Tipping (a bit of a rant)

[Shackled Phoenix]

basically, TIP YOUR DAMN SERVERS. I bring this up, because tonight, CHRISTMAS EVE, i got stiffed on a tip. This comes after being stiffed on a 135 dollar check last night. tonights table i gave perfect service to, last nights i made onelittle mistake and they acted all pissy no matter how hard i tried to make amends, even going so far as to comp some of their food.

When you don't tip a server, you're not only having them do work they're not being paid for, but you're basically freaking stealing from them. How do i figure that? well the government assumes i make 15% of your bill in tips, then taxes me 20% of that, for a total loss of 3% of whatever your bill was. It continues since many places make me tip bartenders/bussers another 2% of your bill. so that's a total of 5% of the bill that *I* have to pay (ie. that $135 bill cost me over 6.50 out of my pocket).

If the server wasn't even trying, giving attitude, or being pissy or something, okay fine, but jeez, if she just fucks a bit by mistake, apologizes profusesly and does everything she can to fix it... have a little kindness... please, she deals with people all day that are dicks and asses and still bothers to atleast try for you. Especially on christmas fucking eve.


okay.. i've vented. needed to get that out.

[Karmashock]

the tax you're paying is bullshit... elect me as your senator and I'll repeal that nonsense. ;)

[Shackled Phoenix]

why is it bullshit? 15% is considered standard tipping, and the government actually has no other way to track how much i'm tipped unless people pay with CC. plus if someone tips me 20% in cash, i still only pay 15%. Indiana's income taxes are actually fairly low, i pay about 5% less here than i did in MI.

[LardGibs]

Well, it sounds like a very different situation from what I know, but maybe there is a silver lining for you after all.

We didn't tip the busboys, because there weren't any. Tips had to be declared, which had some loopholes but many more people pay with plastic these days so that could be difficult. The major screw part was having to vacuum etc for 2 hours at half minimum wage, afterwards ($2.13, 0.5 of $4.25, /me is old)

It never works for you that you get tipped more and you just pocket it? Having busboys to make you more efficient doesn't increase the take?

Anyway, having waited on table, I usually tip 20+% unless it's very expensive stuff, and when I can tell it's a total catastrophe that's when I whip out the 30% and on up :D.
The basic reality is that everybody needs to realize and get with the program on skimming the till for buisnesses with actual cash receipts. That's probably why your state? has the 20% rule to nip that in the bud pre-emptively.

My advice to you is to get thyself into the lounge area, up the sex appeal, and start earning the big dollars from the drunken hooligans. Just do it where you know people are comfortable working under that system and bouncing people out who need it. Failing that, OLD PEOPLE. (unless you're pinkhaired noseringed city)

[Karmashock]

They shouldn't assume anything. I typically pay 20 %... I tip my pizza guy too... Those guys make too little for the government to nickel and dime his ass.

Seriously... the govs need to leave people alone about stuff like that. It's seriously one the things that forces a larger and larger portion of the economy underground.

As to 'people' not tipping... well, that's always going to happen. A certain portion of the population is made up of cheap assholes. 'Some' people, like me, will pay you more... some less... some nothing. This is the way things work... but the government shouldn't assume anything. If they don't know... if there isn't a gratuity, then they should just nail you for your wage alone.


Vote: Karmashock in the next election.

[Tigre]

If the server wasn't even trying, giving attitude, or being pissy or something, okay fine, but jeez, if she just fucks a bit by mistake, apologizes profusesly and does everything she can to fix it... have a little kindness... please, she deals with people all day that are dicks and asses and still bothers to atleast try for you. Especially on christmas fucking eve.

Shackled,

Having been in the food service business for 28 years I can sympathize with you....but, for one I would have gotten my Manager to ask the people what the problem could have been, unless you didn't have the time....second, I don't know what kind of establishment you work in, but I would upgrade if I were you. Fine dining is more relaxed and rewarding and you only have to wait on two tables for the same money as waiting on 4 or 5 in other places.

Another suggestion is to become a captain with a catering company. Fine dining+no stress+interesting locations+good tips+hourly wage+less hours+flexible schedule.................

[CELTIC_2X]

lestin to that man hes a chef,

yo i tipp very well, ;)

[Papa Smurf]

you should change your whole feckin system the fact that a discressionary thing like tipping is needed to make your wages up means you are being explioted do not stand for it move away kill your local government leaders destroy their homes and families, they are making money off your back as well as the people that own your place of work, come the revolution and i will put an end to this tipping is not and should not be assumed by anyone yourself or the government, its just another cynical move to expliot the poor, young and uneducated. Tipping should be a gift from the customer to the employee as they have given service above the standard one would expect.

If you can not live on your wages alone then you are not payed enough, if you a relay on the genrousity of others then in this day and ages you are going to be sadly disappointed, and made to feel like the lowly dog they want you to be. Do not be crushed below the jack boot of capitalism, fight for your rights.

you might aswell go out onto the street and beg its essentially the same thing, you are stood there begging which is working and you are providing them with a service ie alievating their guilt.

[JADezimar]

Hehe I like papa smurfs views on this. Taxing for a possible tip is complete crap. And the job isnt easy. But do to tips supposedly making up your wages your payed less hourly by most restaurants generally minimum wage. I worked in food once I tip quite well do to it. (In which in return when I come again I usually get incredible service.) But I wont ever work in it again. Id rather be homeless.

[Karmashock]

I'm generally in favor of a lot more referendums. I'd require them for anything that involves wages or pensions... If the gov workers want a raise, then they can ask their employers... you and f'ing your momma me.

[Shackled Phoenix]

Well, the rant was just about the people who tip bad really. and we really do love and appreciate you guys that tip well.

and Tigre, the first table already HAD talked to my manager. Both tables paid by credit cards (yes it's still taxed 15%) so i couldn't see my tip u ntil they'd left because my place has a policy not to pick up the receipts til people leave.

It's not really a cheap place place.. it's moderately priced (15-20+ a person usually). And i don't have the serving experience required at most "fine dining" places.

Today went alot better. had one guy screw me with a 1 dollar tip on a 52 dollar bill and i've got NO clue what/if i did to piss him off, but then my very next table left me 24 dollars on a 94 dollar bill. He made my night :D

[Karmashock]

I like to pay cash... I sometimes don't tip well because I'm out of cash... one of the reasons I make it up by tipping 20 percent the rest of the time...

[Polaris]

i generally tip 15% baseline, 20% for good service
unless of course, the waiter / waitress was pissy and mean, then i tip mayb 5%, but its only happened like twice.
what i dont understand is at this one restraunt where you walk up to the counter, order your food, and somebody delivers it to you. no check to see if you liked it, no "do you want a refill?" thats it. and they automatically charge 15% tip. wtf. i dont even think the lady said "hi" to me.

[Shackled Phoenix]

Polaris that place = teh suck.

What's next? 15% tips for mcdonalds employees?

[Karmashock]

That isn't technically a tip... it's just a bit of cash added on to your bill to pay for the meal. Really, they shouldn't even tell you they did it.

Tips must be given freely and you must have the option to 'not' give it. It's a gratuity if it goes straight to the server(s)... if it goes to the business first, then neither... it's just a mark up to help pay for the server's wage.

[Tank0]

i ve worked in a restaurant and pub for 5 years during my education .

overhere it is called a garçon , tipping is not done in most of europe .

i made 7.5€ = 9,75$ an hour payed by my boss but for that amount i was worked till the bones and all illegal .
if the boss had hired me officially it would have cost him 22.5€ an hour .


but i do feel your pain about the asshole customers , some people really think you are some kind of droid . they stand up ,drunk as hell, and blame you for them walking into you . or they spill soup , your arms are burning but they expect to have a new plate immediatly . etc .......


some tricks i learned from my former boss

say ten times " happa happy joy joy "
apologize
and wish them the best



once three soldiers pushed me to far , every time i asked to pay for their beers they threw the right amount of change behind the bar so i would be forced to pick up the coins .

i used my trick and smiled , untill i noticed their change ran out .

5 minutes later they ordered fresh pints and paid with a brand new 1000 frank bill , i accepted the money got to my register , and made sure i had the correct amount in small change . walked over to the soldiers a throwed their change all over the pub , while saying the same pollite words .

the where pissed but the rest of the pub laughed so they didnt dare stand up . when one of them complained to my boss a few minutes later my boss kicked the soldiers out ( fyi : i worked in a metal/rock pub - my boss wasnt exactly small potatoes )

anyway hope the annecdote has helped

[Karmashock]

That sucks... a buddy of mine personally ejected a few people from a place he was working at for being rude... Rude costomers think that just because the place wants their business that they can get away with being assholes. The only places where I have seen that are places that charge 80 dollars a plate and up... otherwise, you're just not worth the grief... fucking petty tyrants... pathetic would be elite...