Tipping at restaurants...?

Question

So I felt kinda bad. I went to dinner with some friends, and we only had enough money for dinner, plus a few coins. I felt really rude because we didn't leave a tip, but we couldn't. We weren't expecting dinner to cost that much. We could have left about 42 cents, but I thought that would be disrespectful, so we left without leaving a tip.

What should we have done here? Should we have come back with a tip, or let the server know that everything was great and about the dilemma, or what?

Answer 1

you should probably go back and give them a tip but dont worry about it too much because there are many people who dont give tips but i do

Answer 2

Write down the server's name.  Explain what happened, apologize for your short-sightedness.  Tell her when you will return with her tip.  Come back as soon as possible with the money (which should be extra generous).  Speak to the manager about the great service you received from your waitress.

And, if you can still find out who your server was, it's never too late to do the right thing!

Answer 3

been in the same situation , I left without saying anything but came back with the tip and they explained the are always greatfull

Answer 4

You should have handled it much differently. Also you are a coward for not tipping. If you were honest you would have explained the situation to a Manager and made arrangements to come back with a tip. Now, you are looked at like a jerk and have little recourse except a letter of apology and a money order for 20% of your bill made out to the restaurant and ask that they give it to the waiter you stiffed the day you were there

Answer 5

That lady lives off of peoples tips, as do I. If you don't have enough money to tip....don't dine out. Hit up the inside of KFC or McDonalds. Thats just rude to waste that lady's time, for no tip. Sorry.

Answer 6

Please never leave only a verbal tip to the server. That is a slap in the face. The gesture is very nice and it's appreciated, but come the end of the month the whole " your the greatest server" just won't pay the bills.

But yes a 42 cent tip is a LOT more disprectful. No tip could also be that the person forgot to tip, or thought someone else was going to cover it.

Here is what I suggest for next time. Figure out the cost of the meals, don't order sodas (if you did) try and add in the tax. Make sure you have at least 15% to cover that. If not, then choose different meals, or bring a credit card.

You can always definately go back to the restaurant if you realize you didn't tip. Just make sure that you remember your servers name. I once had a table to that to me, and I still remember them to this day. This is such a nice gesture!! This is very  appreciated because you went out of the way for them.

Answer 7

As a server myself... there can't be too many crappier feelings than spending an hour of your life at the beck and call of total strangers only to be stiffed in the end! Would you work an hour for free at your job? Servers have to pay bills just like everyone else! And do you know most restaurants require their staff to pay tip share for host and bartenders and bussers so if you don't leave a tip the server is actually PAYING to wait on you!!!???

It's not too late to go back and do the right thing, ya know....

Answer 8

dont worry about it... its not required by law..

Answer 9

Two solutions for next time:

Check the menu out ahead of time or order less.

Get a credit card, to cover those short-falls.

Answer 10

How embarrassing!

The right thing to do would be to get some money together and GO BACK to the restaurant and give that poor server their tip and explain what had happened.

I am sure the server would be very pleased and relieved. This is how they make their money.

I also feel in the otherhand, if a server is crappy, and you did not indicate that they were, you should always let them know by way of their manager, that the service was subpar. Then there would be no question as to why they did not get a tip.

Answer 11

Your conscience already answered this for you.

Answer 12

yeah it's probly best to leave nothing. If someone leaves a few cents, i wish they left nothing..i wonder what i did wrong, or if they are young i dont expect much.  It would be so nice if you came back with a tip or told the waitress you didnt have enough n would come back (and actually did). thats sweet!

Answer 13

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Answer 14

Next time you eat there try to get the same server and give a double tip. If you keep being bothered about this.