Do people know how to tip a server and why they should?

What i can say is that it all depends on the quality of service the server is giving to me. I dont really care which establishment i am, as long as the server is nice then i will give tip. I've been to many restaurants and some are really scary servers. How can I give tip to somebody who doesnt even smile to to somebody who ignores me. The quality of service for me is a big factor for this tipping subject.

I used to be a waitress while in college so I know what it's like to get stiffed for working my butt off. I hated people who left pennies too. I always try to tip as much as I feel is fit. Sometimes this is 20% or more. Though there are also times when I don't feel like a server deserves a tip at all. If you're rude or lazy it's not my responsibility to make sure that you get paid. Like any job you get paid for doing the job well. If you're talking to your friends or co-workers instead of filling my drink or while my food is getting cold ... forget it! Also just as a tip to get more tips ... talk to my kids and tell me they're cute! I'm a sucker for that!

It annoys me that people expect to receive a tip. They choose to work in the place and accept the wages they get. Nobody HAS to tip anyone and all these waiting staff should get it out of their head that they deserve it. I have worked as a waitress and I never expected it.

Here in the Philippines, we do not necessarily give tips to the server. It is not really in our culture. But if it is in our culture, I will surely gave a fair tip to the server. As a Filipino, it is our pleasure to serve people. We do not need any tip.

Absolutely agree with the tip thing. I grew up in Vegas so maybe that's why it's prevalent to me. Personally I'm a 30 percenter as far as restaurant servers. If the service is lacking I'll still throw down 20%. I'm a regular at many establishments so the next time they'll be on their toes. Could just be having a bad day. Tip everyone from the computer tech to the cable guy. My husband thinks I'm ridiculous. I figure hey - if the work was executed in an efficient manner that makes my day that much easier.

I have this cool phone program that tells me how much i should tip basedc on the total cost of the food. pretty cool, huh?

I've never been a waiter but I used to deliver pizza, and I agree. A tip is deserved. And when your pizza is late, you have to realize that most of the time that isn't the drivers fault. I always tip my servers and drivers well, because they are allowed to pay them less than minimum wage here. My brother's fiance is a waitress and she makes $3.50/hr. Luckily she's good at it so she averages about $8.50/hr after tips. But other girls who aren't as good aren't as lucky.

Hi! I agree. Also, many of these servers work for less than minimum wage because they get tips, or at least they do in my area. I even tip the servers at places like Sonic where they actually have to bring the food out of the building and to your car. Tipping is important, everyone has to make a living, and these people have to work extra hard! :-)

I'm a waitress, and unless the server is completely rude or never around, i'm an awesome tip. i always overtip. I've been lucky, though, I usually get great service.

i agree that it is wrong to not leave a tip. the only time i wouldn't leave one is when the waiter is being rude, then they don't deserve it.

I don't think there is anything wrong with tipping. I do however think it's silly that it is expected or people who tell other people to do the tipping. I'll tell you why I feel that way. Why should I give people money for doing their job? I know people say they get paid low and the tips are suppose to make up the difference. Why should I have to make up the difference for it though? Lets do some simple math. One waiter can help lets say 5 tables in one hour. That's bring drinks and food and making sure everything is OK. If the person gets paid $3.50 an hour and each table elaves $2 that's a total of $13.50 an hour for just bring food and drinks. That's better then what I was getting paid as a farmer. Who actually provided the food for the table that you sat at. So when should I be expecting my tip from you guys to make up the differencce? I know not everyone leaves a tip and that was just an example. There is also the other argument that if they don't like the pay, go get another job. I know that's easyier said then done but it is an option. If they like serving people,then they could get a job ata fast food place. My ex made $11.50 an hour working at Burger King (if I remember right). She was a night manager but she still got min wage when she started out at counter. Here is another one. What about places that say "We have added 15% gratuity". They are forcing you to leave a tip even if the service is terriable. So what about places liek that? Like I said, I'm not opposed to leaving a tip. I usally do except at buffets, because all the people do there is bring you drinks and take you plates (sometimes). I (we) do tip if we know the person or they were exceptionaly good. I just hate the whinning about it.

I always leave tips, except when the service isn't good. Like if I ask him for a glass of water, and he only brings it 20 minutes later, or if I don't get the food I ordered, and he insists that's what I DID order. In those situations, i'll diminish my tip or leave none at all.

My husband and I always leave a good tip if the service is good. We both work two jobs, his second job is pizza delivery and tips are your life. Especially when you are spending gas money like mad for your job. I've also waitressed, and in most places, they only give you the state minimum for servers for a wage, which is around $2hr! We try to show the love if someone is working hard to make our meal out a nice one. We usually give around 20% or $5 whichever is higher. We always give $1 when we get a coffee from Starbucks as well. :O)

Yup, it totally depends of the service. I hardly tip, unless I receive good service. Meaning, the server greets me nicely, is honestly showing they care about my business, will check on me reguraly, and ensure I have all the right things I need. I don't understand why people tip for poor service. Even if it is 5% of the bill! A tip means "well done, you did a great job." Tipping will encourage the server to continue to provide that level of service, regardless if it is great or bad.

Ordinarily we don't tip in Australia for table service. The whole process of tipping is a cop out for the employer who should be paying his employees a decent living wage. It is insulting to the customer to be expected to tip for what is normal service. You yanks started this stupid custom its up to you to abandon it

I have a question for you KBKBOOKS. Why is your anger not directed at the stingy employers who pay minimum wage and below to hard working food establishment people? Why is your anger directed toward customers who have every right to expect top quality service every time they go into a restaurant to dine? There is evidence that tipping started as far back as the Roman Empire. The acronym TIP, To Insure Promptitude, became common in the coffeehouses of 16th century England. I think TIPS should remain an act of kindness in a world that has become too fast and rude. I put great value on service. My tips are always commensurate with the quality of the service. As Boxer George Foreman, says, “You don’t want to make me mad.” I should add that quality of service includes attitude. The server who is courteous, prompt attentive and doesn’t forget little things that I ask for like extra lemon for my tea will score bigger tips every time.

i agree, some give tips from their loose change. it's a good thing that there are food establishments here that automatically add a service charge equivalent to 10% of the amount of the food that was ordered.

When I do tip I tip for service, if I dont get it I wont tip the maximum of 15%. to me servce is where they are continually checking on us meaning have we got everything do we need I drinks filled asking if every thing is fine. If I dont get the service I expect I dont tip for shi t but they do get a little

If the service was good, i'll give 10%. if the service was exceptional, i'll give 10% and my phone number ;), 'cause if someone can make *me* think it's exceptional, they probably have their eye on me. if the service is not good at all, there's no tip at all. base salary for carrying food to people and getting the orders right is fine how it is. higher salary should naturally be a result of higher education and more ambitious drive in a person, not looking for handouts like a homeless person. none of us are homeless, because we work hard at not being on the bottom (or for some of you, because you're still living with parents).

I am a waitress in Indiana and I am paid $2.13 an hour plus my tips. It's not a classy place, just a little pub. I am polite and courtious, even when the customer is rude, or impatient. I'm very professional, but I have an outgoing personality. The other day...I was waiting on this couple who ordered the dinner special, and a steak...well a steak takes much longer to cook than the special, and the woman became very impatient, and got very snippity with me when I delivered the food...Her bill was almost $40 after drinks and everything, they left me $2.00. I'm thankful for that money, however...I ran my butt off for you and then put up with her yelling at me for her old man ordering steak...and I deserved more than $2.00...sometimes it's more of an insult to leave just a little than nothing at all...