What should the tip be for bad service?

Question

I would tip nothing, but what do you think?

I tip very well, 10% even if they were rude but did everything well, usually 20-25% if the service was good and 26%-50% if the service was great. I don't tip anything if the service is poor and I don't feel bad about it.

I live in a state where servers/waiters get paid at least minimum wage, though I know that in other states they get paid very low. To all you servers/waiters out there that ***** about how you need tip to make a living, know that it's a job. Yeah a job. If you're lousy at a job, you don't get tip (which was a concept originally known as gratuity/thank you). And your restaurant cease to get my money afterwards.

Bad service: writing in the tip for yourself on my receipt, ignoring multiple requests, attitude when it comes to explaining the menu, etc.

Answer 1

i like to leave them a penny

Answer 2

Leave a penny. If you leave nothing they might think you forgot to tip...but a penny is loud and clear the service was REALLY bad.

Answer 3

To me it all depends on what was bad. If the server was nowhere to be found, had an attitude never refilled your drinks, etc then i would leave no tip.  But if the food itself was the problem as in burnt, not made right or just plain aweful but your server was attentive, friendly and tried his or her best to make amends then i would definitly tip because the server only brings the food to your table, not prepare it in most cases.

Answer 4

First, I agree that if the service is really terrible, you should absolutely speak to a manager. You'd be doing yourself, the establishment, and future guests a favor.

Second, I'm a waitress who makes less than minimum wage without tips. I work hard at my job, but I must point out that workers in all types of jobs have "off" days or make mistakes and aren't paid less for it.

Third, when I go out to eat, what's most important in determining the tip for me is the attitude of the server and how prompt the service is in relationship to how busy the place is. If my drink is empty, I'm still going to tip if I see my server scrambling around taking care of other guests. I'm not going to tip if I can see him/her standing around flirting with coworkers.

Being polite and friendly is most important to me, and I tip excessively for it, because I know how hard it can be to keep up a 'happy face' while customers are snapping at you and blaming you for their undercooked steaks.

Answer 5

i will tip 1 cent so they know i didnt forget to leave the tip.

Answer 6

If the service is THAT poor I'd speak to management right away and have them address the problem with their staff. There's no excuse for you to suffer like that in a service industry.

The Muse

Answer 7

I worked in the resturant business for 3 years and I guess since I understand everything that is going on I leave 15-20% even for "bad service".  If it was great I leave at least 50%. I know that $2.13 an hour after tax is less than $2.00 and that people have bad days and it is really hard to fake being nice and cheerful all day long. (plus sometimes serving is the only job you can get in college that will work with your schedule)

Answer 8

If, the service is really bad you relieve a penny under a glass, so they you did not forget the tip.  If, they already added in your check - you go the the manager or owner and have it remove.

Answer 9

leave a penny because they get mad

Answer 10

i totallt agree with you. A tip is supposed to reflect service,if service is poor then they should receive nothing. Getting a tip should be the incentive for a job well done not an expectation.

Answer 11

Keep in mind that sometimes the service that is given is a reflection of the customer and their attitude. If you snap, complain a lot before ordering or are just plain rude to the server then right then and there they know that you are not going to tip well. So why should they bend over backwards and use so much energy on you when they have 3-4 other tables to take care of. Just a thought...oh and the whole penny thing...well I have literally picked up the penny and given it back to the customer and said "here I think you need this more than I do"

(I had not done anything wrong they were upset about their food and were completely drunk)

Answer 12

I would give them 5 cents , since that is what kind of service  you received, you tip for good service, not for bad

Answer 13

stick the napkins in the glass and put the silverware intertwined with each other like the knife with the fork twines, and the spoon included. Tilt chairs against the table. Say lousy service as you leave.

Answer 14

NOTHING!!!

I have only tipped nothing one time and I go out to eat every weekend.

Answer 15

a piece of your mind to to manager, etc. and no tip.   oh  well.