If you dine out, you should read this...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by K9soul

When you go into a store and buy groceries, part of the money you spent is being used to pay the workers. Here, in restaurants, part of the money you spent is used to pay cooks and dishwashers and so on, but the meal would have to be higher priced to pay the servers the national/state minimum wage.

---

That is SO well said!!

While it may not seem fair that tips are what make up most of the servers' salaries, it is still the reality of the situation. Don't punish the individual people just because you don't agree with the system. I'm sure they would love to be paid a set amount by the restaurant and not have to worry about how much they get in tips...but it just doesn't work that way, so I think it's important to understand that and be kind and plan on leaving a tip when you go out to eat.

I don't think there's anything wrong with using tips to reflect the service...if someone was just plain rude and didn't do their job, then there is no reason you should be 'required' to leave a set amount. But if the server was obviously busy and just had a lot going on...as long as they took care of you, they are still doing their job and deserve to be tipped.


I used to have a friend who really had kind of a powertrip about tips. The server could have been friendly, gotten the orders right, and kept drinks filled all night...but if they weren't as friendly as he'd like, or if his drink was empty for just a few minutes before the server got a chance to see it, he would tip significantly less. I'm not suggesting anyone here is like that, but it just emphasizes that different people are looking for different things when they go out, and the waitstaff cannot be mind readers..they have a lot going on and deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt most of the time, and get paid. I used to work at a video store and people would get irrate if you told them a video was overdue, or that you didn't have what they were looking for. I still got paid for doing my job even though the customers may not have been happy. Servers have a lot of stress on them because their salary depends on how happy each guest is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daisy and Delilah

Anna, I would almost drive to Ohio to visit your Red Lobster. I can imagine it's a dining experience I would never forget. I have to ask you......are your feet killing you most of the time? I don't know how you servers do it.

---

Thank you:D

Yes, most of the time my feet hurt (at work and at home) but also my shoulders from carrying the trays. I think we at Red Losbster have some of the heaviest dishes around:eek:
But I guess that's just one of the hazards of being a server!

I found this this morning on Wikipedia about tipping for some of you that asked these questions:
Tipping for traditional table service restaurants offering take-out and curbside service is sometimes suggested, one source suggests a tip of 10-15%. This is due to the fact that in a few cases up to 8% of the server's total sales may be automatically reported as tips, so the server is penalized if you do not tip at least at that level.

Tipping at buffet-style restaurants is also necessary, although some may think it is appropriate to tip a small amount (e.g. $1) if a server refills their drinks. The fact of the matter is, that servers in buffet style restaurants receive less than minimum wage per hour as well and thus need gratuities to supplement their earnings. [citation needed]

Some coffee shops or establishments without table service leave a countertop tip jar (a.k.a. guilt cans)by the cash register, but tipping is not expected as it would be for table service.

Servers usually "tip out" portions of their tip receipts to support staff like bussers and bartenders. Bartenders usually are also tipped by the patrons ordering drinks at the bar

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lunasmom

Servers have a lot of stress on them because their salary depends on how happy each guest is.

---

When I waitressed, I realized another source of stress for servers are the "in-house politics". Get on the bad side of the cook, busboy, or hostess, and your orders get lost or shuffled to the end of the line, or you only get a couple items at time, your tables don't get bussed, or you get stuck in a lousy section (every restaruant has one) for the whole week instead of one shift. All of these take a toll on your tips... besides having to deal with the tipping-whims of the customer.

I know there are places people make tons of money in tips, but more servers work at family places where regular people go out to eat. The little things I liked about waiting on people were when you can lift someone's spirits by saying a kind word or giving them a smile, and give them good service so they can relax & enjoy a meal out.
I knew some of the people didn't have alot of money, and weren't going to leave much of a tip, and that was ok with me. At least they smiled back. :)

And Anna, I'd love to sit in your section next time I come to Ohio!

Thanks for posting that Anna, that explained somewhat what I had been trying to say. My "wage" was taxed a certain amount automatically for tips, so whether I made a tip or not I was still taxed for it.

Nothing exhausted me mentally and physically to the degree long hours at that job did. And while I like people, I am too easily hurt and stressed by nastiness and thus it was only something I really did for a few months. But it was enough to make me always appreciate a hard working server, in my experience most of them really are.

I will never understand some people's need to be nasty and condescending to people in customer service. So many people tolerate NO mistakes and no apology or trying to make things right will appease them. I guess they are just generally unhappy people.

I'm usually a good tipper, a server has to be horrible to get a bad tip from me but usually I tip 20% or more. I see it as a labor fee, if I have a plumber over and he's late or takes longer then expected I still have to pay him for labor. I feel that's how it is with a server, only I at least get to choose how much I want to pay for labor. I don't think I have ever not tipped a server before, however if the service is horrible I will leave a small tip.

Someone asked about the tip jars at coffee shops, having been a barista for 4 years I figured I'd give my input. I've worked for a local shop as well as Starbucks, I don't get tips anymore since I'm management and am salaried. Tips are not a baristas main source of income, but a supplement. Tips are not expected but appreiciated. Did the barista do something out of the ordinary for you? Maybe they took the time to make you samples of different drinks, stepped off the floor to do a french press demonstraion for you, managed to put together 4 coffee travlers in under 15 minutes during a rush even though you forgot to call ahead and place the order. In those situations you really should tip, not just for the amazing service and the fact they stopped what they were doing to help you but because then the poor barista is going to have to deal with angry customers wondering why the service is especially slow.

When customers apologize for not having money to leave a tip I always say that I'd rather have nice customers then an extra dollar, and it really is the truth. If you just order a medium coffee you should not feel like you have to tip or in any way feel guilty that you didn't leave your change in the tip jar.

However, my #1 pet peeve... Don't take money out of our tip jars! If you are short 5 cents odds are that we will spot you, but don't be rude and grab our money. I'd never dream to stick my hands in your wallet to pull out what you owe me so pay me the same respect! You'd be amazed at how many customers think it's ok to make change for themselves out of our tips or help themselves to a dime because they don't want to have to carry 90 cents in change.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Uabassoon

However, my #1 pet peeve... Don't take money out of our tip jars! If you are short 5 cents odds are that we will spot you, but don't be rude and grab our money. I'd never dream to stick my hands in your wallet to pull out what you owe me so pay me the same respect! You'd be amazed at how many customers think it's ok to make change for themselves out of our tips or help themselves to a dime because they don't want to have to carry 90 cents in change.

---

:eek: You have got to be kidding. I only wish you were. I cannot believe anyone would do that. I almost never put tips in those jars, if I feel someone has gone out of their way or been especially nice I will, but that is rare. However, I would never dream of taking money out of the tip jar. I am sad to here that people actually have such little respect for other people's property.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Uabassoon

I'm usually a good tipper, a server has to be horrible to get a bad tip from me but usually I tip 20% or more. I see it as a labor fee, if I have a plumber over and he's late or takes longer then expected I still have to pay him for labor.

---

OMG!
Ask Gini about getting a plumber to her house when PT members come over. ;)

She would have tipped, washed their car and ????????? ;)

-------------------

I have never been to a Hooter's restaraunt.

Why?

I want to eat chicken wings, not pay for a breast enhancement.

Why pay for something you ain't gonna take home? :eek: ;) :confused:

Lots of times, people presume to know what an occupation involves, what goes on in a daily way, how people might act, etc. Even as it relates to lawyers. One might presume there is some special environment, all white linen and soft fabrics, quiet music, and people just falling all over themselves to be polite and gracious to me. Trust me, after 8.5 years, I can tell you- it isn't true. I am in customer service, albeit, at a higher price tag. I didn't know that that made me unable to grasp how to tip someone.

I don't like being told what to do, and I wager most of you are in the same place. That was how I took the OP.

As for me crying in my soup, and not able to stomach a meal, now, at Red Lobster, well, puh-leeze. Can't opinions just be opinions? Short snap shots on how someone views something, at a set period in time? Does it have to get so personal? So drama'ish? I don't think so. All day long I have disagreements with people. It just can't be that big of a deal to me. If that makes me "wrong" somehow, oh well. It isn't a opinion I share.

I will still tip the way I will tip. If the OP meant to educate others (me included) on how to tip more, well, as it relates to me, she failed.

Audience. Message. Intent.

And, Richard, as usual, you find a lovely way to over generalize 'white collar professionals'. Strangely enough, I agreed nearly completely with your list of people in customer service.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Uabassoon

However, my #1 pet peeve... Don't take money out of our tip jars! If you are short 5 cents odds are that we will spot you, but don't be rude and grab our money. I'd never dream to stick my hands in your wallet to pull out what you owe me so pay me the same respect! You'd be amazed at how many customers think it's ok to make change for themselves out of our tips or help themselves to a dime because they don't want to have to carry 90 cents in change.

---

That is CRAZY! Crazy that it is nearly (nearly, I said) funny. I guess you have to say "they must need it more than me"?????

I have had people call me 3, 4 times a day, sometimes for a period of several days, for free advice. They think if they don't meet with me, or give me any info on themselves, I won't bill them. Well, I CAN'T bill them, since I have no way to get their address, but, after a few of those a day, it totally eats into my fees(the way I make a living). However, if I say, "I won't tell you anything unless you pay me first", I wouldn't have too many clients at all....LOL. Lawyers, gotta hate 'em, til you need 'em that is, right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RICHARD

I
Last word here.
Four dollars and change?

Here in CA the minimun wage is 6.35.

---

RICHARD...it has been $7.50 since January 1, 2007. And it goes to $8.00 on January 1, 2008. If you are being paid $6.35...you are being cheated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cataholic

Strangely enough, I agreed nearly completely with your list of people in customer service.

---

Watch your step, missy....I can make you see cross-eyed if I want. ;)

ES,

LOLOLOL,
Having closed MANY OFFICES with those huge Labor Rights and Minimun Wage limit posters, I did notice that they stated the MW was 6.35.

I thought, "Geesus, I am thankful that I earn quite a bit more than than.."

Really.

Blame them for not updating the poster.

I did read the sexual harrasment part and it said that I could not bash women...Ah, so is life. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cataholic

If the OP meant to educate others (me included) on how to tip more, well, as it relates to me, she failed.

---

Gosh, why am I not surprised by this :rolleyes:

Oh, wait! Wait! I want to do rolly eyes, too! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by K9soul

I don't know how things are in Canada since from others' posts I see that wages and tipping work differently in different countries ...

---

Each province is different, but here in Ontario --

Quote:

---

General Minimum Wage -- $8.00 per hour

Students under 18 and working not more than 28 hours per week during the school year or working during a school holiday. $6.40 per hour -- $7.50

Liquor servers $5.95 per hour -- $6.95 per hour

---

http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/...s/fs_wage.html

I'm assuming that Liquor Servers covers wait staff, since I know that they do get less than the general retail level minimum wage.

(edit: forgot to add the tipping info) I always used the 15% rule for tipping, which worked really well when our tax rate was 15% -- I just used that and rounded up to the nearest dollar. Now that its 14%, i just double whatever the 8% tax shows. Unless its really good service, then they get more, or its a restaurant that i regularly go to. Extra tipping goes a long way to becoming a 'preferred' regular, and can get you free Maki Rolls, Blooming Onions, and sometimes desserts ;)



As a side note, a friend of mine manages a restaurant, and would like me to remind everyone out there with kids to please keep a close eye on them. A couple nights ago, they had a little boy, around 3 or 4 who was not being supervised by his parents go running around near the kitchen area and collided with a waiter bringing out a meal, who ended up dumping it on the kid. Thankfully it wasn't anything scalding, but he was covered in foodstuffs and it could have been much worse (especially since they routinely carry steak knives out along with the food if a customer orders a steak). Please keep an eye on your kids for their sake and for the sake of the servers (and for the people around who are out for dinner too).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cataholic

Oh, wait! Wait! I want to do rolly eyes, too! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

---

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...leys/clap2.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ughinghard.gifI can't help it but you make me laugh! Thanks for the big smile this morning:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RICHARD

LOLOLOL,
Having closed MANY OFFICES with those huge Labor Rights and Minimun Wage limit posters, I did notice that they stated the MW was 6.35.

I thought, "Geesus, I am thankful that I earn quite a bit more than than.."

Really.

Blame them for not updating the poster.

(

---

Sorry RICHARD....you cannot blame it on the poster. California minimum wage has never been $6.35.

January 1, 2008 $8.00 $7.50 $0.50 6.7 percent
January 1, 2007 $7.50 $6.75 $0.75 11.1 percent
January 1, 2002 $6.75 $6.25 $0.50 8.00 percent
January 1, 2001 $6.25 $5.75 $0.50 8.70 percent
March 1, 1998 $5.75 $5.15 $0.60 11.65 percent


So repeat after me....mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa....

(and next time you accuse a politician of trying to weasel out of something....)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary

(and next time you accuse a politician of trying to weasel out of something....)

---

Who's the politician???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jenn_librarian

Do you really want to know what they did or didn't wear, lol!! Some things were very odd (napkin rings where I never want to see them stacked again, and clear plastic shorts... why??? ).

The funniest sight was the handy man who was also a member... steel toed boots, athletic socks, a tool belt with all the tools, and a baseball hat. And that was it! Oh, and a guy who had legally changed his name to Santa Claus... I thought that was just sick cause he looked like Santa, but rode around on a golf cart naked. Who wants to sit on THAT Santa's lap?! EEK! :eek: :p

---

this is off the topic - but I'll finish reading it and get back to it - but I had to say - was this in PA? One of my college professors was from PA and he worked at a hospital around a nudist resort, and he xrayed a guy that had shot himself in the knee with a nail gun. It went behind his knee cap and in front of the bone. My instructor asked the guy what happened and he had been roofing next to the nudist place and he asked Wil, have you ever seen anyone naked riding a 4 wheeler? and Wil said no he said yea well I hadn't either.....
:eek:

I've read thru most of this thread and I'm really confused as what to say.
I don't even know where to begin. I'm amazed at the twists and turns that people have put on this, something that started out as a tongue-in-cheek guideline was turned personal and not eating at a chain where someone works.....
What's in the water here on Pet Talk?!?!?!
I've never been in food service, but I have worked on 100% commission. And I've had people try to get me to take $50 off a vacuum, and I told them, that was taking money out of my pocket and the guy said "no it isn't you get minimum wage" I said "No I don't - I get 100% commission and if I don't make enough to get $6 an hour THEY PAY ME $6 an hour BUT then I have to pay them back out of my next check, its called the draw system." One time I came home working 18 hours in a two week period with an $11 pay check....

I always tip well, I have the EZ tip calculator on my phone and use it as a base rate. I've never not left a tip for bad service. My sister had horrible service once and left a penny, b/c she thought that would make more of a statement than nothing at all.

I got some awesome service at Olive Garden one day and when I looked at my bill my server (male) didn't charge me for my soup ($5) I gave him like a $9 tip. So I really didn't get anything free, I just paid him for the soup instead of the restaraunt.
I've also laid down what I thought was 3 1-dollar bills and when I glanced again I saw one of them was a 10. That's too good of a tip when my meal was only $15. :eek: So needless to say I changed the 10 for a 1!!!
I eat out a lot of most of the time by myself, I take a book with me, and I think I get better service when I am by myself b/c I can talk more one on one with the person.
There was one time I was going thru Taco Bell and the girl in the window may have said something to me that didn't mean anything to her but to me, it made my day. She told me to drive safely and be careful and have a nice day. She didn't need to tell me that but she did.
A few weeks ago my parents and grandma went out for supper at a local restaurant. Our server was ehhh ok but there was a younger boy that worked there that kept checking on us, getting our drinks, talking to my dad. I felt HE deserved the tip b/c once the other waitress saw him doing that she only came to give us the bill. He even came over and said "is there something else I can do for you guys since my turd friend has seemed to forgotten about you!" My dad told the manager she better watch her job b/c that kid will take it from you someday. :p
I actually didn't even think anything of the OP b/c I knew it wasn't 'from' Anna that it was probably an email she'd received. If you think this is rude there's one floating around on the net from an ER nurse that is 100% worse. Maybe Anna cleaned up the language on this one but the ER nurse one has all kind of threats and foul language.
now
go find a furry animal and give them a good pat!

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...310050002/1049

:confused:

Probably didn't have change for a 1,000 dollar bill.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary

Sorry RICHARD....you cannot blame it on the poster. California minimum wage has never been $6.35.

January 1, 2008 $8.00 $7.50 $0.50 6.7 percent
January 1, 2007 $7.50 $6.75 $0.75 11.1 percent
January 1, 2002 $6.75 $6.25 $0.50 8.00 percent
January 1, 2001 $6.25 $5.75 $0.50 8.70 percent
March 1, 1998 $5.75 $5.15 $0.60 11.65 percent


So repeat after me....mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa....

(and next time you accuse a politician of trying to weasel out of something....)

---

Beat a dead horse? I missed it by THAT MUCH (maxwell not so smart)

I'll leave poliiticians out of this one.

Let's dwell on the use of naplam in Iraq and other things.....

Does my underwear look clean?