Why do people think that it's ok to not tip your server?

Question

If you go out to eat and know that the server only makes about $2.13 an hour why would you not tip. When you go to eat you know that you need to tip! When servers get stiffed it kills them inside. A lot of us have families to support and need to make money! We are not wealthy and just working for the fun of it, we aren't getting rich at this job. If you don't like tipping then don't go out to eat! This job is not easy and lots of the time not fun, just like a lot of jobs out there. I could go on and on, but won't. Just like to here some thoughts.

Answer 1

First off, tips does not stand for "To Insure Proper Service".  That's not even grammatically correct - that would mean YOU were paying the CUSTOMER INSURANCE that you'll get a tip.  If it stood for anything it would be "To Ensure Proper Service".  That would mean YOU were working your tail off to ENSURE that you got a tip.  Maybe that's why you're a waiter - but still, learn basic English before you spout that c**p.

Second, I agree with you, if a person does an acceptable job, they should get 15%.  If it happens now and again, figure you're serving an ****** now and again, and it's the price of being a waiter.  If it happens more often than is normal, maybe you should reexamine what you consider to be "acceptable".

And stop using that stupid-asss acronym.

Answer 2

In the state of Arizona servers are paid $2.15/hr plus they have to declare at least 10% of their tips.  It's a really unfair practice but that's the way it is.  In other countrys servers make a decent wage and tipping is not expected.  That may be why servers sometimes get stiffed by Europeans.  I don't think most people have any idea how poorly food servers are paid.  If they did they would tip.  If the server is any good I always tip 20%.  I think that's fair.

Answer 3

Because, as I always yell out before I leave without tipping, 'It's all about the money, boys!'

Answer 4

I always tip, even if the service stinks. If service is really bad, I'll leave what I think is deserved, could be a penny or a buck. Good waiters or waitresses always make money with me.

Answer 5

Not to be mean but if I get bad service I am not going to tip in some cases. It's not always the servers fault if they get too many seated people in their section. But I have gone out and ate alone and got little or no service because a larger party was being served. If I get bad service do you really think you deserve a tip??? But if you give me good service you will get a good tip.

Answer 6

tips are not a requirement from customers.

sometime customers  who usually give tips don't give when they see that service charges are already included in the bill.

So, whenever you receive a tip, be thankful

       whenever you don'teceive a tip, be thankful for still having a job.

If you really mean the "to insure proper service" you're not fit for the job.

Answer 7

I know where your comming from. I've worked in tipping jobs before. It's rough. However I'm not going to tip just for the sake of tipping. The server has to earn it through good service & a good attitude. I'm not going reward bad attitudes & sloppy service.

Answer 8

The only time I don't tip is when the server is rude, does a poor job, and acts like they would rather be somewhere else instead of making my dining experience satisfactory.

  I am a server.  In NY state the server's wage is $4.65.  So $2.13 sounds pretty sad.  I put 100% effort into making my tables' dining experience the best it can be.  Mistakes happen from time to time, and some beyond the server's control.  When everything goes smooth, it is heartbreaking to receive low tips or none at all.  Fortunately, I can say I have never had a table not tip me.  It does make me feel sick to bust my but for some customer who obiously does not know the amount of work and stress that goes with serving and chooses not to tip decently.

  I have had customers ask "what's your real job?''  That's always a low blow.  Do you think I would do this kind of job for the fun of it?  Or maybe you think I am really a millionare lottery winner who is just serving for $hits and giggles so no one will find out that I am really rich and ask me for money.

  I love to hear people like some of the answerers here say that tipping should not be expected, or people don't have to tip, you know.  I say to that:  than you should expect to pay double for that meal you are going out for, because no one would work as a server to make $3 to $5 an hour, and the restaurant owners would have to pay their servers double or triple to put up with the c**p they put up with.  c**p aside, who could live off of $3 to $5 an hour?  Can you?  Or maybe you say it's a job for teenagers?  Well I would like to see how you enjoy your dinner out at a restaurant employing only teens as servers.  I am sure some are great servers, but most I have worked with don't care about their job or the customer much.

  People also don't realize that we are not keeping 100% of our tips.  We have to tip the bartenders and bussers who helped us to help you.

  Another thing that happens that customers don't realize is that we can not leave until you do.  I work alot of lunch shifts.  It seems I always get that one table that walks in right before we stop seating.  They have their meal, and enjoy themselves.  Then they see that they are the only table in the whole place, and give you their bill with payment saying "oh, we don't want to keep you.  Here you go.  It was great"  Like you get to go home on your merry way.  I have actually had a table sit for two hours after they paid.  Who do they think is going to clean up after them?  No, I have to stand around for two hours not making any money just so I can clear and reset that table!  Sorry to rant, this just happened yesterday.

  I love working in the restaurant business, and have chosen that as my profession for the time being.  I wish every customer that tips little or nothing at all could work in a restaurant for one week, and then maybe they would understand what's really going on.  What's best is the customer who goes on and on about what a wonderful server you are and then leaves you an 8% tip.  LOL

Answer 9

Maybe they think the food wasn't worth it.  Maybe the only money they have is what they give for the meal. That's all they can afford.

Answer 10

$2.12 an hour? C'mon now stop exaggerating. Anyways I think it is very important to tip servers/waiters/whatever. The restaurant industry is a very stressful job. My teacher also told me that waiters/waitresses might actually lose money if they don't get tipped enough because when they are taxed or whatever, the gov't assumes they get tipped and put that in their financial statements. Is that true?

Answer 11

In Washington, servers are paid $7-8/hr at a low end restaurant, and more at a fancier restaurant. A friend of mine made $9/hr, and about $100/weekend night in tips at a decent, not fancy restaurant. In light of this, I tend to tip more % at a low end restaurant, and less % at a fancy restaurant. I know serving is hard work, but comparing their salaries with my complete reliance on student loans to survive, they're still much better off than I. Maybe after I graduate I'll be able to tip more. I don't agree that if you can't afford the tips, you shouldn't eat out. Us poor people deserve to eat out every now and then, too.

Answer 12

To be honest, I used to not tip before I had a job in a tip making position. Like for years I worked in an office and never even gave it a thought when eating out, parking valet or at the bar-whatever, I just never thought about it.

But to be fair, PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO TIP!

I mean they should, but they don't have to...

Answer 13

i worked in the restaurant industry and i hear where you're coming from loud and clear....but why not find a better  job? one that makes you happy and who knows might pay better

living off tips is hard

i've done it

it makes you more stressed

find something you enjoy!

Answer 14

depends on the service.

Answer 15

I don't tip if I don't get good service and these days most places aren't that good so therefore they don't get tipped!

You're not forced to work in the service industry, I don't get tipped for doing my job so why should I tip someone else for doing theirs?

Answer 16

That's just the way some people are. There tight. I don't think people know whether or not the tips are for you or the resturant. Some servers get paid more than you do an hour, I made 5.50 like 7 or 8 years ago. The tips are great though. Actually in some resturants you have to tip a certain amount.

Answer 17

I have no problem tipping if I receive decent service and the better the service the better the tip.

I do not like the attitude that when I go out I MUST tip. I do not feel that. When I, as a customer, go out to eat I agree to pay the prices on the menu, PERIOD.

When a server accepts a job for a certain wage that is between them and their employer. I at no point agreed to pay any part of that persons earnings and so do not feel obligated.

Now, if a server is pleasant and enhances my experience dining out I am more than happy to say thank you by way of a tip. If a server is very busy and run off their feet and service is slow but the server pleasant I will still leave a tip. If a server is obviously new and screws up but is pleasant, again, I have no problem leaving a tip, I appreciated their effort.

If a server is sullen and makes me feel like I'm interrupting their day and they'd rather be elsewhere rather than serve me. Well, I'm not likely to leave a tip. I can get that kind of attitude at home, ha, ha.

Just my thoughts.

Answer 18

I AGREE WITH YOU I AM A SERVER AND MAKE 2.33/HOUR PLUS TIPS ... I AGREE IT CAN BE PERCIEVED THAT WE MAKE LOTS OF MONEY IN THIS JOB.. NOW DONT GET ME WRONG THE MONEY CAN BE VERY GOOD DEPENDING ON HOW BUSY THE PLACE IS .. I DO AVERAGE ABOUT $100PER  NIGHT ON FRI. AND SAT. IN TIPS WHERE I WORK  FOR 6 HOURS.. AND I DO IT BECAUSE I ENJOY WORKING WITH MOST OF MY TABLES BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT SOME NIGHT I REALLY WANT TO QUIT .... I JOKE IT LIKE GOING TOWORK AND GAMBLING WITH YOUR MONEY..

BUT BACK TO YOUR PIONT IF YOU CANT AFFORD TO TIP DONT GO OUTTO EAT AT A NICE REATRAUNT THATS WHAT FAST FOOD IS FOR..

JUST MY THOUGHTS

Answer 19

I am an over tipper...I think its a hard job, something i couldn't do...People would end up with food in their laps....

Answer 20

I always tip around 15-20%, but if the service is really bad I'll tip 10%, just because I'd feel bad leaving nothing at all, even if I wasn't happy.