I'm glad you pointed that out. I make more money than most people I work with- I don't introduce myself nor do I "pitch" items off of the menu. I say hello, and I ask you what you want, and answer any questions you may have. It's that simple.I know it's an American thing, but I don't see why waiters should be paid on a different system to the rest of the staff. I've never really felt the service I had from a waiter made any real difference to my meal. I get my food when it's ready, and if the waiter doesn't feel like introducing himself and making pleasant conversation in an attempt to get a bit of extra money from me, then all the better. I'd much rather have a 50% less gregarious server than a 30% more expensive meal.
If the service or the food is exceptional I'll leave a tip, but I don't like the feeling that a waiter is getting all shirty about me and spreading his anger over the internet because his boss is too stingy to pay him properly, and if I knew about it, I'd boycott the restaurant.
Like I say, it's sort of understandable if it's the norm in the US, but I'm really glad it doesn't work that way in most of Europe.
jimmyjammer69
Vapor115's forum posts
It's an archaic custom that has only been reinforced by many places (mostly the US) paying below minimum wage and expecting the customer to tip to make up the difference. **bleep** that. Increase prices a dollar or two per item, prohibit tipping, and pay waiters and waitresses a proper wage. Tipping is idiotic. If someone does a spectacular job, then maybe they deserve a tip. If they suck or if they're merely okay, I cannot justify giving them money and reinforced their poor performance. It'd be like me getting a year-end bonus after twiddling my thumbs and masturbating in my cubicle all year.DJ_LaeThis "archaic" system is very simple but much more efficient. It boils down to getting paid for the work you put into it. If only everything worked like that, and those who supplied uneven compensation be punished, the world could be a better place. You get what you pay for
[QUOTE="carrot-cake"]
[QUOTE="MrGeezer"]
Because you ARE GETTING PAID FOR YOUR SERVICE. The dude at McDonalds flipping burgers gets paid for his service. That money comes out of the price of the food and drinks.
At least here in the USA (this does not apply in all countries), the server is NOT getting paid for service except out of tips. When you sit down at a table and order a meal, desert, and a few drinks for you and your wife, that server is making $3 an hour. Almost NONE of what you're paying for the romantic dinner goes to the server.
Simply put, if your server doesn't suck, he/she SHOULD get a tip simply because they performed a service and they deserve to get paid for it. Now if you think that the waiter's general job description is worthless, and that waiters inherently don't deserve to get paid for their "work", then you're free to go eat out at a "serve yourself" buffet. When you go into a nice restaurant EXPECTING good service and simultaneously planning on not tipping for it, that's really not far off from robbing the waiters. If you can't afford to tip, you should go eat at a McDonalds.
MrGeezer
Any restaurant's expectation that customers are going to tip is completely stupid. Why can't they encoporate the price of server's wage in the meal prices? Why should I be expected to pay extra money to someone, who in my opinion was just doing their job, when I don't know that they arent paid properly? Is it supposed to be common knowledge that servers are not paid properly and we should know to tip them generously because of it? I don't think so.
It IS common knowledge that servers get paid less than minimum wage.
And incorporating tips into the price of the menu items would drive away customers. I quoted someone who doesn't tip because he simply can't afford it. The thing is, even if he can't afford to tip, he's still putting money into the business. If you essentially force him to tip by raising food prices, now he can't even afford to EAT there. So he stops going to the restaurant and stops putting money into the business. And a lot of restaurant's profit margins aren't that high. Now in addition to losing customers, they're paying the waiters the same set wage even when business is slow and the money just isn't flowing in.
The fact is this: If you "can't afford" to tip, then you are broke. And if you are broke, you could save at least 30% by buying groceries and cooking for yourself. And if you have better options to save more money, then you are an IDIOT for going out to eat and wasting your money.[QUOTE="MrGeezer"][QUOTE="Bourbons3"]I don't agree with compulsory tipping. If someone provides a great service, then I'll tip. But I won't give someone a bonus for just doing their job. I don't get tipped in my job, so why should waiters/waitresses.Bourbons3
Because you ARE GETTING PAID FOR YOUR SERVICE. The dude at McDonalds flipping burgers gets paid for his service. That money comes out of the price of the food and drinks.
At least here in the USA (this does not apply in all countries), the server is NOT getting paid for service except out of tips. When you sit down at a table and order a meal, desert, and a few drinks for you and your wife, that server is making $3 an hour. Almost NONE of what you're paying for the romantic dinner goes to the server.
Simply put, if your server doesn't suck, he/she SHOULD get a tip simply because they performed a service and they deserve to get paid for it. Now if you think that the waiter's general job description is worthless, and that waiters inherently don't deserve to get paid for their "work", then you're free to go eat out at a "serve yourself" buffet. When you go into a nice restaurant EXPECTING good service and simultaneously planning on not tipping for it, that's really not far off from robbing the waiters. If you can't afford to tip, you should go eat at a McDonalds.
The server gets a salary. If their salary is too low, they can get another job. Or they can try and get the system changed. I agree that servers are usually underpaid. But by tipping, I'm only encouraging the system to continue. I don't get paid a bonus for being particularly friendly to customers I serve in a supermarket. So I'm not giving someone a bonus for something they're already supposed to do. If they go above their job, I'll give them a tip. But doing their basic job doesn't warrant anything more than their base salary. It IS enough. Servers make more money than you think. In fact, most people tip enough or MORE than enough. But people that leave little or nothing are just greedy, lazy, and selfish.[QUOTE="MrGeezer"]
[QUOTE="Bourbons3"]I don't agree with compulsory tipping. If someone provides a great service, then I'll tip. But I won't give someone a bonus for just doing their job. I don't get tipped in my job, so why should waiters/waitresses.carrot-cake
Because you ARE GETTING PAID FOR YOUR SERVICE. The dude at McDonalds flipping burgers gets paid for his service. That money comes out of the price of the food and drinks.
At least here in the USA (this does not apply in all countries), the server is NOT getting paid for service except out of tips. When you sit down at a table and order a meal, desert, and a few drinks for you and your wife, that server is making $3 an hour. Almost NONE of what you're paying for the romantic dinner goes to the server.
Simply put, if your server doesn't suck, he/she SHOULD get a tip simply because they performed a service and they deserve to get paid for it. Now if you think that the waiter's general job description is worthless, and that waiters inherently don't deserve to get paid for their "work", then you're free to go eat out at a "serve yourself" buffet. When you go into a nice restaurant EXPECTING good service and simultaneously planning on not tipping for it, that's really not far off from robbing the waiters. If you can't afford to tip, you should go eat at a McDonalds.
Any restaurant's expectation that customers are going to tip is completely stupid. Why can't they encoporate the price of server's wage in the meal prices? Why should I be expected to pay extra money to someone, who in my opinion was just doing their job, when I don't know that they arent paid properly? Is it supposed to be common knowledge that servers are not paid properly and we should know to tip them generously because of it? I don't think so. I support this idea 200% but it just isn't how it works. Tip your servers
It's a fact that, in the United States, it doesn't. Servers are paid below minimum wage because it is expected they will get tips. Thus the cost of food is down, because they don't need to cover the whole salary.[QUOTE="hokies1313"]
[QUOTE="carrot-cake"]
No, the price of the food should be covering everyone's wages.carrot-cake
How can they do that legally? Doesnt make sense to me, tipping should be completely optional not an obligation.Shoulda coulda woulda- you know it's an expectation. If you don't agree, don't go out
[QUOTE="DrSponge"]Tipping isn't an obligation.ice_radonI agree and I think it aggetates me to a degree when they start forcing gratuity when even only 2-3 in a party. I mean I usually tip 15-20%, sometimes more depending on how good they are. I don't think though that people are just entitled to a hefty tip just for throwing a plate in front of me. I am usually pretty needless when it comes to having dinner(make sure there is always some water / drink in glasses, ask sometime through the meal how everything is and a timely check. A few months ago I waited like 40 minutes for a check...that was not fun. I never apply manditory gratuity. My tip average is 24% - I earn every penny
[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]You do pay for service. The cost of the meal also contributes to waiters' salaries. Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Depands on where you go. My wages, by LAW, only need to cover the taxes of the food that my customers buy. The owner sets the prices of the food, and thus legally must compensate me for the taxes. However, he has no legal obligation to cover my wages, because it is EXPECTED that I make enough in TIPS to cover my TIME. So, I will spend my TIME where it is the most profitable. Deal with it. Can't afford to tip? Expect worse service, or eat in. If you're that cheap, you could save more money by cooking anyway.[QUOTE="MrGeezer"]
In most places, tipping is simply paying for service. When you get good service and still do not tip, you are asking for a service and then refusing to pay for it after it is performed. That's really all there is to it. That's just like having a mechanic change your oil and then saying, "**** that, I'm not paying for that."
And really, anyone who walks into a restaurant expecting not to pay for service is a scumbag. A total scumbag, and that's a fact.
maheo30
Totally biased and un-true. It's not so much that i'll impose longer waits on your part for the things that you need- however, I WILL priorotize my customers based on how well I will be compensated. Example: I have 10 things to do in 5 minutes. It takes me 30 seconds to do each thing. The highest tipper takes prioroty. You wait til I get to you.No. I disagree completely with the vid. The whole "I'll be faster for you" thing is not only not convincing but its not right either. What's it gonna be then. The customers who don't tip are like "yeah whatever, you'll have to wait for 20 minutes since you don't tip me". The tip is just a plus. When you go to a restaurant you pay for the service as well WITH the price of the food.
Tipping is totally on the good heart and will of the customer. If you get it, feel happy. If you don't, curse all you want behind his back but the food will be served as fast as the rest. ;)
EDIT: In my opinion.
Teenaged
[QUOTE="maheo30"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]You do pay for service. The cost of the meal also contributes to waiters' salaries.Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Depands on where you go. I've never been to restaurant that didn't use its income to pay its waiters O_oTypically, it's a state-by-state regulation, or a restaurant owners' discretion. So, either you're ignorant, which i doubt, or you live in a state where servers are somewhat fairly compensated by employers. However, in my state, the vast majority of servers' paychecks are between $.50 and $20 for 40 hours of work. The server is paid by the customer, not the employer. At least where I live.Funky_Llama
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