A Waiter Argues Against the 15 Percent Tip

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  Posted by Mary Wed Sep 9, 2009 8:53am PDT

  I have been tipping 20% for at least ten years. As a former waitress I can be even more generous for really outstanding service, but I will leave 15% for poor service. I look for every excuse -- a slow kitchen, an overloaded station, a sudden surge in diners -- but if it is obvious a server just doesn't care then I dock 'em. I hate it that most servers will just decide I am a hoosier instead of realizing that I was unhappy with the service. Only once in a blue moon will I make a comment to the hostess or manager as I leave.

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  Posted by siri Wed Sep 9, 2009 9:11am PDT

  Well having been a waitress myself many years ago all I can say is welcome to that world. Especially since many people aren't going to be as generous as they'd like to be. I was trained by one of the best and she always told me, no matter what, do your job with a smile on your face and even if they don't tip you well not to worry they'll be a next time. She was so right.

  No matter what I treated each customer the same. Even those I could tell weren't so well off. Those individuals became my regulars. I can tell you in the beginning I was never tipped fairly but that changed. Even those who'd sometimes come in tipsy and order random things calling for me every second... Imagine my shock when they'd left and I saw change all around the dinnerware that remained. When the busboy began to clear off the table there were $50.00 and $20.00 bills under the plates adding up to $250.00. And their bill was no more than $60.00.

  It was no mistake on their part - they weren't that tipsy because they came in a again two weeks later and left me the same tip. And they told me why. Because all the other waitresses were nasty and rude to them. It made sense since they were the ones to tell me - warn me about them. The looks on their faces knowing I'd be tipped this well especially after the first time.

  So, my advice is do your job no matter what it's bound to pay off. Bad attitude and bad service equals zilch. The economy will get better - so will the tips.

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  Posted by Elm Wed Sep 9, 2009 10:40am PDT

  I tip if I can/what I can, most of the time.

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  Posted by springtime Wed Sep 9, 2009 10:49am PDT

  Good service? I tip well, 20-25% Mediocre service? 15%. Crappy service? Nothing. Actually, if there is bad service, I just leave.

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  Posted by Rhonda Wed Sep 9, 2009 11:07am PDT

  In this economy, 15% is a great tip. If my bill is $60, I feel that $9 and change is a very good tip. Many people would love to make that kind of money for a half-hour's worth of service!

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  Posted by Apple123 Wed Sep 9, 2009 11:11am PDT

  As a former waitress, I agree that 15% is an insult. There are so many things that a server has to do to ensure that your dining experience is great. I normally start at 25%. I have been known to tip 50% on excellent service, and one rare time I did tip 100%. Like Mary said, I will look for excuses for poor service such as a slow kitchen, but if the server is just plain unpleasant I will leave less than 15%. I have only stiffed a server once, and it was because the person was really, really bad. If you wait tables, remember, it pays to give good service to everyone. You never know who the good tipper is.

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  Posted by CrazyDoug Wed Sep 9, 2009 11:11am PDT

  I think the time of waiters and waitresses paying taxes on their tips and relying on them to make minimum wage needs to be over. With other service positions like clerks and gas station attendants or food service areas that aren't sit down diners the person is expected to be just as friendly and has to deal with just as much idiocy, but nobody is expected to give them a tip. How about we settle with the already inflated prices at restaurants (especially upper echelon places) and just pay the servers to do their jobs like everybody else?

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  Posted by Mandy Wed Sep 9, 2009 11:22am PDT

  I think it depends on the resturant/bar. It could be my first time at a bar or resturant and if the drinks/food is crappy, but it's expensive and I get crappy service all around, then I'm not going to feel obligated to tip 20%. I am an experienced server and I think you have to stand behind the product your selling. Dining out is an experience, and it's up to the server to make it happen. I've gone to the Olive Garden and my server ruined my whole evening with her snobby attitude. I didn't do anything to deserve it. Honestly though, small tips are part of the job, you can take it personal or not, and move on to the next table with a fresh smile.

  Most importantly though than the percentage you leave, it's paying for good service what seems fair. If you go get cheap mexican food and leave 20% on $20 that would be only $4, but if the server is getting you free chip/salsa refills, and drink refills, then they deserve more than the usual 20%.

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  Posted by jodi Wed Sep 9, 2009 11:33am PDT

  Do you know servers make $2.13/hr. and after taxes about half of that, why wouldn't you sincerly appreciate someone who does everything form make your kids happy by making them chocolate milk,(so u dont have to), to making your husband happy(something u likely get tired of trying to do). Isnt it worth it not to have to go home and clean or cook, u should see some of the messes left by customers... we should get paid for alot more than just "waiting" tables

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  Posted by Habanero♥™ Wed Sep 9, 2009 11:42am PDT

  First the 15% tip has been around for as long I can remember. At least 30 years of tipping 15%.

  $3.00 on a $20.00 bill is fine if...................for example I had a $24.00 martini recently and yes I gave a $3.00 tip to the bartender. It took 10 seconds to make. At that rate he would make $1080.00 an hour in tips just making martini's.

  IT ALL DEPENDS!

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