Everyone has very different views on tipping. Some people don't believe in it, some do. Some people don't know when to tip or even why they should tip. Since I am a waitress and a customer I can relate both ways. But it doesn't matter if I am serving or if I am the customer, I still believe in tipping.

Since the tipping of servers is most common that is what I will base my review on. However, tipping is not limited to just servers. It is polite to tip anyone who gives you service. Including hairdressers, delivery persons, and bartenders.

First off, I will probably be mentioning three terms that not everyone would be familiar with. The first is "servers". This is now the term for waitresses/waiters. Second is "stiffing". This is what servers call it when someone does not leave a tip. The third is "gratuity". This is when 15% of the bill is added on to the bill.


Now I would like to clear up a couple of myths:


Myth #1 You don't have to tip because the server makes minimum wage.

This statement is false. Most servers only make around $2.13. Even at restaurants where the server may not have to do much, they still make only $2.13. The only place I know where servers make $5.15 is Pizza Inn and they do accept tips. I am not sure if this is all Pizza Inns. If you are unsure about wages at a particular restaurant, ask. I am sure that the server would be willing to tell you.

Myth #2 You don't have to tip if the restaurant has a buffet.

Most likely this is false. I have worked a buffet restaurant for 3 years and I only make $2.13 an hour. I had to put this one in here because a lot of customers tell me that they didn't think they had to tip because of it.

Myth #3 You don't have to tip because if the server does not make enough tips to equal minimum wage the restaurant will compensate them.

This, again, is false. If the server tips and wages combined totals less than minimum wage, they do not get compensated for it and they must still claim that they have made minimum wage for that day.

Myth #4 You don't have to leave a tip because it was already added on to your bill.

This is not always true. Be sure to check your receipt.


I hoped that all of that has made sense. Now I will move on to some FAQ's asked by some of my customers.


How much should I leave?

This question has many different answers. Mainly, it is what you feel that you should leave. Everyone knows that 15% of the bill is appropriate. Now that has jumped up to 20%. I would recommend leaving 10% if the server did not do a very good job, 15% if the server did a good job, and 20% if the server went out of her way.

Why has the percent went from 15 to 20?

The reason for this is simple. The price of living has went up and so has everything else. So the server needs more money to live on just like everyone else.

What if I don't have enough money to leave a tip?

I understand that not everyone has a lot of money. My advice, though this may sound harsh, would be to eat fast food. If you do not have the cash to leave a tip, leave a check. You can either make it out to the server or to the restaurant if you feel more comfortable doing so.

And if you find yourself without the cash or your checkbook and the server has done an excellent job, fill out a comment card.

Why was gratuity taken out?

This usually happens at larger restaurants and with larger parties. This assures the server that they are getting a tip. A lot of people get upset about it. Look at it this way, what if you were the server and you just got done waiting on 50 adults and children and had a big mess to clean up and the people left no tip. How would you feel?


Conclusion


Of course, this is just my opinion. Tipping is the polite thing to do. If you find yourself getting upset about leaving a tip, put yourself in the server's shoes. The server probably has a family to feed just like yourself. Servers depend on their tips to pay for their bills and to put food in their families mouth.

Remember that servers are people too. Treat them with respect and they will do the same. Tips make a happy server and a happy server makes happy customers.








Recommended: Yes