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To those who are not aware...

AllyTielAllyTielSmall Talker
I know that most normal people know this, but more and more I see the ignorant people who do not. When you go out to eat at a sit down restaurant, you are paying for not just your meal, but you are also expected to pay your server for serving you. No, they do not get paid regular minimum wage. No, the restaurant does not give them money to live off of. The money the restaurant pays is solely for the taxes to be taken out of the tips that are given. Server minimum wage here in Alabama is $2.13 an hour. If we get stiffed, we are literally not getting paid. And at some restaurants around here, there is a thing called tipping out. That means the busboy, the bartender and sometimes also the hostess receives a percentage of the tip given to the server. If the server is stiffed, then they are PAYING for you to sit there and wait on you. Some people, noticeably older people tip 10%. Maybe that was okay back when they were young, but with inflation, the price of everything has shot up. The standard tip for average service is 15-18%. Great service = 20% and up. Welcome to 2010, its the standard now! Does 20% sound like alot? Maybe a little steep for some people. But honestly, when you go out to eat you must consider a decent tip to factor into your budget. If you cannot afford a tip, do NOT go out to eat. Most servers are college students trying to make it through. They have food bills, electric bills, rent, and not to mention paying through college. This is their livelihood. Don't come out to a restaurant, expect to be waited on hand and foot by an attentive server, and not be prepared to give them the pay they deserve for their job. Some servers on the other hand, are lazy and uncaring about their jobs. The don't give refills, they chat with co-workes while their tables obviously need things. 10% is a tip for bad service. And you may even want to stiff them, but don't. Leave a note explaining that you could have left more had they taken better care of you. 10% and under is a slap in the face of any server. Which is why it is so incredibly irritating when a server gives fantastic service, is on top of refills, is friendly and courteous and does their best to make sure you have a great experience, and then get less than 15%. Anything less is insulting. A few extra bucks is not going to hurt you. But it could be the difference between a server paying the rent and making it through college. If only everyone understood this. Servers are not greedy to expect this. They need it to survive.

A server will remember you. Whether you tipped well or not. You are talked about to other employees, either about what a fantastic table you were and what a great tip they left, or they will spread the word you are a cheapskate who does not deserve good service if you are seen again. When one server tells another, "Hey you know that couple you just got at you table? They tip really great!" then they are guaranteed great service. The opposite is also true, "Hey see that 4 top you just got? I have had then and they only tip 10% or less, so don't go overboard on service, cause they never tip anymore than that". The incentive for giving good service is a decent tip at the end. And thats the way it is.
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HARLEY FLSTSHARLEY FLSTSHall of Famer
If you give me good service, keep my drinks filled and take care of my table, then I will tip great. If you are lazy, don't really care then you don't get crap. I really don't care if I get talked about good or bad. But your lack of service is going to ruin the establishment. I think that when a waiter is lazy and I give he/she a bad tip that maybe they will realize they are doing a crappy job or they need to do something else. And if you are lazy and the manager comes around, I will gladly tell them what kind of job you are doing. Since I see that you are probably a person of wait staff, then you should give great service and be rewarded with a tip. Otherwise, if you're lazy, I will tip accordingly.
raineraineHall of Famer
I have to agree with Zuter... If you don't do what is expected of you at work... then you don't get paid, just like with any job. I do wish that restaurant workers could be paid minimum wage and then a tip that way if something happens then they could be covered for thier time atleast. I have never chosen to work in the service industry and that is why...
AllyTielAllyTielSmall Talker
I don't have a problem not tipping well for bad service. But I would never leave nothing, just knowing what they make an hour. They could be having a bad day. Personal issues, who knows. Or maybe they are just a bad server. Yes I am a server, and I give good service to everyone. Thats why its so frustrating to work hard for for less money than I worked for. I can tell you right now, If servers were paid just $7.25 an hour, no tips, no one would do it. It would never be worth it. Plus, the food price would shoot up. Yes, it may be high now, to make a small profit and pay everyone else in the restaurant, except the servers. It is the toughest, most stressful job I've ever had. Not only dealing with the public, but the hungry public. I can work my butt off for some people and them leave me nothing. Thats what I am ranting about, basicly.
AllyTielAllyTielSmall Talker
It also depends on what your definition of good service is. If the server is doing everything in their power to give you a great experience, but also dealing with 3 other table and trying to do the same for them, you should be a little understanding when you don't get a refill right away, or things are a little slower for you. On busy nights, servers work their tails off trying to get everything to everybody. Refills to table 1, get table 2's order, oh and tables 3 needs deserts and their check and their check processed. Yes they can multitask, but gosh, people can only do so much at one time. Someone is going to have a wait a few minutes sometimes and just be understanding.
M MarianLibrarian2Small Talker
Anyone who would leave no tip at all is trash. Even if you have bad service you should still leave at least 10%, then complain to the manager. If you take the time to complain you are liable to get part or all of your meal comped, anyway. Stiffing the server is just a way for mean, hateful people to do something mean and hateful without having to face the consequences. I hate going out to eat with a group of people in the Shoals, because inevitably there is some redneck in the group who decides to stiff the server because she dared to let his glass of tea get half empty.
O No!O No!Old Faithful
My pet peave when eating in a restaurant is servers placing your beverage on the table with their HAND touching right where my LIPS are going to be. I KNOW that they handle money and dirty napkins, and now they expect me to drink out of that glass? Servers, hold the glass as if you were drinking out of it, not by the rim!

And yes, I will usually tell ther server if they have done it that way. If they are not busy, I'll ask (POLITELY) for a new glass. If they are busy, I'll ask for a straw. But I do let them know for future reference that it is gross, and if they are understanding, they'll still get a good tip. If they just shrug it off or look annoyed, it WILL be reflected in their tip.

And yes, I waitressed for many years, so I know what an extremely difficult job it is.
Shoals ResidentShoals ResidentHall of Famer
A while back we went out to eat with 2 other couples. The guys sat at one end of the table and the gals sat at the other end. The waitress was all over the guys and paid absolutely No attention to the gals needs. After our food was brought we were never asked if we needed anything. No butter or sour cream was brought as ordered with the baked potatoes. Had to ask twice to get some. We asked 3 times for a tea refill and never got it. We wanted dessert and had to interrupt her as she was giving the guys the tickets. Needless to say I reached and got out bill and paid it. I included a 10% tip along with a note stating that the food was wonderful but that the service was so lousy that I would not be back.
T tadaEverybody Knows My Name
Come people let's tip someone even if they did not do a good job. Heck isn't that what the goverment is doing with welfare? Give those waiters and waitresses a break.

My wife and I went to AppleBees one evening and the waitress said to us "Do you mind if I go outside and smoke one. Gosh I have not had one in the past two hours and I really need a smoke and the girl walked off". I was surprised to be asked that question in a resturant and the girl came back after 15min with nothing in our glasses and nothing in her hands. You can call me what you will but I do not take pity on people like that.

It is called WORK ETHIC!!!
Which our younger generation seem to be lacking.
girlzzz curlzzzzgirlzzz curlzzzzFamiliar Face
And talk about work ethic and the younger generation.... I cannot believe these young folks that text and talk on thier phones while at work. I have noticed it alot at a local restaurant with the servers , cooks etc... Let me tell you one thing if I were your boss you would leave that phone in your car or your butt would be out the door. If an emergency arises and someone needs to get in touch with you at work they can call your workplace and get in touch with you. Get over yourselves. I think it is downright tacky to be texting while at work. What is the freggin big deal about texting. Pick up the phone and call who ever and get the conversation over with.
AllyTielAllyTielSmall Talker
Yes there are lousy servers out there, but that is not my point. My point is, good servers should be compensated for a good job. I know I do my best, and when I get a bad tip, at least I know it was not me, it was either someone being cheap or they are ignorant. If someone has a cell phone out at my work, they get written up, then fired if they do it again. Lousy, lazy servers do not deserve a good tip. 10% or less is a good insult. Which is why I get so angry when I go all out, constant refills, have anticipated every need a table has, gathered co-workers to sing happy birthday, and do it all cheerfully and to the best of my ability, and get 10%, or the dollar tip.
I don't work for fun, I work to pay off my bills. I know I do a good job, so I don't have to wonder if I failed when I get those lousy tips and I don't have to take it personally.
AllyTielAllyTielSmall Talker
Shoals resident: From experience, some women do not treat female servers with any respect, but It is different when they have a male server. I treat males and females the same, but I have noticed that only women in a group do not treat me as well as if there were men in a group also. I don't know why this is, but it is something I have noticed in my time working as a server.
M MarianLibrarian2Small Talker
I have to say, I go out to eat at a sit-down restaurant at least twice a week. Trying new restaurants is a hobby of mine. I can't think of anytime that I felt compelled to leave anything less than a 15% tip (20% is my normal baseline). I really think that a lot of people are cheap jerks and just look for an excuse to not leave a tip, or else they were rude to the server and deserved bad service. I also have to say that when I was dating casually being a bad tipper was an absolute dealbreaker. It's a sign of a lack of class and character.
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]10% is a tip for bad service. And you may even want to stiff them, but don't. Leave a note explaining that you could have left more had they taken better care of you. 10% and under is a slap in the face of any server.[/quote]

I sorry, I 100% disagree!! Sometimes a stiff is deserved. Can you explain WHY should someone leave 10% if it was REALLY HORRIBLE which the server was very lazy and acted like they could care less about you? I feel if you want my money, WORK FOR IT!!

There are sooo many lazy servers that just bring you anything and don't verify the food for obvious errors BEFORE taking it to you. Have you ever had 5 or more mistakes in one dining experience? My husband and I have had them quite a number of times. Those are the lazy ones that don't care, so we didn't by giving them nothing!!

I find that sometimes I feel I shouldn't have left anything and left at least something, sometimes that was 10%. Looking back, some of those ones I wish I would have just stiffed. Did they really LEARN anything?
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]Which is why it is so incredibly irritating when a server gives fantastic service, is on top of refills, is friendly and courteous and does their best to make sure you have a great experience, and then get less than 15%.[/quote]

I agree, that's why we leave 20% or more if the service is wonderful. If I want good service, I should be willing to pay for it and we do!!
nola_funknola_funkHall of Famer
all i can say is THANK GOD for the ones who leave a little extra to make up for the ones that suck.

it's true, if you suck as a customer, the word gets around the restaurant and you get pointed out as being a bad table and will not get the service you should.

one thing for sure, i do not want to make the person mad who brings me food and drinks.
nola_funknola_funkHall of Famer
btw, i'm a waiter and IF i get a check it's under $10.00. the only thing i have taken out for me is vision insurance ($1.50 wk) and dental insurance. ($6.00 wk) i don't make enough to get regular insurance. i also have to pay in several hundred dollars a year when i do my taxes.

most of the time my check for the week is $0.
M MarianLibrarian2Small Talker
"Can you explain WHY should someone leave 10% if it was REALLY HORRIBLE which the server was very lazy and acted like they could care less about you? I feel if you want my money, WORK FOR IT!!"

Because when you get bad service at the grocery store, the checkout person still gets paid minimum wage. The only reason people think it's ok to stiff servers is because they can slink out of the restaurant without the server knowing they've been stiffed until it's too late. If you're truly concerned about the service, complain to the manager, just as you would in any other business. Stiffing the server doesn't teach them anything except that you're a cheap jerk.
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]. If you're truly concerned about the service, complain to the manager, just as you would in any other business. Stiffing the server doesn't teach them anything except that you're a cheap jerk.[/quote]

I do BOTH, complain to a manager and either leave a bad tip(10% or under) or no tip at all.

It sure DOES teach them that they can't PAY THEIR BILLS OR PAY FOR THINGS THEY DO WANT!!

How can you say it doesn't teach them? If everyone would tip like we do, service would be almost perfect all the time. Because of people like you that think the servers are ALWAYS OWED SOMETHING NO MATTER HOW TERRIBLE they TREAT YOU and also because of the cheap people that don't want to tip properly when they receive good service, that's why service is so bad today.

It's called positive and negative reinforcement. If you slap your hand and it hurts, are you going to keep doing it? My point exactly.
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]Because when you get bad service at the grocery store, the checkout person still gets paid minimum wage.[/quote]

They get still paid through their employer, we don't have to tip you though(unless you are in a large party for example that the tip is added already). Get what I am saying? BY LAW, the store owner has to pay the employee, but BY LAW, a customer doesn't have to tip unless they have automatic gratuity added to their check due to they were in a large party.

The store clerk has no incentive besides keeping their job to do a good job. A server on the other hand has basically their pay and their job, so that should be an incentive, yet, it's not due to the factors I said above(the non/bad tippers that get good service and the ones that tip no matter what bad service they received).

[quote]The only reason people think it's ok to stiff servers is because they can slink out of the restaurant without the server knowing they've been stiffed until it's too late.[/quote]

For those that are cheap, but for those that are stiffing due to how they were treated and what EFFORT(lack their of) their server put into their service, we don't slink out the restaurant. We talk to the managers. We tell them WHY you aren't getting a tip. Maybe next time you won't treat us like our things you hand us isn't important to BRING out as obviously correct as possible. While I will request not to have that person again, the manager may try to improve the service with others as well.
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]If you're truly concerned about the service, complain to the manager, just as you would in any other business. Stiffing the server doesn't teach them anything except that you're a cheap jerk.[/quote]

Some managers don't care. What if the server was a jerk to you, shouldn't you treat them the same way in the tip? I am serious here. You shouldn't deserve a penny even if you aren't going to try your best and be nice. Messing up 5 things or more isn't really trying your best for example.

Most servers serve-n-run. What I am tired of is the servers that bring very obvious things wrong at the table when they know and you can tell they didn't compare their written orders to the food BEFORE bringing it to your table. That is the thing that gets me that they would rather run themselves back and forth instead of checking it real fast in the kitchen.
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]Stiffing the server doesn't teach them anything except that you're a cheap jerk.[/quote][/quote]

When you learn you can't pay your bills, you WILL LEARN from it NOT to continue to do that behavior again as well as getting fussed from your manager for the complaints that were true real complaints that REALLY did happen.

Think about it, if you worked all day, didn't make much tips, think about if you really put your all into your job. If you deserved those bad tips or do you honestly in your heart know you did try your best? If the answer is you know you were lazy, well what do you expect? You have to WORK for your money, it's not a right!!!
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]As I said above, I eat out all the time and I can't even remember the last time I had bad service. I have never had service bad enough where I was tempted to leave no tip or complain to the manager. I find it very surprising that this has happened to you multiple times.[/quote]

I have bad service quite a lot. See, I order my food with many modifications, substitutions, etc. The thing is, the GOOD, CARING servers 98% of the times get it right, but there are more LAZY, UNCARING servers out there than caring, good ones I find.

I am finding so many obvious errors, especially missing condiments. You ask for a side of ranch to be added to an appetizer, your server sometimes brings it to you without the ranch. I don't understand that really, because it's not a lot of food to bring out to really mess up very often, yet, it happens SO OFTEN it's not funny.

We are only in a party of 2 most of the time, yet, something gets forgotten or brought out wrong or obviously prepared/cooked wrong brought to our table a lot of times from OUR server not always another server.

I just had recently a waitress that forgot my lettuce on the side, onions, mayo, and mustard.

I had a waitress recently remember at the table "Oh, yeah, you ordered ranch and salsa", which this was only an appetizer and she didn't apologize either.

It happens so OFTEN, it's unreal. We also have had many overcharges over the years as well.
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]I find it very surprising that this has happened to you multiple times.[/quote]

I am very surprised you don't get bad service. It's a very common thing for us. Servers will bring you the wrong item at times or forget a side dish, etc.

Do you check the prices on your check? I bet you don't. We have had quite a number of wrong prices. For example, the menu states something is a certain price, then the check is a higher price. The server can notice that and have gotten it fixed BEFORE it got to you, but they don't care about your money, they just care about theirs. It's true, it's all about them and their money as well as laziness a lot of times.
M MarianLibrarian2Small Talker
I don't think forgetting to bring a side of ranch is bad service. To me, this would constitute bad service:
Me: "I'm sorry, but you forgot my ranch I asked for."
Server: "Huh? You didn't ask for no ranch."
Me: "I did. Can you please bring it to me."
[Server stomps off muttering under her breath, and returns with the ranch and slams it on the table, splashing it on me.]

Fortunately, nothing like that has ever happened to me. Frankly, if you find yourself frequently leaving low or no tips, you need to do some self-examination. I suspect that the restaurant staff know that you are difficult customer and have warned each other to concentrate on their other patrons, because you are impossible to please. Either that, or you come at them with a bad attitude from the get-go. Maybe I always get good service because I always treat servers with respect, as peers, instead of as my personal slaves.
S Springs1Small Talker
[quote]Me: "I'm sorry, but you forgot my ranch I asked for."[/quote]

I just repeat nicely "I ordered a side of ranch." I am not going to apologize for THEM forgetting it. It's THEM that should be saying they are sorry since THEY messed up, NOT ME!!

[quote]Can you please bring it to me."[/quote]

I don't make it take that long, because I am punishing myself. Telling them I ordered a side of ranch should be THEIR CUE to say they are sorry and go get it. Talking all that time about it is ridiculous and is wasting time for all(her, other customers, and myself).

[quote]I suspect that the restaurant staff know that you are difficult customer and have warned each other to concentrate on their other patrons, because you are impossible to please.[/quote]

NO, because we have been at restaurants out of STATE even and had the same crappy service(forgotten condiments, wrong food, etc.). We had NEVER been to those restaurants before even in that state.

Also, the places we frequent, they know we DO tip well when we get the good service, so NO, I don't think it's that at all.

I think it's laziness.

[quote]Either that, or you come at them with a bad attitude from the get-go.[/quote]

I don't see how when I am nice, asking for things nicely, and saying "thank you" when they bring things?

[quote]Maybe I always get good service because I always treat servers with respect, as peers, instead of as my personal slaves.[/quote]

NO, your opinion on what bad service is, is not MINE. I look at a forgotten side of ranch as points off, you wouldn't if it got fixed immediately, right?
AllyTielAllyTielSmall Talker
When people have very specific orders and extra sauces and special salad requests, I try to write everything down so I don't forget. If I happen to forget a side of ranch for one person with all the the tables Im trying to take care of at the same time, I feel bad about it and apologize and run and get it. I don't know why you "take points off for that." You aren't the only one being waited on. A mistake like that is not intentional, and when the server is sorry and makes it right, you should forgive them and get on with things. Thats really a silly thing to hold against someone who has a million other things going on and they are trying to the best they can. Some servers are lazy and don't care, and that I would " count points off for". But when they make it right when they accidentely mess up, then thats a good server.
AllyTielAllyTielSmall Talker
Servers at buffets also make $2.13 an hour. But they also do not have a table limit like a sit down restaurant. Like say, Crocodile Eds or Olive Garden, where you get a 3 table limit. As a buffet server, you can have many more tables. They also do not give a full dining experience. I still tip 15% at buffets, but I do not believe much higher is necessary. (Unless they have a great attitude) since they make their money from the quantity of tables they have, not from in depth personalized service for each table. (As in a full service sit down restaurant.) I pretty much start at 20% and will go much higher at sit down restaurants when I get great service.
NashBamaNashBamaOld Faithful
[quote] [quote][quote]Me: "I'm sorry, but you forgot my ranch I asked for."[/quote]

I just repeat nicely "I ordered a side of ranch." I am not going to apologize for THEM forgetting it. It's THEM that should be saying they are sorry since THEY messed up, NOT ME!!

[quote]Can you please bring it to me."[/quote]

I don't make it take that long, because I am punishing myself. Telling them I ordered a side of ranch should be THEIR CUE to say they are sorry and go get it. Talking all that time about it is ridiculous and is wasting time for all(her, other customers, and myself).

[quote]I suspect that the restaurant staff know that you are difficult customer and have warned each other to concentrate on their other patrons, because you are impossible to please.[/quote]

NO, because we have been at restaurants out of STATE even and had the same crappy service(forgotten condiments, wrong food, etc.). We had NEVER been to those restaurants before even in that state.

Also, the places we frequent, they know we DO tip well when we get the good service, so NO, I don't think it's that at all.

I think it's laziness.

[quote]Either that, or you come at them with a bad attitude from the get-go.[/quote]

I don't see how when I am nice, asking for things nicely, and saying "thank you" when they bring things?

[quote]Maybe I always get good service because I always treat servers with respect, as peers, instead of as my personal slaves.[/quote]

NO, your opinion on what bad service is, is not MINE. I look at a forgotten side of ranch as points off, you wouldn't if it got fixed immediately, right?[/quote] [/quote]

My guess is that you've never worked as a server. Would I be right?
ZuterZuterHall of Famer
Ally, you've been going on about this for a couple of days now. Either it happened to you once and you can't let things go, or it's happened multiple times to you. If the latter is the case, then maybe you're a bad server that can't see their flaws or the most unlucky server in the Shoals to have gotten all these bad patrons. I don't know which it is. I don't know you. But, I do know (more often than not) tips vary directly with service.
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