I may have just recently started serving for the first time, but my parents taught me the importance of tipping well long before that. Although I did know the importance of it, I had never really thought about everything that goes on behind the scenes, for instance finding out that someone was kind enough to overtip you or unkind enough not to tip you at all. Both lead to very different reactions and perspectives of the hard job servers deal with every day. Some customers who have never been on the server side of the interaction can never fully understand the importance of a good tip.

People that aren't going to tip come in every once in a while. I know it's inevitable, but it's still super frustrating knowing that I did everything right and that they even commented on how good the food was, but I still got nothing from them for some reason unknown to me. Granted some people may be struggling with money and don't have enough to tip, but PSA: if you don't have the money to tip then you sure as hell don't have the money to go out to eat! For anyone that doesn't know, servers only get paid $2.13/hour, which actually ends up being pretty much zero after taxes. I know for a fact that a lot of people just don't understand that fact, especially a couple that I served a few days ago.

This particular table was nice but a bit ridiculous, awkwardly arguing over what they were ordering in the middle of me taking their order so that I had to just stand there for two minutes while I had hree other tables to worry about at the same time. Not to mention the refills, getting their pancakes remade because they were cold even though it took them 10 minutes to say anything, which I'm pretty sure means it's not my fault. Anyway, my point is that after all of that, they were leaving, and the woman says to me, "Now, Kate, I want to apologize, normally we tip" (I knew this wasn't going to end well) "but I did not bring any cash with me today." I kindly explained to her that a lot of people that pay with credit cards just leave the tip on that. Her response was, "Well, that's a credit card so...I don't think I should, but don't worry, we'll be back."

I hope she could tell that I was mad, because I have never been more mad about anything at a job. I honestly contemplated whether or not serving was worth it for the next two hours of my shift, putting me in the worst mood ever. The thing is, on average at least one person doesn't tip me during each shift. Yesterday it was two tables, and I was annoyed, but I got over it and moved on. The fact that these people had the audacity to tell me to my face that they were leaving me nothing just proves that a lot of people do not understand tipping in any way. I guess what I'm saying is, if you're going to be that a**hole that doesn't tip, at least don't act sorry for it and tell your server to his or her face. In my newly formed opinion, nothing is more rude than doing so.

Now, I don't want tons of angry messages and comments asking why I continue to serve for $0 checks and the risk of not getting tipped. I still make far better money than I was before this. Not to mention that one of the older servers I work with was talking the other day about how she paid off a townhouse loan in 23 years when it should have taken her 30, and that was all thanks to tips. Stories like that are my motivation. Oh, and the occasional $20 tip from a table of two that makes my entire week better.