Why do people leave tips at restaurants when they get bad service?

Question

Over an hour to get entrees served, she didn't offer refills on beverages unless askekd, only stopped by once to see how we were doing, gave us containers but no bags to carry our leftovers in.... :(

And yet my friends still left a tip.

Answer 1

because,it is the right thing to do-plus most waitresses are kinda bitter making 2.50 so they depend on that tip-plus everyone has a bad day-who knows what nut-jobs she has dealt with all day..just count it as a blessing...

Answer 2

Heres why

#1 - Over 1 hour for the entrees - NOT THE SERVERS FAULT! , they have to wait for the food from the kitchen just like you do.  Even if they are back there saying wheres my food so are 11 other servers for 33 other tables in the restraunt.  You just have to be patient sometimes.

#2 - Didn't offer refills on bevereages - Okay yes its nice to get them without asking, but maybe she was busy in back trying to get your food that your waiting for - Maybe she was helping one of her other tables.  I mean when you asked for them she got them didn't she?  I'm sure if she saw you needed them she would have gotten them without you asking, but servers have a million things to do.

#3 - Only stopped by once - How many times do you want her to stop by (You cant please everyone some people say they dont want the server to keep stopping by and bothering them) - At least she stopped by once?

#4 - Gave us containers but no bags - I do not know of one restraunt where they give you bags unless you ask for them.  It is usually not a policy for restraunts to give out a bag anytime they give out a box, but I'm sure if you asked for one they would surely go get it for you.

So basically what I am trying to say is be more patient and don't think just because you  have to ask for something that the server is a bad server - now if you ask for it and they don't get it for you or take forever to get it then that is another story.  Remember most likely that server has at least 3 or 4 other tables and they do not cook your food the cooks do.

Answer 3

well if the food was good then i would still leave a tip

Answer 4

Because it is the proper thing to do. When I have bad service, I feel like not leaving a tip but I still do but at the least percentage. But if it really was horrible, I would have made a complaint to the manager

Answer 5

One, you not getting your entrees in a reasonable time is NOT A WAITER'S FAULT. That is the kitchen staff's fault, who are getting paid hourly by the way! The kitchen staff's lively hood does not depend on your tip. Trust me, the only time you'll get bad service is a) you p**s the waiter off or b) the waiter is in a bad mood. We get paid 2.15 an hour, do you really think that we would just **** away our tips for the h**l of it?

Answer 6

Leave the smallest tip politely possible, speak to the manager on the way and tell them what happened, tell everybody you  know to stay away from that restraurant, and go get laid to ease the pressure!

Answer 7

I would leave a minimal tip because I know she depends on tips to make even a base wage.

Answer 8

stupid friends!

Answer 9

I completely agree.  A server works for their tips, they shouldn't get their gratuities if they provide S****y service.  The fact that the work on tips should motivate them to do a good job.  I never tip a server that provides bad service.  But when I get good service I am a very generous tipper.

Answer 10

becuase it is respectful.

Answer 11

because servers have to pay a percentage of their sales to uncle SAM weather a holes like you leave a tip or not people who are severs are servers not servants  i don't think you understand what a crappy thankless job working in restaurants is people work there because they are either working through college or its the only thing they have ever done Ive done everything from wash dishes to be a general manager and its no picnic to serve overgrown babies that want you to wipe their bum with a smile for a crappy tip if you don't want to tip then stay at home and treat your mom or wife like a slave

Answer 12

Because we're nice people and we figure she was working hard, more or less.

Answer 13

maybe cuz leaving tips is a good thing to do and the food was probably good to, it also doesn't sometimes just depend on the server or how late u get ur food or if she doesn't ask for refills or that she didn't give u bags its jus ta manerly thing to  and ur friends maybe liked the food.

Answer 14

just to let you guys know, it shouldn't matter how good the food was.  She didn't make it, the cooks did.  Do you think a cook making $10-$16 an hour is goung to see any of the tips?  nope, not really.  The tip thing is supposed to be a motivator, and anyone providing poor service not only hurts themselves, it also hurts the image of the restaurant.  if poor service was experienced, fill out the comment card or make a phone call later (to keep yourself anonymous)