Interesting article about tipping

NormsKid · Aug 20, 2007

btodde said:

Klaw said:

Another problem with leaving no tip or a very small tip is that sometimes the bad service is not the fault of the server.

There may have been problems in the kitchen, less than adequate number of servers on duty or a host of other problems which are not the fault of the server.
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I still think that reflects the over all service. If the kitchen is doing horrible and your meal isn't out for 40 minutes, I am P#$%@ off. Maybe wrong, but when you get upset with a restaurant, people tend to blame it on the direct line... Which is the server.

If the server has too many tables and my drink sits empty for 15-20 minutes, I am not tipping good. The server maybe the best server in the world, but if the over service is terrible due to the restaraunts negligence, my tip will reflect that.

I never been a server so I really don't know how it all works, but if I am upset, tip is low. Does this make me a terrible person?

What about going to buffets? What is the tip rules on those? When all they do is basically bring you a drink or 2.
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You are NOT a horrible person.....you fall into the normal catagory.

If you are at a buffet, then you have to look at those things that the server could do to enhance your experience. At one of my local places, the staff, seat me away from families with kids, (I'm single and dine often solo) they automatically ask me what I want to drink, they bring my drink right away, they monitor my food plate and when one is full, they remove it., If someone drops some food on the floor, they get it up right away, when one of the kids sticks his/her fingers into a dish, they remove the entire dish and reprimand the parents right away, They do everything within their power to ensure that I have a positive experience at their place.

If they go above and beyond the call of duty like this, I tip them to reflect my appreciation for their extra effort. If they just do their job, they shouldn't expect 20% just cause I'm from the USA. I'm not quite that gullible....

Michelle

urefinneJ · Aug 20, 2007

NormsKid said:

If there are problems in the kitchen, then the server should let me know that the kitchen is running a bit slow due to "whatever" so that I can then decide whether or not to order something that takes time to fix or to just order something simple like soup and salad.

If the restaurant is short on staff due to call offs, I should be told that they are short and things are a bit slower than normal.

Whatever is going on that isn't relayed to me, yet directly affects me, I blame directly on the server. All she has to do is open her mouth and speak up.

In my mind, I really don't care what the person makes hourly. If their hourly rate sucks, it just means that they better work their tail off for the best tips possible.

Michelle
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VERY well said.

carrie77 · Aug 21, 2007

NormsKid said:

I have absolutely NO problems with leaving no tip or a teeny weeny tip if the service was horrible. In my mind there is NO excuse for horrible service. It doesn't take much to offer mediocre service. But to let the service drop to the level of horrible is just unacceptable.

If there are problems in the kitchen, then the server should let me know that the kitchen is running a bit slow due to "whatever" so that I can then decide whether or not to order something that takes time to fix or to just order something simple like soup and salad.

If the bartender is new and slow as molasses, I should be told something so I know not to order a drink that requires alot of time to make and I can just ask for a beer or something simple.

If the restaurant is short on staff due to call offs, I should be told that they are short and things are a bit slower than normal.

Whatever is going on that isn't relayed to me, yet directly affects me, I blame directly on the server. All she has to do is open her mouth and speak up.

It's no different than being at the airport and the plane needs mechanical work. If I'm told whats wrong and how long it should take to fix, I can plan accordingly. That might mean changing my flight; going to the bar for a drink; making arraingements to stay overnight.....whatever. But to not tell me anything until the expected boarding time that we won't be boarding is just WRONG! An yes, I then blame the gate agents who knew what was going on all along and chose to keep the information to themselves because they didn't want to deal with angry customers any longer than absolutely necessary.

In my mind, I really don't care what the person makes hourly. If their hourly rate sucks, it just means that they better work their tail off for the best tips possible. I tip 20% just for average service and the tip can go up or down depending entirely on how the service throughout the meal is. If the service exceeds my expectations, the tip will increase in lock step proportion. If the service doesn't meet my expectations, the tip won't meet the servers expectations.

Bottom line for me....I don't feel obligated or duty bound to tip a certain amount just cause someone has a crappy hourly rate.

Michelle
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Exactly! You're correct that a server is obligated to keep the customer in the know about what's going on. I do those things, and even if it's not busy and a customer orders something that requires a long cook time I will let them know and leave it up to them if they still want that item. I was not at all complaining about my hourly, please don't take it that way. Like it has been stated, tips should absolutely reflect your service. Absolutely. There is no excuse for poor service. Just treat others how you would want to be treated if you were the customer and that's it. That's the key to customer service as a whole... how hard is that?

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Interesting article about tipping

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