My state, the wait staff gets minimum wage. So, if I get poor service from that waiter, they get no tip. That being said, even baristas get tips from me, if they do their job right. And, I'm smart enough to know that slow food doesn't necessarily mean the server was slow - the kitchen could be slow. HOWEVER - if I have to ask for creamer, if I have to ask for silverware, if I have to get up and get my own napkins or water refills... No tips. And, to expect me to tip a server who only rings up my food and brings it from the kitchen is just nuts. If I'm going to tip you, then you need to do something beyond the basics. At least smile at me. Ok? And I don't buy the pity stories... minimum wage here is 8.40 an hour - if you can't live on that, then you need to stop smoking - I went to school full time and worked full time on less than that. And made it, had a car, and my own teensy studio.
Josh - 14 years ago
Let's do a little math here, and analyze the situation:
Say a family of four spends an hour having dinner in a casual-dining chain. Without spluirging, it's easy to spend $50 for a dinner in such a place. A 15% tip on such a check is $7.50. $7.50 in an hour beats the minimum wage in 40 US states.
Yes, I know, you have to declare the tips and are taxed on them. However, that minimum wage earner at McDonald's is taxed on his income as well.
Yes, I know most of the tips are split with others. However, also know that that family of four is not your only table during this time. Four such tables can make you $30 an hour, which is an annual income of over $60,000.
I know degreed professionals who are not as fortunate. So it's not that I'm lacking in sympathy when I say make it up on the next table.
One further thought: before I got maried, I was a member of the church singles group. We went out to eat often, with around a dozen or so people at a time. This usually meant that a 15% gratuity was added to our checks, even though the check was split. I lost count of the number of times it seemed we were getting shafted on service, as the server seemed to figure the tip was a slam-dunk. I also lost count of the number of time I complained to management over this phenomenon.
Adam Villani - 14 years ago
For the record, there are at least several states (I know California is one of them) where waiters DO get paid at least minimum wage, which in California is $8.00.
Kim - 14 years ago
What stuns me is the sense that a worker needs to be perfect before they deserve to make more than $2.65/hour. If you leave no tip, you are stealing someone's labor. As a waitress for several years, I've noticed a few things about bad tippers:
1. They are cheap in general.
2. They are more demanding than most.
3. They tend to have a chip on their shoulders anyway.
elisa - 14 years ago
My husband and I took his young sister to dinner with her friend. The entire time we were in the resturant the waiters commented on how young we were to have two children and what the chances were that we would not have enough money to cover the bill. The service was horrible. Not only did the servers not get a tip ( We normally tip about 25%) but I pulled them aside to explain why they were not getting a tip while my husband talked with the manager. I am not required to pay more for poor service because you are receiving minimal wages.
Michelle - 14 years ago
I think what alot of people forget is that sometimes awesome service doesn't even get you a good tip. I have had tables expect me at their table every 2 minutes while the entire restaurant is full and I have given them everything they wanted and they leave 5%. I have even had people say to me that they only tip $3. Really. Regardless of the size of the party. It's like they forget that a party of 9 is going to be more difficult and time consuming than a table of 2. (hence why some restaurants do auto-gratuity on large parties). I am all for leaving a low tip for poor service (sometimes I'm not sure how some people hold a job in the food business) and i also get ahold of management, but at the end of the day most companies assume you make 15% and thats what you declare so if you don't tip ultimately the server is paying for you. And for those that say us waiters/waitresses should get other jobs if we don't want to worry about tips, in many cases that is the only option. Its pretty hard to come by an office type entry level job as a college town as a college student. Hospitality is really the only thing we have to go in that will readily work around our schedules (because many of us are not in college to work, we're here to get a good grades and a degree) and actually have openings to even get a job. And I love where I work because we get to talk to our guests so they get to know us just as we get to know them. If some of you would take time to talk to your wait staff outside of how you want your burger cooked I bet you will find that it can make a server's day. We don't want to be barked at just like you don't want to be ignored. They will also be more apt to be more warm toward you. We are here to serve you, not be your slaves. Just keep in mind that we are human too and everyone will have a good experience
Roberto - 14 years ago
It's society in general. Just because little Billy played baseball doesn't mean he deserves a trophy! Just because you work as a waiter/waitress doesn't mean you deserve a 15% tip.
I did the waiter gig, it's simple if I screwed up I got screwed. Did I whine, no! I changed MY WAYS of doing business I didn't expect the customer to change THEIR WAYS.
You don't deserve squat! If I get bad service, surprise you get a bad tip. Not too hard to understand but most everyone is a product of the public school system and expects their trophy.
Dean - 14 years ago
To all the waiters and waitresses with their whining comments, get over it. No one forced you to work in restaurants so if you can't handle it, quit and work elsewhere. You complain about how hard is the work. Well guess what? It is! That's why they call it work. I worked in a nightclub to help pay for my way through college. I dealt with stupid drunk people all night long. It just goes with the job. I didn't whine or cry to anyone.
Now I work sometimes 60-70 hours a week. If a make a mistake my boss doesn't want to hear excuses but only to get it fixed ASAP. It's part of life. I'm so sick and tired of this entitlement attitude. No one is automatically owed anything and life isn't fare.
To the servers who stated giving 10% even for bad service. Are you kidding? It's a tip! A reward for GOOD service. There is no minimum (except maybe for the penny). As a customer, I don't want to hear about you having a bad day. I worked my butt off as well for the money I'm spending in that restaurant. That money didn't come easily to me either and going to a nice restaurant is one way people try to get away from the stresses in life.
If the service is bad then NO TIP and management should be made aware of it. If the service is great, then I'll reward the person beyond the expected amount and tell management what a great job he or she did. You work hard and you will most likely be rewarded but there's no guarantee. It's just how it is. You act as if servers are the ONLY ones that work hard in this world. Well you're dead wrong. Everyone works hard. Stop crying!!
I have left no tips before but very rarely. One time in Hawaii, we were at restaurant where only 3 or 4 tables were filled. One of them was the waitress's friends. She spent most of the time talking to her friends. After taking our order and bringing our food she never returned again except to give us the bill. Plus there was a very long wait between order and food with almost no one in the restaurant. I had to get the condiments and refilling of our drinks myself. You think she deserves any tip? Absolutely not! Not only did she not get a tip but I let management know and noted it on the back of my bill so she would never forget why.
However, when we went one time to a Cheesecake Factory restaurant, we had this waitress that was amazing! The place was packed yet she still managed to get us our food promptly and she was frequently checking up on us. I was impressed! We gave her a 30% tip and I told the manager what a wonderful job she did and that they should do whatever they can to keep her.
Good hard work gets you reward and bad gets you nothing. It's that simple.
erindouglas - 14 years ago
Alright, I worked at a pizza place for years and people remember you. Oh yes. It is hard not to think about that nice house that never never tips. One of my drivers actually got a comment once that this person wouldn't tip because gas was so high. Really? Even at Sonic when I drive in, I still tip at least a dollar as I was too lazy to get out myself and get something to drink. Yes I have walked out of places before but you can guarantee that I won't be back! Word of mouth is the strongest form of advertisement. Tips here and there will hurt a person but telling your friends and family about the place will keep others away for ever.
Gillymeister - 14 years ago
I have never tipped zero, I normally tip 10% for poor service.....but not because i think the server is entitled to it just because they hold a server's postion. The sense of entitlement from several servers on this post is SHOCKING. I'm sure being server can be very stressful, most jobs are, but do you honestly feel that people should feel sorry for you?? Get over yourselves!! When i am eating and spending the money that i EARNED at MY stressful job, i EXPECT to recieve a product! I am eating out for MY enjoyment not your charity. Remember, everyone eating at that restaurant has a job and has to put up with BS, just like you. I have the utmost respect for servers who provide good service and i think that good service at a restaurant is a noble endeavor, and I tip very generously for a server who makes me feel like my money is well spent. But for all the servers who think they are entitled to good tips just because, try standing out on the street with a cup and begging, then you won't ruin your paying customers day.
Jones Funmaker - 14 years ago
I love how the waitstaff always says "I NEVER give bad service, It's not me" on many of the pro-tip comments. It's like how 90 percent of all drivers say they are above average drivers (impossible).
The waiters say it's the customers, the customers say they leave poor tips with bad service, neither admit they are wrong. So the truth is most likely in the middle. The waiters who say they are perfect probably do have a bad day or act rude or slow or whatever, and there are most likely some cheap skate customers. Either way, If the waiters hate it so much get a different job and if the customers are really cheapskates, don't go out to eat! You can save money by cooking at home!
RBrooksC - 14 years ago
I have left a penny before when the waitress never came back to our table after giving us our meal, my coffee was never refilled, nor was our bill brought to us. I asked the manager if the bill wasn't received after an hour was my meal free? He got very annoyed and told me absolutely not. The waitress came over and accused us of losing our bill. She had to ask us what we ordered which we promptly lied about and I left one penny to make sure she knew I didn't forget about the tip.
I am also annoyed at the waiters who feel entitled to a 20% tip now. My work requires no more than 15% tip. We had a waiter come out of the restaurant and accuse us of low tipping because we only tipped 15%. It's too bad that a waiter or waitress feels that 20% is what is required. I tip based on service and if it is worth 20% I will give it. It is a average, I will give 15%. Poor I will give about 10%. Only once left one penny.
Mr. Moo - 14 years ago
I usually leave a tip. Most of the time about 15-20%. When I was growing up the "pay" was for fixed costs, tips paid for things like food so I understand how it is. However. If I find the service very poor and also see the staff goofing off (usually flirting or hanging with friends who came by I'll probably not leave a tip. Balance that off with some times I leave more. Once where I noticed the wait person was very busy, it seems like they were only person working and the place was very busy, I left a tip for $20 more than my bill.
Kevin Tomczak - 14 years ago
I normally leave a 15-20 % tip unless the service is exceptional then I will tip more but never less. I can't believe anyone would leave no tip, no matter how bad the service was you still need to pay for it. That is like going to see a movie and expecting your money back because you didn't like it. Anyone who leaves without tipping or leaving something insulting (like a penny) are thieves. They are stealing service plain and simple.
Liz - 14 years ago
I hate that wait staff feel entitled to 15% - 20%. You get paid by the hour, if you do a great job I'll leave a great tip. I regularly leave 40% at my favorite restaurant. But if you do a bad job, expect a bad tip. The same goes for the hair salon. I pay $150 - $200 for a cut and color, if you do a good job I'll leave a tip, if you don't do a good job you get paid your base rate.
I work hard at my corporate job and get paid by the hour. Servers work hard and get paid by the hour, if they don't like their base wage they should get a different job.
That being said I don't think it's fair that servers make below minimum wage. They should be paid minimum wage and receive tips for service provided.
Bob in Buffalo - 14 years ago
I left a very small tip for a very large group dinner. The waiter knew he was doing a bad job, and essentially hid on the other side of the dining room while he sent others over to deliver food. Several of the people at the table ordered and paid for 'all-you-can-eat' meals, but no one ever came by later to see if they'd even like seconds. While I was writing out the check he came over and juggled the salt and pepper shakers to show what a good guy he was. Then he whined about 'doing his best' when I told him how bad the service was. I guess he got paid properly if that was his best.
ben - 14 years ago
One good way to communicate your feeling about the service is to write about them on the receipt you get. I often give a low tip (5 to 10 percent) when the service is poor, but I also explain what I didn't like. I also make sure that I give extra high tips for good service. My rule of thumb is to spend as much on tips as I would if I tipped 15% every time, but only give it to the best waiters and waitresses.
James - 14 years ago
I will tip a reasonable amount for good service and upto 25% for exceptional service. If the food is bad (cold, burnt etc.) or the service is terrible I refuse to tip.
It's becoming pathetic how every service person (taxi's, hairstylists, doormen, bellmen, waiters etc.) believes they deserve a monetary tip for doing their job. A tip is meant to reflect that the customer enjoyed the experience and was pleased with the service/product. A high tip serves as recognition that the service/product was exceptional.
Here's a tip for all of those with service jobs... If you think you deserve more than your hourly wage for just showing up at work, get a better job!
steve - 14 years ago
for all of you scumbags who don't leave tips, really just stay home. I am a recent college grad who cant find a job and let me tell you something, if you go into a restaurant and don't leave a tip regardless of the service than to be honest you are going to hell. its that simple. you are going to hell and you are a disgrace to humanity. oh so the typical response is "they should find a better job" or "the service was that bad" well let me tell you something you POS its one thing to suck up your pride and serve someone their food day in and day out its quite another when these preposterous scumbags think its OK to leave NOTHING because they are so high and mighty and able to judge what "good service" actually is (yeah right, big difference between olive garden and uncle jacks steakhouse in the NYC pal).
BTW screw Opra or however you spell her name, she went on national television during this economic crisis and told half of America its OK to tip 10 percent on good service. people cant live on ten percent. meanwhile this idiot told almost the entire USA its ok to tip 10 percent when half of her audience are probably WAITRESSES AND WAITERS. screw her shes never walked a mile in my shoes.
Laura - 14 years ago
I am a bit put off by the comments from wait staff. You assume people are not tipping because they are cheap and want to save their money. This is definitely not the case with me. I go to any meal out expecting to tip 20% and in most cases I do. But I will freely admit that in my 41 years, I have tipped very very low a few times. In each of those cases it was due to extremely poor service. In each of those cases I wrote a note on the merchant copy of the credit card receipt explaining why. No one who is blatantly rude should expect a tip, much less a 20% tip. One night out with friends our waitress took our order, someone else brought the food, and we never saw our waitress again. We asked other servers where she was and they just said they didn't know. Another waiter said she was having a bad day. Still she never appeared. Another guy brought us drinks. Eventually she comes back, only because someone told her we were looking for her and she rolled her eyes when we asked for a box and more drinks. That was the last time we saw her. We even had to get someone else to bring the bill. We decided she did not deserve a 20 % tip and tipped her 5-10% and wrote a note explaining why. This crazy woman came running out into the street after us, screaming. No one will ever be able to convince me she deserved a penny. I won't even go into the story about the waitress who walked off mid-sentence of my 10 year old niece ordering.
I agree with the pro-tippers out there. I was in the service industry for a LONG time. I was good, averaging 25% tips. I worked way harder then any other job I've had. There are things that go wrong that I had no control over. So unless you have been there, I would hold your judgement over poor service. BUT don't hesitate to ask a server as many questions as you would like because they are there to help you get the best dining experience possible. I would also, if there is an issue, talk to management because they do know what is going on- just tell them the issue but don't go out of your way to blame the server. Also- tell the server if there is a problem because they will work hard to get your meal comped
Steve Knipe - 14 years ago
As a manager I agree sometimes the waiter is at fault, sometimes it is the kitchen. A lot of times customers think full service restaurants are fast food. They are not! Guess we could serve the food raw. Also, why is it that tippers can be spotted by race? There are groups that want their food free and still do not leave a tip. The other night a group with about 15 people left a total of $2 after receiving excellent service and then had the gall to ask the waiter to hook them up with a free margarita.
Joyce - 14 years ago
If the service is standard...server did what they had to do and not an inch more or less, I give them 15%.
If the service is above the standard...the server actually cracked a smile, was prompt in taking care of our needs, I give them 20%.
If the kitchen messed up our order, the food is cold, and other similar issues, I tip according to the server's attitude and willingness to fix the issue. I will not withhold or adjust my tip to the server based on things out of his or her control. I will not withhold or adjust my tip if they apologize, 'Oh, sorry, I did forget to bring that drink you ordered.' No problem, they are human too.
The only time I refused to leave a tip, I had a conversation with management before I left. If the service is so poor that I am moved to not leave a tip, management needs to know why - as this person must be affecting their business.
Bronislawa - 14 years ago
What really bothers me is the sense of entitlement that I get from some of the waiters' answers. Sure, every waiter wants to end up with a good tip, I completely understand that, but the comment about the customer's Ferrari is ridiculous. On many occasions, people with average paycheques go out to treat themselves to a dinner. Maybe it is a birthday, an anniversary or another special night for them; it does not mean that everybody who eats out is rolling in dough. They may leave a tip but they should not be sneered at because it is ONLY 10% or so. I do not understand where the service people get the notion that tip should be 15-20%. I also read a similar discussion regarding tipping in hair salons and some of the hairstylists get upset if they don't get AT LEAST 20%. Soon, customers will be expected to dish out 50% as a tip.
Fernando - 14 years ago
I frankly have a problem with tipping in general. One should not be obligated to tip people of any trade (servers, taxi drivers, etc.). People are paid to do a job and the pay should come from one's employer. Restaurants should increase wages, the price of food, etc. to cover their costs. They shouldn't rely on people's tips.
Also, I hate the whole percentage model. Take the example where somebody orders $50 worth of alcohol versus a bunch of FREE water. Either way, the server brings a bunch of glasses or bottles to the table. Just because one pays for alcohol doesn't mean that the waiter should receive $7.50 - $10 more in tips for the drinks.
If you don't like your job or if it pays too little, go find another job! I guarantee you that McDonald's pays more than $2.xx an hour.
MaG - 14 years ago
I've never walked out leaving zero tip before, I will typically leave 10% or less if it is truly bad service - but I do not judge anyone who has walked out leaving zero tip, if they felt their service was that bad. I get really frustrated with the entitlement that some waiters feel, as if a 15-20% tip is a given the second you sit down. If that were the case it should be written on the menu and included on the bill that gratuity is included. I realize that waiting tables is a difficult job, but tips are earned not a given. And the hardest working waiters that I am friends with agree with this logic.
I once went to a bar in NYC, my friend ordered one round of drinks for roughly $70 (half of the drinks were bottled beer) and left a $5 tip. Within 15 minutes another waitress at the bar came up to him, infront of all of us, and aggressively asked if he was unhappy with his service. She went on to say in a loud and obnoxious tone that in the USA 15% gratuity is standard. Yeah, we know, we're all Americans. I was disgusted by this behavoir. A tip is earned and no one has the right to aggressively confront you about it. Obviously, her poor attempt for more money fell on deaf ears, we left the bar instead.
Servers certainly deserve to be compensated for a job well done, just as any professional does, but if everyone tips well for bad service, what is the incentive to keep the waiters on their toes and providing good service --- none.
Al - 14 years ago
I have been a server for a year now and I cannot express how insulting it is for a table to leave me a $2 tip on a $80+ check. My service has always been outstanding. I don't think the general public understands that we as servers in the South only make $2.13 an hour and by the time we claim all of our tips... we never see that money. I also think that if you come into a nice restaurant that has bussers and hosts and bartenders, you should tip if they service you. In some restaurants such as Outback Steakhouse, those three employee groups only make $2.13 as well. Simply put, if you do not have the money to leave at least 15% for impeccable service, do not come out to eat. Also, for people who order to-go's... Those employees generally do not make minimum wage as well. Tip 15 percent at all times for to go orders because we have to personally make all of your salads, cup up sauces etc. etc. TIP 15%+ for good service and at least 5% for not so great service. We all have to make a living and sometimes errors are not our fault.
vanilla gorilla - 14 years ago
have been on both sides of the debate. One as an owner of a high end NY style deli/catering service where my college student employees counted on tips to "get by" and this was in the early 70's. And as the majority of our customers were other college students the tips were minimal. Those that did catering with me did much better and as a result worked harder and were more productive.
once in the corporate world I had to do a lot of corporate entertaining around the world. Whenever possible I met with the management and made sure that we had their best servers - and occasionally tipped a portion up front.
Being a good server is a learned skill and is in a sense a form of sales/customer service. The server is his own little business if you will - the server needs to be in control in case the food and beverages are not meeting expectations.
the biggest key is driving repeat business and have the patrons request a specific server that they enjoy
Lisa - 14 years ago
And on another note, i think it should be a requirement for everyone to wait tables as a course in high school. This might open up some minds just a tad bit.
Lisa - 14 years ago
Wow, society in a whole, is a giant a-hole.
zapper45701 - 14 years ago
I am a great tipper (usually 30%), even when I receive average service. However, if our waitperson is careless, lazy, busy fawning over someone cute or hunky, incompetent, or just plain rude, they get nothing except a complaint to management. I have filled out a great number of those response cards regarding service. However, I try to fill them out when I get good service, as well. It's not fair to always complain when I get good service from different staff. Tips (to insure proper service [antiquated]) have been replaced with a paycheck--if they're not there to give me service, I'll go home and cook it myself. A gratuity (tip, in the current parlance) is a thank you for doing well. If I want proper service, management should provide it. If service is good, I thank my server monetarily.
Andrew - 14 years ago
I have worked at many types of restaurants as a server, from average Mexican food to 5 star. If I delivered a bad experienced and got a good tip I felt horrible, even if it wasn't my fault. Tips are for a good overall experience at a restaurant. There is nothing wrong with stiffing a server, if, when you leave the restaurant you truly had a horrible experience. I will say, however, my biggest tips came when something bad happened and I made it right, whether it was bringing out the wrong order or spilling on a customer. If you have a bad experience and the server (not the management or anyone else) makes it right, tip by all means.
Trever - 14 years ago
I believe my opinion is going to be a little different; only because I live in Portland, OR; where servers make minimum wage. ($8.45) So if I do get bad service, such as my drinks are not being refilled, long wait time to get my order taken, etc... I won't leave a tip and I will talk to the manager.. I believe that you should pay for the service you get. Why pay for something that you disliked?
In another situation, I have a friend that will put 20 to 40 dollars on the table, and let the server know that this money is their tip, but when something happens that is unsatisfactory he would take away money... However, that server does want the big tip, so his table was always watched very closely...
SDGAL - 14 years ago
I understand that waiter/waitress's have to deal with many unpleasant, rude people. I am not one of them.
If we go out for a nice dinner and the person serving us totally ruins the evening for us because of attitude or poor service, there is no way I am going to tip them. However, I would never leave that situation without speaking to the manager. I actually had a server at a restaurant tell me (after nicely sending the dish back twice) that they normally serve their pasta luke warm and if I wanted it hot I should have said so when I ordered it. And the manager backed her up. HUH??? Needless to say there was no tip for anyone and we have never been back to that restaurant.
Jay - 14 years ago
If "tips" stands for "To Insure Proper Service" then a zero tip would be an instant refund for improper service. Honestly, if I could instantly un-pay many of the slack wankers in hourly/salary jobs that give me poor service trust me, I would.
Because I tend to eat on the cheaper end of the menu, which isn't any less work for the staff, I normally tip ~20%. I had many friends in college who worked in restaurants so I know how low the base pay is. That won't stop me from "incentivizing" a pathetic excuse of a waiter from finding a new career by leaving them a quarter.
The best worst tip I ever saw was given by a friend who was himself a waiter. He spelled out "surly" in pennies across the table as the tip. Without going into great detail, it took 15 minutes to get menus and when she showed up 15 minutes later to bring us water and take our orders she literally shoved the water glasses across the table at us, slopping water everywhere. It didn't get any better as the meal went on.
Lorena - 14 years ago
I used to be a stiff a-- too. Then, because of the economy and being turned down for all "good" jobs (when I am college-educated, well-traveled, and speak three languages too), I took a waitress job. Let me tell you, you don't know what it's like til you do it! it's a hard job, where you have to be perfect everytime, and you get not much in return. So many things can happen, and its not all about your greedy a-- and minute issues. I never waitressed before and I got so many rude people! You are not a VIP!! Remember nowadays people are struggling, and I've seen people spit in food of rude people, customers get shifted between servers who don't want them, and poor service intentionally b/c you were a dips---. last time you came. What's worse is you teach your children how to behave when they see you! please remember it is not all about you; i sure learned that the hard way!
Yolanda Tarlbert - 14 years ago
My comment is WHATS WRONG WITH EVERYBODY? IT SHOULDN'T BE A QUESTION AS TO WHAT WE DO WITH OUR MONEY WHEN THE SERVICE IS POOR!!! Why do you think they leave it up to the customer to leave the tip? When you take a job as a WAITOR/WAITRESS you knew that if you do a GREAT job you get a GREAT TIP, if you do a POOR job, you risk the chance of getting NO TIP!!! If we as the customer have been given a choice to tip you for the kind of service we receive, why is this question even being asked. You servers here bashing people for not leaving a tip, find another field to work in, don't take your personal business to work, and/or learn that if I didn't get a good tip maybe I need to check myself!!!! If we were SUPPOSED to leave a tip regardless of what kind of service we get, THERE WOULD BE A LAW FOR CUSTOMERS, but there isn't one because we deserve to get great service when we step into a restaurant to spend OUR MONEY no matter what the customer before us may have taken you through, regardless of if you're having personal or relationship problems, learn to put your feelings in their proper places!!! I've always worked with the public and only when a family member dies or my child is hurt will my customers see a difference in the way a do my job!!!
goodins - 14 years ago
Look, if you get bad service, that's one thing. Bad service doesn't merit a gratuity.
The origin of the word "tips" is "To Insure Proper Service" and was given in advance. There is a difference between tips and gratuity--gratuity is extra, on top of tips.
Some folk like bossing-around others because they can't do it at their own place of work, and take it out on their servers. I know. Personal experience.
Tip, or take-out, and be gratuitous when it is merited.
Mary - 14 years ago
My husband and I like to tip well because we appreciate the work that waiters do. We will even make an allowances for a mix-up on our order. I suspect that some people like to stiff waiters because it makes them feel superior for a little while. Generally, if we are really unhappy with the service, we will go elsewhere in the future. Maybe in six months we might try it again. We actually had one waite rwhile we were eating our dinner tell us that he had seven kids and severe financial problems. We gave him a standard tip, stopped going there for a while and when we did go back, he no longer worked there.
Glenn - 14 years ago
I work as a cook at a nice restaurant in Chicago, and while I (along with most cooks) am somewhat embittered by the fact that servers tend to make more money than us, I know what bad service is and appreciate good service, because being able to do it well requires just as much training and experience as most high-paying jobs. That being said, I know how hard it is, even if you aren't doing it well, so to me, the bare minimum of what to leave (even a terrible server) is 10%.
My state, the wait staff gets minimum wage. So, if I get poor service from that waiter, they get no tip. That being said, even baristas get tips from me, if they do their job right. And, I'm smart enough to know that slow food doesn't necessarily mean the server was slow - the kitchen could be slow. HOWEVER - if I have to ask for creamer, if I have to ask for silverware, if I have to get up and get my own napkins or water refills... No tips. And, to expect me to tip a server who only rings up my food and brings it from the kitchen is just nuts. If I'm going to tip you, then you need to do something beyond the basics. At least smile at me. Ok? And I don't buy the pity stories... minimum wage here is 8.40 an hour - if you can't live on that, then you need to stop smoking - I went to school full time and worked full time on less than that. And made it, had a car, and my own teensy studio.
Let's do a little math here, and analyze the situation:
Say a family of four spends an hour having dinner in a casual-dining chain. Without spluirging, it's easy to spend $50 for a dinner in such a place. A 15% tip on such a check is $7.50. $7.50 in an hour beats the minimum wage in 40 US states.
Yes, I know, you have to declare the tips and are taxed on them. However, that minimum wage earner at McDonald's is taxed on his income as well.
Yes, I know most of the tips are split with others. However, also know that that family of four is not your only table during this time. Four such tables can make you $30 an hour, which is an annual income of over $60,000.
I know degreed professionals who are not as fortunate. So it's not that I'm lacking in sympathy when I say make it up on the next table.
One further thought: before I got maried, I was a member of the church singles group. We went out to eat often, with around a dozen or so people at a time. This usually meant that a 15% gratuity was added to our checks, even though the check was split. I lost count of the number of times it seemed we were getting shafted on service, as the server seemed to figure the tip was a slam-dunk. I also lost count of the number of time I complained to management over this phenomenon.
For the record, there are at least several states (I know California is one of them) where waiters DO get paid at least minimum wage, which in California is $8.00.
What stuns me is the sense that a worker needs to be perfect before they deserve to make more than $2.65/hour. If you leave no tip, you are stealing someone's labor. As a waitress for several years, I've noticed a few things about bad tippers:
1. They are cheap in general.
2. They are more demanding than most.
3. They tend to have a chip on their shoulders anyway.
My husband and I took his young sister to dinner with her friend. The entire time we were in the resturant the waiters commented on how young we were to have two children and what the chances were that we would not have enough money to cover the bill. The service was horrible. Not only did the servers not get a tip ( We normally tip about 25%) but I pulled them aside to explain why they were not getting a tip while my husband talked with the manager. I am not required to pay more for poor service because you are receiving minimal wages.
I think what alot of people forget is that sometimes awesome service doesn't even get you a good tip. I have had tables expect me at their table every 2 minutes while the entire restaurant is full and I have given them everything they wanted and they leave 5%. I have even had people say to me that they only tip $3. Really. Regardless of the size of the party. It's like they forget that a party of 9 is going to be more difficult and time consuming than a table of 2. (hence why some restaurants do auto-gratuity on large parties). I am all for leaving a low tip for poor service (sometimes I'm not sure how some people hold a job in the food business) and i also get ahold of management, but at the end of the day most companies assume you make 15% and thats what you declare so if you don't tip ultimately the server is paying for you. And for those that say us waiters/waitresses should get other jobs if we don't want to worry about tips, in many cases that is the only option. Its pretty hard to come by an office type entry level job as a college town as a college student. Hospitality is really the only thing we have to go in that will readily work around our schedules (because many of us are not in college to work, we're here to get a good grades and a degree) and actually have openings to even get a job. And I love where I work because we get to talk to our guests so they get to know us just as we get to know them. If some of you would take time to talk to your wait staff outside of how you want your burger cooked I bet you will find that it can make a server's day. We don't want to be barked at just like you don't want to be ignored. They will also be more apt to be more warm toward you. We are here to serve you, not be your slaves. Just keep in mind that we are human too and everyone will have a good experience
It's society in general. Just because little Billy played baseball doesn't mean he deserves a trophy! Just because you work as a waiter/waitress doesn't mean you deserve a 15% tip.
I did the waiter gig, it's simple if I screwed up I got screwed. Did I whine, no! I changed MY WAYS of doing business I didn't expect the customer to change THEIR WAYS.
You don't deserve squat! If I get bad service, surprise you get a bad tip. Not too hard to understand but most everyone is a product of the public school system and expects their trophy.
To all the waiters and waitresses with their whining comments, get over it. No one forced you to work in restaurants so if you can't handle it, quit and work elsewhere. You complain about how hard is the work. Well guess what? It is! That's why they call it work. I worked in a nightclub to help pay for my way through college. I dealt with stupid drunk people all night long. It just goes with the job. I didn't whine or cry to anyone.
Now I work sometimes 60-70 hours a week. If a make a mistake my boss doesn't want to hear excuses but only to get it fixed ASAP. It's part of life. I'm so sick and tired of this entitlement attitude. No one is automatically owed anything and life isn't fare.
To the servers who stated giving 10% even for bad service. Are you kidding? It's a tip! A reward for GOOD service. There is no minimum (except maybe for the penny). As a customer, I don't want to hear about you having a bad day. I worked my butt off as well for the money I'm spending in that restaurant. That money didn't come easily to me either and going to a nice restaurant is one way people try to get away from the stresses in life.
If the service is bad then NO TIP and management should be made aware of it. If the service is great, then I'll reward the person beyond the expected amount and tell management what a great job he or she did. You work hard and you will most likely be rewarded but there's no guarantee. It's just how it is. You act as if servers are the ONLY ones that work hard in this world. Well you're dead wrong. Everyone works hard. Stop crying!!
I have left no tips before but very rarely. One time in Hawaii, we were at restaurant where only 3 or 4 tables were filled. One of them was the waitress's friends. She spent most of the time talking to her friends. After taking our order and bringing our food she never returned again except to give us the bill. Plus there was a very long wait between order and food with almost no one in the restaurant. I had to get the condiments and refilling of our drinks myself. You think she deserves any tip? Absolutely not! Not only did she not get a tip but I let management know and noted it on the back of my bill so she would never forget why.
However, when we went one time to a Cheesecake Factory restaurant, we had this waitress that was amazing! The place was packed yet she still managed to get us our food promptly and she was frequently checking up on us. I was impressed! We gave her a 30% tip and I told the manager what a wonderful job she did and that they should do whatever they can to keep her.
Good hard work gets you reward and bad gets you nothing. It's that simple.
Alright, I worked at a pizza place for years and people remember you. Oh yes. It is hard not to think about that nice house that never never tips. One of my drivers actually got a comment once that this person wouldn't tip because gas was so high. Really? Even at Sonic when I drive in, I still tip at least a dollar as I was too lazy to get out myself and get something to drink. Yes I have walked out of places before but you can guarantee that I won't be back! Word of mouth is the strongest form of advertisement. Tips here and there will hurt a person but telling your friends and family about the place will keep others away for ever.
I have never tipped zero, I normally tip 10% for poor service.....but not because i think the server is entitled to it just because they hold a server's postion. The sense of entitlement from several servers on this post is SHOCKING. I'm sure being server can be very stressful, most jobs are, but do you honestly feel that people should feel sorry for you?? Get over yourselves!! When i am eating and spending the money that i EARNED at MY stressful job, i EXPECT to recieve a product! I am eating out for MY enjoyment not your charity. Remember, everyone eating at that restaurant has a job and has to put up with BS, just like you. I have the utmost respect for servers who provide good service and i think that good service at a restaurant is a noble endeavor, and I tip very generously for a server who makes me feel like my money is well spent. But for all the servers who think they are entitled to good tips just because, try standing out on the street with a cup and begging, then you won't ruin your paying customers day.
I love how the waitstaff always says "I NEVER give bad service, It's not me" on many of the pro-tip comments. It's like how 90 percent of all drivers say they are above average drivers (impossible).
The waiters say it's the customers, the customers say they leave poor tips with bad service, neither admit they are wrong. So the truth is most likely in the middle. The waiters who say they are perfect probably do have a bad day or act rude or slow or whatever, and there are most likely some cheap skate customers. Either way, If the waiters hate it so much get a different job and if the customers are really cheapskates, don't go out to eat! You can save money by cooking at home!
I have left a penny before when the waitress never came back to our table after giving us our meal, my coffee was never refilled, nor was our bill brought to us. I asked the manager if the bill wasn't received after an hour was my meal free? He got very annoyed and told me absolutely not. The waitress came over and accused us of losing our bill. She had to ask us what we ordered which we promptly lied about and I left one penny to make sure she knew I didn't forget about the tip.
I am also annoyed at the waiters who feel entitled to a 20% tip now. My work requires no more than 15% tip. We had a waiter come out of the restaurant and accuse us of low tipping because we only tipped 15%. It's too bad that a waiter or waitress feels that 20% is what is required. I tip based on service and if it is worth 20% I will give it. It is a average, I will give 15%. Poor I will give about 10%. Only once left one penny.
I usually leave a tip. Most of the time about 15-20%. When I was growing up the "pay" was for fixed costs, tips paid for things like food so I understand how it is. However. If I find the service very poor and also see the staff goofing off (usually flirting or hanging with friends who came by I'll probably not leave a tip. Balance that off with some times I leave more. Once where I noticed the wait person was very busy, it seems like they were only person working and the place was very busy, I left a tip for $20 more than my bill.
I normally leave a 15-20 % tip unless the service is exceptional then I will tip more but never less. I can't believe anyone would leave no tip, no matter how bad the service was you still need to pay for it. That is like going to see a movie and expecting your money back because you didn't like it. Anyone who leaves without tipping or leaving something insulting (like a penny) are thieves. They are stealing service plain and simple.
I hate that wait staff feel entitled to 15% - 20%. You get paid by the hour, if you do a great job I'll leave a great tip. I regularly leave 40% at my favorite restaurant. But if you do a bad job, expect a bad tip. The same goes for the hair salon. I pay $150 - $200 for a cut and color, if you do a good job I'll leave a tip, if you don't do a good job you get paid your base rate.
I work hard at my corporate job and get paid by the hour. Servers work hard and get paid by the hour, if they don't like their base wage they should get a different job.
That being said I don't think it's fair that servers make below minimum wage. They should be paid minimum wage and receive tips for service provided.
I left a very small tip for a very large group dinner. The waiter knew he was doing a bad job, and essentially hid on the other side of the dining room while he sent others over to deliver food. Several of the people at the table ordered and paid for 'all-you-can-eat' meals, but no one ever came by later to see if they'd even like seconds. While I was writing out the check he came over and juggled the salt and pepper shakers to show what a good guy he was. Then he whined about 'doing his best' when I told him how bad the service was. I guess he got paid properly if that was his best.
One good way to communicate your feeling about the service is to write about them on the receipt you get. I often give a low tip (5 to 10 percent) when the service is poor, but I also explain what I didn't like. I also make sure that I give extra high tips for good service. My rule of thumb is to spend as much on tips as I would if I tipped 15% every time, but only give it to the best waiters and waitresses.
I will tip a reasonable amount for good service and upto 25% for exceptional service. If the food is bad (cold, burnt etc.) or the service is terrible I refuse to tip.
It's becoming pathetic how every service person (taxi's, hairstylists, doormen, bellmen, waiters etc.) believes they deserve a monetary tip for doing their job. A tip is meant to reflect that the customer enjoyed the experience and was pleased with the service/product. A high tip serves as recognition that the service/product was exceptional.
Here's a tip for all of those with service jobs... If you think you deserve more than your hourly wage for just showing up at work, get a better job!
for all of you scumbags who don't leave tips, really just stay home. I am a recent college grad who cant find a job and let me tell you something, if you go into a restaurant and don't leave a tip regardless of the service than to be honest you are going to hell. its that simple. you are going to hell and you are a disgrace to humanity. oh so the typical response is "they should find a better job" or "the service was that bad" well let me tell you something you POS its one thing to suck up your pride and serve someone their food day in and day out its quite another when these preposterous scumbags think its OK to leave NOTHING because they are so high and mighty and able to judge what "good service" actually is (yeah right, big difference between olive garden and uncle jacks steakhouse in the NYC pal).
BTW screw Opra or however you spell her name, she went on national television during this economic crisis and told half of America its OK to tip 10 percent on good service. people cant live on ten percent. meanwhile this idiot told almost the entire USA its ok to tip 10 percent when half of her audience are probably WAITRESSES AND WAITERS. screw her shes never walked a mile in my shoes.
I am a bit put off by the comments from wait staff. You assume people are not tipping because they are cheap and want to save their money. This is definitely not the case with me. I go to any meal out expecting to tip 20% and in most cases I do. But I will freely admit that in my 41 years, I have tipped very very low a few times. In each of those cases it was due to extremely poor service. In each of those cases I wrote a note on the merchant copy of the credit card receipt explaining why. No one who is blatantly rude should expect a tip, much less a 20% tip. One night out with friends our waitress took our order, someone else brought the food, and we never saw our waitress again. We asked other servers where she was and they just said they didn't know. Another waiter said she was having a bad day. Still she never appeared. Another guy brought us drinks. Eventually she comes back, only because someone told her we were looking for her and she rolled her eyes when we asked for a box and more drinks. That was the last time we saw her. We even had to get someone else to bring the bill. We decided she did not deserve a 20 % tip and tipped her 5-10% and wrote a note explaining why. This crazy woman came running out into the street after us, screaming. No one will ever be able to convince me she deserved a penny. I won't even go into the story about the waitress who walked off mid-sentence of my 10 year old niece ordering.
I agree with the pro-tippers out there. I was in the service industry for a LONG time. I was good, averaging 25% tips. I worked way harder then any other job I've had. There are things that go wrong that I had no control over. So unless you have been there, I would hold your judgement over poor service. BUT don't hesitate to ask a server as many questions as you would like because they are there to help you get the best dining experience possible. I would also, if there is an issue, talk to management because they do know what is going on- just tell them the issue but don't go out of your way to blame the server. Also- tell the server if there is a problem because they will work hard to get your meal comped
As a manager I agree sometimes the waiter is at fault, sometimes it is the kitchen. A lot of times customers think full service restaurants are fast food. They are not! Guess we could serve the food raw. Also, why is it that tippers can be spotted by race? There are groups that want their food free and still do not leave a tip. The other night a group with about 15 people left a total of $2 after receiving excellent service and then had the gall to ask the waiter to hook them up with a free margarita.
If the service is standard...server did what they had to do and not an inch more or less, I give them 15%.
If the service is above the standard...the server actually cracked a smile, was prompt in taking care of our needs, I give them 20%.
If the kitchen messed up our order, the food is cold, and other similar issues, I tip according to the server's attitude and willingness to fix the issue. I will not withhold or adjust my tip to the server based on things out of his or her control. I will not withhold or adjust my tip if they apologize, 'Oh, sorry, I did forget to bring that drink you ordered.' No problem, they are human too.
The only time I refused to leave a tip, I had a conversation with management before I left. If the service is so poor that I am moved to not leave a tip, management needs to know why - as this person must be affecting their business.
What really bothers me is the sense of entitlement that I get from some of the waiters' answers. Sure, every waiter wants to end up with a good tip, I completely understand that, but the comment about the customer's Ferrari is ridiculous. On many occasions, people with average paycheques go out to treat themselves to a dinner. Maybe it is a birthday, an anniversary or another special night for them; it does not mean that everybody who eats out is rolling in dough. They may leave a tip but they should not be sneered at because it is ONLY 10% or so. I do not understand where the service people get the notion that tip should be 15-20%. I also read a similar discussion regarding tipping in hair salons and some of the hairstylists get upset if they don't get AT LEAST 20%. Soon, customers will be expected to dish out 50% as a tip.
I frankly have a problem with tipping in general. One should not be obligated to tip people of any trade (servers, taxi drivers, etc.). People are paid to do a job and the pay should come from one's employer. Restaurants should increase wages, the price of food, etc. to cover their costs. They shouldn't rely on people's tips.
Also, I hate the whole percentage model. Take the example where somebody orders $50 worth of alcohol versus a bunch of FREE water. Either way, the server brings a bunch of glasses or bottles to the table. Just because one pays for alcohol doesn't mean that the waiter should receive $7.50 - $10 more in tips for the drinks.
If you don't like your job or if it pays too little, go find another job! I guarantee you that McDonald's pays more than $2.xx an hour.
I've never walked out leaving zero tip before, I will typically leave 10% or less if it is truly bad service - but I do not judge anyone who has walked out leaving zero tip, if they felt their service was that bad. I get really frustrated with the entitlement that some waiters feel, as if a 15-20% tip is a given the second you sit down. If that were the case it should be written on the menu and included on the bill that gratuity is included. I realize that waiting tables is a difficult job, but tips are earned not a given. And the hardest working waiters that I am friends with agree with this logic.
I once went to a bar in NYC, my friend ordered one round of drinks for roughly $70 (half of the drinks were bottled beer) and left a $5 tip. Within 15 minutes another waitress at the bar came up to him, infront of all of us, and aggressively asked if he was unhappy with his service. She went on to say in a loud and obnoxious tone that in the USA 15% gratuity is standard. Yeah, we know, we're all Americans. I was disgusted by this behavoir. A tip is earned and no one has the right to aggressively confront you about it. Obviously, her poor attempt for more money fell on deaf ears, we left the bar instead.
Servers certainly deserve to be compensated for a job well done, just as any professional does, but if everyone tips well for bad service, what is the incentive to keep the waiters on their toes and providing good service --- none.
I have been a server for a year now and I cannot express how insulting it is for a table to leave me a $2 tip on a $80+ check. My service has always been outstanding. I don't think the general public understands that we as servers in the South only make $2.13 an hour and by the time we claim all of our tips... we never see that money. I also think that if you come into a nice restaurant that has bussers and hosts and bartenders, you should tip if they service you. In some restaurants such as Outback Steakhouse, those three employee groups only make $2.13 as well. Simply put, if you do not have the money to leave at least 15% for impeccable service, do not come out to eat. Also, for people who order to-go's... Those employees generally do not make minimum wage as well. Tip 15 percent at all times for to go orders because we have to personally make all of your salads, cup up sauces etc. etc. TIP 15%+ for good service and at least 5% for not so great service. We all have to make a living and sometimes errors are not our fault.
have been on both sides of the debate. One as an owner of a high end NY style deli/catering service where my college student employees counted on tips to "get by" and this was in the early 70's. And as the majority of our customers were other college students the tips were minimal. Those that did catering with me did much better and as a result worked harder and were more productive.
once in the corporate world I had to do a lot of corporate entertaining around the world. Whenever possible I met with the management and made sure that we had their best servers - and occasionally tipped a portion up front.
Being a good server is a learned skill and is in a sense a form of sales/customer service. The server is his own little business if you will - the server needs to be in control in case the food and beverages are not meeting expectations.
the biggest key is driving repeat business and have the patrons request a specific server that they enjoy
And on another note, i think it should be a requirement for everyone to wait tables as a course in high school. This might open up some minds just a tad bit.
Wow, society in a whole, is a giant a-hole.
I am a great tipper (usually 30%), even when I receive average service. However, if our waitperson is careless, lazy, busy fawning over someone cute or hunky, incompetent, or just plain rude, they get nothing except a complaint to management. I have filled out a great number of those response cards regarding service. However, I try to fill them out when I get good service, as well. It's not fair to always complain when I get good service from different staff. Tips (to insure proper service [antiquated]) have been replaced with a paycheck--if they're not there to give me service, I'll go home and cook it myself. A gratuity (tip, in the current parlance) is a thank you for doing well. If I want proper service, management should provide it. If service is good, I thank my server monetarily.
I have worked at many types of restaurants as a server, from average Mexican food to 5 star. If I delivered a bad experienced and got a good tip I felt horrible, even if it wasn't my fault. Tips are for a good overall experience at a restaurant. There is nothing wrong with stiffing a server, if, when you leave the restaurant you truly had a horrible experience. I will say, however, my biggest tips came when something bad happened and I made it right, whether it was bringing out the wrong order or spilling on a customer. If you have a bad experience and the server (not the management or anyone else) makes it right, tip by all means.
I believe my opinion is going to be a little different; only because I live in Portland, OR; where servers make minimum wage. ($8.45) So if I do get bad service, such as my drinks are not being refilled, long wait time to get my order taken, etc... I won't leave a tip and I will talk to the manager.. I believe that you should pay for the service you get. Why pay for something that you disliked?
In another situation, I have a friend that will put 20 to 40 dollars on the table, and let the server know that this money is their tip, but when something happens that is unsatisfactory he would take away money... However, that server does want the big tip, so his table was always watched very closely...
I understand that waiter/waitress's have to deal with many unpleasant, rude people. I am not one of them.
If we go out for a nice dinner and the person serving us totally ruins the evening for us because of attitude or poor service, there is no way I am going to tip them. However, I would never leave that situation without speaking to the manager. I actually had a server at a restaurant tell me (after nicely sending the dish back twice) that they normally serve their pasta luke warm and if I wanted it hot I should have said so when I ordered it. And the manager backed her up. HUH??? Needless to say there was no tip for anyone and we have never been back to that restaurant.
If "tips" stands for "To Insure Proper Service" then a zero tip would be an instant refund for improper service. Honestly, if I could instantly un-pay many of the slack wankers in hourly/salary jobs that give me poor service trust me, I would.
Because I tend to eat on the cheaper end of the menu, which isn't any less work for the staff, I normally tip ~20%. I had many friends in college who worked in restaurants so I know how low the base pay is. That won't stop me from "incentivizing" a pathetic excuse of a waiter from finding a new career by leaving them a quarter.
The best worst tip I ever saw was given by a friend who was himself a waiter. He spelled out "surly" in pennies across the table as the tip. Without going into great detail, it took 15 minutes to get menus and when she showed up 15 minutes later to bring us water and take our orders she literally shoved the water glasses across the table at us, slopping water everywhere. It didn't get any better as the meal went on.
I used to be a stiff a-- too. Then, because of the economy and being turned down for all "good" jobs (when I am college-educated, well-traveled, and speak three languages too), I took a waitress job. Let me tell you, you don't know what it's like til you do it! it's a hard job, where you have to be perfect everytime, and you get not much in return. So many things can happen, and its not all about your greedy a-- and minute issues. I never waitressed before and I got so many rude people! You are not a VIP!! Remember nowadays people are struggling, and I've seen people spit in food of rude people, customers get shifted between servers who don't want them, and poor service intentionally b/c you were a dips---. last time you came. What's worse is you teach your children how to behave when they see you! please remember it is not all about you; i sure learned that the hard way!
My comment is WHATS WRONG WITH EVERYBODY? IT SHOULDN'T BE A QUESTION AS TO WHAT WE DO WITH OUR MONEY WHEN THE SERVICE IS POOR!!! Why do you think they leave it up to the customer to leave the tip? When you take a job as a WAITOR/WAITRESS you knew that if you do a GREAT job you get a GREAT TIP, if you do a POOR job, you risk the chance of getting NO TIP!!! If we as the customer have been given a choice to tip you for the kind of service we receive, why is this question even being asked. You servers here bashing people for not leaving a tip, find another field to work in, don't take your personal business to work, and/or learn that if I didn't get a good tip maybe I need to check myself!!!! If we were SUPPOSED to leave a tip regardless of what kind of service we get, THERE WOULD BE A LAW FOR CUSTOMERS, but there isn't one because we deserve to get great service when we step into a restaurant to spend OUR MONEY no matter what the customer before us may have taken you through, regardless of if you're having personal or relationship problems, learn to put your feelings in their proper places!!! I've always worked with the public and only when a family member dies or my child is hurt will my customers see a difference in the way a do my job!!!
Look, if you get bad service, that's one thing. Bad service doesn't merit a gratuity.
The origin of the word "tips" is "To Insure Proper Service" and was given in advance. There is a difference between tips and gratuity--gratuity is extra, on top of tips.
Some folk like bossing-around others because they can't do it at their own place of work, and take it out on their servers. I know. Personal experience.
Tip, or take-out, and be gratuitous when it is merited.
My husband and I like to tip well because we appreciate the work that waiters do. We will even make an allowances for a mix-up on our order. I suspect that some people like to stiff waiters because it makes them feel superior for a little while. Generally, if we are really unhappy with the service, we will go elsewhere in the future. Maybe in six months we might try it again. We actually had one waite rwhile we were eating our dinner tell us that he had seven kids and severe financial problems. We gave him a standard tip, stopped going there for a while and when we did go back, he no longer worked there.
I work as a cook at a nice restaurant in Chicago, and while I (along with most cooks) am somewhat embittered by the fact that servers tend to make more money than us, I know what bad service is and appreciate good service, because being able to do it well requires just as much training and experience as most high-paying jobs. That being said, I know how hard it is, even if you aren't doing it well, so to me, the bare minimum of what to leave (even a terrible server) is 10%.