Are you a tipper?
By lizardgod
@lizardgod (443)
United States
February 18, 2011 4:44am CST
So I was at this nice eatery last night and our meal was almost seventy bucks for just me and my girlfriend. She is a server herself at another place so we tend to tip our waitresses a little high but we ended up leaving her seventeen which is a little over twenty percent. We feel good about that then happen to notice the other couple across from us left her nothing, no cash, tip on the card slip, nothing. WHO THE HELL DOES THIS??? Is it not common knowledge that server work for less than min wage, sometimes as low as two dollars/hour surviving only on the tips they make. I don't understand how you would not leave a tip, I understand we are strapped for cash but it looks like to me that if you went out to eat you had enough extra cash to go out instead of cook a cheaper and healthier meal at home. Those men and woman do not have to be nice to you, they do not have to show up promptly with food and drinks, they are paid to do it, not do it well or with a smile or with a joke or anything beyond bring it. Think about that, lets say you worked at a wal-mart in the produce department and then one day they said oh by the way you are gonna help poor the foundation for the new expansion, do you think you would get a raise, do you think you would be pissed if they said that the opportunity for you to get any extra money would be up to them whenever they decided to because they were not obligated to give you a raise.
I understand you don't have to tip like a god, or the person who tips so much their server will name the first born child after them, but a few bucks, at the god awful lowest something like ten percent. And if you think about it that really isn't much. Oh and if a server goes out of their way to get you something for free, at least split the difference with them. I have been given a free brownie before that turned out to be eight dollars, so I tipped her and then add four more bucks. it really isn't that big of a deal guys, you will survive i promise and if you won't then you should be there in the first place.
Just my little rant, what about you guys what you think?? Do you tip, if so how much and why...what makes you want to tip more?
10 responses
@zralte (4178)
• India
18 Feb 11
I think it is different in every country, I mean the tipping thing.
In India, it is very common, but not a lot of money, as most are paid normal wages. The tip can range from as low as 10INR to well, how much ever, depending on the person and the place.
However, I do tip about 10% or more regardless of where I go. Some restaurants have a 'No Tipping' policy, in that case, I respect the management's decision.
I understand that in the US, it is the norms that waiters/waitresses rely on the tips as wages for them is not much compared to other profession. And that it is understood by everyone. I think it is appalling if you don't leave a tip. If you have enough money to eat in a restaurant, you can certainly spare a few dollars for the person that serves you.
@lizardgod (443)
• United States
18 Feb 11
I have started to wonder if over here in the US it just isn't known like I thought it was how these girls (some men too) are paid. Appalling. Well the MyLot community gets cooler and cooler as I realize that most of the people here are very nice people.
@zralte (4178)
• India
18 Feb 11
That is certainly surprising. I thought everyone in the US is aware of the tipping policy. As in I have always assumed that everybody in US understood that.
I have seen lots of people in India not too aware of it. But then it is not in the culture. So I understand, in a way. But there are always people who are too cheap, not because they are not aware of it, simply cheap.
@raviteja_ravi84 (2620)
• India
18 Feb 11
Wow this story made me all sentimental now...
!
I am kinda rich a little not at all exaggerating here. But i never knew how it is to work in a restaurant or some place like which you mentioned now or i might never know that also. I used to give tips before but they were in small amounts actually. And i think you have a very large heart.
For me i would tip if i liked the food extremely well or if i go to my regular place then i would tip the guy well. I like one guy called Rahul in a restaurant called Masala. He would make the food too good man i would feel like i am on heaven. I love the way he takes care of us and i always tip him high.
Now after listening to your story i promise to tip whomever how much i can!
Cheers!
!
I am kinda rich a little not at all exaggerating here. But i never knew how it is to work in a restaurant or some place like which you mentioned now or i might never know that also. I used to give tips before but they were in small amounts actually. And i think you have a very large heart.
For me i would tip if i liked the food extremely well or if i go to my regular place then i would tip the guy well. I like one guy called Rahul in a restaurant called Masala. He would make the food too good man i would feel like i am on heaven. I love the way he takes care of us and i always tip him high.
Now after listening to your story i promise to tip whomever how much i can!
Cheers!
@lizardgod (443)
• United States
18 Feb 11
Hey man I kinda hope that is all true. This is what I figured is that many people don't realize that most of the waiters and waitresses are paid less than half minimum wage. Maybe it was worth the time to write this up more than just to rant a little at the state of things but now it seems that I might even to be able to bring this to light for some.
Thanks man.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
18 Feb 11
Servers have a difficult time of it, I realize. I usually leave a tip at whatever is considered the appropriate rate. Just seems like that rate is getting larger and larger. I haven't been out to a restaurant in over a year. I've had to make do with making my own meals.
@lizardgod (443)
• United States
18 Feb 11
yeah that is true. A few years ago I think the suggested amount was like fifteen percent and now they usually suggest eighteen percent now. I understand with times rough a lot of people are eating at home where it is cheaper, I just really believe that if you have the money to eat out, you have the couple bucks to pay for being served. Just my thoughts.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
18 Feb 11
My husband is a big tipper, he tends to tip more than 20 percent usually. I didn't used to tip back when I was my home country because it wasn't necessary, not like we are supposed to tip whatever percentage of the bill.
And since I come to this country, I kind of just follow the cultur and tip when I eat at the restaurant. It just seems like no matter how the service it is at the restaurant, you just have to tip. Sometimes I feel why do I have to tip for this awful service... but I still do anyway...
@pmccarthy1 (32)
• United States
19 Feb 11
I used to be a server and I believe you have to work for your money. If the service is poor and my experience is foul because of it, the tip will reflect that. However, regardless of what service I get or how bad it is, there is no way I would leave nothing. I, from experience, know that the timeliness or service is not always solely the problem of the server. I will always tip at a minimum 15% for poor service and that only increases the better the service is. People that stiff are people who have no compassion for people working with the public. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
18 Feb 11
I tip when I go out, but I am very cash-strapped so tipping a buck is about what I give. However, my order is rarely over a few bucks anyway. If I order something that is 5 bucks or more, I give about two dollars because I am rich that day. lolol.
A lot of the servers do not charge me for coffee, but I leave enough for coffee and a dollar tip for them. If they charged me for the coffee I would have to pay for it anyway, so I just leave it on the table when I leave. If they choose to write up a slip and put the proper amount in the till, they still have made a dollar. Not much I know, and I do wish I could afford to tip more.
Last year, I had some extra money and took a friend to Red Lobster for a birthday celebration. We had the most expensive thing on the menu, plus a few drinks was eighty dollars, and I left the waitress 20. Then I thought after I left, she probably makes out really good there and I should have given her a small tip and given the other tip money to the waitresses that usually wait on me in the places I frequent.
To order such an expensive meal and not leave a tip is more than downright rude. If the server happened to have gotten stiffed on a couple of meals that day, she may have to pay money back to the restaurant for taxes. I had to when I waited tables. I was a horrible waitress and was lucky to walk out with 10 dollars I could call my own, and it was rare. I am pleasant, friendly and refill coffee but I forgot a lot of other things the people ordered..........
so they did not tip me.
so they did not tip me. 
@alindobre (148)
• Romania
18 Feb 11
I usually tip something between 5-10%. But there are many people who don't. I think it is not an easy job to work as a waiter and salaries are pretty low. So if the person is being nice and I feel ok, why not leave a tip?
@Cherish14 (2693)
• Philippines
18 Feb 11
hi there :) i give tips too sometimes especially when i am satisfied and have some extra cash. but whenever i am not satisfied, no no no. hehe :)
@sais06 (1284)
• Philippines
18 Feb 11
Yes I give tip and it depends on how I'm satisfied with the service.
I do this especially if I'm a regular customer so that every time I will enter that store or shop or restaurant then they will be able to give me a good service.
I also understand them because I've experienced financial struggles and I hope in one way or another I'll be able to share what I have and help them.
