Dear crappy tipper,

You don't know me, and I don't know you, so we can't really judge each other (except if you're ordering annoyingly complicated food and drink orders--that might give me a small sign as to who you are). We don't know each other and yet we interact quite often, as I'm your waitress. And you stiffed me.

I understand tipping can be a nuisance; I've lived abroad, where tipping isn't even a concept, and your wallet really does love it when you only have to pay the amount on the bill. But in those places, your servers and bartenders are getting minimum wage. Here in America, I get tip pay, which roughly comes out to $2.85 an hour after taxes, and that is just not even remotely livable. You may not think much of tipping, hey at least we leave something when you leave 10%, but those tips add up and are used for rent, bills and expenses, and though I'm only 21 and single, some of my coworkers rely on tips to support their families.

Tipping is an extremely simple concept--average of 18-20% of the bill total for food, and a dollar a drink if you're at a bar (at minimum). And yet time after time, I'll find a $4 tip left on a $50 check, which isn't even 10%, and the first thought to cross my brain is, "Wow, you asshole." Because tipping is a conscious effort. You bad tippers consciously stiff or undertip and know you're doing it and think it is acceptable behavior.

At the same time, I want to say thank you to you for teaching me how to not be a bad human and how to properly treat serving staff when I go out to eat. Even if I hadn't been a waitress for the last few years, or worked at a bar, I was lucky enough to have a mom who properly taught me to tip, because she served too. I thank you because it makes me appreciate my job, and my coworkers and friends, most of whom work really hard for their money and are dependent on it. It makes me super grateful for the people who even overtip, and the super nice customers who make my job fun. I thank you because it makes me feel good when I go out and tip 25% or above, hoping to make another waitress smile the way good tips make me smile, and hope that it balances out for the those who may have stiffed her that day.

So in short, thank you for being a cheap asshole, because you've taught me quite a few life lessons outside of helping me not making money.

Love,

Your Waitress