I was a server for eight years and, for the most part, I have had very good experiences when waiting on people. Usually, people tip well and are kind. However, there have been many instances where I am left shaking my head and questioning the decency of some. In some cases, people really just do not understand how to tip properly. They don’t understand how hard servers work, or that they do not get paid a normal wage like people in other areas of the service industry.
A lot of people who dine out have never served before. Not knowing what servers do, besides refilling drinks and taking you order, is understandable if you have never worked in the restaurant or the service industry. Servers are responsible for a number of tables based on the restaurant; this will vary from place to place.
In addition to waiting on tables, servers are responsible for a list of other tasks. These tasks keep the restaurant moving and may include, restocking items and keeping things organized in various areas of the restaurant, so that as a whole, patrons receive the best service. These side tasks can sometimes hold servers up. Be patient, if they are attempting to give you good service, they will make a solid effort to please you and provide good service.
For those of you who just do not know, I hope that my tips on tipping help you understand.
How to tip servers: Tips for those who leave tips and just don’t understand
For the most part, servers do not get paid even close to minimum wage. With the exception of the very small percentage of places that pay their servers a normal hourly wage, servers get paid around $2 an hour which gets taxed anyways and brings you to a $0 paycheck. So, your gratuity is a server’s livelihood. Stiffing someone on a tip makes a big difference in what they bring home and what they can afford.
When you do not tip your server, not only are you shorting them their money, you are also taking away money that they have already earned out of their pockets.
For example, if you notice a bus person running around, a different person bringing your food to your table, a hostess seating you, or a bartender making drinks for a server to take to a table, then your server most likely has to tip them out at the end of the night. Sometimes tip out is a flat amount, sometimes it is based on a percentage of yours sales. If your bill came to $30, typically you would tip 20% (If your server did a good job, this is the standard percentage). That is $6.
Even though this might not seem like a lot of money, and you may think that servers make bank and it won’t make a difference if they do not get that $6, it does make a difference and here is why: The $6 that you don’t tip then becomes a deficit for the server and odds are, you are not the only person that did this in a night, or there are others that under tip. This adds up and $6 soon becomes $20. An average tip out can range from $5-$30 based on the restaurant and its procedures.
So, if you received bad service, then tip a little less, but do not stiff someone. Servers are human and you are only seeing their job from one perspective. There are a lot more things that go on behind the scenes at a restaurant for a server than just checking on your table and offering good service. Keep in mind that when at a restaurant, you are there to enjoy yourself, don’t make someone who is working hard have a bad night because of your lack of patience.
An additional note for something that I have heard people say: Using the phrase, “I don’t have the money to leave a tip” is never an excuse. If you do not have the money to tip properly for good service, then you do not have the money to go out to eat. This is the worst excuse and I have heard it from people that I have dined out with.
Servers are human who are earning a living, end of story. If your employer cut your paycheck because they “did not have enough money to pay you” you would be pretty upset. Think about that next time you don’t tip someone for their hard work.
