Waiting Tables

[Scott]

Just curious who else waits tables here. I do, I work at Outback Steakhouse in Tyler, TX. I enjoy meeting the new people but hate it when I give good service and end up getting no tip, just another reason why there should be an automatic 15% gratuity, IMO.

[ODogg]

Re: Waiting Tables

Just curious who else waits tables here. I do, I work at Outback Steakhouse in Tyler, TX. I enjoy meeting the new people but hate it when I give good service and end up getting no tip, just another reason why there should be an automatic 15% gratuity, IMO.

I don't think there should be any automatic gratuities as the whole idea behind a gratuity is that it's a customers way of measuring service and responding appropriately. If you give good or great service and the guy tips you zero I agree that really sucks but for there are also people like me who if you give good or great service that I tip 20-25%.

Also for those people who you bust your hump for and they give you zero when/if they come back I"m sure you'll remember them and be less inclined to bust your hump giving them good service again. That's the best reason as a customer to tip at least 15% unless something is wrong. And when I tip at my regular restaurants 20-25% then the next time I come back the servers know me to be a big tipper and will give me great service, at least in theory anyways. I remember working at a restaurant and the waiters/waitresses saying "Oh I gotta keep on table 5 real hard because that guy's a big tipper".

Anyways, probably one big reason too I tip well is I have worked in jobs that depend on tips. But I'll tell you one thing, if service is poor then I tip nothing. It's very, very, very rare I ever do that though because I take into consideration how busy the restaurant is, how hard the server is trying, even how apologetic they are if they're doing poorly. If someone is coming to my table once in 30 minutes and just doesn't seem to care, then they will get nada from me and I don't feel bad about doing it either.

[fishepa]

Re: Waiting Tables

If there was an automatic 15% tip, the waiter/waitresses would not have any incentive to provide good service. I think that is a horrible idea.

[Scottdau]

Re: Waiting Tables

Just curious who else waits tables here. I do, I work at Outback Steakhouse in Tyler, TX. I enjoy meeting the new people but hate it when I give good service and end up getting no tip, just another reason why there should be an automatic 15% gratuity, IMO.

Yeah I agree, especially if you are giving good service. I always give a 20% tip even if the service is bad. I just figure they are having a bad, so I understand that. Any ways my friend works at Outback too and he said the same things about the tips.

[Scottdau]

Re: Waiting Tables

If there was an automatic 15% tip, the waiter/waitresses would not have any incentive to provide good service. I think that is a horrible idea.

Yeah that is a good point too. lol

[Scott]

Re: Waiting Tables

That is true, but there are some restaurants that do automatic grat. I know for one, I probably wouldn't work as hard if I was guarenteed tips.

[ODogg]

Re: Waiting Tables

That is true, but there are some restaurants that do automatic grat. I know for one, I probably wouldn't work as hard if I was guarenteed tips.

Those are ones that once I find out they are that way I refuse to go back to. It's a really dumb idea.

[Scott]

Re: Waiting Tables

What I don't like is when a customer has the perspective that, they should give me great service it's their job, I shouldn't have to tip them.

[ODogg]

Re: Waiting Tables

What I don't like is when a customer has the perspective that, they should give me great service it's their job, I shouldn't have to tip them.

Having an all or nothing attitude like that is definitely stupid. If they give you just good service you could still tip 10% for example. There's nothing written that says, either it's great & 15% tip or not-great and 0% tip. That is def. ********.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: Waiting Tables

What I don't like is when a customer has the perspective that, they should give me great service it's their job, I shouldn't have to tip them.

But it is your job. You're in the service industry. I think it totally sucks if you serve someone well and they don't tip or tip very little. As difficult as it is, you can't let that bother you. For every turd cheap *** out there that doesn't tip there is someone like ODogg or me that tips 20% or more if someone gives me great service. You can't let a bad customer change your attitude, or you in general, because it gives that customer too much power AND you risk turning off your next customer, which might be a great tipper.

[Scott]

Re: Waiting Tables

I agree with you there. It's something that you can't let get to you or else you'll ruin the rest of your night. It's good theres still some people who appreciate that this is how we make our money.

[MassNole]

Re: Waiting Tables

Tipping in itself is ridiculous, customers already buy food we shouldn't be paying the staff as well.

And at that a 15% automatic gratuity is the worst idea I have ever seen. In this country our waiters are horrible for the most part as it is, no way they should be compensated on a 15% rate of the food purchased.

[Scott]

Re: Waiting Tables

you do realize that waiters/waitresses get paid $2.13 in most states don't you? That's $17.04 for an 8 hour shift, compared to $41.20 getting paid $5.15 (The minimum wage in TX)...

[MassNole]

Re: Waiting Tables

you do realize that waiters/waitresses get paid $2.13 in most states don't you? That's $17.04 for an 8 hour shift, compared to $41.20 getting paid $5.15 (The minimum wage in TX)...

Yeah, and that is only because restaurants get their way and force customers to supplement their income because they are cheap. I also know if you don't make the equivalent of minimum wage for the pay period the restaurant needs to kick in. It is a ridiculous premise to ask the customer to pay any more of the staff's help than the cost of the meal itself. Why should I feel obligated to pay extra because I got good service, I should be able to assume that will be the norm going in. We should have a society closer to England, where tips are derrogatory.

[Brandwin]

Re: Waiting Tables

you do realize that waiters/waitresses get paid $2.13 in most states don't you? That's $17.04 for an 8 hour shift, compared to $41.20 getting paid $5.15 (The minimum wage in TX)...

Then why not go work at McDonalds where you would make more then complain about not getting tiped? I only tip if I feel its needed. Ill never ever tip just because.