OT Tipping For Services

[PitterPatter]

We all know waitresses don't even make minimum wage and live off of their tips so it's important for people to tip their servers. However, what do you do when you get waitresses that never comes back to the table yet are seen standing around gossiping with co-workers or giggling with a table of guys etc.?

I usually tend to feel bad about the thought of not leaving anything as I have been a waitress, but is it really fair to sit and wait 20 minutes or more for a refill you can not possibly get for yourself? Even worse is when you do manage to request the drink when she finally brings the bill and she forgets all about you due to her need to chat with others. I just don't think anyone should have to leave a restaurant thirsty! What do you do when you encounter a rude waitress? Do you tip the usual 15% percent or lower it due to poor service?

[LittleCrawfishCC]

I hate to say it, but waiting for longer than 20 mins, when it is not busy, is stupid. I was a server for years, and I hate to say it, but i wouldn't leave anything...and when i have a great server i usually leave anywhere from 25-35%

[sharlan]

I tip according to the services rendered. If I get really good service, I might tip as much as 25%. For bad service, I might not leave any tip.

[morgan24]

I think that getting a tip or not getting one would be a good indication to the server if they did a good job or not. I tip generously when I get good service. I don't leave a tip when I get bad service or if the server is rude.

[Michael]

Suggest you ALWAYS leave a tip. If you are not happy with service leave 10% and explain to the manager why you have done so.
If you complain to the manager while eating they may very well comp some of your bill or offer you another server. Don't wait till the end to stiff the server.

[morgan24]

Suggest you ALWAYS leave a tip. If you are not happy with service leave 10% and explain to the manager why you have done so.
If you complain to the manager while eating they may very well comp some of your bill or offer you another server. Don't wait till the end to stiff the server.

I can not bring myself to complain during my meal. I don't trust that the server will not do something to my food. I don't see it as stiffing the server. I don't feel a rude or inattentive server deserves a 10% tip. That in a sense is saying it's okay to be a crappy server because I'm still going to get 10% of the total. I think a tip is a reward for doing a good job.

[Michael]

I can not bring myself to complain during my meal. I don't trust that the server will not do something to my food. I don't see it as stiffing the server. I don't feel a rude or inattentive server deserves a 10% tip. That in a sense is saying it's okay to be a crappy server because I'm still going to get 10% of the total. I think a tip is a reward for doing a good job.

That is your decision to make. I, like you, have worked in the service business for many years at some great restaurants like The Breakers in Palm Beach and Windows on the World at the top of the World Trade Center. I know that leaving a 10% tip with a written complaint on the payment slip WILL get attention. Leaving none without notice will serve little purpose in helping the server nor restautant.

Sometimes it comes down to training, the working atmosphere or a situation that may be out of the server's control. Either way, its best to leave it up the management to decide. Most servers make very little hourly wage and if they are truly bad servers they and the restaurant won't survive.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I definitely recommend stopping another waiter or waitress and asking for the manager. Don't wait until the end and leave a small tip/no tip, because if the person really isn't providing good service, they won't learn anything that way!

[MyAngels]

My mom worked as a waitress the entire time I was growing up, and the only thing leaving a small or no tip without speaking to someone about it gets you is a reputation as a cheapskate. Servers never believe that their service is subpar unless it is specifically addressed by the customer.

It's better to leave whatever tip you feel comfortable with and address the issue with either the server or manager at the end of your meal. Around here, if you make the effort to have your feelings known, you almost always get at least part of your meal comped, and usually a discount or freebie for your next visit, too.

[GrannyJ]

I thought every employee had to make at least min wage? Isn't that the law?

[Heidi]

Suggest you ALWAYS leave a tip. If you are not happy with service leave 10% and explain to the manager why you have done so.
If you complain to the manager while eating they may very well comp some of your bill or offer you another server. Don't wait till the end to stiff the server.

yep yep yep

I've gotten free meals from Chili's and Olive Garden because of this. I really did get poor service, was not making it up. But, instead of raising holy....
I just very sweetly asked for the manager, told him I was a regular, and am really shocked at tonights service...here's why....

Oh, I am so sorry, let us buy your dinner....

[Blackcat31]

I thought every employee had to make at least min wage? Isn't that the law?

Not for servers, waiters or waitresses. Their wage scale is always a bit less. I am not sure why that is, it has been that way for as long as I remember.

[wdmmom]

I tip according to the service, the temperature of the food, if the order was taken correctly, how many times he/she checks in with us, provides refills, and doesn't ask how we are doing with our mouths full. (I find that last one sooo rude!)

For example:

If I eat at a buffet, I do not tip.

If I receive terrible service, I won't leave a tip.

If I receive fair service, I tip about 10%.

If I receive good service, I usually tip about 15%.

If I receive great, top quality service, I will tip up to 25%.

[Michael]

I thought every employee had to make at least min wage? Isn't that the law?

No, at the time I was getting $1.60 an hour at Windows. The IRS was calculating 9% tip back then on all of my food service receipts, I think it is 15% estimated tip now.

[PitterPatter]

I thought every employee had to make at least min wage? Isn't that the law?

No servers and waitresses etc get a small amount. I had a client a few yrs ago that was paid $2.50 per hour. She depended on the tips but only had to claim so much. She told me she makes much much more than she has to claim so that's kinda unfair but it's her butt if she gets caught.

Another sneaky trick she tried to pull was on me when she invited me to the place to eat and request her as a server she said she would make sure we were treated well. Upon leaving I left her $10 on a $40 bill. She looked at it and gave a forced smile and said thanks. On Monday when she dropped her child off she politley told me the going rate for tips is 30% at that extablishment. BS I'm not stupid I didn't have to leave what I did back then, I was trying to be generous because she was a client. I told her thank you for letting me know but I won't be back to eat there because I can't afford that unless I get a waitressing job instead of daycare.

Even to this day I have never heard of any place charging 30%. Besides Fingerhut catalog ::