I know that most normal people know this, but more and more I see the ignorant people who do not. When you go out to eat at a sit down restaurant, you are paying for not just your meal, but you are also expected to pay your server for serving you. No, they do not get paid regular minimum wage. No, the restaurant does not give them money to live off of. The money the restaurant pays is solely for the taxes to be taken out of the tips that are given. Server minimum wage here in Alabama is $2.13 an hour. If we get stiffed, we are literally not getting paid. And at some restaurants around here, there is a thing called tipping out. That means the busboy, the bartender and sometimes also the hostess receives a percentage of the tip given to the server. If the server is stiffed, then they are PAYING for you to sit there and wait on you. Some people, noticeably older people tip 10%. Maybe that was okay back when they were young, but with inflation, the price of everything has shot up. The standard tip for average service is 15-18%. Great service = 20% and up. Welcome to 2010, its the standard now! Does 20% sound like alot? Maybe a little steep for some people. But honestly, when you go out to eat you must consider a decent tip to factor into your budget. If you cannot afford a tip, do NOT go out to eat. Most servers are college students trying to make it through. They have food bills, electric bills, rent, and not to mention paying through college. This is their livelihood. Don't come out to a restaurant, expect to be waited on hand and foot by an attentive server, and not be prepared to give them the pay they deserve for their job. Some servers on the other hand, are lazy and uncaring about their jobs. The don't give refills, they chat with co-workes while their tables obviously need things. 10% is a tip for bad service. And you may even want to stiff them, but don't. Leave a note explaining that you could have left more had they taken better care of you. 10% and under is a slap in the face of any server. Which is why it is so incredibly irritating when a server gives fantastic service, is on top of refills, is friendly and courteous and does their best to make sure you have a great experience, and then get less than 15%. Anything less is insulting. A few extra bucks is not going to hurt you. But it could be the difference between a server paying the rent and making it through college. If only everyone understood this. Servers are not greedy to expect this. They need it to survive.
A server will remember you. Whether you tipped well or not. You are talked about to other employees, either about what a fantastic table you were and what a great tip they left, or they will spread the word you are a cheapskate who does not deserve good service if you are seen again. When one server tells another, "Hey you know that couple you just got at you table? They tip really great!" then they are guaranteed great service. The opposite is also true, "Hey see that 4 top you just got? I have had then and they only tip 10% or less, so don't go overboard on service, cause they never tip anymore than that". The incentive for giving good service is a decent tip at the end. And thats the way it is.
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