CalhounSq said:

Thats very true - A lot of people tend to think they are the only customer there and forget about the other 200 or so people eating - The Chefs are always in my opinion the unsung heroes of the Restaraunt as they never get the gratitude from the customer - Only the complaints - The Waiters and Waitresses are more often than not, abused for all kinds of things out of their control - However, this should be expected as they are technically a "Customer Service Assistant" or frontline staff. I often pass on my compliments to the Chef through the staff, however, chances are he / she never gets to hear that !!

I had the most beautiful Swordfish Dinner the other day, the only thing that spoiled it was not the Staff nor the Food, but other arrogant Customers who basically did not see the Restaraunt was full and the staff where dealing with something like 10 tables per 1 waiting staff. These customers raising their voices and being downright rude - I would cringe if someone at my table did that in the same circumstance (It has happened previously)

But why take it out on the server if the cook screwed up your food, she did wait on you didn't she? She may have been in a bad mood because she was fighting with the cooks to get your food out on time.

Tom said:

I worked in a restaurant back in High School, so BELIEVE ME that I am considerate when I eat out.

If we were seated in someone else's station and she was too busy for us...then another one should've been assigned to us. We did it all the time.
The restaurant was not full. In fact two tables of 8 were seated AFTER we were and they were eating their appetizers before we even ordered our meal!
And the food was not cooked improperly. It was dry and soggy from having sat underneath a heat lamp for too long. Trust me.

AND by-the-way; your tip should represent your satisfaction with the meal in its entirety. Look it up. If the food was cooked improperly, then you have a right to tip less. If the food was magnificent but the people around you are cussing and fighting...you have a right to tip less. The waiter/waitress isn't just there to hand you a plate of food. He/she is supposed to make your dining experience comfortable.

Bad service + bad food = NO TIP. Plain and simple.

I'd rather not be tipped at all then have you leave a quarter for me. It's insulting.

CarrieLee said:

Um, just to let you confused servers and bartenders in on something, a 25 cent tip is an insult, a deliberate one. No one leaves a 25 cent tip thinking they're actually tipping someone. Sorry for your ego but 25 cents means the service was extra crap, or the drinks were extra bad (but usually it's the first one). When someone leaves quarter, it's to make a point.

And now you know...

thebige said:

Whatever dude. I'm not confused by the ignorant regulars that come in and do this all the time. It is the same people that do it on a regular basis and it wasn't because of the 'extra crap service'.

And now you know.
[Edited 8/8/06 7:30am]

CarrieLee said:

Why do crappy tippers keep coming back to the same place over and over to drink/eat? If they had such a miserable experience each time they came, and they decided not to leave a tip, you would think they would find someplace else to go.

i will admit if i'm really tying one on that i'll reduce my tip after i've had a bunch of drinks. by that point i'm probably just drinking coronas anyway, and if i've already given out 7 to 10 bucks in tips they can deal with me giving a quarter for flipping a bottle open and sticking a lime in it.

but by that point it's usually time for me to go, so i guess it all works out.

Anx said:

And that is understandable. I had a kid come up and he said "I only have enough for another drink, I can't tip you" and I just smiled and said don't even sweat it. He was drinking there all night and wanted one more.

It's just the same people that come in, drink as much as they can and leave without tipping once.

CarrieLee said:

Who also tend to be the ones who demand all kind of extras in service too!

I tip when I go out, but it depends on the service period. But at the same time...you signed onto a job that relies on human emotion and preference in order for you to get paid. Either way....you are dealing with the public and some dont tip...period. Want more money...get another job.

DexMSR said:

eikonoklastes said:

I have another job, this is my second job for extra money and I"m gonna keep it and I'm gonna bitch and moan to all of you that don't want to hear it.

And if you can't afford to pay for the service then serve yourself and stay home.
[Edited 8/8/06 12:03pm]

CarrieLee said:

That is just it...paying for the service is NOT mandatory.

WHAP....but I tip.

Also, eye contact would be nice wouldn't it? make me feel like the bartender knows Im a person.
I understand in a crowded busy noisy bar, that might not happen all the time, but it would be nice if I was made to feel that Im more then just a hand waiting for a glass to be put in it.

just to play Devil's advocate

I don't understand the whole minimum wage argument, alotta of people in the service industry make near minimum wage and they don't recieve tips.

Why do restaurants/ bars pay so cheap, especially ones that bring in lots of money? Aren't they taking advantage of you?

I really don't know. The minimum wage here is like 7 bucks or something...but for servers it is $2.63...they just assume you are going to make the money in tips AND you have to claim those tips at the end of the year! If I had the option to make $10 an hour bartending w/no tips or work for $2.63 an hour with tips I would clearly take the $2.63.

CarrieLee said:

$2.63 That's insane, Do waiters/bartenders in fancy restaurants make that little. You should be getting 7 or 10 dollars plus tips. Can someone explain how that's legal?

CarrieLee said:

$2.63 That's insane, Do waiters/bartenders in fancy restaurants make that little. You should be getting 7 or 10 dollars plus tips. Can someone explain how that's legal?

one thing i DO NOT miss about america is that silly tipping thing. i understand how it works there and why, but it's one of the many reliefs when you leave the country.

I used to pay tips out of absolute guilt more than anything but now if I get lousy service/bad attitude, I do not tip at all. I used to tip in Dunkin Donuts, starbucks, etc., but not anymore. Make it self-serve and I will gladly go over and get the coffee myself. And if I thought they'd let me, I'd totally go to the kitchen and get my own plate nad bring it back to the table.

I do tip bartenders very well though.

Hobbitch said:

It's interesting that some of the Dunkin Donuts around here have a can by the registers for TIPS, while others have a sign that says "no tipping please".