Do you tip servers?

Cheat · September 05, 2014, 10:52:27 PM

Obligatory Reservoire Dogs Scene

YouTube

This has been a bit of a struggle between me and the rest of my family. I am convinced that I should only have to pay for what is on the receipt, while others (my grandmother especially) insist on taking the time and effort to whip out a calculator and figure out the correct percentage to give the server.

I understand that in some places (probably all places) the servers are paid less than minimum wage and are expected to make up the rest on tips, but isn't that a kind of shitty and backwards thing to do? Why doesn't the business just pay the server a real wage and let the customers know that a tip isn't needed?

I get called an asshole a lot when I refuse to pitch in on the tip, but I can't justify giving extra money to someone when they're already being paid—especially when it's practically blackmailed out of you. What do you think?

EDIT: to be clear, I don't ever tip.

Kinder Graham · September 05, 2014, 10:54:27 PM

I rate on service but will go no lower than $4

cxfhvxgkcf-56:7 · September 05, 2014, 10:58:54 PM

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Dustin · September 05, 2014, 11:00:25 PM

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DAS B00T x2 · September 05, 2014, 11:05:16 PM

I'm the lazy kind of guy who just throws every waiter a five. My brother always told me I undertip and my grandmother always tells me that I over tip. But then again, old people in general are shit tippers, so I just never listen to her.

cxfhvxgkcf-56:7 · September 05, 2014, 11:06:16 PM

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Yu · September 05, 2014, 11:06:38 PM

Yes, I know how it is to serve food. I know all to well.

DAS B00T x2 · September 05, 2014, 11:08:49 PM

Quote from: SoporificSlash on September 05, 2014, 11:06:16 PM

Quote from: DAS B00T x2 on September 05, 2014, 11:05:16 PM
I'm the lazy kind of guy who just throws every waiter a five. My brother always told me I undertip and my grandmother always tells me that I over tip. But then again, old people in general are shit tippers, so I just never listen to her.
Old people are the worst tippers. They think it's still the 1950s and you can go buy a car with 2 nickels.

I'm thoroughly convinced that once somebody reaches the age of 45 their brain starts to loose it's ability to process economics related information.

Nick McIntyre · September 05, 2014, 11:15:22 PM

if they're obviously just out of high school or starting out in college I usually give them a nice tip somewhere between 10 and 15percent. my tips depend on thequality of service so if they are bad I usually don't leave them a tip tip

Mad Max · September 05, 2014, 11:27:06 PM

I always tip well. I know how shitty it can be to work in the service industry.

I tip even more at the bar. Usually 100% on the first drink, and at least a buck each thereafter.

Mad Max · September 05, 2014, 11:28:29 PM

Quote from: Cheat on September 05, 2014, 10:52:27 PM

EDIT: to be clear, I don't ever tip.

And you're called an asshole rightfully so. if you don't tip at the take-out counter or don't tip the guy at Wendy's, that's understandable.

if you don't tip someone who just waited on you for 30+ mins, you're a dick.

Cheat · September 05, 2014, 11:33:11 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on September 05, 2014, 11:28:29 PM

Quote from: Cheat on September 05, 2014, 10:52:27 PM
EDIT: to be clear, I don't ever tip.
And you're called an asshole rightfully so. if you don't tip at the take-out counter or don't tip the guy at Wendy's, that's understandable.

if you don't tip someone who just waited on you for 30+ mins, you're a dick.

But that's their job to do so. How are these kinds of extra money helpful at all when the restaurant could do what every other business does and pay their workers for working?

Nick McIntyre · September 05, 2014, 11:45:23 PM

Quote from: Nuka on September 05, 2014, 11:35:55 PM

Quote from: Cheat on September 05, 2014, 11:33:11 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on September 05, 2014, 11:28:29 PM
Quote from: Cheat on September 05, 2014, 10:52:27 PM
EDIT: to be clear, I don't ever tip.
And you're called an asshole rightfully so. if you don't tip at the take-out counter or don't tip the guy at Wendy's, that's understandable.

if you don't tip someone who just waited on you for 30+ mins, you're a dick.
But that's their job to do so. How are these kinds of extra money helpful at all when the restaurant could do what every other business does and pay their workers for working?
Not to mention...
Many times fast food workers deal with way more shit than waiters do. I mean think of all those poor McDonald's cashiers.

...I just got reminded of that HuffPo article you showed me, with the Burger King lady screaming her face off about how she didn't get her extra ketchup or whatever.

September 06, 2014, 12:36:18 AM

I always tip 20%, unless the server is a complete asshole. Even then, I tip 10%. I don't get pissy if other people don't, though.

Mega Sceptile · September 06, 2014, 01:55:42 AM

No, I don't when the service is average, or lower quality, and I hate all the cunts who try to enforce tipping culture. the only time you should ever tip, is when the service warrants it, not because "the boss doesn't pay minimum wage." you don't like that the job isn't paying well enough? then fucking get a better job.

Juuzou · September 06, 2014, 02:56:44 AM

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More Than Mortal · September 06, 2014, 05:41:05 AM

Tipping really isn't an issue you can look at financially/economically.

It's a social/moral convention. It's not immoral, per se, for you to not tip, but it annoys the rest of the tribe when you violate a social convention - especially if it indirectly harms another member of the tribe.

BlitzFiend · September 06, 2014, 05:44:29 AM

*tips server*
m'restaurant

gats · September 06, 2014, 06:31:12 AM

I don't tip here in London, waiters here get more than minimum wage.

Flee · September 06, 2014, 07:20:46 AM

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Super Irish · September 06, 2014, 07:43:54 AM

I can't really tip because as a student I need the money

But if it's really good service (the local Indian restaurants' servers strike up conversations which is nice) then I give what I can (but atm it's never over £5). If it's standard "heres yer food, enjoy", then I know they get paid enough to not rely on tips for a wage.

Mordo · September 06, 2014, 08:35:45 AM

I would agree with tipping were it not so inconsistent. As the scene amiably points out, why do we feel the need to tip waiters, but not fast food workers, or anyone else in the minimum wage service industry? Also, if tipping is SO essential to the well being of these workers, how are businesses getting away with paying their workers below minimum wage? Especially seeing how strict and rigorous wage laws are in contemporary society.

September 06, 2014, 11:08:02 AM

Quote from: Madman Mordo on September 06, 2014, 08:35:45 AM

I would agree with tipping were it not so inconsistent. As the scene amiably points out, why do we feel the need to tip waiters, but not fast food workers, or anyone else in the minimum wage service industry? Also, if tipping is SO essential to the well being of these workers, how are businesses getting away with paying their workers below minimum wage? Especially seeing how strict and rigorous wage laws are in contemporary society.

Restaurant servers are particular in that, because of tips, employers are allowed to pay them much less than the minimum wage. You'll frequently see postings for waiter jobs that advertise things like "$3 an hour, plus tips." It's pretty messed up that the government allows that, sure. But it doesn't make your server any less screwed if you decide not to tip him.

rC · September 06, 2014, 12:05:54 PM

Quote from: Cheat on September 05, 2014, 10:52:27 PM

I understand that in some places (probably all places) the servers are paid less than minimum wage and are expected to make up the rest on tips, but isn't that a kind of shitty and backwards thing to do? Why doesn't the business just pay the server a real wage and let the customers know that a tip isn't needed?

It doesn't fucking matter what the restaurant does, it's the servers that you're hurting. If you can't afford to tip, you shouldn't eat out, and if you can but don't because of some bullshit value system you have, you're just a shitty person.

Alternative Facts · September 06, 2014, 12:18:42 PM

I'm a busboy, so of course I make sure that I tip (Or my family tips) on every bill in a restaurant.

rC · September 06, 2014, 01:39:21 PM

Quote from: IcyWind on September 06, 2014, 12:18:42 PM

I'm a busboy, so of course I make sure that I tip (Or my family tips) on every bill in a restaurant.

more like a buttboy

Alternative Facts · September 06, 2014, 01:41:48 PM

Quote from: RC5908 on September 06, 2014, 01:39:21 PM

Quote from: IcyWind on September 06, 2014, 12:18:42 PM
I'm a busboy, so of course I make sure that I tip (Or my family tips) on every bill in a restaurant.
more like a buttboy

Did I tell you to stop sucking?

R o c k e t · September 06, 2014, 03:18:39 PM

I'm a server at Olive Garden.
If I wasn't given tips, I'd make a measly $4.50 an hour.

If you want to make restaurants pay their employees more,
not tipping isn't the answer.

Because for every time you don't tip, someone else does.
And the restaurant doesn't lose money, only the server.

Juuzou · September 06, 2014, 03:29:03 PM

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Mr. Psychologist · September 06, 2014, 05:31:32 PM

It's not really a huge thing over in britbongistan <.<

Waiting staff get paid minimum wage plus tips. So the tips have to be earned over here <.<
It's not like they have to jump through hoops for our amusement though, just being polite and attentive is all that's needed to get a tip >.>

It's certainly one of the reasons why I'm cautious about ever going to Amurika; apart from being groped by the TSA, shot in the street by the police or being suffocated by a bloater on a bus ._.
From the way I hear it, if you don't tip in the USA that's the social equivalent of taking a piss on the table in the restaurant .-.