Do people tip anymore?

[Freya]

I have worked in the service industry for a good portion of my adult life, and I always tip my waitresses - approx 15% on a served meal and 10% on a buffet, if they are good at their job. So I recently took a waitressing job, while waiting for school to start in the winter - and I'm fucking amazed at how many people either don't tip at all, or tip so little it's almost an insult. I realize it's a buffet meal, but I still run my ass off serving drinks, pouring water, clearing tables etc etc. I smile, I chat, I'm friendly and polite, I'm quick and efficient, I don't drop plates on their heads. Tonight, on average, 1 out of 6 people tipped for their meal.

Now for some reason, it seemed at if tonight was the night for younger people to be in the restaurant - I'm talking 18-20 yr olds on dates. Is this something that the younger generation isn't aware of - that you're supposed to tip your server? The older patrons today all tipped me - and they're on pensions for god's sake. what is it with the younger ones?

I'm wondering if it's just my loserville welfare city that this is in, because I never had these types of people in all my years of working in other cities.

 

[bknight2602]

Freya it is the me generation, given everything, and having no values for what they have been given. Ythey don't appreciate anything, so why appreciate some one else.

 

[calypso_21]

I know what you mean. I worked as a bartender and Happy Hour brought in far less in tips than working the evening shift. I think it has something to do with the buffet or something.

 

[JazzManJim]

It's not you.

I've had horrible tips myself the last three or four weeks. It gets even worse when it rains, too.

 

[badasschick]

I'm a chronic over tipper...

I have this paranoid fear that when I'm seen, those serving me will assume that I'm a lousy tipper or that I won't tip at all. Thus, I feel the need to over compensate.

 

[Pagliacci]

I always tip,sometimes overtip even,that's the way I've been taught.
Since I myself has been in the service industry I also try to be a good and nice customer to make the job easier on waiters and waitresses.

When it comes to the younger party crowd I think the reason they're cheap when it comes to tipping is that they feel they hardly have any cash and rather spend it on themselves than on someone providing them with service,something the waiter/waitress should do anyway since it's their job.

If you're on a party budget then the tip might mean you can't party as hard.

My guess at least.

 

[red_rose]

I always tip, but I base it on service, not the amount of money I spent at the restaurant. (This can work for and against the server.)

I've been known to tip better than a party of two at dinner on my single lunch ticket... I've also been known to leave a buck if the service was really horrible.

I've worked as both a waitress and a hostess. I know what should be done and I can tell what kinds of constraints my server is under fairly easily.

I'm a youngin'... and I think other youngin's who have waited tables know how and when to tip. Those who haven't, don't.

 

[Freya]

Freya it is the me generation, given everything, and having no values for what they have been given. Ythey don't appreciate anything, so why appreciate some one else.

I wonder. But don't they learn from example? I mean I watched my mom tip waitstaff, which is where I learned to do it.

 

[kidthor]

...I always overtip...and I'm not just saying that to impress lovely Canadians...

 

[Freya]

I know what you mean. I worked as a bartender and Happy Hour brought in far less in tips than working the evening shift. I think it has something to do with the buffet or something.

Maybe they figure if you are bringing their food to them, they don't need to tip you for it.

Never mind the cleaning up the friggin mess they make, [icking chunks of jello off the floor, and having to completely change the table after the slobs leave - they're getting their own food, so it doesn't count.

 

[Guest]

 

[Freya]

It's not you.

I've had horrible tips myself the last three or four weeks. It gets even worse when it rains, too.

Well, I understand that people are cheaper when it nears the holidays - but $.12 on a $20 meal? Or a dollar on a $50 meal? Sheesh!

 

[lovechild27]

Being a broke college student, I tip as much as I can. Gotta realize it just isnt in everyones budgets to be really generous. When I can though, I give extra.

 

[bknight2602]

I wonder. But don't they learn from example? I mean I watched my mom tip waitstaff, which is where I learned to do it.

My point exactly, this generation has been given everything, working for little and have no appreciation of hard work and dedication. Of course there are shining examples of hard work and dedication but it seems to me that more of the younger generation don't have it, IMHO.

 

[Freya]

I'm a chronic over tipper...

I have this paranoid fear that when I'm seen, those serving me will assume that I'm a lousy tipper or that I won't tip at all. Thus, I feel the need to over compensate.

Yeh, I tend to overtip as well.

When it comes to the younger party crowd I think the reason they're cheap when it comes to tipping is that they feel they hardly have any cash and rather spend it on themselves than on someone providing them with service,something the waiter/waitress should do anyway since it's their job.

If you're on a party budget then the tip might mean you can't party as hard.

My guess at least.

Yes, you're probably right. But, I wonder, because they dont' even bother with a token tip, if they just don't realize about tipping.

 

[JazzManJim]

Well, I understand that people are cheaper when it nears the holidays - but $.12 on a $20 meal? Or a dollar on a $50 meal? Sheesh!

Oddly enough, December's a better tipping month for me. October and November are not as good, though.

And I often get a dollar on a 30 dollar order, or less at times. It doesn't bother me much anymore. I kno things even 0out in the end, even if it takes a couple weeks to do it.

 

[Nicki19]

Freya it is the me generation, given everything, and having no values for what they have been given. Ythey don't appreciate anything, so why appreciate some one else.

I resent that comment.

I'm 21. I tip. The state I live in 1/2 the time (NH) has 7% meal tax, so my friends and I usually double the tax and then add a few extra bucks. I have left no tip, and once I left a 25 cent tip, but both times were exceptions to the rule and very well deserved. I don't know anyone that routinely does not tip. Maybe it's just your area?

 

[sunstruck]

My minumum tip is always 20% and I usually round up. If the service was excellent and my party large, I'll go overboard. I have friends in the restaraunt biz. I know what waitstaff make without tips and I know they work thier asses off.

 

[Lost Cause]

Over tipper......

I appreciate people that bust their ass every day providing services to strangers, mostly spending all day on their feet, or in a car. My usual amount is $5.00 for every $20.00 spent at an establishment. I realize some ungrateful bastards don't tip, so I hope to make up a little with mine.
(T.I.P. - To Insure Promptness)

 

[Freya]

I'm a youngin'... and I think other youngin's who have waited tables know how and when to tip. Those who haven't, don't.

I think anyone who has been in the service industry, most likely tips their servers - I just wonder about those who haven't - if it's not somehing they know to do.

 

[70/30]

I'm a chronic over tipper...

I have this paranoid fear that when I'm seen, those serving me will assume that I'm a lousy tipper or that I won't tip at all. Thus, I feel the need to over compensate.

exactly BA CHICK, I tip minimum 20 percent for a meal (at Denny's and lunch specials 25% minimum) and a dollar each trip to the BAR. Most of my friends are cheap asses(holes), I always put in extra-extra-extra to make the tip right.

 

[CAROSI]

Tipping

I always tip. I worked as a bartender and a food server. Its not an easy job. I get yelled at all the time for over tipping.

 

[Summery]

I worked for many years in the service industry, I can relate.
I never go by % when it comes to tipping, though. I go by the quality of service. I am a gracious tipper, regardless. I've even had several pizza delivery guys stand at my front door in shock, when I tell them to keep the change. I've been on both sides, and can appreciate the service.

 

[bknight2602]

I resent that comment.

I'm 21. I tip. The state I live in 1/2 the time (NH) has 7% meal tax, so my friends and I usually double the tax and then add a few extra bucks. I have left no tip, and once I left a 25 cent tip, but both times were exceptions to the rule and very well deserved. I don't know anyone that routinely does not tip. Maybe it's just your area?

As I said there are those that have the dedication, so if you are one of those, the comments should not have bothered you!

 

[calypso_21]

Maybe they figure if you are bringing their food to them, they don't need to tip you for it.

Never mind the cleaning up the friggin mess they make, [icking chunks of jello off the floor, and having to completely change the table after the slobs leave - they're getting their own food, so it doesn't count.

I found that it fluctuates. Some days were really good, others really sucked. However working one night on the weekend more than made up for any piss poor day I had during the week. It will pick up. Don't let it get you down. Penny pinchers are out there. But you will find ones who will go above and beyond and really surprise you.