Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

For all you people out there that "don't believe" in tipping servers, I wish you were all dead. No, seriously.

I was at work tonight, and was basically getting my ass handed to me by constant "big tops" of 8+ people. Normally I can handle these, but I had 2 of these types of tables going constantly for about 4 hours, plus the rest of my section was full. To top it all off, all of my tables were demanding as all [censored]. Typical friday night I guess.

So, as the dinner rush was winding down around 8pm, I get a group of 7 cowboys. No really, they were cowboys. This is northern AZ, afterall.

So, they rack up a pretty decent tab. They all got sirloin steaks, shrimp, and stuff like that. The ending tab: $102. I should have at least made $10 or so on the table, even if I didn't do a good job. Well, I did do a good job, and I didn't make $10. In fact, I got to the table, opened up the check presenter, and found nothing. I looked around the table (people oftentimes leave cash on the table), but found nothing there.

Literally, they left me $0 on a $102 ticket. It's not like I didn't give them good service. The service was fine. I consistently make 18-20% myself, so I know that I'm not a terrible server.

Well, this pissed me off to the point that I wanted to rush out to the parking lot and beat their asses. Really, it cost me $2 to work that table (I have to tip 2% of my sales to the hosts every night). What a bunch of fucktards. And as always, I have no recourse.

Oh, and it pissed me off so much that I found it necessary to post on OOT about it.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

Shitty tipper Database

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

I had a pretty good dinner date set up with my father and The Governator. I got a call earlier from the opso of my squadron telling me my leave papers got pulled, and I have 48 hours of duty that require me to be in San Diego. He did not send me 15%. STFU. I'm sick and tired of tipping posts. I'll tip you when I want. You shut up and let the world revolve until then.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

I've never waited tables, or worked in any tipping industry, but I really hate guys like this. If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat, you goddam jackals.

What often contributes to this is large parties. You ever been with like 10 people, and everyone chips in for what they think they owe, and you collect everyone's cash and count the money, and you have like $98 total for a $110 tab? Not only is there not enough to tip, but there isn't even enough to cover the check. So everyone has to cough up even more dough, and you always have those two cumstains who don't throw in enough and someone gets stuck paying double what they owe just so the server doesn't get jacked.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'll tip you when I want. You shut up and let the world revolve until then.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you make $2.13/hr where you work? Thought not. Don't be a cheapass.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'll tip you when I want. You shut up and let the world revolve until then.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you make $2.13/hr where you work? Thought not. Don't be a cheapass.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not our responsibility to pay your bills, nor our fault you make a [censored]*y wage. You knew the score when you became a waiter - tipping is discretionary.

Besides, what cheap-azz place do you work where 7 men can all get steaks for $100??? And why doesn't your place of business automatically place a tip surcharge on all parties over 7, like most restaurants do?

Seriously, Sparky....I understand your pissed-off and you work hard - but if it bothers you that much, get a better job.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
I should have at least made $10 or so on the table, even if I didn't do a good job.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, there's no "should" have gotten X amount even if you didn't do your job well. It's a gratuity -- not required. It must be earned. Service comes with the meal, and it's free. Good service is optional, but so is a good tip. It's a relationship thingy.

I'm a really laid back, informal, mild-mannered guy, but still find poor service very common. I tip well accordingly when it's not. But I have zero guilt about leaving little or even no tip if a server has shown me that they really couldn't care less about my comfort or concerns.

A restaurant usually only has one or two shots at me as a customer, and I have great loyalty to places I like, coming back for years on end and tipping well every time. I wouldn't be surprised if many restaurants and bars lose enormous potential profits and if some even go out of business just from the cumulative effects of having poor quality wait staff.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've never waited tables, or worked in any tipping industry, but I really hate guys like this. If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat, you goddam jackals.

What often contributes to this is large parties. You ever been with like 10 people, and everyone chips in for what they think they owe, and you collect everyone's cash and count the money, and you have like $98 total for a $110 tab? Not only is there not enough to tip, but there isn't even enough to cover the check. So everyone has to cough up even more dough, and you always have those two cumstains who don't throw in enough and someone gets stuck paying double what they owe just so the server doesn't get jacked.

[/ QUOTE ]

This always happens and I hate the bejesus out of it. There are some people who are known for doing it every time, and we all are aware in advance that they'll be paying only half their tab. Even when everyone knows, they aren't ashamed to do it again.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
No, there's no "should" have gotten X amount even if you didn't do your job well. It's a gratuity -- not required. It must be earned. Service comes with the meal, and it's free. Good service is optional, but so is a good tip. It's a relationship thingy.


[/ QUOTE ]

To me, this argument is BS because if everyone decided that they just weren't going to tip they would have to pay a lot more for the food. So by not tipping you are just freeloading off of the good tippers.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's not our responsibility to pay your bills, nor our fault you make a [censored]*y wage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, it's exactly your fault, whether or not you choose to believe it. The federal government classifies me as a tipped employee, and thus can pay me $2.13/hr, considering tipping servers is customary.

[ QUOTE ]
Besides, what cheap-azz place do you work where 7 men can all get steaks for $100???

[/ QUOTE ]

Applebee's. Not exactly a steakhouse.

[ QUOTE ]
And why doesn't your place of business automatically place a tip surcharge on all parties over 7, like most restaurants do?

[/ QUOTE ]

Only parties 8+.

[ QUOTE ]
Seriously, Sparky....I understand your pissed-off and you work hard - but if it bothers you that much, get a better job.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why? I make good enough money where I work. How? 99% of people that come in realize that they need to tip the waitstaff. You're apparently the 1% that hasn't been taught proper restaurant etiquette.

Oh, and do you know what happens when someone comes in and doesn't tip, even though the service was good? Our general manager comes out and bans them from the restaurant.

Don't be a tool. Tip your servers.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
For all you people out there that "don't believe" in tipping servers, I wish you were all dead. No, seriously.

I was at work tonight, and was basically getting my ass handed to me by constant "big tops" of 8+ people. Normally I can handle these, but I had 2 of these types of tables going constantly for about 4 hours, plus the rest of my section was full. To top it all off, all of my tables were demanding as all [censored]. Typical friday night I guess.

So, as the dinner rush was winding down around 8pm, I get a group of 7 cowboys. No really, they were cowboys. This is northern AZ, afterall.

So, they rack up a pretty decent tab. They all got sirloin steaks, shrimp, and stuff like that. The ending tab: $102. I should have at least made $10 or so on the table, even if I didn't do a good job. Well, I did do a good job, and I didn't make $10. In fact, I got to the table, opened up the check presenter, and found nothing. I looked around the table (people oftentimes leave cash on the table), but found nothing there.

Literally, they left me $0 on a $102 ticket. It's not like I didn't give them good service. The service was fine. I consistently make 18-20% myself, so I know that I'm not a terrible server.

Well, this pissed me off to the point that I wanted to rush out to the parking lot and beat their asses. Really, it cost me $2 to work that table (I have to tip 2% of my sales to the hosts every night). What a bunch of fucktards. And as always, I have no recourse.

Oh, and it pissed me off so much that I found it necessary to post on OOT about it.

[/ QUOTE ]Get your place of employment to include a mandatory 15% gratuity on parties of 6 or more.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

Why are you still working for tips? A bit of advice: Quit your crappy job, play poker online full time and make MAD loot.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

this is terrible. is there anything you can do? have you seen these guys before?

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
No, there's no "should" have gotten X amount even if you didn't do your job well. It's a gratuity -- not required. It must be earned. Service comes with the meal, and it's free. Good service is optional, but so is a good tip. It's a relationship thingy.


[/ QUOTE ]

To me, this argument is BS because if everyone decided that they just weren't going to tip they would have to pay a lot more for the food. So by not tipping you are just freeloading off of the good tippers.

[/ QUOTE ]

You mistake it for an argument, which is the problem in the first place. It is not an argument. It is a fact.

It's simply not up to the waitperson what he gets tipped. That decision gets made either by management or the customer, or both. On a side note, I'd suggest not working at a place that pays $2.13 an hour, if you're sensitive about it. It's the very essence of the job that it's a gamble, and you shouldn't play at stakes that don't appeal to you.

The best thing for a waitperson to do is drop the attitude and give good service. It's not a job with a guarantee, at least not at every establishment, but the best way to tilt the odds in your favor is to concentrate on your part of the deal, providing the good service, not walking around with a chip on your shoulder or thoughts of what you're "owed."

Doing a poor job in other professions gets you fired. Doing a poor job as a waitperson just gets you stiffed. Consider yourself lucky.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It's not our responsibility to pay your bills, nor our fault you make a [censored]*y wage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, it's exactly your fault, whether or not you choose to believe it. The federal government classifies me as a tipped employee, and thus can pay me $2.13/hr, considering tipping servers is customary.

[ QUOTE ]
Besides, what cheap-azz place do you work where 7 men can all get steaks for $100???

[/ QUOTE ]

Applebee's. Not exactly a steakhouse.

[ QUOTE ]
And why doesn't your place of business automatically place a tip surcharge on all parties over 7, like most restaurants do?

[/ QUOTE ]

Only parties 8+.

[ QUOTE ]
Seriously, Sparky....I understand your pissed-off and you work hard - but if it bothers you that much, get a better job.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why? I make good enough money where I work. How? 99% of people that come in realize that they need to tip the waitstaff. You're apparently the 1% that hasn't been taught proper restaurant etiquette.

Oh, and do you know what happens when someone comes in and doesn't tip, even though the service was good? Our general manager comes out and bans them from the restaurant.

Don't be a tool. Tip your servers.

[/ QUOTE ]

i used to be a server, this guy doesnt speak for most tipped employees. i definitely cannot envision a manager coming out and banning someone for not tipping, that sounds like a total garbage made up lie.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
i used to be a server, this guy doesnt speak for most tipped employees. i definitely cannot envision a manager coming out and banning someone for not tipping, that sounds like a total garbage made up lie.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe this wasn't policy where you worked, but hey, there are more restaurants out there than where you worked. Most of them have differing policies. Yes, our managers WILL ban people from the restaurant if they come in and repeatedly (I should have clarified) do not tip the waitstaff.

And what's this about me "not speaking for most tipped employees"? I'd like to hear from other servers and get their take on things. I'd be willing to bet that most here would side with what I've said.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

I'd welcome the chance to speak with a manager about why his waitperson was not worth tipping.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, our managers WILL ban people from the restaurant if they come in and repeatedly (I should have clarified) do not tip the waitstaff.

[/ QUOTE ]

I gotta ask my applebee's bartender/manager friend if this is true -

I was always at least 15% - and it came back to me in the form or longer pours and the occasional freebie.

and SINCE we're on the topic - since apparently it is discretionary to tip, I would certainly say it's discretionary for the place to serve them - [censored] em. -

until State Legislatures stop the mandatory taxing of tips whether received or not, I'd say every server is totally within their right to refuse service to a cheapskate. -

like Jihadontheriver.

RB

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
They all [7 cowboys] got sirloin steaks, shrimp, and stuff like that. The ending tab: $102.

[/ QUOTE ]

holy smokes that's a cheap restaurant. sucks you got stiffed. effin cowboys man.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

Dude, I waited for 13 years on and off (starting when I was 14). This sucks.

The only advice I can give is for you to take a mental picture and hope and pray you get the chance to wait on them again. It's got nothing to do with you.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

It's just not worth it to get super pissed about something like this. Let it slide and be happy.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

That, unfortunately, we don't know. Das Leben sounds like a reasonable enough guy, but the idea that you should get tipped even if you don't do a good job isn't the kind of idea that comes out of someone who's motivated to do his best. I expect everybody I give money to to do a good job. That's what paying money is for.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

You are entirely right. It is natural for a server to take a stiff personally whether it was his fault or not (not that it was Das Leben's fault). I know what it feels like to be tipped inappropriately, and I think I assumed that Das was as well.

You are right, though, and at the end of the day I think it probably evens out.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

My two best friends both serve and we talk about this kind of thing all the time. The problem isn't so much that they stiffed you rather that you can't really do anything to figure out why. Some people will stiff b/c they don't know that tipping is ettiquite. Some people will stiff due to crappy service. The thing they get pissed at is when the manager bitches them out for asking why they got stiffed (via a comment card). I would like to know from the patrons if I'm doing a shitty job or if they didn't tip for some other reason. Anyways there are times that you get double gratted to make up for these types of things, so it all works out in the end.

Brad

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

Hmm, Brad brings up a good point -- it's very very rare that I don't tip, but when I do stiff, I should leave a card in the leather bill-holder with prepared type that says "I'm not tipping you because you sucked as a waiter." Then maybe I can leave some space blank on the card to add in any specifics like "it took forever to get a water refill; I was thirsty the whole meal."

That card would really help waiters understand why they were stiffed.

But I doubt I'd use it much. I don't expect to have my dick sucked when I eat out -- I just want to have things brought to me swiftly and then be left alone. Do the basics and you get at least 15%.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
I make good enough money where I work

[/ QUOTE ]

The shut the [censored] up and stop complaining. Jesus christ people we live in a free market economy. Most of you live in at will employment states (employment can be terminated by either party, at any time, for any reason). If feel you can do better somewhere else do it. If not stop complaining. If I were [censored] I would ban you.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, Brad brings up a good point -- it's very very rare that I don't tip, but when I do stiff, I should leave a card in the leather bill-holder with prepared type that says "I'm not tipping you because you sucked as a waiter." Then maybe I can leave some space blank on the card to add in any specifics like "it took forever to get a water refill; I was thirsty the whole meal."

That card would really help waiters understand why they were stiffed.

But I doubt I'd use it much. I don't expect to have my dick sucked when I eat out -- I just want to have things brought to me swiftly and then be left alone. Do the basics and you get at least 15%.

[/ QUOTE ]

I see your point but I disagree entirely. My feeling is that you can either criticize a waiter or stiff him, but not both. To leave a card explaining why the waiter sucked at his job(or even worse to explain why somebody else ruined his tip) while leaving him no money is to do nothing more than to rub salt in the wound.

If he gets stiffed he will know why 95% of the time.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

This is why I couldn't wait on people. I would have followed them outside and probably got my ass kicked.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
Shitty tipper Database

[/ QUOTE ]

This site is great - people bitching about 12% tips. Girls complaing that flirting is only getting them 10%. [censored] I hate some servers.

I was a damn good server, and it pissed me off when people left zero (I admit it). When someone left 5% or 10% it didn't piss me off at all - it's the customer's choice. 0% is unacceptable.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

I can understand being disappointed about not getting a tip on a check like but it seems like stuff like this comes with the territory of waiting tables at a place like Applebees. If you are a good waiter like you say then you should be able to find employment at a much better establishment where the customers are more likely to tip.

Also just a note- them note tipping you doesnt prove that they don't tip. It only proves they didn't tip you. For all we know you could have had a poor attitude or provided a low level of service. If your desires were to really follow them into the parking lot, I would suggest that this is at the very least possible.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It's not our responsibility to pay your bills, nor our fault you make a [censored]*y wage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, it's exactly your fault, whether or not you choose to believe it. The federal government classifies me as a tipped employee, and thus can pay me $2.13/hr, considering tipping servers is customary.

[ QUOTE ]
Besides, what cheap-azz place do you work where 7 men can all get steaks for $100???

[/ QUOTE ]

Applebee's. Not exactly a steakhouse.

[ QUOTE ]
And why doesn't your place of business automatically place a tip surcharge on all parties over 7, like most restaurants do?

[/ QUOTE ]

Only parties 8+.

[ QUOTE ]
Seriously, Sparky....I understand your pissed-off and you work hard - but if it bothers you that much, get a better job.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why? I make good enough money where I work. How? 99% of people that come in realize that they need to tip the waitstaff. You're apparently the 1% that hasn't been taught proper restaurant etiquette.

Oh, and do you know what happens when someone comes in and doesn't tip, even though the service was good? Our general manager comes out and bans them from the restaurant.

Don't be a tool. Tip your servers.

[/ QUOTE ]

1. I never said I don't tip. But a good tip is earned, not a right.

2. Again, it ain't my fault you make $2.13 an hour. How is it my problem? As Mr.Pink once said, "You don't feel it necessary to tip the servers at McDonalds, do you?" Why not?

3. A tool is someone who takes a service job, expecting to be tipped by everyone, and whines when he realizes that some people do not tip. Them's the breaks, Sparky.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I make good enough money where I work

[/ QUOTE ]

The shut the [censored] up and stop complaining. Jesus christ people we live in a free market economy.

[/ QUOTE ]

what does a free market economy have to do with anything being talked about? This isn't international trade we're talking about - it's tipping. People use capitalism as an excuse for everything, when it's actually the cause for this problem.

Getting left 0 is brutal - you have to be a super douchebag to tip nothing, or the service has to be utterly non-existent. I'd bet it's the former in this case, as it usually is.

I can't believe how cheap some people are - seriously

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'd welcome the chance to speak with a manager about why his waitperson was not worth tipping.

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to be a manager at a restaurant. The waitresses made $2.50/hr and depended on tips. As a manager, I would know who my good and bad waitresses were. Most of the time, they were tipped. The only group of people who regularly did not tip were Indian people.(big surprise, huh?) If I knew my server was doing a good job and did not get a tip, I would do a paid out of the register. I would do about 10% of the bill. It made my servers happy.
I've noticed that when people don't leave a tip, it's usually because of bad service like not getting drinks on time, food being cold and late, not having napkins on the table. That's a big one, not having napkins. People go apeshit if they don't have enough napkins. Another reason is not having toys or crayons for kids to play with. Also, a lot of times with big parties, people assume someone else got the tip when in reality no one did.
BTW- For those of you who don't think tipping is part of the bill, STFU. Servers don't get a paycheck. They have to declare how much money they rang up and it gets taxed out of the paycheck. Most paychecks are $0.00. You have to work about 50 hours a week to get a check over $5.00. If the service is so bad you don't think a tip is worthy, you should be complaining to the manager anyway. It pisses me off when people who have never worked in the food service industry criticize those who do. Ask anyone who has spent a day serving food and they will tell you how hard it is.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

i base my tipping policy on courtesy and efficiency. I tip all the time. I've probably competely not tipped a server 2-3 times ever, and I certainly reserve the right to do that if, like in those cases, they really suck. Just because I think a server is being a retard by getting all bent out of shape fro lack of tip doesn't mean I don't tip myself.

The free market is totally relevant. He agreed to do a job based on an agreed upon wage and other conditions. If he feels this isn't enough his recourse is to leave. That's a free market economy.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
BTW- For those of you who don't think tipping is part of the bill, STFU. Servers don't get a paycheck. They have to declare how much money they rang up and it gets taxed out of the paycheck.

[/ QUOTE ]

wow, no [censored]! So that means if i don't leave a tip, that I help the waiter save on taxes!

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

Have you ever waited before?

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
I make good enough money where I work.

[/ QUOTE ]

And yet here you are whining about someone not tipping. The idea that you're entitled to a gratuity is hilarious; while I do understand that it's customary there, YOU need to understand that "customary" is very different from "mandatory". Someone who studies [card game] shouldn't need variance explained to them.

As suggested elsewhere, get a proper job or just swallow it. Stop whining, you're only upsetting yourself.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
BTW- For those of you who don't think tipping is part of the bill, STFU. Servers don't get a paycheck. They have to declare how much money they rang up and it gets taxed out of the paycheck.

[/ QUOTE ]

wow, no [censored]! So that means if i don't leave a tip, that I help the waiter save on taxes!

[/ QUOTE ]

No, he pays taxes. When you ring in a meal, it gets tallied. So lets say that at the end of the work week, you have $1000 in meals. You have to declare at least 8% or the IRS comes looking for you. So that means you need to declare at least $80 in tips. Whether or not you get tipped, you need to declare $80. So when you are a cheap bastard and don't tip, you cost your server money.
BTW-If you continually only declare 8%, the IRS WILL come looking for you. Most do 10%.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

Please define a 'proper' job. You know, I mean by your standards.

Re: Got stiffed on a tip tonight
 

I've done it all. My family has owned restaurants, and I've worked in theirs and others, as wait staff, cashier, dishwasher, food prep, etc. And worked in lots of other customer service jobs too.

I always approach the customer positively and do my best no matter how trying it is. I never blame customers for my moods, and I never keep them in the dark as to why anything might be going wrong or when they should expect their meal, etc. I try to make them feel at home, but a little better. I never feel the customer is there for me; I feel I represent the restaurant on the one hand and my own good standards on the other. If I do my job well, both will be well represented. If I'm unwilling to do the job well, I definitely should be fired or quit ASAP. The customer has nothing to do with any of that.

You meet all kinds. And unless you're a lousy employee, you give good service to all kinds. Unless they're lousy customers, they give you a good tip back. Sometimes you won't get tipped. That's life. You do your job and hope for the best -- and try to earn it.

What I usually see in discussions like this is the amazing sense of entitlement so many waitpersons have. You don't have to know many people to get endless earfuls of stories about bad service, if you ask. Bad service is not uncommon. Mediocre service is usually the best you can hope for unless you go to a more expensive place, and even then, you're still just hoping, and can expect to be waited on better if your clothes are more expensive and less if they're not.

I've been on both sides of the fence plenty, and am actually a very good tipper whenever possible. But it's not uncommon that wait staff make giving a good tip simply impossible, and even ruin the meal. Wait staff can be as much of an advertisement for the place as the food itself, and I'm sure, as I noted in another post, that many restaurants lose as many customers over the service as they do over the food. One or two bad experiences and I'm outta there, and my huge loyalty to places I like and normally great tipping is just something that never got a chance to happen.

Frankly, I feel more sorry for the owners in some respects than for the wait staff when a dining experience has gone wrong. And of course for the customers, who paid restaurant prices for an unpleasant meal.