Was it too mean of me to not leave a tip for the waiter?

Question

My friend and I went to a restaurant. I think the waiter was trying to hit on her. He would only look at her, even when I was speaking to him, and also asked silly questions like, "Where are you from?" (which we both found mildly offensive - we are a minority race but we were born and raised in this town!) He totally avoided eye contact with me and kept looking at her. At one point he had his back to me, almost as though he was trying to block me out. I have never been treated this way before.

Other than that.. the food didn't take long to arrive. The waiter popped in on our conversations when we didn't need him but the one time we did need him, he was nowhere to be seen.

I was the one to pay for the meal this time. I normally tip 30% but left this waiter no tip. Was that too harsh of me? My friend is very beautiful but that was no excuse for him to act so unprofessionally, like he was at some club and not at work.

Answer 1

I guess you don't get out much, a waiter usually try's to be personable by asking guests, "how are you"  "where are you from"  "Are you passing through, or are you a local".

after waiting on the guest, he should have served you your food. walk away, then after two bites, he is supposed to come back an ask you if the food is alright.

I mean jeez mister, if you want service without friendliness you should of gone to McDonald's they serve you  an never try to strike up a mild conversation. you over reacted i think, maybe a little jealous too. if he did not give both of you eye contact then yea one point off of his tip.  

to me he seems professional, maybe hes a rookie though.

i don't believe you have gone to many sit down restaurants.

Answer 2

Tips are not supposed to be given to people who haven't done their job very well. Instead, you could've been harsh enough to report him to the manager.

Answer 3

I don't think that was too harsh. If the waiter wasn't doing his job well, he shouldn't have gotten a tip. He could've waited for his break to hit on someone. I think you did the right thing.

Answer 4

No, it was not harsh.  A tip is not for food, just for the server's service.  You didn't get professional service.  Although by leaving nothing he might have thought you forgot.  If you feel guilty, next time, leave a small handful of coins.  That gets the point across that yes you tipped, but hated the service

Answer 5

He thought your friend was hot, was probably even trying to butter her up so that he would get a good tip.

To not leave a tip at all, was rather weak bro. Until you know what it's like to wait tables, please tip you server.

You should have just shown some initiative and spoke up for yourself, rather than coming on here to vent your frustrations.

He would have stopped being so forward and that would have warranted the man being able have the funds to tip out the people who helped him for the night. Remember tips don't go to just one person. Servers also have to tip busboys & bartenders and sometimes hosts.

So to answer your question, yes it was mean. But it's your fault for taking his behavior. Next time, stand up for yourself & your friend, but not through his tip. You punished more people besides him.

Answer 6

I think if you had left 10%, that would have sent the same message. However, given the circumstances, I don't think you were wrong. But this is obviously bothering you, and at least leaving a small amount would probably have made you feel better while still sending him a message about your displeasure.

Answer 7

No tip or a little tip should help the waiter in what he should do to increase his chances of a good tip.  You may have left him the best tip, good service to the entire table and know when to let them have privacy.  Experience is an awesome teacher, even if the lesson is painful.

Answer 8

He will have to pay the taxes whether you left a tip or not.  You could just leave enough for him to pay the taxes.  I am not sure how much that is but he might not do that again.

Answer 9

too harsh  a$ per person would do the trick

Answer 10

i also waitress and would never expect a tip from a table acting like that. I would never be so disrespectful. i bet that guy doesn't make many tips or any at all, lol! The point is to get the people to like you not to want to kick your *** You guys should make a complaint, what an idiot

Answer 11

Don't sweat the small stuff, ok?

Answer 12

I don't think so if the waiter is bad I would'nt leave a tip either. I would have also talk to the manager.

Answer 13

I dont think it was harsh at all. He is a PIG!!!!!