Eating out - don't piss off your server!

Published on February 9, 2005 By foreverserenity In Blogging

(Note: I tried posting this before, so it may appear twice)

I recently found a couple of websites where people, who work in the food industry, namely, waiters, waitresses, busboys, etc., vent their frustrations. Pretty much what most of us do here at JU. They go to these websites to vent their rage at customers who gave them a hard time or stiffed them on their tips. We’re talking therapy thank God. The rule of thumb when eating out is to be weary of the Waiter/Waitress you argue or have a disagreement with. Make them mad and you never know they may retaliate by putting something unpleasant in your food or drink.

One group of people they say that were common culprits of bad behavior was Europeans who pretended they didn’t understand the American tipping system or who act sophisticated and then behave badly. There are also people who have unusual demands on how their food should be cooked or if they’re on a special diet. We’re not talking just basic, no salt, dressing on the sides, we’re talking enough stress from a customer for the waiters to wonder if this is the case, why eat out?

I’ve been in different types of jobs, but I’ve never been in the food industry, but I know it’s a very demanding, sometimes thankless job. I must say however, if I go to a restaurant and receive bad service, I will tip a lot less. I’ve let my dissatisfaction be known, after I eat, but I’ve never walked out without tipping.

But seriously, have you ever thought about what goes into preparing your food, was it dropped on the floor, the risk that’s taken when you do eat out or order food in? You know what; I don’t want to think about it. That’s waaaay too scary to think about.

As a rule though, I usually frequent the places where I know the food is always good and if I do order in, I also know the place. Although lately, when we do eat out, it’s actually not, it’s picking up the food and going back home with it.

Here are a few of those websites if you’re interested in reading.
Link Link Link

Comments

ParaTed2k

on Feb 09, 2005

I've always laughed at the hypocrissy of people who complain that corporate "fat cats" refuse to pay a "living wage", but then the hypocrite either leaves a meager tip, or stiffs the server completely.

If anyone wonders what they would pay their employees if they were in charge of payroll, look at what you pay your servers, babysitters, lawncare or anyone else whose pay comes from your wallet or purse.

It's not only "fat cats" who are chincy tightwads when it comes to paying others.

foreverserenity

on Feb 09, 2005

I know para, that's another thing, these are the people, and others like them, who gets paid so little. But the premise behind that is because of "tips" and "bonuses" received or to be received? When these tips and bonuses doesn't happen, what then?

leaves a meager tip, or stiffs the server completely.

And it's never nice to do this.

shadesofgrey

on Feb 09, 2005

I think everyone should have to work in the restaurant industry at least once in their life--it would certainly open a lot of eyes.

know para, that's another thing, these are the people, and others like them, who gets paid so little. But the premise behind that is because of "tips" and "bonuses" received or to be received? When these tips and bonuses doesn't happen, what then?

By law, if your tips + the $2 you earn per hour do not meet the federal minimum wage, your employer has to pay you the difference--but good luck on actually getting them to fork over the cash!

Usually, if you have a bad day, the rest of the week will make up for it.

Dusk411

on Feb 09, 2005

I think some people (i.e. bad customers) see servers as their slaves. My boyfriend used to work in restraunts and he would talk about how people expected him to wait on them hand and foot. Then, he also had customers who would be ticked off if they didn't tell him they didn't want something in their meal.

Like you, foreverserenity, whenever my boyfriend and I get terrible service, we let someone know. One time, a server gave us something in our food (that I'm allergic to) after we had already asked her not to. My boyfriend contacted the restraunt and management took care of it immediately.

Ravenblack

on Feb 09, 2005

There's no tipping culture in Singapore, although you are free to leave a tip if you are really happy with the service. There is already a fixed 10% service charge in the bill which is sort of like compulsory tipping - in this way we don't have to crack our heads trying to figure out the correct rate of tipping and the waiters will never come up short of their salary because of lack of tipping. When you don't need to tip, and you tip because you are really happy with the service, it is considered a great compliment.

I am not pretending that I don't understand the tipping system in the US, I don't - it is complicated to someone who comes from a place where tipping is totally unnecessary. I ended up tipping by 10% of the bill when I was in the US last year and hoped that the service people are happy with that.

On another point, if I don't like the food or service of a certain place, I just don't return to it. Most people here are like that when it comes to this - kill them with silence. Awful eating places don't exist for every long.

shadesofgrey

on Feb 09, 2005

I am not pretending that I don't understand the tipping system in the US, I don't - it is complicated to someone who comes from a place where tipping is totally unnecessary. I ended up tipping by 10% of the bill when I was in the US last year and hoped that the service people are happy with that.

I assume it is on most flights coming into the country--but I know specifically on flights from Europe, you are handed a brochure that explains the tipping policy. The policy in restaurants is quite simple--you should leave approximately 20%. After restaurants, you are right, it gets more complicated.

Angloesque

on Feb 09, 2005

20%? Really?

I thought it was 15%. Could be a geographical thing. Everyone I know tips 15% for standard service, and more if the service is above average--depends on the kind of restaurant and the expectations of the server, etc. (A while ago, I wrote a blog on the concept of negative tipping, because I've had a couple of the rudest, scariest waiters/-esses in the world. Would they actually deduct it from the credit card? I've never had the guts to try....)

-A.

MasonM

on Feb 09, 2005

15% is the standard rule of thumb as far as I have always known. You tip more if the service was excellent and less if it was poor. Nothing at all if the server was terrible (which honestly is rare but does happen).

As someone who has traveled around the country a great deal, I have had some occassions where the server was so rude or inattentive that I left no tip. But these were few and far between. Those folks have a tough job to do and most of them do it very well considering what is involved.

One rule; the quality of the food has nothing to do with tipping the server. The server didn't prepare it. I have seen poor tips with that excuse.

Ravenblack

on Feb 09, 2005

>>you are handed a brochure that explains the tipping policy.

hm I don't remember getting any brochure, then again I'm not from Europe. But guess I've made my point.

At least now I know what the normal tipping rate is...

ParaTed2k

on Feb 09, 2005

I am usually a great tipper. I have been known to go as high as 100% (believe me, she truly deserved it. Maybe sometime I'll tell the story on my own blog), and I've also been known to leave a nickel. Leaving nothing just wouldn't have carried the same message as that single little coin conspicuously alone on the table! ;~D

foreverserenity

on Feb 10, 2005

Yes, 15% is the general rule. Although I've seen 20% mentioned some places here in Florida. When I travel home to the caribbean, I generally use teh same rule too, sometimes a little more because the dollar is different. I guess it depends on you, the person, and the type of service you recieve.

One rule; the quality of the food has nothing to do with tipping the server. The server didn't prepare it. I have seen poor tips with that excuse.

No, they didnt' prepare the food, and are not to be blamed when it's bad, but when the service sucks too, then they're certainly to blame.

am usually a great tipper. I have been known to go as high as 100% (believe me, she truly deserved it. Maybe sometime I'll tell the story on my own blog), and I've also been known to leave a nickel. Leaving nothing just wouldn't have carried the same message as that single little coin conspicuously alone on the table! ;~D

Para, that definately says alot. I would love to hear all about it!

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