Question for restaurant servers.

saying that though..when i was 17 working at pizza hut us serving staff got £3.20 an hour...and was less than kitchen staff as we got tips... so sometimes serving staff are on less than others...

However i wont tip unless we get better than basic service!

For all you people who say they "just don't tip" or leave a few pennies, heads up to this. Servers are charged taxes on their total sales. They have to pay taxes based on 8% of that total (its been a while since I was a server so it could be more now in CA at least). So if you don't tip at least 8%, that server actually loses money waiting on you. SO unless the server is especially rude or bad at their job, please don't screw them like that. As someone who lived off of tips (although I was a damn good server) cheap *kitten* who stiffed me or tipped next to nothing deserved to get throat punched. That is all.....

Wow! We don't have those rules here. You just have to claim the difference of minimum wage minus 2.13/hr, whether you make it or not really.

As far as being a customer, I try to make my visit more enjoyable for my server by having my drink and food orders ready when they arrive (but only giving the food order if they ask). I also let my server know asap that my husband consumes an ungodly amount of sugar and creamer with his coffee, and just bring a bowl of it to save yourself some headache. I order a soda AND a water (if I'm getting soda) or a water for another guest at the table (that they don't want) if I'm feeling thirsty. I know I shouldn't have to, but I know that servers are busy! This keeps me satisfied for awhile.

Also, it's just helpful as a customer to clean up the little paper sugar packets, butter pat containers, etc. Just put them in a dirty cup or bowl. I know it's not your job, but no server wants to reach all over you to pick up stray pieces of paper or even dirty dishes. It takes all of five seconds to tidy up between courses.

You know, you could politely ask...servers are people too, they aren't psychic. the average person doesn't want more then 1-2 refills. Don't sit there and get mad when the server doesn't fill you up, just be politely vocal about your wishes and I am sure you would be accommodated. Servers get paid 2.83 an hour and they work their butt off to depend on the generosity of others. I was a waitress for 4 years during college, and it is people like you that made me angry. If I've refilled your drink 3-5 times, and you're still unhappy ...then you tip me 1.99-3.99 ...you aren't worth my time. Sorry, but servers are only nice to those who tip them. it's like any other job. You wouldn't be happy if your boss cut your pay because you didn't refill his coffee enough times....it works the same way with servers. Just ask for what you want, be nice and they'll be nice to you, take in account all their service, not just your refills, and then if all goes well tip either 5 dollars for anything under 25 dollars, or 20% for anything over 25 dollars. That's the right thing to do.

Because you don't need it.

:sad:
Talk about first world f***ing problems.

It is a service industry good service=good tips. I didnt say it was an easy service industry job but it's still that persons job to serve and hopefully meet the needs of the customers.

I have a question for customers: can you not see that I'm running my butt off serving 6 to 8 other tables? That I'm seating people at the door, helping people at the register, making soups, making salads, and I just can't do it all at once? You drank your soda in three minutes? That sucks, do you want me to just sit here and watch your table non-stop? I do the best I can, and I'm serving 25 customers at a time in my cheap restaurant where we're understaffed, so thanks for shorting my tip because I'm not superwoman.

not to be cruel, but



i'm out of the house, spending hard earned money on something i could easily make at home. the problems of other people are not of my concern. all i know is i am here, and i am thirsty. i'll drink my refillable drink in whatever time period that suits my needs, tyvm.

For all you people who say they "just don't tip" or leave a few pennies, heads up to this. Servers are charged taxes on their total sales. They have to pay taxes based on 8% of that total (its been a while since I was a server so it could be more now in CA at least). So if you don't tip at least 8%, that server actually loses money waiting on you. SO unless the server is especially rude or bad at their job, please don't screw them like that. As someone who lived off of tips (although I was a damn good server) cheap *kitten* who stiffed me or tipped next to nothing deserved to get throat punched. That is all.....

This doesn't apply in the UK, nor in other countries in Europe I've lived in so far (Greece, France, Holland & Germany).
So yeah... I don't tip. They get minimum wage just like the rest of us.

Well then I guess you are entitled to being cheap :drinker:

We don't tip here in Australia either unless the service is really awesome, it's not customary and our service staff are much better paid. Having said that when I travel I always tip according to local custom

Is it wrong that I think this thread is very funny!

Customer is all "I don't care how busy you are, this is my money, and I'm not tipping much if I'm not happy"

Server is all "I can't believe you didn't leave me 20% even though you weren't happy with your experience"

Customer is all "I just got a refill, and drank it in 2 minutes...it's been 3 minutes since then...why isn't my glass full"

Server is all "I got 8 tables and have to make my rounds, it takes me at least 5+ minutes to get back to you"

Both sides claim great wrongs have been done to them.

Many years ago I was a server. I was always on top of refills, I think partly because I hated waiting for my diet coke to get refilled. But give me a rude customer, they can sit forever and if I did bring them a refill after the were grumpy, I would oh so drop the tip of a dirty towel in it, smile and say enjoy. Be nice to your server, or dine at fast food places. Yes, you can get really bad service. If so, don't tip. TIPS... To insure prompt service

Yea...that's a pretty crappy thing to do to someone. If someone is rude, sorry, that doesn't give you a green light to introduce potentially damaging materials/bacteria etc.. into their meal.

You should honestly be ashamed of yourself for ever doing something like that. It's not cool when people are rude, but you should never put their health at risk because of it.