tipping for bad service at a restaurant

[greenaccord02]

I tip well for even half-decent service and very well for good service (relative to the establishment's quality - I'm not asking for much), but I'll leave $1 on a $50 tab if it was terrible. Leaving nothing or leaving only 10% makes them think you're cheap - i.e. it gives them the idea that they aren't the problem. 2% is a slap in the face. And if I get called out for it, I'll tell them like it is. If I think the waiter is too dumb to get it, I'll write "SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE" on the receipt and save the dollar. Once I left two pennies along with the note.

If you're going to do this pay cash. You don't want them putting some ridiculous charge on your card because they got [censored]. Though my wife and I go out to eat often, I only have cause to do this once every other year or even less, so don't think this is the norm. I think you shouldn't go out to eat at a place that has wait-staff if you can't afford to tip well. I've worked tipping jobs myself and known too many waiters and waitresses to do otherwise.

To counteract this story, I'll tell another. A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I went out to a local restaurant. The girl serving us was working her first day and doing it without any assistance. She was maybe 16 and visibly nervous. We placed a very simple order, but she was nervous to the point that she got confused like you wouldn't believe. Anyway, while it was obvious that she was trying, I knew she couldn't have gotten many other tips that day. So, I left her $10 on a $25 tab. I do stuff like that a lot more than I do the opposite, but that's not what this thread was about. I just don't want everybody thinking I'm a cheap ___________.

 

[ridgerunner]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
I may be in the minority, but I don't tip period. I've had many jobs growing up and not once did I receive a tip for work I did (nor did I expect one). Other jobs I've worked for the government and I couldn't accept gifts of any kind, not even a soda. Same thing today, can't receive gifts/tips. Tips/gifts are considered bribes and are not tollerated. So...no tips from me, sorry. If I were to take a "bribe" I'd loose my job and be put in jail. Funny thing is which burns me to no end is that a person in office can (and they do) take bribes all the time and somehow it's legal. It's called a campain contribution.


What do you mean you worked for the government? You were a government employee with full benefits? If that's the case, then your whole benefits package was your tip!

When I grew up I worked in a brick yard. I very rarely received a tip; however, made a lot more base pay than my other highschool buddies who worked in restaurants.

I call people out like you who don't tip, "hey, you forgot something. Hey, hey, you forgot to tip!" People who get screwed usually feel a little better if they have at least one person to empathize with them.


You didn't "call me out" I gave my opinion that's all. I don't tip, if U don't like it well...Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care.

 

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
Originally Posted By: Chris142
If the service is that bad I don't leave a tip.


+1 I might have done this a handful of times. Once, I got up to re-fill my own drink at a local restaurant. I waited 15 minutes and never saw the waitress. I complained to a manager when I paid and I believe she lost her job.

The BEST story I've ever heard is one of my great grandfather. He was extremely well known in central Florida around the Lake Placid and Sebring areas. He owned many service businesses and frequented a truck stop diner often. Once, while having a meal there, his cup went empty. People that knew him knew that he expected sweet iced tea at almost every meal and he would stop eating until it was refilled. Needless to say, the waitress was a slacker according to my grandmother who also worked there. My grandmother told the waitress that her "customer" was waiting on her and she sloughed it off. Some time later, my great grandfather just chucked his glass over his shoulder, ice and all, onto the floor shattering it. He got great service after that.

The story continues....

The NEXT DAY, my great grandfather and my grandfather drove to a job 30 MILES AWAY. Stopping in to eat at a local place, the first words out of the hostess' mouth were "We've heard about YOU and we're going to make sure you get a PITCHER."

News travels fast in small communities apparently.


While poor service shouldn't be rewarded, creating a potentially dangerous disturbance in a public place is far far worse, from what I can tell from reading your G Grandfather is a codger, perhaps the waitress was intimidated by the old man.

Throwing glasses because his glass went empty? That is an idiot.

If he would have thrown that glass in my establishment he would have immediately been ejected and the police would be called if he didn't pay for the food and damage and leave immediately.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: bigmike
Originally Posted By: Chris142
If the service is that bad I don't leave a tip.


+1 I might have done this a handful of times. Once, I got up to re-fill my own drink at a local restaurant. I waited 15 minutes and never saw the waitress. I complained to a manager when I paid and I believe she lost her job.

The BEST story I've ever heard is one of my great grandfather. He was extremely well known in central Florida around the Lake Placid and Sebring areas. He owned many service businesses and frequented a truck stop diner often. Once, while having a meal there, his cup went empty. People that knew him knew that he expected sweet iced tea at almost every meal and he would stop eating until it was refilled. Needless to say, the waitress was a slacker according to my grandmother who also worked there. My grandmother told the waitress that her "customer" was waiting on her and she sloughed it off. Some time later, my great grandfather just chucked his glass over his shoulder, ice and all, onto the floor shattering it. He got great service after that.

The story continues....

The NEXT DAY, my great grandfather and my grandfather drove to a job 30 MILES AWAY. Stopping in to eat at a local place, the first words out of the hostess' mouth were "We've heard about YOU and we're going to make sure you get a PITCHER."

News travels fast in small communities apparently.


Haha! That's awesome!


Awesome? Sounds like a tool to me. I'd make him pay for the glass he broke too. I wouldn't tollerate bad behavior in a man.


The story of some crotchety old man is funny, the story...

Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
I may be in the minority, but I don't tip period. I've had many jobs growing up and not once did I receive a tip for work I did (nor did I expect one). Other jobs I've worked for the government and I couldn't accept gifts of any kind, not even a soda. Same thing today, can't receive gifts/tips. Tips/gifts are considered bribes and are not tollerated. So...no tips from me, sorry. If I were to take a "bribe" I'd loose my job and be put in jail. Funny thing is which burns me to no end is that a person in office can (and they do) take bribes all the time and somehow it's legal. It's called a campain contribution.


What do you mean you worked for the government? You were a government employee with full benefits? If that's the case, then your whole benefits package was your tip!

When I grew up I worked in a brick yard. I very rarely received a tip; however, made a lot more base pay than my other highschool buddies who worked in restaurants.

I call people out like you who don't tip, "hey, you forgot something. Hey, hey, you forgot to tip!" People who get screwed usually feel a little better if they have at least one person to empathize with them.


You didn't "call me out" I gave my opinion that's all. I don't tip, if U don't like it well...Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care.


I wasn't calling YOU out, but people like you in real life. If I see some one leave without tipping, I say something. I'm not talking about those who receive poor service, but teens who come in to burger joints and then try to ditch or leave pocket change for a group of 10, and also people like you who don't tip for who knows what reason. You not ever being tipped seems like a terrible excuse, since every industry has its own kind of compensation. Being underpaid and working FOR tips is not a perk, but a necessity. If you're that cheap, then why not pick up a pizza or a frozen dinner on the way home?

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

I eat out about 5 days a week..If service is awesome I give 25-30%..If it is bad they get 10% or less..Most of the time it is overall very good.

In the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area generally the waitresses are awful..The waiters on the other hand are a million times better..If you ask a waitress to substitute a different vegetable or ask for a potato instead of linguine they will refuse 99% of the time and be nasty about it..If you ask a waiter [in the same place] they say no problem..Whatever you want.

I generally only go 2 diners and a Cracker Barrel in the Miami-Dade and Broward County area..I ALWAYS ask for the same waiter when I walk in as I have my favorites in each place..If for some reason he is not there that day I always have a back up waiter who is there.

If I owned a restaurant down here in the jungle I would not hire any waitresses..Only waiters..With that said when I was in North Jersey I did not have a problem with the waitresses like down here.

I noticed some places in N.Y.C. [like the 82ND Street Cafe] only hire waiters..I have never seen a waitress work there and the Cafe has been around a very long time..That place has awesome service.

 

[ridgerunner]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: bigmike

If the service is that bad I don't leave a tip.


+1 I might have done this a handful of times. Once, I got up to re-fill my own drink at a local restaurant. I waited 15 minutes and never saw the waitress. I complained to a manager when I paid and I believe she lost her job.

The BEST story I've ever heard is one of my great grandfather. He was extremely well known in central Florida around the Lake Placid and Sebring areas. He owned many service businesses and frequented a truck stop diner often. Once, while having a meal there, his cup went empty. People that knew him knew that he expected sweet iced tea at almost every meal and he would stop eating until it was refilled. Needless to say, the waitress was a slacker according to my grandmother who also worked there. My grandmother told the waitress that her "customer" was waiting on her and she sloughed it off. Some time later, my great grandfather just chucked his glass over his shoulder, ice and all, onto the floor shattering it. He got great service after that.

The story continues....

The NEXT DAY, my great grandfather and my grandfather drove to a job 30 MILES AWAY. Stopping in to eat at a local place, the first words out of the hostess' mouth were "We've heard about YOU and we're going to make sure you get a PITCHER."

News travels fast in small communities apparently.


Haha! That's awesome!


Awesome? Sounds like a tool to me. I'd make him pay for the glass he broke too. I wouldn't tollerate bad behavior in a man.


The story of some crotchety old man is funny, the story...

Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
I may be in the minority, but I don't tip period. I've had many jobs growing up and not once did I receive a tip for work I did (nor did I expect one). Other jobs I've worked for the government and I couldn't accept gifts of any kind, not even a soda. Same thing today, can't receive gifts/tips. Tips/gifts are considered bribes and are not tollerated. So...no tips from me, sorry. If I were to take a "bribe" I'd loose my job and be put in jail. Funny thing is which burns me to no end is that a person in office can (and they do) take bribes all the time and somehow it's legal. It's called a campain contribution.


What do you mean you worked for the government? You were a government employee with full benefits? If that's the case, then your whole benefits package was your tip!

When I grew up I worked in a brick yard. I very rarely received a tip; however, made a lot more base pay than my other highschool buddies who worked in restaurants.

I call people out like you who don't tip, "hey, you forgot something. Hey, hey, you forgot to tip!" People who get screwed usually feel a little better if they have at least one person to empathize with them.


You didn't "call me out" I gave my opinion that's all. I don't tip, if U don't like it well...Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care.


I wasn't calling YOU out, but people like you in real life. If I see some one leave without tipping, I say something. I'm not talking about those who receive poor service, but teens who come in to burger joints and then try to ditch or leave pocket change for a group of 10, and also people like you who don't tip for who knows what reason. You not ever being tipped seems like a terrible excuse, since every industry has its own kind of compensation. Being underpaid and working FOR tips is not a perk, but a necessity. If you're that cheap, then why not pick up a pizza or a frozen dinner on the way home?

Cheap? Thank you, I AM cheap and I make no bones about it. I've put 1985 oil in my wife's car (twice) and posted it here for your entertainment, I AM CHEAP! I do prefer to cook for myself though, not much for take out or frozen chit. People choose their profession, they shouldn't blame someone else for that or whine when they don't get the tip they think is coming to them. Suck it up I say and be thankfull you have a job.

 

[ridgerunner]

Originally Posted By: 91344George
Originally Posted By: bigmike
Originally Posted By: Chris142
If the service is that bad I don't leave a tip.


+1 I might have done this a handful of times. Once, I got up to re-fill my own drink at a local restaurant. I waited 15 minutes and never saw the waitress. I complained to a manager when I paid and I believe she lost her job.

The BEST story I've ever heard is one of my great grandfather. He was extremely well known in central Florida around the Lake Placid and Sebring areas. He owned many service businesses and frequented a truck stop diner often. Once, while having a meal there, his cup went empty. People that knew him knew that he expected sweet iced tea at almost every meal and he would stop eating until it was refilled. Needless to say, the waitress was a slacker according to my grandmother who also worked there. My grandmother told the waitress that her "customer" was waiting on her and she sloughed it off. Some time later, my great grandfather just chucked his glass over his shoulder, ice and all, onto the floor shattering it. He got great service after that.

The story continues....

The NEXT DAY, my great grandfather and my grandfather drove to a job 30 MILES AWAY. Stopping in to eat at a local place, the first words out of the hostess' mouth were "We've heard about YOU and we're going to make sure you get a PITCHER."

News travels fast in small communities apparently.


While poor service shouldn't be rewarded, creating a potentially dangerous disturbance in a public place is far far worse, from what I can tell from reading your G Grandfather is a codger, perhaps the waitress was intimidated by the old man.

Throwing glasses because his glass went empty? That is an idiot.

If he would have thrown that glass in my establishment he would have immediately been ejected and the police would be called if he didn't pay for the food and damage and leave immediately.



Totally agree, thank you! I might have forgiven him if he were to clean up the mess while everyone watched though.

 

[Propflux01]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
...... And if I get excellent service,I`ll make sure the waiter/waitress get the tip directly. I won`t allow it to go into a tipping pool,because the person who waited on me worked to earn it.


Exactly.. I HATE "Community Tips", because I see too many times that one or two servers bust thier buttocks while others sloth around and aren't worth a [censored]. That to me is a perfect example of socialism. Why should some work hard, others not, yet both get same tippage?

 

[daves87rs]

Once in a great while I get bad service...but I also avoid the bad places as well.

Never hurts to do your homework.

 

[65cuda]

So who gave you the authority to determine who should and shouldn't tip before you called them out? Even if they were young kids you might know how they were treated or anything that was said. Sorry but it isn't your place to make that call.

 

[MNgopher]

15% is my base tip for acceptable service. 20% for great service. 10% for not so good service. If things were truly bad, I leave a dollar and a note. Leaving nothing leaves open the door that you just forgot or intentionally skipped out.

I like to leave a large tip every year for someone at Christmas with a short note to enjoy on the bill. Nice to make someones day when you can.

As far as not leaving a tip because you can't take a tip in your job, you are a cheapskate and if I were you I would never eat at the same restaurant twice. In many states, food workers earn a reduced minimum wage with the expectation that the tip will make up the difference and then some. Those workers took the job with the expectation to be treated fairly.

I work for the government too. I also cannot take a gift at my job. I however accepted those terms when I took the job. Food service workers did not.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
In many states, food workers earn a reduced minimum wage with the expectation that the tip will make up the difference and then some.


Well said, the "tips" in American food industry is actually a "service surcharge" that you should not skip.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
OY! Exuse me for putting the E in the wrong place. No wonder you got bad service.

Take it easy, Pops. It's an understandable misspelling. Trying to use correct spelling & grammar has no bearing on my expectations when dining out. Just making a minor observation - same as break/brake or they're/their/there.

You also omitted the 'c' from 'Excuse'.

Modern web browsers now include spell check, which can be helpful. As is the user ignore feature.

Relax. Don't worry. Have a homebrew.


POPS? I am 43.

I have vision issues and don't always see when I miss a letter. Again, excuse me.

I don't drink either. Maybe you should lay off the brew.

 

[ridgerunner]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
15% is my base tip for acceptable service. 20% for great service. 10% for not so good service. If things were truly bad, I leave a dollar and a note. Leaving nothing leaves open the door that you just forgot or intentionally skipped out.

I like to leave a large tip every year for someone at Christmas with a short note to enjoy on the bill. Nice to make someones day when you can.

As far as not leaving a tip because you can't take a tip in your job, you are a cheapskate and if I were you I would never eat at the same restaurant twice. In many states, food workers earn a reduced minimum wage with the expectation that the tip will make up the difference and then some. Those workers took the job with the expectation to be treated fairly.

I work for the government too. I also cannot take a gift at my job. I however accepted those terms when I took the job. Food service workers did not.


I know some of us are hijacking this thread a bit and I'm sorry for that fellas, but it does make for good discussion. I treat everyone fairly, it's simple...noone gets a tip. If U take a job as a waiter/waitress I'm sorry but U know what U are getting into with the terms of that job as far as pay and tips.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: teambeechstreet
Originally Posted By: scurvy
Having worked in food service has made me a better tipper. 10% (of the pre-tax bill, rounded up) for ordinary service. 15% for good service. 20% for exceptional service.

Ditto


I find this logic laughable. I hear it a lot from people who worked food service - its as if they were scarred for life by doing it.

Well, if food service is so bad, then dont do it. There are a ton of folks who would be happy to do those jobs and not be scarred by them to the point where they have to try and justify excessive tipping. (granted your tipping scheme is not excessive, but Im using the basis of the "Ive worked food service" as logic for high tips here)

Im sorry, not much skill in delivering food to a bunch of tables, even if you have to entertain a bunch of grumpy folks. The $3/hr or whatever is minimum wage is low, but just how much is deserved for that job?

It entirely depends upon how good of a job they do at making everything good and right. The server IS the face of the restaurant. And has the power to make or break.

Their ability to make or break the meal should determine the tip, not the fact that food service sucks. If it sucks so bad, then let people not do it and let the paradigm change.

Think of all the other customer service-oriented wage slaves in retail that dont get good pay and cannot receive tips. Food service IMO has it pretty good in many situations. While it may differ from the Denny's and the 5-star steakhouse, it is yet another example of letting yourself be presentable and knowledgable, and you can get into better parts of the business.

 

[greenaccord02]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Their ability to make or break the meal should determine the tip, not the fact that food service sucks. If it sucks so bad, then let people not do it and let the paradigm change.

Right, because that would actually happen.

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
I have vision issues and don't always see when I miss a letter. Again, excuse me.

Modern browsers (Chrome and Firefox) underline suspected misspellings in red squiggly lines making it very easy to see.

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
I don't drink either. Maybe you should lay off the brew.

Had a lovely glass of Argentinian Malbec last night with dinner... lush, soft tannin bloom and a nice dry finish. My doctor says it's good for the heart. It's the only purple Kool-Aid worth drinking!

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I find this logic laughable. I hear it a lot from people who worked food service - its as if they were scarred for life by doing it.

Well, if food service is so bad, then dont do it. There are a ton of folks who would be happy to do those jobs and not be scarred by them to the point where they have to try and justify excessive tipping. (granted your tipping scheme is not excessive, but Im using the basis of the "Ive worked food service" as logic for high tips here)


I was about to say, if anything, my tipping scheme is far lower than what most people actually tip. Working in food service made me realize the amount of extra energy, effort & attention it takes to go from mediocre service to excellent service. I tip far lower than most of my friends who regularly consider 20% on the post-tax bill to be the minimum acceptable tip, even for average service.

At the time I took the job (waiting tables & cooking 3rd shift at Waffle House), it was the only job that fit in my schedule for the summer between high school & college. I worked some day shifts at the local AM radio station and was involved in an intensive afternoon schedule at the local college. I could make decent money doing it ($10+/hr on a good night, most of which was in untaxed tips in my pocket), I found my night shift co-workers interesting and the regulars even moreso, it offered me the intellectual freedom to openly have philosophical conversations with the drunks, on slow nights when all the prep & cleaning work was done you could sit down with a book and if anything it doubly reinforced the need for higher education!

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Im sorry, not much skill in delivering food to a bunch of tables, even if you have to entertain a bunch of grumpy folks.


The skill is never in moving plates from the kitchen to the table, the skill is in the customer service: Reading people & anticipating their needs, trying to make their meal enjoyable, helping them get the best of what the restaurant has to offer. It also takes an enormous amount of energy to stay on your feet for 10+ hours at a stretch. Is it grueling, terrible work? Of course not. I quite enjoyed it... it still ranks up there as one of the most fun jobs I've had. But it taught me a very important lesson - that I don't want another job dealing with the general public ever again.

 

[bigmike]

Hey, I realize my great grandfather shouldn't have done what he did. Nevertheless, I doubt many of you know how the good ole boy system worked back then in that area of the state. He owned most everything, including the only septic business, waste water plants, the only power plant, well drilling and pump service business, and most other blue collar businesses.

He didn't get that from someone else's money either, but rather by getting starved out in Indiana during the depression and selling his farms to move down to Florida.

He was a hard worker and expected one thing from his employees - to do the same. Nobody goes to a restaurant to do their own cooking or serving.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Their ability to make or break the meal should determine the tip, not the fact that food service sucks. If it sucks so bad, then let people not do it and let the paradigm change.

Right, because that would actually happen.


Not saying it would. I in fact said that there are tons of folks that would love the jobs that others seem to think are so tough and horrible. If the free market/nation thinks it so bad, then it could change, not saying it would...

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I find this logic laughable. I hear it a lot from people who worked food service - its as if they were scarred for life by doing it.

Well, if food service is so bad, then dont do it. There are a ton of folks who would be happy to do those jobs and not be scarred by them to the point where they have to try and justify excessive tipping. (granted your tipping scheme is not excessive, but Im using the basis of the "Ive worked food service" as logic for high tips here)


I was about to say, if anything, my tipping scheme is far lower than what most people actually tip. Working in food service made me realize the amount of extra energy, effort & attention it takes to go from mediocre service to excellent service. I tip far lower than most of my friends who regularly consider 20% on the post-tax bill to be the minimum acceptable tip, even for average service.

At the time I took the job (waiting tables & cooking 3rd shift at Waffle House), it was the only job that fit in my schedule for the summer between high school & college. I worked some day shifts at the local AM radio station and was involved in an intensive afternoon schedule at the local college. I could make decent money doing it ($10+/hr on a good night, most of which was in untaxed tips in my pocket), I found my night shift co-workers interesting and the regulars even moreso, it offered me the intellectual freedom to openly have philosophical conversations with the drunks, on slow nights when all the prep & cleaning work was done you could sit down with a book and if anything it doubly reinforced the need for higher education!

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Im sorry, not much skill in delivering food to a bunch of tables, even if you have to entertain a bunch of grumpy folks.


The skill is never in moving plates from the kitchen to the table, the skill is in the customer service: Reading people & anticipating their needs, trying to make their meal enjoyable, helping them get the best of what the restaurant has to offer. It also takes an enormous amount of energy to stay on your feet for 10+ hours at a stretch. Is it grueling, terrible work? Of course not. I quite enjoyed it... it still ranks up there as one of the most fun jobs I've had. But it taught me a very important lesson - that I don't want another job dealing with the general public ever again.


Agree