I have to admit this makes me laugh
http://www.viralthread.com/girl-los...-after-only-receiving-a-5-tip-for-a-100-meal/
http://www.viralthread.com/girl-los...-after-only-receiving-a-5-tip-for-a-100-meal/
Girl Loses It Over Low Tip
- Thread starter TeeJay
- Start date
Corrie, I was thinking EXACTLY about this particularly scene from Sopranos. Christopher was such a douche because he had to cover all the meals for everybody and it was taking its toll so he stiffed the hard working waiter. He also was gambling too which was part of it.
Anyways, I read the article as well as some of the comments. There were a bunch of negative comments and some of them raise a few valid points. Here's my thoughts (let the mud-slinging begin)
1) She earns $2.63/hour base wage. WTF? The fact is businesses pay employees below min wage and then tipping, which is a voluntary gift, has become a mandatory piece of the income pie. I have been to places/countries where prices in restaurants are what they are and tipping is not required. The assumption is the owner is paying employee's a fair wage. So why don't owners raise prices 15%, pay employees fairly, and then none of this BS takes place? Admittedly, there is the assumption that servers will not provide outstanding service because there's no motivation but I imagine poor service will result in dissatisfied customers who will complain and/or not return. They can also have rate your server apps/ballots.
2) In order to avoid being stiffed, mandatory 15% tip, just like they do for parties of 6+ or 8+. People still can choose whether to go or not.
3) Why is it a tip is based on the amount? I've received great service for a $5 meal and crap service for a $50 meal. I overtipped the $5 meal and undertipped the $50 meal but assuming the service was outstanding in both cases, why should the amount purchased matter? Suppose the $50 service was ok. Supposed it was a $200 meal? BTW, I understand economics so if you can afford a $200 meal, paying a larger nominal tip shouldn't be an issue.
4) Some people pointed out the server's argument was BS. She has chosen to work at that job, she has accepted the compensation style. She could do other jobs that pay higher wages but don't have tips so for her to use the argument of 2 kids, single mother, working so hard etc. doesn't really hold water. I would like to know if other options exist that pay her the same or more because the only reason that argument would be valid is if this particular job gives her the flexibility to manage her family and others don't.
5) Knowing that servers are being underpaid by owners and many work very hard I think they definitely deserve tips for good/great service. So assuming this lady did as she claimed, the guy stiffed her is a douchebag.
Anyways, I read the article as well as some of the comments. There were a bunch of negative comments and some of them raise a few valid points. Here's my thoughts (let the mud-slinging begin)
1) She earns $2.63/hour base wage. WTF? The fact is businesses pay employees below min wage and then tipping, which is a voluntary gift, has become a mandatory piece of the income pie. I have been to places/countries where prices in restaurants are what they are and tipping is not required. The assumption is the owner is paying employee's a fair wage. So why don't owners raise prices 15%, pay employees fairly, and then none of this BS takes place? Admittedly, there is the assumption that servers will not provide outstanding service because there's no motivation but I imagine poor service will result in dissatisfied customers who will complain and/or not return. They can also have rate your server apps/ballots.
2) In order to avoid being stiffed, mandatory 15% tip, just like they do for parties of 6+ or 8+. People still can choose whether to go or not.
3) Why is it a tip is based on the amount? I've received great service for a $5 meal and crap service for a $50 meal. I overtipped the $5 meal and undertipped the $50 meal but assuming the service was outstanding in both cases, why should the amount purchased matter? Suppose the $50 service was ok. Supposed it was a $200 meal? BTW, I understand economics so if you can afford a $200 meal, paying a larger nominal tip shouldn't be an issue.
4) Some people pointed out the server's argument was BS. She has chosen to work at that job, she has accepted the compensation style. She could do other jobs that pay higher wages but don't have tips so for her to use the argument of 2 kids, single mother, working so hard etc. doesn't really hold water. I would like to know if other options exist that pay her the same or more because the only reason that argument would be valid is if this particular job gives her the flexibility to manage her family and others don't.
5) Knowing that servers are being underpaid by owners and many work very hard I think they definitely deserve tips for good/great service. So assuming this lady did as she claimed, the guy stiffed her is a douchebag.
The only problem with this is that servers don't walk around with a sign that says "Please tip, my boss only pays me 3 dollars an hour."
They may not have a sign but one server at the strip bar automatically deducted a tip for herself when she gave me my change back and said to me that most people give a tip (not that I wasn't going to give her one).
True but it's either very rare or non-existent for servers to be paid a good wage. Don't think too many are earning $25-30/hour. I imagine higher end restaurants pay better but even there, the tips are larger because the bills are higher.
I was a waitress and bartendress for about 13 years straight out of highschool, so I can sympathize with her.
Personally I look at eating out as a privilege, much like driving is, even though many don't think this way. I don't have to cook, heat up or clean anything and I truly appreciate being served. I also tip my hairstylist, manicurist, eyelash extension technician, cab driver, barista, etc. I don't tip exorbitantly but try to tip fairly/standard. In fact I sometimes worry if I'm being cheap.
Some people have never had to serve others in any capacity so may not understand how hard it can be or lack the ability to empathize. Many in today's world feel they're owed things in life and simply can't appreciate that they are being served or to put it another way, treated. Admittedly, one has to draw the line somewhere. I don't tip my cashier at the grocery store even though they are serving me, but I will help bag if there's time after paying and chat them up while doing both, treating them like a human being.
Lastly, this didn't take place in Austrailia or some other country or region where tipping isn't commonplace, it took place in the US and I find it hard to believe that today's consumer isn't aware of the appalling wages paid to serving staff in restaurants.
Personally I look at eating out as a privilege, much like driving is, even though many don't think this way. I don't have to cook, heat up or clean anything and I truly appreciate being served. I also tip my hairstylist, manicurist, eyelash extension technician, cab driver, barista, etc. I don't tip exorbitantly but try to tip fairly/standard. In fact I sometimes worry if I'm being cheap.
Some people have never had to serve others in any capacity so may not understand how hard it can be or lack the ability to empathize. Many in today's world feel they're owed things in life and simply can't appreciate that they are being served or to put it another way, treated. Admittedly, one has to draw the line somewhere. I don't tip my cashier at the grocery store even though they are serving me, but I will help bag if there's time after paying and chat them up while doing both, treating them like a human being.
Lastly, this didn't take place in Austrailia or some other country or region where tipping isn't commonplace, it took place in the US and I find it hard to believe that today's consumer isn't aware of the appalling wages paid to serving staff in restaurants.
Don't blame her, presuming this was in North America, and her service was up to normal standards, they stiffed her out of $10.75.
If you can afford a $105 meal, you should also be able to afford to tip your waitstaff.
This is wrong, period. One should always give all the change back and hope for a tip. If the customer becomes known as a cheapo, he probably won't get the speediest service in the future. I'm going to focus my efforts on other patrons in the hope that they'll tip more fairly.
Agreed. That is entitlement and if someone did that to me I'd make an issue of it. I have a relative who was going to tip his taxi driver but before he could the driver said something and asked for a tip. The relative then told him no because he's not entitled to one. Had he said nothing the relative would have tipped him but decided against it just because he asked.
There are a ton of jobs that require a lot of one on one time that do not get tipped. Just to name a few - tutors, personal trainers, music teachers. Even when you go to a store, you might be working with a staff member who's getting you shoes, helping you with outfits, etc. I don't know if they get commission or credit but I'm guessing some don't. The reason I bring this up is that it does seem odd to me that some services get tipped and others don't. At the same time, outstanding service should be automatic - it's what differentiates one business from another and is the reason people return. Why do you go to place A vs. place B? One of the reasons is likely the service. Waiting for 3 hours for the most fantastic meal does not work for everyone so even some of the best places will fail if they don't provide good service. Now I've never been a server but I have worked in customer service. Company was well-known for service so people were trained to be polite, helpful, and make sure customers were very happy. Nobody was tipped. Bonus was based on results + performance including customer feedback.
That all said, of course I still tip and do reward people for service above/beyond, especially because in some situations, you know the person is making very little and depends on the tips as a major part of their income.
The other thing I've hated is shared tips. Go to a casino, get a great dealer, you tip him/her. Get a bad/rude dealer, you don't. But they split tips (at least in Canada) so the bad dealer gets rewarded.
lol what???
A "privilege" to spend money to eat out?
You have it backwards, it is a privilege to work and doing stupid things (eg slow service because you know someone will not tip you) will earn you complaints and eventually fired
Why? Seriously it is not exactly a job that requires any skill or education
Pick up a plate & carry it to a table
Ask them if they enjoy food
Clean up dishes
Really I look at servers as pests more than anything (I really do not want to talk to you, do your job and then go away)
2 & 3 are kinda contridictory no?
You want mandatory tips but also complain when high end restaurant will get more for same service?
We all know you are very experienced in this industry, no need to belabour the point
maybe ask restaurants to pay their workers more so they don't have to depend on tips?
Tipping is based on service and not mandatory. If i have to wait 15 minutes to flag down a server to put in my order and wait another 15 minutes to get my beverage, to me the service sucks and dont deserve 15%. This usually happens at those bar slash restaurant because the servers are too busy chit chatting
^^^ This made me post a poll because that is a good point. I really wonder how many will change their own tipping policies once the min. wage changes.
Dude, you need to relax. Sophia says privilege - read it as luxury or treat. There is something nice about having someone else do the work for you and in some cases, the cost isn't that much higher than you buying the groceries yourself and spending your time cooking and cleaning.
And while you are correct, being a server in most cases doesn't require a formal education, there's some servers in higher end places or even veterans that know their shit. They know the menu, they know the wines, they have real opinions on the food (instead of just pushing certain dishes). A good server is there but isn't - they refill your water/drinks, bring condiments/cheese/pepper/extras, and all without hovering or interrupting. When I go out with the guys, if our server is not there it's a nightmare because she knows what we order, how we like it, etc. Triple the work with a different server.
If you don't like servers, order takeout, go to buffets, or stick to fast-food joints. Plenty of options where you don't have to deal with waitstaff. And your simplification of their jobs is the equivalent of saying an SP's job is easy - have sex. A LOT more to in than that.
And yes the points are contradictory but that's because they are not connected. Each point is separate and to be considered on its own. It wasn't written as a set of recommendations that all have to be done.
I have never used the % knowing that the 15% includes HST. You are actually tipping 17% if that makes a difference (to some it will, to some it won't). 13% of the total bill works (I exclude bottles of wine). Plus the math on 15% is easy. Just take 10% and then multiply by 1.5.
It's funny how servers have the gall to criticize people eating there for tips, but some reason have no balls to complain to the person hiring them and paying their hourly wage in the first place.... their own boss.
I was a server before (like many of you). For all of you who have never been a waiter and aren't sure whether or not a waiter or bartender gets paid well or not, don't fall for it. Every server will try to give an image they are dead broke, nobody tips and they barely make more than a Walmart Greeter, Untrue.
Someone serving tables at a decent eatery, restaurant or busy club is getting paid GREAT. The fact the norm is now 15% makes it better. 20+ years ago, the norm was more like 10%, BUT more people paid in cash back then, so all of us would pocket it tax free.
Now if someone is working at a crummy place where there's hardly any customers, then sure, the overall wages and tips will be crap. Don't be surprised if the server or bartender makes $300-400 a night in tips at a good place.
I was a server before (like many of you). For all of you who have never been a waiter and aren't sure whether or not a waiter or bartender gets paid well or not, don't fall for it. Every server will try to give an image they are dead broke, nobody tips and they barely make more than a Walmart Greeter, Untrue.
Someone serving tables at a decent eatery, restaurant or busy club is getting paid GREAT. The fact the norm is now 15% makes it better. 20+ years ago, the norm was more like 10%, BUT more people paid in cash back then, so all of us would pocket it tax free.
Now if someone is working at a crummy place where there's hardly any customers, then sure, the overall wages and tips will be crap. Don't be surprised if the server or bartender makes $300-400 a night in tips at a good place.
