this would you tell them to get out of the serving business

On my worst of days--I have NEVER

1. Called a client a name or make barnyard animal noises to describe my perception of their behavior (I was oinked at by a server b/c I ate my meal in a faster time than he inspected. I do not inhale my food, but I do eat efficiently and was HUMILIATED by his conduct!)

2. I've never told a customer they weren't allowed to leave until I decided it was time when I knew they had some place they wanted to be. (while this had the best of intentions when done to us--it happened on a cruise and we left the dining room and we were told rudely by our server that we had to go sit down. We didn't eliminate their tip, but due to this and a few other factors, we did reduce his tip. A "surprise" doesn't justify treating your guests rudely.)


So there are genuine circumstances, where I don't care how bad your day is--you just do NOT have the right to be rude to a customer under ANY circumstance.

Those are 2 of the 3 times in the 19 years that I have visited a restaurant that I have eliminated or reduced a tip.

And I am not in charge of their hiring or firing, but I can hopefully provide them incentive to not repeat the action. I simply went to enjoy a meal or an experience that got ruined by rude people.

In case #2, we did end up complaining via our travel agent. We hadn't planned on it, but did have another issue with a stateroom assignment that we did call to complain about. She asked if there was anything else and I told her of our experience. So they did end up getting reported and we got a lengthy apology from the cruise line for their conduct.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

No worries, if your conduct was poor enough that I had to deduct from or even all out eliminate your tip, I would not be returning to the establishment anyway.

I won't be able to trust if mgmt has properly trained the rest of the servers or if you were just the odd duck.

And honestly, retalitation....will likely get your behind fired if I had chosen to return and you opted to punish me for what you had truly earned in the prior week.

I don't let my kids get away with that crap and I'm certainly not going to let a server who was so bad that I had to reduce their tip get away with it either.

But as I said, I won't be returning to your establishment anyway. (Haven't been to Tony Roma's since dealing with a rude waiter over 10 years ago. Didn't intend the long standing boycott, but it is not a restaurant local to us and I just don't purpose to visit when I'm out of town.)

Well to be fair, typically that "rule" applies when you performed great customer service and the customer still tipped only 10% or less having nothing to do with poor customer service.

Nothing is worse when you spend an hour and a half kissing someone's rear end, you give them the $80 bill and they leave $5.

I guess everyone is different but if it's me, and I have more than one table, the other tables will get much more attention from me than that previous customer's table will. I already know that table will leave a BS tip so I'm going to concentrate on the other tables I have much more.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

On my worst of days--I have NEVER

1. Called a client a name or make barnyard animal noises to describe my perception of their behavior (I was oinked at by a server b/c I ate my meal in a faster time than he inspected. I do not inhale my food, but I do eat efficiently and was HUMILIATED by his conduct!)

2. I've never told a customer they weren't allowed to leave until I decided it was time when I knew they had some place they wanted to be. (while this had the best of intentions when done to us--it happened on a cruise and we left the dining room and we were told rudely by our server that we had to go sit down. We didn't eliminate their tip, but due to this and a few other factors, we did reduce his tip. A "surprise" doesn't justify treating your guests rudely.)


So there are genuine circumstances, where I don't care how bad your day is--you just do NOT have the right to be rude to a customer under ANY circumstance.

Those are 2 of the 3 times in the 19 years that I have visited a restaurant that I have eliminated or reduced a tip.

And I am not in charge of their hiring or firing, but I can hopefully provide them incentive to not repeat the action. I simply went to enjoy a meal or an experience that got ruined by rude people.

In case #2, we did end up complaining via our travel agent. We hadn't planned on it, but did have another issue with a stateroom assignment that we did call to complain about. She asked if there was anything else and I told her of our experience. So they did end up getting reported and we got a lengthy apology from the cruise line for their conduct.

While I agree with this, I don't think anyone should be intentionally rude to a customer but being less ***-kissy is sometimes in order.

But in the end, the fact that someone keyed your car isn't the fault of the customer and it's not fair to be rude to someone you don't even know...

However, there can be circumstances... in every day life also... that someone may not realize they are being rude. They may think they are simply being funny.

 

[paintnolish]

On a lighter note, I had a customer (group of 3 middle aged guys) tell me my hair looked matronly. They were not joking around. He was dead serious. I smiled and said, "Gee, thanks. I have really long, thick, curly hair and I don't think you'd like it dangling in your food, would you?" They were otherwise friendly, but sheesh!

 

[happygirl]

Not true for the restaurant we order from. It is the regular servers bringing out the food. I am not certain if they have a dedicated person for that, but it is indeed a regular server.

I do tip on that, but usually only 10% or a few bucks.

They still work for tip though

 

[Springs1]

But on a busy Friday or Saturday night? They were a pain. Not so much if I just had to walk to the back to get the order and ring the customer up. But if I was the one who answered the phone (waitresses/hostesses answered the phone, cooks never did) and especially if it was a long, detailed order for a larger family/group, then I was the one who put the order together (bagged it or boxed it) after checking each item to make sure it was correct, putting in the condiments/napkins, getting the drinks and dessert, then bringing it up and ringing up the customer. That all takes time. A couple of extra $$ from the customer was really appreciated, especially since getting their order ready was taking time away from my sit-down customers who might be needing refills on their drinks, wanting dessert, etc.

But I really like the idea of implementing a "service charge" on to-go orders and then splitting it between the servers at the end of the shift. Or just not doing "to go" orders at all. Great idea.

But if I was the one who answered the phone

Answering the phone is EXACTLY like taking an order at the register, so this doesn't count for any service that is any more than fast food cashiers do.

then I was the one who put the order together (bagged it or boxed it)

I have seen CASHIERS at fast food restaurants bag and box food as well. At KFC I have had a CASHIER put in the biscuits in the container, put mac n' cheese in a container, and chicken in the box, NOT the kitchen staff. I have had a cashier actually put my burger together right in front of me at Wendy's. Another person did put the fries on the tray, but the CASHIER also put me a cup with mayo and a cup with mustard(because I don't want the packets) as well.

At McDonald's, the CASHIER put the hotcakes and sausage in a bag for me. She got me 2 butters, 2 syrups, a plastic fork in one box, a plastic knife in a another box, and some strawberry jelly. Did SHE get a tip? She rung me and gave me my change. She took my order(doesn't matter if it's in person or over the phone, that's the same thing).

after checking each item to make sure it was correct, putting in the condiments/napkins, getting the drinks and dessert, then bringing it up and ringing up the customer.

Fast food cashiers do ALL of these things. I don't see a reason to tip anyone for doing the same things they are doing for NO TIP.

A couple of extra $$ from the customer was really appreciated, especially since getting their order ready was taking time away from my sit-down customers who might be needing refills on their drinks, wanting dessert, etc.

Why do you feel your sit-down customers are somehow MORE IMPORTANT? Is it because you are only thinking about your tips and not about anyone else's feelings or time? Your sit-down customers are JUST AS IMPORTANT as the to-go customer's service. The difference here is, the to-go customer's service is exactly like fast food service as far as picking it up at the counter goes. If it's delivered to the customer's vehicle or house, then the customer should tip if the order was obviously correct since the person actually had to bring the customer their food whether by foot(to the person's car) or to your house such as when you order a pizza to get delivered. I am only talking about picking up your food at the counter ONLY, NOT delivered food. I tip at Sonic if my food is right, because they BROUGHT me the food to my car and I didn't have to get up. If I go through a drive-thru at McDonald's or go inside to order my food at McDonald's, no one is bringing me food to me, I am going to them, so there shouldn't be a tip for that ANYWHERE, whether a fast food restaurant or a non-fast food restaurant.

Since when does ANYONE tip based on OTHER PEOPLE'S SERVICE? The to-go customer doesn't tip based on that and the customers inside don't base their tips on if you have to-go orders to make. They base their tip on THEIR SERVICE ONLY. While the time you are at the to-go area may take away time from serving the people inside, the to-go customers are just as important as the tipping customers that are getting full service that are dining inside.

The to-go customers don't base their tip on taking away time from your sit-down customers. That sounds ridiculous. Getting their order ready is something I did at a donut shop years ago, which sometimes people would call in the order and sometimes I would take the order on the phone, sometimes I wouldn't, the cooks would, but either way, some would pick it up in drive-thru even. I didn't expect a tip. Most of the people that did, didn't tip and I don't blame them one bit. I had to bag the food, if they order drinks, fix the drinks putting ice and drink in the glass with a drink holder if it was a bunch of drinks. I had to put packets of condiments, forks, knives, and napkins in a bag. I had to ring them up too and give them their change/credit card receipt. Back then, most people paid with cash(worked there 1998-2002 off and on for about a little over 2 yrs worth.). While it was cool to get tips when I'd get to-go orders, I don't think ANYONE should tip for them though. I didn't refuse extra money, WHO WOULD, but I don't feel anyone should tip for take-out unless they are getting it delivered to their vehicle or house, only if the food is obviously correct that is. I don't feel if your order is wrongly delivered to you(whether vehicle or house) if it's obvious, that you should tip.

Tell me, why do you think to-go customers should consider OTHER CUSTOMER'S TIME that are eating inside when people don't base tipping on other people's services? I don't care if Joe Schmoe gets take-out while I am dining in and I don't care when I get take-out if Jane Doe is dining inside. I don't tip base on that my to-go order takes away people inside's time. Isn't my time isn't JUST AS IMPORTANT as theirs? If I would tip for the take-out order, I would ONLY base my tipping on if my order was obviously correct and if I would find out by on the ticket as to when they put in my order originally by the receipt time possibly if it took a long time or not. For example, if I called it in at 7:15p.m, arrive at 7:35p.m., but the receipt says it wasn't put in until 7:22, that's 7 minutes that they waited to put in my order, so I wouldn't tip then. If my food was obviously wrong such as not getting the ranch I ordered, not getting the correct food or something missing, I wouldn't tip either. I don't know where you get the idea that people tip based on other people's service? When I get my food delivered to my car(Sonic, never gotten car-side-to-go before) or to my house, I base the tip on if the food is obviously correct. If the order was put in correctly, but something is missing, no tip. Takes 5 seconds to look in the bag or box to see if something is missing or not. I don't tip based on other people. I don't know anyone in their right mind that would. WHY? Aren't we paying for services WE are receiving and not someone else?

Once I noticed a guy at another table when me and my husband were dining in at Chili's, order ranch with his chips n' salsa(kind of strange, but ok.) The waitress was our waitress as well that took the order. Another server brought it out without the ranch. The guy(customer) told him about the ranch. No one told our waitress about that it was delivered. Our waitress brought out the chips n' salsa to this customer without the ranch that was ordered. Can you believe all of that over a side of ranch. We tipped our waitress that time 25%, because she did very well. If I were to have tipped based on their service they received with all of that mess, I would have tipped 16%, because she didn't even apologize to them even. While it's not a huge mistake, the fact that the ranch could have been brought out from OUR WAITRESS BEFOREHAND to prevent all of that and even if she would have brought it out again, the customers would have had their ranch, so nothing would have really went wrong really. While it wasn't our waitresses fault that the other server didn't bring the ranch if the ticket was correct, it was her fault she didn't offer to bring it out ahead of time. It would have aggrevated me that my waitress would have brought it out and forgotten the ranch as well as the other server, so 2 times not correct and then no apology makes for a large portion of that 25% to go down as it should. My point is of this story, we didn't base our tip on someone else's service. WE ONLY TIPPED ON OUR SERVICE ONLY!!

Taking away time from your other customers has ZERO to do with service.

You really make it seem like that the dine-in customers are more important just because you make money from them. That sounds like you are thinking more about your loss of money than other people. When I have gotten take-out before(I don't very often, but have), I NEVER have tipped EVER!!! You aren't doing ANYMORE work than a fast food cashier does for NO TIP. I tip FAIRLY, meaning if they don't get a tip for doing sometimes even MORE WORK at times, you shouldn't either for a to-go order I pick up inside. What's fair is fair and what isn't, isn't.

Can you come up with ANYTHING more that a to-go server does FOR their to-go customer that picks their order up inside than a typical fast food cashier(not counting Sonic since you get your food delivered to your car)? If you can, maybe I might change my mind, but if you can't come up with anything, which I am willing to bet you can't, how can you expect to get a tip for things that people aren't getting tipped for that do the same or less amount of work? Is it fair for that Wendy's cashier that put together my burger/gave me condiments in 2 separate cups, filled my cup with soft drink and ice, rung me up/gave me change that I couldn't tip her, but I should tip you for doing the same type of work(sometimes even less work)? No, it's not fair, it's just not. I NEVER tip for take-out that I pick up at the counter and I NEVER WILL. If you can come up with something that is more work than a fast food cashier does, please tell me, I would like to know?

But I really like the idea of implementing a "service charge" on to-go orders and then splitting it between the servers at the end of the shift.

Of course, because you are thinking about your money instead of people. You are only thinking about yourself. Sure it would be ok to split it, because there would be fights, but you really are just thinking of YOU. If they had a service charge I wouldn't get a to-go order then. Just like I never get a pizza delivered anymore. It's not just the service charge though, it's even more about that the order isn't correct when it gets to the door a lot of times. I'd rather just pick it up. You get your food faster, no tipping involved, no service charge, and you get to see if there is a mistake at the restaurant instead of at home where you end up having to wait 15-20 minutes to get it fixed or more even.

I don't think they should have a service charge. Taking an order over the phone is EXACTLY like taking an order in person. I cannot see how this is any different. Please explain?

 

[mhsjax]

No worries, if your conduct was poor enough that I had to deduct from or even all out eliminate your tip, I would not be returning to the establishment anyway.

I won't be able to trust if mgmt has properly trained the rest of the servers or if you were just the odd duck.

And honestly, retalitation....will likely get your behind fired if I had chosen to return and you opted to punish me for what you had truly earned in the prior week.

I don't let my kids get away with that crap and I'm certainly not going to let a server who was so bad that I had to reduce their tip get away with it either.

But as I said, I won't be returning to your establishment anyway. (Haven't been to Tony Roma's since dealing with a rude waiter over 10 years ago. Didn't intend the long standing boycott, but it is not a restaurant local to us and I just don't purpose to visit when I'm out of town.)

About the getting fired part, don't count on it, they do things sometimes that no one would know about. I have known too many servers and cooks that have done this, and management is not aware.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I have seen CASHIERS at fast food restaurants bag and box food as well. At KFC I have had a CASHIER put in the biscuits in the container, put mac n' cheese in a container, and chicken in the box, NOT the kitchen staff. I have had a cashier actually put my burger together right in front of me at Wendy's. Another person did put the fries on the tray, but the CASHIER also put me a cup with mayo and a cup with mustard(because I don't want the packets) as well.

At McDonald's, the CASHIER put the hotcakes and sausage in a bag for me. She got me 2 butters, 2 syrups, a plastic fork in one box, a plastic knife in a another box, and some strawberry jelly. Did SHE get a tip? She rung me and gave me my change. She took my order(doesn't matter if it's in person or over the phone, that's the same thing).

No, but those examples you are giving are paid more then waiters, and most in that position are not allowed to take tips.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Fast food cashiers do ALL of these things. I don't see a reason to tip anyone for doing the same things they are doing for NO TIP.

At fast food restaurants, this is what 'cashiers' DO. This is their regular, assigned job. Or would you prefer to pay HIGHER prices at a fast food restaurant so they can hire/schedule an additional set of employees who ONLY get and bag the food????

At any rate, fine, don't tip sit-down restaurant servers who do all this work for you, in addition to handling their assigned tables. And don't criticize - or penalize - your seemingly slow server when you're at a table in one of these places, given that she/he does more prep work for the to-go order than for yours and so can't be standing right at your table anticipating your every need the instant you need something.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Why do you feel your sit-down customers are somehow MORE IMPORTANT? Is it because you are only thinking about your tips and not about anyone else's feelings or time? Your sit-down customers are JUST AS IMPORTANT as the to-go customer's service.

Well, when it's obvious that the to-go customer is telling HER her service to them is not worth anything...

I didn't expect a tip. Most of the people that did, didn't tip and I don't blame them one bit

Um, possibly because, despite the proliferation of tip cups at fast food locations now, tipping for fast food is NOT customary?

The to-go customers don't base their tip on taking away time from your sit-down customers.

It appears that the quoted poster is advocating not tipping, period - despite service being rendered and tipping being customary.

The difference here is, the to-go customer's service is exactly like fast food service as far as picking it up at the counter goes

Wrong. IT'S NOT FAST FOOD. It's table service food that the customer opts, for whatever reason, to take home instead. Often, frankly, that reason is to avoid tipping.

For example, if I called it in at 7:15p.m, arrive at 7:35p.m., but the receipt says it wasn't put in until 7:22, that's 7 minutes that they waited to put in my order, so I wouldn't tip then

???? You have no idea why the order was put in at x time. You also have no idea that/whether your watch matches the register's time - you know, the time that matters?

I don't know where you get the idea that people tip based on other people's service?

I don't know where you get the idea that the quoted poster thinks people tip based on other peoples' service. People should tip on their own service - and yes, that includes to-go or take-out from a table service restaurant. Were you provided with service?

Aren't we paying for services WE are receiving and not someone else?

You strongly seem to be advocating NOT tipping on service YOU receive.

Once I noticed a guy at another table when me and my husband were dining in at Chili's, order ranch with his chips n' salsa(kind of strange, but ok.) The waitress was our waitress as well that took the order. Another server brought it out without the ranch. The guy(customer) told him about the ranch. No one told our waitress about that it was delivered. Our waitress brought out the chips n' salsa to this customer without the ranch that was ordered. Can you believe all of that over a side of ranch.

I'm confused. Did the other customer get TWO orders of chips & salsa and never any ranch?

Taking away time from your other customers has ZERO to do with service.

Fine, it doesn't. YOU should be tipping for YOUR service - even if it's carside to go, or you walk into the restaurant and place a take-out order.

You really make it seem like that the dine-in customers are more important just because you make money from them.

MIGrandma can't reasonably be responsible for what you infer from her post. Nobody - including her - indicates the to-go customer should tip because she can't service her tables at the same time she's servicing the to-go customer. The latter should tip because they received service from a server at a table service restaurant - maybe not as much as if they dined in, but a couple of bucks for being on the receiving end of service is, as she states, appreciated.

how can you expect to get a tip for things that people aren't getting tipped for that do the same or less amount of work?

That's the fast food restaurant employee's job.

Is it fair for that Wendy's cashier that put together my burger/gave me condiments in 2 separate cups, filled my cup with soft drink and ice, rung me up/gave me change that I couldn't tip her, but I should tip you for doing the same type of work(sometimes even less work)?

You have NO idea how much work the table service restaurant server did to place and prep your order.

But if I was the one who answered the phone (waitresses/hostesses answered the phone, cooks never did) and especially if it was a long, detailed order for a larger family/group, then I was the one who put the order together (bagged it or boxed it) after checking each item to make sure it was correct, putting in the condiments/napkins, getting the drinks and dessert, then bringing it up and ringing up the customer.

So, from this description it sounds like she does everything she'd do for a seated customer except clear the table - and you don't think that's worth a tip????????????????????????????????????????

Of course, because you are thinking about your money instead of people. You are only thinking about yourself.

As are you.

Sure it would be ok to split it, because there would be fights

You obviously have no table service experience. Split tips are policy at some restaurants, and many bars - and there are no fights. Really. Why in the world would you think fights would suddenly break out among mature, experienced adults???

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, but those examples you are giving are paid more then waiters, and most in that position are not allowed to take tips.

Oh, I feel silly - I completely missed that point!!! Thanks!

 

[smidgy]

Smidgy- I am glad you explained yourself. basically, you go in assuming to tip 20% but seem to dedcut for reasonable "offenses," like being inattentive. Okay. The one issue I do have is with food quality. Servers don't cook your food, so I don't see how it is their fault. Also, if you are talking about specifications 1. Everyone makes mistakes 2. Even if your server gets it right, sometimes the kitchen still gets it wrong (even after you go explain and double check!).

yikes! I really have to work on "quoting". I "fixed" that post. IT WASN'TME who said they tip based on food quality, I was quoting another poster.. the one who said they were also upset caue they had a small wait for a table (at disney) and it was mybe 12 minutes before the server came to their table, and maybe 15 minute wait to pay their bill. butit did look like it was me taht said that, cause I didn't "quote" correctly.
I would never tip less based on food quality. in fact,... tonight, I waited o a coule, regular customers, who ask for me to be their server... they NEVER complain! tonight, he just did NOT care for his fish! The owners had alreadu left, butI gave them a free dessert, and "comped" him half off his order. (when I DO speak to the owners, I'm sure they will be Ok with this . ) No, it wasn't like the person who eats the whole meal and THEN cmplains. he ate half of it. and he did eat the veggies and salad. they still tipped me $10 on a $37 bill. (still more than 20%, BEFORE the "discount) they did not blame me or the occasional "not sogood" food.
on night,a table toldme the clamchowder wasTOO fishy. they dd NOT tip me less, and I was glad forthe "feedback". we make ourhomemade soups fresh everyday. I was thereby ableto "warn" other customers that it was esp. fishy that night. saome took the salad instead,... others said "cool! I ike it that way!" ... communication!!!! wonderful thing! (oh yeah, I brought outsalads for that original table)
Itwas slow tonight, o I had a chance to talk to the "didn't liketh fish" couple...about their teens, thanskgiving cusoms in their household, etc. .. last time they were in,it was busy... not only didn't I have a cance to "chat", but they had to remind me about the extra butter theyasked for. they still tipped me 20%. and they still always ask for me.
and I have a customer who has a sore armso Ialways bring her oneof thecouch pillows from our lobby to rest her arm on.
I have regular couple.. she had a stroke..... very hard tounderstand.. hubby speaks FOR her... except with me, now. I have learned to nderstand her speech, and she loves being able to speak for herself to me. you know what? they are older and order off the value menu, and tip 15%. and ask for me. and I am always happy to see them (even though I know I might av just given up a "bigger tipping" table in the "rotation" (cause they ask forme) and it takes me a little bt longer to take their order, cuase I have the patience to lt her order herself. restaurants depend on regular customers... and NO.. we servers are NOTjust looking out for ourselves.
good servers love our jobs..and we love taking care of people. It makes us feel good.

 

[smidgy]

oh yeah! the person I quoted who based thier tip, partly, on food quality, alson stated that they didn't leave a tip at all at disney one time. I missated the wait time... it was 35 minutes...at disney. (ADRS are NOT reservations, by the way, just an assurrance of getting thenext available table fr your party) 35 minutes is NOTHING. at disney.. then waiting for the servr maybe 12minutes, etc. etc. OMG! I guess that server should have dropped everything!!! and shown up at her tabl within 2 minutes!!! and had to wait maybe 15 minutes to pay!!!!.... so ,she tipped NOTHING!

again, I was tryng to quote another poster. I would NEVER tip nothing!

 

[smidgy]

Actually no - it wasn't you. It was a blog, and this was awhile ago. Unless it's your blog.

ETA - I don't think I quoted correctly?? I don't know - the quotes are all funky dunky. ????

e there was a blog.. not mine.. but I was kinda stealing a phrase from a long time customer atthe bar I used to tend bar at. (yikes! I ended a sentance with a proposition... sorry!) he always tipped VERY well at the bar.. and he and his wife would come into the restaurant where I also worked (servers often have multiple jobs) and tipped very well. that was Bud's tipping philosophy. he was a bouncer at another bar, and often I was just about to "close up shop" andhe would come in. he learned... he would call me on hs cell.don't close up I'm comig in.. sigh! ok, I'll stay open. he would have 2, maybe 3beers, and I would stay open. and tip me well. sometimes his wifewould meet him up there. and I would stay open, just for them.
so I stole his "line". and what he (and I) meant was "we assume we are going to tip 20%." ionly if things go bad, wllwe tip less.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I'm going to vote if you don't have the money for the tip, go to the grocery store or get take out. And yes Disney did lose a bunch of their best servers with the whole free dining plan.

 

[smidgy]

If you feel you are getting stiffed, then you have the right to get another job that pays better.

What I don't understand is, I just paid 4 hours of my salary for a meal for my family (that I would have paid $20 for cooking the same meal at home) and the provider of that meal expects me to pay his wait staff instead of him. Why in the world is it this way? The owner just made 300% profit on the food and I still have to pay his staff their wages.

And also, why is it based on a % of the cost? If the wait staff sees 5 tables in an hour and receives a $5 tip from each, that's $25 for the hour. That seems pretty darn awesome to me. Instead, they expect $10-15 from each table so they make $50-75 for an hour's worth of work while the owner sees $250-375 for those 5 tables minus the food costs. I think the restaurant should be paying the staff, not the customers.

{IF THE WAIT STAFF SEE 5 TABLES IN AN HOUR ADN RECEIVES A $5 TIP FROM EACH, THAT'S $26 FORTHE HOUR.)

I want to work at THAT resataurant!!!! an 8 hourshift, 5 tables an hour!!!even a 6 hour shift.. holy cow!!! of course, IF we hadthat turnover of tables, you can bet you wouldn't get SQUAT for service! you really think you come into a restaurant, sit down, order drinks, gt served your drinks, perhaps order apetizers, get served your appetizers (or not) get your toasted rolls, another round of drinks, maybe, soups and salads, entrees, maybe coffee, amybe desserts, chit caht, pay your bill, ALL in anHOUR???!!! are you POWER EATERS?

no, on second thought, I do NOT want to work at that restaurant. If I have 5 tables, EVERY hour, I am shoving the food down your throat and chasing you out. actually, I do NOT WANT to EAT at that restaurant. (and, as a server, I REALLY enjoy going out to eat myself, and getting waited on)

5 tables an hour? that is crazy enough! over a whole shift? the early waitress shines silverware, rolls it, does other "sidework" while she waits onthe few earlytables. later in the evening, w do the smae, with the few late tables.

in your mistaken "spreadsheet" there is, NO WAY!!!! 5 tables.. PER HOUR, PER waitress!!! you obviously do not understand the restaurant business. we HAVE to have enough waitresses "onduty" in CASE there is a "rush", to give you good service.... but , if there is not a lot of business, we "share the tables' so, a slow night, 2 or 3 of us ahsre the little table there are... BUT we need to have all of us there... in CASE..we get a rush (like on our $10 prime rib night. last week was slow, but the week before we were slammed!.. who knows? with this economy? we ahve to have the "help", we have the "special" what if you come in and there is only one waitres and youget poor service cause it was slow the week before? so we "share" the tables.

and... ALL THAT ASIDE>>> WHO??? goes into a restaurant and orders drinks, entres, eats, and pays their bill (and the table is bussed and cleaned) in ONLY ONE HOUr??!!) sheeeesh! maybe McDonalds.

and this poster is basing servers' pay on 5 tables per hour.... (for the whole shift)
If servers REALLY received $5 a table, times 5 tables an hour times 6-8 hour shifts,times 5 shifts a week.... well, not only woud this thread be non-=existant, but we would all be going to see the fairy princess together.

 

[smidgy]

Hmmm - if no-one had discussed the recent issue in the UK the law would not have been changed.

Yes the cost of a meal would remain more or less the same - but there would be a much greater degree of certainty both for the server and the customer.

I can't understand why paying someone less than the minimum wage and relying on customers to make that up to a 'living wage' is better than paying someone a decent wage as a way of keeping them out of poverty.[/QU



well, this is NOT the UK! this is the United States of America. I am happy you choose to spend your tourism dollars here. you know the old adage... when in Rome, do as the Romans...

If you feel you are getting stiffed, then you have the right to get another job that pays better.

.

\


true, true. but people who choose to be servers base their choice ON the pay system, in the United States, for that job.. no one would EVER choose a job based on $2.50 to Maybe $4.00 an hour.!!! they "choose" that job BECAUSE, according to the system, THAT WE ALL KNOW. (in the usa) pays very little, but gives them the opportunity to earn much more, based on tips.

and... MOST normal people, in the usa, are accustomed to paying tips, around 16%-20%, and consider that when calculating the cost of "eating out". If I thought being a server would make me minimum wage, I wouldn't work that job. I would be at mcdonalds. OF COURSE, you can eat much more cheaply at home! if you buy the ingredients at the grocery store and cook it yourself. sheesh.

I am a great cook! I love to cook. my grown sons love to show up at my doorstep and raid my fridge for leftovers, and ask me to give my recipies to their wives. (bless their hearts!)

however... I LOVE eating out! of COURSE it costs more to eat out at a restaurant than buying the ingredients yourself and cooking them and serving them in your home!

the people I serve at the restaurant CHOOSE to NOT spend the time in the kitchen. (and, by the way, we serve only certified angus beef, and grind all our own burgers, so it's much better than you can get at the Jewel or Dominicks). and th kids at the restaurant love to see me "set on fire" the sizzling saganaki at the table, and peopl love the stuffed mushrooms, or calamari, or mussles, or oyters. AND dad can geta t-bone, mom can get a filet, and the kids can get chickenfingers or a grilled cheese, shaped like a rocket. what mom feelslike doing all that, after a hard days work? and a margarita? or cosmo? or dad wants a manhattan? and the kids want shirley temples, with extra cherries?

to a previous poster, if you can make up a shrimp deJongue apptizer, saganaki, stuffed mushrooms, oysters on the half shell....just for appetizers... and serve up chicken wellington, steaks, burgers ,clam chowder, baked french onion soup, cesear salads, london broil,walleye pike, shrimp tempura, bbq ribs, all at the same time, so you can all eat together (this was honestly one of my tables tonight) and make everyone happy....AT HOME... well, then I guess you put us out of business. (it was 7 people).

whyshould you pay more than you can buy it at the grocery store? gee... you tell me.


I am wondering lately why I am even BOTHERING with these stupid "tipping" threads.

I am either "preaching to the choir" or arguing with strangers who are looking for any excuse to NOT tip .obviously, if you get REALLY bad service, you don't want to tip....me either! then inquire... what's the problem? we al lknow that is the exception. if you don't like the "system".. don't eat out in resaurants in this country. and if you feel you have received poor service, communicate!!!

disney? sheesh. you can tip whatever you want.. uness you party of 6 or more... I have read about people splitting up their parties,, making reservations for 8 as 2 parties of 4.... HOPING to sit close to each other, just to avoid the automatic 18%!! (how would youlike to be that couple seated in between those 2 parties? yeah.. that sounds like fun... the extents some people won't go to to avoid tipping.18% and STRESS about it 6 months ahead of time!) by the way, even at disney, if your service is bad, you can talk to management about the aoto 18% for parties of 6 or more)

In the United Staes, the system IS: servers get far less than minimum wage.
people EXPECT to TIP. it is part of the cost of dining out. minium tip is usually 15%. anything less, the server wonders what they did wrong. don't let them wonder.... nicely tell them.. for future reference... NO it is NOt a Master/servant relationship. COMMUNICATE....nicely...
if you have REALLY POOR servicel... communicate... even if you have to call and speak to management a day or two later. no restaurant wants a bad reputation. and.. yes, there are poor servers. and sometime there are great servers who screwed up or maybe someone called in sick and they are doing the best they can. ... you're right.. not YOUR fault.... usually management will say... "sorry, we were unexpectedly short handed... what can we do to make it up to you?" just don't take it out on the server who DID show up, and is running herself ragged.

however... even in this economy, theNORM is to TIp your server. 15% minimum. and to be expected as part of your bill.
unless there are mitigating circumstances, sorry, than you will be considered cheap.