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I have never been a server. I have been out to eat on more than one occasion with a group of 5 or more and the server was amazing kept drinks refilled came to the table so many times to make sure that everything was ok and when it came time for the check the ones paying dropped two dollars on the table. My fiancee and I ended up waiting until our group walked away and threw more money down. I don't understand how people can receive great service and leave such a horrible tip. I understand horrible service horrible tip. But they would leave the same tip regardless of great service or not. They even commented on how good the server was. I am curious as to why people don't leave better tips for good servers. I understand the bad ones no explanation is really necessary. Is it a power thing? Or do the low tippers/no tippers feel like someone else will give them a good tip? I'm just looking for an honest answer from the people that receive great service and leave no tip or a low tip. To all the service industry workers out there Thank-you but I will not be trying to take your job from you. There are people like me and others on this forum that recognize what you do and appreciate it.
The kids who work at Sonic in no way have the responsibilities that a server at a sit down restaurant has. They bring your food, and are gone in seconds. Servers are with you for at least an hour in most cases, taking orders, bussing the table, filling drinks, bringing extra condiments, making the salads, bringing the food, and closing the check among other things. Carhops at Sonic make at least $7.25 an hour. Servers make $2.13 an hour and they live off tips. Not so for Sonic workers to my knowledge. Today I went to Sonic and did leave $1 for my food. I usually always leave $1, but am not real strict on percentages for them. Obviously in a sit down restaurant, the check will be much higher. Went to a Japanese Steak house the other night. Check was $30, left $7.
Posted by Jennybean"I have never been a server. I have been out to eat on more than one occasion with a group of 5 or more and the server was amazing kept drinks refilled came to the table so many times to make sure that everything was ok and when it came time for the check the ones paying dropped two dollars on the table. My fiancee and I ended up waiting until our group walked away and threw more money down. I don't understand how people can receive great service and leave such a horrible tip. I understand horrible service horrible tip. But they would leave the same tip regardless of great service or not. They even commented on how good the server was. I am curious as to why people don't leave better tips for good servers."

Jenny, they may have thought that $2.00 each from a table of 5 added up to a good tip of $10.00. (I would have left more than $2.00 for the great service too.)
Oh, sorry I misunderstood Jenny. Only $2.00 for the entire group?? Okay,that's just not right. For HORRIBLE service, maybe, but not for great service. There's no excuse for that. I could hope and say maybe they added the tip to their credit or debit card total if they used them, but maybe not, especially if they are older and don't use a card. I never carry cash and use my debit card, and add the tip to the total charged to the card.
Here's a tip, find another job. Here's the definition of tip for you: "Optional payment given in addition to a required payment, usually to express appreciation for excellent service"

Notice the OPTIONAL part. I have no problem tipping, but when someone thinks just because they are working they deserve one that gives me no incentive. You get tipped based on your service. If you are a good server I have no problem giving a good tip; bad server I have no problem leaving nothing at all.

If you think you are entitled to a tip you have it completely wrong. It is completely up to the person. I find it very rude and plain ignorant that the OP says "If you cannot afford a tip, do NOT go out to eat". You are the exact person I would have no problem leaving no tip to because of your arrogant attitude. It's none of your business where someone does and doesn't choose to eat. It's within their complete right to not tip you and you have no place to judge them.

Either get a different job or shut up. Maybe if people refused to work under those conditions then the minimum wage for servers would go up and/or the restaurants would offer higher pay. Instead of protesting or forming some type of "waiters(tress) union" you come on here to complain about the very people keeping the restaurant open.
Chamber, don't hold back, man. Big Grin
On a serious note, I don't think the OP meant that everyone deserve a big tip even if the service was lacking. I just think she wants people to mentally add the tip into what they think they're going to spend and make sure they don't order that extra drink if it means they won't have enough money left to leave that full tip.
As most of you know earthmomma heard what Columbus said when he first saw land! I often travel alone in Europe and in the larger US cities. My rules for tipping well: Do not say "Just one" in a "you bag lady tone of voice". Do not seat me way in the back by the coke boxes or the kitchen. I will ask to be moved anyway. The waitress should never act as if I am imposing on her for being there. I carry four major credit cards with good limits and a zero balance. I will pay with American Express (charges restaurant more) if I am displeased. If I am treated decently I will pay cash with a generous tip. Oh, I forgot, if you are ofering the table next to me refills, offer me one too! I have been known to lay down a two dollar tip for the water,etc. before I order and walk out. This includes the Bronzeback in the Marriot. How do you think I lived so long if I did not eat? Most of the European restaurants get the cash and generous tip! The Tribeca Grill and a tiny French
restaurant in NYC are tops for the cash payment!Oh, I forgot to point out that two appetizers or other small plate combos usually add up to more than one entree! Local servers might keep all this in mind! The Sweet Magnolia is tops in graciousness locally! Obviously, I have not lost my memory when it comes to food situations! LOL!
"Here's a tip, find another job. Here's the definition of tip for you: "Optional payment given in addition to a required payment, usually to express appreciation for excellent service....[blah, blah, nonsensical screed]...

Either get a different job or shut up. Maybe if people refused to work under those conditions then the minimum wage for servers would go up and/or the restaurants would offer higher pay. Instead of protesting or forming some type of "waiters(tress) union" you come on here to complain about the very people keeping the restaurant open."

Lol...guess who's outed themselves as a non-tipping redneck. I love it when those southern stereotypes come alive, as when you disagree with someone and instead of using a rational argument, you resort to telling them to shut up. Well done, Bubba.
pOSTED BY SAVING:Canade.."The people who got the bill for you probably expected everyone to leave a tip. If I go eat with my dad and he gets the whole bill I will still give my part of the tip."

Huh? Not sure what you are referring to. You may have me confused with JennyBean who posted about a big group leaving only $2 for the whole table for great service.
If I at dinner and someone does pay for mine, I also leave a tip.
Oops! Canade... sorry about that. Judging from your previous posts I would say that you are an excellent tipper. I would say that I am above average ..but I am practical. If I get lousy service I am not so generous. My husband though will tip very well if the service is lousy or great. LOL Sometimes he has left a $20 tip on a $20 meal. And thinks if he only leaves $5 on a $25 meal he will insult the server. One day last week we went out and the service was terrible. Our food came to about $20. He wanted to leave $5 and I talked him down to $3. I told him, "If you leave an above average tip for lousy service.. how will the server know that they need to improve?" LOL
Last edited by savinforarainyday
Savin, I understand the whole don't leave a good tip for bad service. BUT here in Alabama, so many people are just plain ignorant and stingy that a 3 on $20 is not uncommon, even for top of the line service. With that $3 on 20, I would suggest leaving a note saying you would have left more if the service had been worth it. Otherwise that bad server (maybe even without realizing how bad their service might have been) might just assume you are another ignorant alabamian. Sad but true... :P
[quote]Savin, I understand the whole don't leave a good tip for bad service. BUT here in Alabama, so many people are just plain ignorant and stingy that a 3 on $20 is not uncommon, even for top of the line service. With that $3 on 20, I would suggest leaving a note saying you would have left more if the service had been worth it. Otherwise that bad server (maybe even without realizing how bad their service might have been) might just assume you are another ignorant alabamian. Sad but true... :P[/quote]

This reminded me of something that happened years ago and it made me smile. An elderly family member once took me to lunch. It was his treat and he was so happy to do it. When the time came to leave a tip he put down $1.00. I reached into my purse and pulled out $2.00. As we walked outside he handed me back my money that he had unbeknownst to me picked up from the table. He said that it was his treat and he didn't want me to spend any money on his treat. LOL I didn't know what to say except "Thanks". We had left a $1.00 tip for 2 people on at least a $20.00 check.
Now if that ain't funny...your funny bone is broken! Of course that is one of those things that isn't so funny at the time but ripens with age.
[quote]]Savin, I understand the whole don't leave a good tip for bad service. BUT here in Alabama, so many people are just plain ignorant and stingy that a 3 on $20 is not uncommon, even for top of the line service. With that $3 on 20, I would suggest leaving a note saying you would have left more if the service had been worth it. Otherwise that bad server (maybe even without realizing how bad their service might have been) might just assume you are another ignorant alabamian. Sad but true... :P[/quote][/quote]

Yes, $3.00 on a $20.00 tab is correct. Also, almost all restaurants add the tip for parties of 8 or more to the ticket. Sometimes people don't realize that and leave a tip on the table. We eat in large groups about once a month and I've seen this happen. I notice that when it does the waitress doesn't return/refuse the "double tip" even though they see it on the table before our group leaves. Will any waitress/waiter posting on here deny that happens?
I have been a waiter until this semester. The large "groups" Jennifer is referring to I hope aren't the church crowd, these are the absolute pits when it comes to gratitude for service and tipping. I became a busboy while still in high school at a popular chain restaurant and nobody wanted to work on "church" nights. These are the most whiney, cheapest people in the world. Fortunately, I got the waiter position at a more upscale restaurant where we have frequent out of town guests and very few of the Sunday crowd, at least not in groups. What kind of establishment do you people go to for a $20.00 complete dinner meal or is this lunch? As for giving back a tip, why should a wait person? Why should anyone for that matter? When you go to a sit down restaurant, well other than catfish, if you can't leave a 20% tip, go to Mickey D's, that's where you belong,
Eat at home. Enjoy exactly what you want and all you want. If you enjy the meal, tip yourself with a generous tip. You will be surprised how much money you have at the end of the month. I do not like whiney stingy low tippers. On the other hand,, I am getting tired of whiney give me some more money wait people. Rocky ends his tirade with an insult. If I could idntify him when eating out, I would ask to be moved from his wait area. Demos gets a 25% tip from me . Courteous helps!
Uh no rocky, it's not a church crowd. And we're far from being cheap. Because when they realize the tip was added on to the ticket I have never seen them go back to the table and pick up their money. And like I said, there has never been a case of the server returning the "double tip". The church crowd? Oh sheesh, I worked at Shoney's when I was younger, we had a church crowd that would bring food with them, then dicker over prices of food because they had brought their own salads, tomatoes etc. and felt like they should get a discount since the "salad bar was included" in the price of the meal, and they weren't taking anything from it. One woman said she didn't eat whipped cream so could I take a little bit off the price of the pie since it would be left off. When told we couldn't do that she ask for the whipped cream "on the side" and I guess one of the others ate it. Now if you have worked in a restaurant you know those stories are true, and I have lots more. I don't really run into a lot of bad service from servers. It happens but there is usually a reason.
Demo's absolutely has the best wait staff in the Shoals area. Must be the training and respect for the customer's happiness. I ALWAYS tip better there than most anywhere else and I am pretty much a straight 20% tipper. At Demo's I always tip on the full menu price when they have specials they are that good!
The last time I went to Demo's, I was affected with a food allergy from something I ate. Before I left I started itching bad and withing 30 minutes started breaking out in hives all over my body. I took a Benedryl and was over it within 2 hours.
I never did inform the management about it though I should have so we could determine what it was. What I ate was Blackened catfish, Salad with their Greek dressing, red beans and rice and the rolls. I think it might have been the oil they used in the bread or something in the beans and rice?

It is true their service is tops!
Probably a Greek spice or possible MSG in something. Companies(not Demos)break up the MSG into its components,list them, and you do not know you're getting MSG. It, unfortunately, is legal! I used to wonder why I was "knocked out" after I ate Walmarts's chicken fingers. Mystery solved with this info. The blackened spice could also be the culprit.
You should call them, Gus, and find out every ingredient in the food you ate that day. The next time you eat whatever it is, your allergic reaction might be worse, as a matter of fact, it probably will be. And if the "hives" end up in your throat, you might just possibly stop breathing. Please don't take a chance. Find out what the ingredients are, then check on the internet, or with your doctor, to find out which ones can cause this type of reaction. Please, do it for the people who care about you!
We ate at Applebee's yesterday b/c of the free Veteran's meals (thanks for that by the way my dad really appreciated the recognition). I had not eaten there in quite a while b/c the service before had been not so great. The waitress we had yesterday was so sweet and attentive. She definately changed my opinion of the Florence Applebees. Also, my husband worked in the local restaurant business as a manager for over 10 years. We ALWAYS leave a tip and he is a VERY good tipper. We usually get really good service b/c he's pretty well know by servers in this area that have worked with/for him before. Two things that ALWAYS lower a servers tip from him are: 1) The server blames the kitchen for every error in the order - He says even if the kitchen staff is screwing up that your customer doesn't want to hear you play the blame game. He says that if a server will say "I'm sorry this happened let me fix this for you" that's all he's looking for. 2)If he orders a salad with his meal and it arrives very close to the time the entree does.(One trip to Texas Roadhouse his salad came AFTER the entree) - He and I having both been servers and managers know that this is unacceptable.

We have found that since having kids we like tip higher for a server paying attention to our kids and interact with them. I was shocked that some servers act like small children aren't there at all. We had another really great server at Logan's in Tupelo last weekend. She was very good with our two-year-old son and even encouraged him to eat when she saw that he was getting distracted by some jerk at a table behind us that was throwing peanuts at him (really sad when a 2-year-old has better manners than a 50-year-old man).

Waiting tables is not an easy job. I've always said that everyone should have to wait tables during a weekend rush and work retail at store opening on Black Friday. It would change the way you look at the public and people working in those jobs forever.
I ate at Stanfields the other night. I haven't been there in a while and they have had some changes. There were probably 4 servers up front shooting the crap not doing anything while one girl(who I recognized, all the rest were new) was doing all the cleaning. There weren't a lot of customers in there but the ones there weren't getting waited on. The other servers would just walk by and not do anything. After watching another person's tea be empty for about 10 minutes, it got filled by the girl. She was busy and I could understand that but all the others not doing anything could have filled it. And to top it all, they now have printed off checks that have the tip already figured on it at 18 and 20%. From what I saw during my visit and the check already having that figured on it, I will not return. I feel a tip is something earned and not something figured on your check to go ahead and pay because it's there.

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