To those who are not aware...

If you give me good service, keep my drinks filled and take care of my table, then I will tip great. If you are lazy, don't really care then you don't get crap. I really don't care if I get talked about good or bad. But your lack of service is going to ruin the establishment. I think that when a waiter is lazy and I give he/she a bad tip that maybe they will realize they are doing a crappy job or they need to do something else. And if you are lazy and the manager comes around, I will gladly tell them what kind of job you are doing. Since I see that you are probably a person of wait staff, then you should give great service and be rewarded with a tip. Otherwise, if you're lazy, I will tip accordingly.

I have no problem leaving nothing for someone who did next to nothing. They don't need a note...they'll figure it out. If they don't, they're probably too stupid to heed the note anyway. I work for my money, they can too.

Other than that, I do tip well. Probably more than I should in most instances.

The reality is, a lot of people do not tip. I know people (unfortunately) who argue that it is the restaurant owner's responsibility to pay his staff so they refuse to tip. Still others will leave $1 per person on an eight course meal that was a LOT of work.

I have to agree with Zuter... If you don't do what is expected of you at work... then you don't get paid, just like with any job. I do wish that restaurant workers could be paid minimum wage and then a tip that way if something happens then they could be covered for thier time atleast. I have never chosen to work in the service industry and that is why...

AllyTiel is correct that server minimum wage is $2.13 per hour. BUT if that amount plus the tips does not meet the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, the employer has to make up the difference. The servers never make under $7.25 per hour.

I don't have a problem not tipping well for bad service. But I would never leave nothing, just knowing what they make an hour. They could be having a bad day. Personal issues, who knows. Or maybe they are just a bad server. Yes I am a server, and I give good service to everyone. Thats why its so frustrating to work hard for for less money than I worked for. I can tell you right now, If servers were paid just $7.25 an hour, no tips, no one would do it. It would never be worth it. Plus, the food price would shoot up. Yes, it may be high now, to make a small profit and pay everyone else in the restaurant, except the servers. It is the toughest, most stressful job I've ever had. Not only dealing with the public, but the hungry public. I can work my butt off for some people and them leave me nothing. Thats what I am ranting about, basicly.

It also depends on what your definition of good service is. If the server is doing everything in their power to give you a great experience, but also dealing with 3 other table and trying to do the same for them, you should be a little understanding when you don't get a refill right away, or things are a little slower for you. On busy nights, servers work their tails off trying to get everything to everybody. Refills to table 1, get table 2's order, oh and tables 3 needs deserts and their check and their check processed. Yes they can multitask, but gosh, people can only do so much at one time. Someone is going to have a wait a few minutes sometimes and just be understanding.

Anyone who would leave no tip at all is trash. Even if you have bad service you should still leave at least 10%, then complain to the manager. If you take the time to complain you are liable to get part or all of your meal comped, anyway. Stiffing the server is just a way for mean, hateful people to do something mean and hateful without having to face the consequences. I hate going out to eat with a group of people in the Shoals, because inevitably there is some redneck in the group who decides to stiff the server because she dared to let his glass of tea get half empty.

My pet peave when eating in a restaurant is servers placing your beverage on the table with their HAND touching right where my LIPS are going to be. I KNOW that they handle money and dirty napkins, and now they expect me to drink out of that glass? Servers, hold the glass as if you were drinking out of it, not by the rim!

And yes, I will usually tell ther server if they have done it that way. If they are not busy, I'll ask (POLITELY) for a new glass. If they are busy, I'll ask for a straw. But I do let them know for future reference that it is gross, and if they are understanding, they'll still get a good tip. If they just shrug it off or look annoyed, it WILL be reflected in their tip.

And yes, I waitressed for many years, so I know what an extremely difficult job it is.

A while back we went out to eat with 2 other couples. The guys sat at one end of the table and the gals sat at the other end. The waitress was all over the guys and paid absolutely No attention to the gals needs. After our food was brought we were never asked if we needed anything. No butter or sour cream was brought as ordered with the baked potatoes. Had to ask twice to get some. We asked 3 times for a tea refill and never got it. We wanted dessert and had to interrupt her as she was giving the guys the tickets. Needless to say I reached and got out bill and paid it. I included a 10% tip along with a note stating that the food was wonderful but that the service was so lousy that I would not be back.

Come people let's tip someone even if they did not do a good job. Heck isn't that what the goverment is doing with welfare? Give those waiters and waitresses a break.

My wife and I went to AppleBees one evening and the waitress said to us "Do you mind if I go outside and smoke one. Gosh I have not had one in the past two hours and I really need a smoke and the girl walked off". I was surprised to be asked that question in a resturant and the girl came back after 15min with nothing in our glasses and nothing in her hands. You can call me what you will but I do not take pity on people like that.

It is called WORK ETHIC!!!
Which our younger generation seem to be lacking.

And talk about work ethic and the younger generation.... I cannot believe these young folks that text and talk on thier phones while at work. I have noticed it alot at a local restaurant with the servers , cooks etc... Let me tell you one thing if I were your boss you would leave that phone in your car or your butt would be out the door. If an emergency arises and someone needs to get in touch with you at work they can call your workplace and get in touch with you. Get over yourselves. I think it is downright tacky to be texting while at work. What is the freggin big deal about texting. Pick up the phone and call who ever and get the conversation over with.

Yes there are lousy servers out there, but that is not my point. My point is, good servers should be compensated for a good job. I know I do my best, and when I get a bad tip, at least I know it was not me, it was either someone being cheap or they are ignorant. If someone has a cell phone out at my work, they get written up, then fired if they do it again. Lousy, lazy servers do not deserve a good tip. 10% or less is a good insult. Which is why I get so angry when I go all out, constant refills, have anticipated every need a table has, gathered co-workers to sing happy birthday, and do it all cheerfully and to the best of my ability, and get 10%, or the dollar tip.
I don't work for fun, I work to pay off my bills. I know I do a good job, so I don't have to wonder if I failed when I get those lousy tips and I don't have to take it personally.

Shoals resident: From experience, some women do not treat female servers with any respect, but It is different when they have a male server. I treat males and females the same, but I have noticed that only women in a group do not treat me as well as if there were men in a group also. I don't know why this is, but it is something I have noticed in my time working as a server.

I have to say, I go out to eat at a sit-down restaurant at least twice a week. Trying new restaurants is a hobby of mine. I can't think of anytime that I felt compelled to leave anything less than a 15% tip (20% is my normal baseline). I really think that a lot of people are cheap jerks and just look for an excuse to not leave a tip, or else they were rude to the server and deserved bad service. I also have to say that when I was dating casually being a bad tipper was an absolute dealbreaker. It's a sign of a lack of class and character.

this area is notorious for 10% tippers. (esp. on weekends!!) sad but true.

Oh yes, the tips seem to go down a bit on the weekends for sure

[quote]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.[/quote]

I sorry, I 100% disagree!! Sometimes a stiff is deserved. Can you explain WHY should someone leave 10% if it was REALLY HORRIBLE which the server was very lazy and acted like they could care less about you? I feel if you want my money, WORK FOR IT!!

There are sooo many lazy servers that just bring you anything and don't verify the food for obvious errors BEFORE taking it to you. Have you ever had 5 or more mistakes in one dining experience? My husband and I have had them quite a number of times. Those are the lazy ones that don't care, so we didn't by giving them nothing!!

I find that sometimes I feel I shouldn't have left anything and left at least something, sometimes that was 10%. Looking back, some of those ones I wish I would have just stiffed. Did they really LEARN anything?

[quote]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%.[/quote]

I agree, that's why we leave 20% or more if the service is wonderful. If I want good service, I should be willing to pay for it and we do!!

all i can say is THANK GOD for the ones who leave a little extra to make up for the ones that suck.

it's true, if you suck as a customer, the word gets around the restaurant and you get pointed out as being a bad table and will not get the service you should.

one thing for sure, i do not want to make the person mad who brings me food and drinks.

btw, i'm a waiter and IF i get a check it's under $10.00. the only thing i have taken out for me is vision insurance ($1.50 wk) and dental insurance. ($6.00 wk) i don't make enough to get regular insurance. i also have to pay in several hundred dollars a year when i do my taxes.

most of the time my check for the week is $0.

"Can you explain WHY should someone leave 10% if it was REALLY HORRIBLE which the server was very lazy and acted like they could care less about you? I feel if you want my money, WORK FOR IT!!"

Because when you get bad service at the grocery store, the checkout person still gets paid minimum wage. The only reason people think it's ok to stiff servers is because they can slink out of the restaurant without the server knowing they've been stiffed until it's too late. If you're truly concerned about the service, complain to the manager, just as you would in any other business. Stiffing the server doesn't teach them anything except that you're a cheap jerk.

[quote]. If you're truly concerned about the service, complain to the manager, just as you would in any other business. Stiffing the server doesn't teach them anything except that you're a cheap jerk.[/quote]

I do BOTH, complain to a manager and either leave a bad tip(10% or under) or no tip at all.

It sure DOES teach them that they can't PAY THEIR BILLS OR PAY FOR THINGS THEY DO WANT!!

How can you say it doesn't teach them? If everyone would tip like we do, service would be almost perfect all the time. Because of people like you that think the servers are ALWAYS OWED SOMETHING NO MATTER HOW TERRIBLE they TREAT YOU and also because of the cheap people that don't want to tip properly when they receive good service, that's why service is so bad today.

It's called positive and negative reinforcement. If you slap your hand and it hurts, are you going to keep doing it? My point exactly.

[quote]Because when you get bad service at the grocery store, the checkout person still gets paid minimum wage.[/quote]

They get still paid through their employer, we don't have to tip you though(unless you are in a large party for example that the tip is added already). Get what I am saying? BY LAW, the store owner has to pay the employee, but BY LAW, a customer doesn't have to tip unless they have automatic gratuity added to their check due to they were in a large party.

The store clerk has no incentive besides keeping their job to do a good job. A server on the other hand has basically their pay and their job, so that should be an incentive, yet, it's not due to the factors I said above(the non/bad tippers that get good service and the ones that tip no matter what bad service they received).

[quote]The only reason people think it's ok to stiff servers is because they can slink out of the restaurant without the server knowing they've been stiffed until it's too late.[/quote]

For those that are cheap, but for those that are stiffing due to how they were treated and what EFFORT(lack their of) their server put into their service, we don't slink out the restaurant. We talk to the managers. We tell them WHY you aren't getting a tip. Maybe next time you won't treat us like our things you hand us isn't important to BRING out as obviously correct as possible. While I will request not to have that person again, the manager may try to improve the service with others as well.

[quote]If you're truly concerned about the service, complain to the manager, just as you would in any other business. Stiffing the server doesn't teach them anything except that you're a cheap jerk.[/quote]

Some managers don't care. What if the server was a jerk to you, shouldn't you treat them the same way in the tip? I am serious here. You shouldn't deserve a penny even if you aren't going to try your best and be nice. Messing up 5 things or more isn't really trying your best for example.

Most servers serve-n-run. What I am tired of is the servers that bring very obvious things wrong at the table when they know and you can tell they didn't compare their written orders to the food BEFORE bringing it to your table. That is the thing that gets me that they would rather run themselves back and forth instead of checking it real fast in the kitchen.

"If everyone would tip like we do, service would be almost perfect all the time."

As I said above, I eat out all the time and I can't even remember the last time I had bad service. I have never had service bad enough where I was tempted to leave no tip or complain to the manager. I find it very surprising that this has happened to you multiple times.

Also, just because you're not legally bound to leave a tip, doesn't mean that it's not unethical to not leave one.

[quote]Stiffing the server doesn't teach them anything except that you're a cheap jerk.[/quote][/quote]

When you learn you can't pay your bills, you WILL LEARN from it NOT to continue to do that behavior again as well as getting fussed from your manager for the complaints that were true real complaints that REALLY did happen.

Think about it, if you worked all day, didn't make much tips, think about if you really put your all into your job. If you deserved those bad tips or do you honestly in your heart know you did try your best? If the answer is you know you were lazy, well what do you expect? You have to WORK for your money, it's not a right!!!

[quote]As I said above, I eat out all the time and I can't even remember the last time I had bad service. I have never had service bad enough where I was tempted to leave no tip or complain to the manager. I find it very surprising that this has happened to you multiple times.[/quote]

I have bad service quite a lot. See, I order my food with many modifications, substitutions, etc. The thing is, the GOOD, CARING servers 98% of the times get it right, but there are more LAZY, UNCARING servers out there than caring, good ones I find.

I am finding so many obvious errors, especially missing condiments. You ask for a side of ranch to be added to an appetizer, your server sometimes brings it to you without the ranch. I don't understand that really, because it's not a lot of food to bring out to really mess up very often, yet, it happens SO OFTEN it's not funny.

We are only in a party of 2 most of the time, yet, something gets forgotten or brought out wrong or obviously prepared/cooked wrong brought to our table a lot of times from OUR server not always another server.

I just had recently a waitress that forgot my lettuce on the side, onions, mayo, and mustard.

I had a waitress recently remember at the table "Oh, yeah, you ordered ranch and salsa", which this was only an appetizer and she didn't apologize either.

It happens so OFTEN, it's unreal. We also have had many overcharges over the years as well.

[quote]I find it very surprising that this has happened to you multiple times.[/quote]

I am very surprised you don't get bad service. It's a very common thing for us. Servers will bring you the wrong item at times or forget a side dish, etc.

Do you check the prices on your check? I bet you don't. We have had quite a number of wrong prices. For example, the menu states something is a certain price, then the check is a higher price. The server can notice that and have gotten it fixed BEFORE it got to you, but they don't care about your money, they just care about theirs. It's true, it's all about them and their money as well as laziness a lot of times.

I don't think forgetting to bring a side of ranch is bad service. To me, this would constitute bad service:
Me: "I'm sorry, but you forgot my ranch I asked for."
Server: "Huh? You didn't ask for no ranch."
Me: "I did. Can you please bring it to me."
[Server stomps off muttering under her breath, and returns with the ranch and slams it on the table, splashing it on me.]

Fortunately, nothing like that has ever happened to me. Frankly, if you find yourself frequently leaving low or no tips, you need to do some self-examination. I suspect that the restaurant staff know that you are difficult customer and have warned each other to concentrate on their other patrons, because you are impossible to please. Either that, or you come at them with a bad attitude from the get-go. Maybe I always get good service because I always treat servers with respect, as peers, instead of as my personal slaves.

[quote]Me: "I'm sorry, but you forgot my ranch I asked for."[/quote]

I just repeat nicely "I ordered a side of ranch." I am not going to apologize for THEM forgetting it. It's THEM that should be saying they are sorry since THEY messed up, NOT ME!!

[quote]Can you please bring it to me."[/quote]

I don't make it take that long, because I am punishing myself. Telling them I ordered a side of ranch should be THEIR CUE to say they are sorry and go get it. Talking all that time about it is ridiculous and is wasting time for all(her, other customers, and myself).

[quote]I suspect that the restaurant staff know that you are difficult customer and have warned each other to concentrate on their other patrons, because you are impossible to please.[/quote]

NO, because we have been at restaurants out of STATE even and had the same crappy service(forgotten condiments, wrong food, etc.). We had NEVER been to those restaurants before even in that state.

Also, the places we frequent, they know we DO tip well when we get the good service, so NO, I don't think it's that at all.

I think it's laziness.

[quote]Either that, or you come at them with a bad attitude from the get-go.[/quote]

I don't see how when I am nice, asking for things nicely, and saying "thank you" when they bring things?

[quote]Maybe I always get good service because I always treat servers with respect, as peers, instead of as my personal slaves.[/quote]

NO, your opinion on what bad service is, is not MINE. I look at a forgotten side of ranch as points off, you wouldn't if it got fixed immediately, right?

spring, you need to just stay at home and cook your own meals if you are that darn picky! Obviously, you have never waited tables before or you would know how orders like this can throw the waiter and cooks off balance.If service is that bad everywhere you go then that is your problem!

If you give me bad service, bad tip. You give me good service, good tip. Enough said. I am NOT tipping someone for their bad service regardless even if it's 10%. That in no way, shape or form lets the wait staff know they did a lousy job.

When people have very specific orders and extra sauces and special salad requests, I try to write everything down so I don't forget. If I happen to forget a side of ranch for one person with all the the tables Im trying to take care of at the same time, I feel bad about it and apologize and run and get it. I don't know why you "take points off for that." You aren't the only one being waited on. A mistake like that is not intentional, and when the server is sorry and makes it right, you should forgive them and get on with things. Thats really a silly thing to hold against someone who has a million other things going on and they are trying to the best they can. Some servers are lazy and don't care, and that I would " count points off for". But when they make it right when they accidentely mess up, then thats a good server.

OK, understand the 15% plus rule, what about at a buffet where you serve yourself and the waiter may just provide a drink refill?

Servers at buffets also make $2.13 an hour. But they also do not have a table limit like a sit down restaurant. Like say, Crocodile Eds or Olive Garden, where you get a 3 table limit. As a buffet server, you can have many more tables. They also do not give a full dining experience. I still tip 15% at buffets, but I do not believe much higher is necessary. (Unless they have a great attitude) since they make their money from the quantity of tables they have, not from in depth personalized service for each table. (As in a full service sit down restaurant.) I pretty much start at 20% and will go much higher at sit down restaurants when I get great service.

[quote] [quote][quote]Me: "I'm sorry, but you forgot my ranch I asked for."[/quote]

I just repeat nicely "I ordered a side of ranch." I am not going to apologize for THEM forgetting it. It's THEM that should be saying they are sorry since THEY messed up, NOT ME!!

[quote]Can you please bring it to me."[/quote]

I don't make it take that long, because I am punishing myself. Telling them I ordered a side of ranch should be THEIR CUE to say they are sorry and go get it. Talking all that time about it is ridiculous and is wasting time for all(her, other customers, and myself).

[quote]I suspect that the restaurant staff know that you are difficult customer and have warned each other to concentrate on their other patrons, because you are impossible to please.[/quote]

NO, because we have been at restaurants out of STATE even and had the same crappy service(forgotten condiments, wrong food, etc.). We had NEVER been to those restaurants before even in that state.

Also, the places we frequent, they know we DO tip well when we get the good service, so NO, I don't think it's that at all.

I think it's laziness.

[quote]Either that, or you come at them with a bad attitude from the get-go.[/quote]

I don't see how when I am nice, asking for things nicely, and saying "thank you" when they bring things?

[quote]Maybe I always get good service because I always treat servers with respect, as peers, instead of as my personal slaves.[/quote]

NO, your opinion on what bad service is, is not MINE. I look at a forgotten side of ranch as points off, you wouldn't if it got fixed immediately, right?[/quote] [/quote]

My guess is that you've never worked as a server. Would I be right?

Ally, you've been going on about this for a couple of days now. Either it happened to you once and you can't let things go, or it's happened multiple times to you. If the latter is the case, then maybe you're a bad server that can't see their flaws or the most unlucky server in the Shoals to have gotten all these bad patrons. I don't know which it is. I don't know you. But, I do know (more often than not) tips vary directly with service.

FTR, I've never been a server. My only point of contention is your assertion about the entitlement to SOME tip regardless of service. I disagree.

I normally get excellent service and tip accordingly. I don't remember if I've ever left no tip, but I think it's silly to say you can NEVER do that or call someone trash for that.

I was the one who said that you should almost always leave some tip, and who also said that bad tippers are trashy people. I have never worked as a server, but I don't think you have to have worked as a server to treat servers with dignity and respect.

Ally, you seem to be a lovely person, but you imply you eat out quite a bit for a wait person who,as you and we have noted, does not make a lot of money.

I am not referring here to the people who know how to tip. There are ignorant people who are unaware of tipping practices and percentages thinking that the restaurant provides a living wage to the server. I have had a man from Tennessee hand me $5 on his $60 meal and ask me if that was okay, because he didn't know about tipping. He had to ask me what the percentages were and wanted me to explain it to him.
I did not say I don't make any money. I do not make the amount that I should be earning because some people pay no attention to the percentage they should be tipping. Lol, Until you have worked as a server, don't you dare assume that just because you give excellent service you will get even a decent tip. It depends on the type of people you wait on. Every server gets bad tips, even the best of the servers. If someone is a cheapskate, good service is not going to change that in their mind, because the think the restaurant takes care of the servers wage. Oh and those verbal tips suck. "Oh you were the best waiter we ever had! Heres a few bucks!" Verbal tips with a monetary tip, now thats great. I can't go to my utility company and say, "Hey thanks for the power this month! I appreciate it!" And not pay for it. I won't get that service anymore, will I?
The basic jest of the post was ONLY directed toward people who don't know that servers rely on tips for a living, not toward the people who know how to tip for good service.
Thanks for all those people out there who do tip their servers who take care of them.

Zuter, you go get a job for 2 weeks as a server, give the best darn service to everyone, and lets hear you say that again. In this part of Alabama, no, the tips do not always reflect the good service. I can guarantee that right now.
It happens every day to every server in the restaurant I work at, and I happen to know we give great service. Good servers work their tails off and are stiffed ,or given a few bucks. It sucks, but some people just aren't informed. Or they are informed and are just to cheap to care. Don't pretend to know what goes on as a server when you can't possibly. I was shocked when I became a server at how many people don't tip properly for good service.

Oh, and by the way, I am married and my husband is employed. So its not like I am the only one making income to afford to go out to eat. I would say that is the thing we like to do most together, for dates and such, since there really isn't much else to do here lol. We try restaurants out.

A waiter friend of mine told me that the worse tipping happens Sunday afternoon when church gets out.

[quote]When people have very specific orders and extra sauces and special salad requests, I try to write everything down so I don't forget. If I happen to forget a side of ranch for one person with all the the tables Im trying to take care of at the same time, I feel bad about it and apologize and run and get it. I don't know why you "take points off for that." You aren't the only one being waited on. A mistake like that is not intentional, and when the server is sorry and makes it right, you should forgive them and get on with things. Thats really a silly thing to hold against someone who has a million other things going on and they are trying to the best they can. Some servers are lazy and don't care, and that I would " count points off for". But when they make it right when they accidentely mess up, then thats a good server.[/quote]

AllyTiel

First of all, most of the times HONESTLY, it's not a real mistake, it's a LACK OF EFFORT. What I mean by that is that the servers don't compare their WRITTEN ORDER to the FOOD they deliver to you for obvious errors. Also, we have had servers ALL ON THEIR OWN OFFERED to bring condiments out ahead of time, which some of them said so they wouldn't forget.

I feel if you are that forgetful, maybe you should consider bringing it out beforehand, but always ask permission first.

As far as taking points off goes, if you didn't bring it out ahead of time and forgot it, you had COUNT them TWO CHANCES and forgot, so YES, it should be taken off since I have to WAIT to eat my food the way I enjoy it. WHY should you get the full 20% or more if you mess up? That's not fair in my eyes that I should still pay you the FULL AMOUNT no matter how little you TRIED YOUR BEST!!

A good example of laziness is that I recently a few months ago had a waitress that at the table remembered "Oh yeah you ordered ranch and salsa" when she only brought out ONE appetizer which it wasn't busy or anything, this was like around 1:30p.m. on a Saturday. There was no wait for a table and it wasn't that busy or anything. It's not like it was 7p.m. at night or something. I feel and to me it's a fact, when you forget TWO ITEMS on ONE appetizer plate, there's NO WAY you verified that plate, NO WAY!! She just brought it out without comparing her WRITTEN ORDER TO THE FOOD. I also didn't have to tell her, because she remembered BEFORE I had a chance to. She didn't say she was sorry and I even was nice enough to tell her "Thank you." Most servers don't say they are sorry honestly. I was very nice, even telling her I was sorry for having such a complicated order and that I am just a picky eater. So I was nice, WHY wasn't she? Who knows? Why didn't she TRY to get it right?

Then the entrée came, she said something like "I hope they got it right." Which that made me mad, so I just said "the side of mayonnaise. I can't stand the attitude that kitchen staff are the only people that can get things wrong. She could have brought that mayo out ahead of time if she was that forgetful and of course once again she didn't apologize. That time I didn't say "Thank you", because of her being so uncaring by what she said and how she didn't TRY her BEST to get it right. I usually say "Thank you" no matter what, but it's really getting to me now-a-days that I am so sick of the lazy servers out there like her.

My point is,(especially to MarianLiabrian2), I am being nice, she wasn't, so why should I be as nice back when it comes tip time?

She would have had a BETTER tip if she would have said she was sorry, of course. She also would have had a better tip not telling me if "did they get it right" attitude.

I asked for a bag, box, and some containers for the condiments. She didn't write those down and forgot the bag. Another lazy thing she didn't do was write it down and then when later I asked for a bag again, she didn't apologize for forgetting it the first time around. She also didn't listen when I had told her I didn't know about the check yet if I was ready or not, which she ended up bringing it anyway, which after we got the check that we didn't want, we ordered a dessert and some bar drinks making the total from like around $55 or so to $70 there about. Her tip was $5. That's a terrible tip, but she was a terrible server. She's lucky she got something for being such a LAZY and extremely UNCARING server.

My point is, NO MOST servers DON'T TRY THEIR BEST!!

Can you honestly say that you compare the food to the written order BEFORE you bring it out? If you don't, then you aren't trying your best. You are being lazy about it. Try to verify that order BEFORE bringing it out. If you aren't the server that took the order, I bet you don't compare the ticket to the food(assuming the ticket is correct of course), do you? Trying your best is truly trying your BEST and if you can't say you do all of that, you aren't trying your best.

It's one thing to compare the written order or ticket to the food and just miss something once in a while, it's another to not try at all.

Most servers are like that waitress that I just mentioned above. Do you check the orders with what you wrote down? I bet you don't.

Its true. And while it may not be true for every single family that goes and eats out on a Sunday afternoon, the tips are far below average and the people are more rude. Everyone hates working Sunday lunch. I think it should be the other way around. I think the people who come out to eat on Sunday afternoon from church should be full of joy, generosity, and love. Instead, it seems like the opposite. :/ Its a very bad witness to servers.

What astounds me is when I pick up a "to go" order and the waitress asks for a tip. For what. Taking my money? Jeez.

Ally, I did not mean to seem hateful about your eating out. I was worrying about your existing on a wait staff salary and paying out 20% of your available money in tips. this will be my last word on the subjct! Bon appetit!

I believe anyone who does not leave a tip is a jerk. The server does not believe it is because of bad service. He believes you are a jerk who likes the power they have to determine your pay.

Get off the power trip and tip. Did you get any kind of service? Was your meal delivered to your table? Did you ask if you could have a refill if the place is very busy? You are not the only person in the restaurant! No tip means that no one showed up and you did not get food.

If you cannot afford to tip, go through the fast food window!

I have never been a server, however, my daughter works as a server in another town while she is going to college. I have learned to be much more generous while tipping.

She makes very good money at a good restaurant. It usually can make up for those who under tip or not tip at all, but not always. She is good at her job. She has to put up with all sorts. I work and have to put up with all sorts, but get paid. She, however, gets stiffed by teenagers all the time. They feel it is funny to get away with walking out without paying for the food! She pays for them! The meal is on her dime. As for the minimum wage of 7.25. That is only if her sales fall below the minimum. When a table does not tip she pays for them because it is assumed she has received a tip and pays taxes on that tip. Not fair!

Sundays are for newbies and the veteran servers do not have to work Sundays. NO TIPS ON SUNDAYS!!! NO! Leaving a Sunday Church Program is not the same as a tip!!!! Telling her that she is the best server they have ever had and complimenting her over and over does not take the place of a tip!!!!

She survives on her regulars that always ask for her section and tip generously. They get very special care and extras! Her management encourages it. Great Restaurant.

She would not be able to pay her bills in Florence!!!!!!!

I am reading these posts and still remain puzzled as to how a restaurant owner can get away with not paying his/her employees at least min. wage. I do tip, ususally 20%. I have though eaten at restaurants where a simple hamburger was ordered and no condiments were brought at all even though requested at time of order- even had to run down another server (after waiting until the hamburger was getting cold)---what really obligates me to give this very bad server a 20% tip? You could say she was having a bad day? She definitely was not busy and upon leaving I saw here outside smoking. If a tip is mandatory/or woman-a tory then it should just be added on, period thus preventing all the confusion. Why do we not tip all others who work in the service industry? Store clerks, meter readers, library workers, office workers at dr's offices and so on?

If I tip a dollar and the check total is $5 then that is a 20% tip. If the check total is $10 then it is a 10% tip. Both servers did the same amount of work for the same amount of money.

I have eaten at a few restaurants that have registers that suggest at the bottom of your ticket the amount for a tip at 15%, 20% and 25%, based on the total of your ticket. That is helpful and I don't have to guess. I hate those restaurants that bring you a handwritten ticket without a total. I never know what tip to leave.

Yes, Springs, I write things down and then compare them when the food comes out. I usually remember everything. But you don't seem to realize servers are taking care of more than just you. Around the corner where you can't see they may have a party of 7 and a 4 top. Talk about stress and trying to get everything right for everyone. You could use a little patience, and maybe try serving and see what its really like. Yes, I do my best.

Lilyredrose: Don't know if you knew, but that server has to take their time to go to the back and prepare your stuff for you. The sides, salads, box it up, all while having their other tables. That is why some kind of tip (even a small one) is expected for to go orders.

Twenty percent, which is a standard tip, is easy to calculate. Just calculate 10% by moving the decimal one place to the left, then double it for 20%. So 10% of $50 is $5; double that and you have a 20% tip of $10.

My cousin was telling me that she was in Boston several months ago. She got in a conversation with her server in a restaurant. She asked her to tell her honestly what they think of Southerners. The server told her that they groan when Southerners come in the restaurant because they are rude and leave bad tips. I was surprised by that, but after reading the responses to this thread, I realize that the concept that tipping is optional is more widespread than I thought. So much for Southern gentility.

They aren't supposed to ASK for a tip though, but they expect something.

Marian: I sure can believe that. Seems like northerners tip well in general when I get them.

Ally - I want you to know that I feel your pain, I waited tables for 8 years both here in the Shoals & in Fayetteville GA and know first hand the difference in tipping when it comes to this area.

From what I can tell from all who have commented on this forum everyone agrees: good service/good tip, bad service/bad tip but unfortunately the people you are trying to reach are not going to read this forum.

There will always be those who think that 2 dollars is a good tip whether it's a 20 dollar meal or a 50 dollar meal.

Take the good with the bad, for me the worst was waiting on a mom & dad who had two children sick with a stomach flu, vomiting in the floor. The good: $100 tip on an Easter Sunday.

You're a good server and you know it, just sounds like you had a bad day (maybe a bad week?) & needed to vent.

I try to tip well. I think Jones33 said it best, just wait a few hours and you'll get a tip to make up for the jerks who didn't leave anything.

I always read to leave a quarter for bad service, but that seems sorta mean spirited. Course, I've had some mean spirited servers from time to time too. I still tipped them pretty good.

I normally leave a $7.00 to $10.00 tip. Normally it is just for 2 adults, and sometimes 2 kids... if they were loud or extra messy I clean their messes up and leave a little more. However, I have been known to leave a $3.00 to $5.00 tip if I didn't recieve good service. Normally when we eat out it is about $45 to $50 and I think anywhere between $7 and $10 is a good tip depending on service... I have been known to leave a $40.00 tip but that was an EXCELLENT server and my kids were being rowdy and she was so sweet and understanding... don't remember her name but I will never forget her face... she works at Red Lobster and everytime I go I look for her...

I guess I'm like Marian I can't honestly remember the last time I had service bad enough to not tip or complain to the manger. I try to tip in the 15-20% range. I usually add more if I kept the server busy with special request.

I would like to pose a question. Do you tip carhops at places like Sonic? I've had people tell me yes but when I've tipped sometimes they look at me like what am supposed to do with this?

I tip at Sonic every once in a while just to be nice, but they receive regular minimum wage, so I don't think its necessary. I just think its nice for them to get a little tip every once in a while since they do have to come out in all types of weather. They don't live off tips though.

[quote]If I tip a dollar and the check total is $5 then that is a 20% tip. If the check total is $10 then it is a 10% tip. Both servers did the same amount of work for the same amount of money.[/quote]

[b]Gus[/b], the way it was explained to me when I waited/bartended was that we were taxed on what we "should" have made if we had preformed our service correctly. That's what the difference between the $10 and the $20 meal is.

I waited and bartended for years - through some college summers and then full time for three years after. Waiting is a VERY physically demanding job - probably the hardest I've ever had except for the one day I had helping out a friend tying rebar (hard on the back!).

What some people don't know that sometimes a part of the server's job is to roll silverware. They are getting the low wage when they don't have the opportunity to balance it out with making tips. Hard to make tips sitting on a chair rolling silver before your shift really starts.

Also, servers sometimes have other "side" jobs. We didn't have bar backs where I worked so someone was assigned getting ice, garnish, glasses, etc., for the bar during their shift. Those waiters might not be out smoking. They might be working on something else.

Other people were "ketchup marriers" (keeping the ketchup full), glass restockers, tea makers, coffee remakers, etc. It wasn't just straight having four tables and no other responsibility.

Plus, sometimes the kitchen screws up. The server always catches it for late or food that's not cooked quite right.

The customer is at the mercy of the server, but sometimes the server is also at the mercy of other people. Just saying...

All of us ex or current servers know that ex or current servers are the best tippers around. I used to love to see the other servers from another restaurant come to the bar when I was bartending. Made the best money then.

That said, if you give me bad service and I know it's your fault, you get nothing from me. I did your job. I know what is in and out of your control. If I see you lazing around chatting with people, etc., while ignoring requests you deserve what I'm not going to leave you.

Being being a server has made me more generous for sure but also more critical of the type of service I receive.
I love to get a table of young people, (who a lot of time that age group doesn't seem to know much about tipping), and they leave me a very generous tip and a note saying what a great server I am. Makes my day.

I always try to do 20% or a minimum of two dollars. Sometimes that means a 30-40% tip. Even if they are horrible I'll do a 10 to 15%

[quote]
My cousin was telling me that she was in Boston several months ago. She got in a conversation with her server in a restaurant. She asked her to tell her honestly what they think of Southerners. The server told her that they groan when Southerners come in the restaurant because they are rude and leave bad tips. I was surprised by that, but after reading the responses to this thread, I realize that the concept that tipping is optional is more widespread than I thought. So much for Southern gentility. [/quote]

I think some of that has to do with cost of living. I know often when I have visitors from small towns visit me and they offer to leave a tip I usually add a couple of more dollars to the tip without them knowing due to it being generous in the Shoals, but not were I live.

In larger cities, the 15% standard is low. Atlanta, 20% is considered standard, the further up north 22 to 25% is standard. Consider the standard costs of living. In the shoals $400 for an apartment is pretty high end with multiple rooms. That's not even a hole in the wall in Boston. I'm not saying it's your responsibility to pay her rent, but that's just an example. Just figure out minimum wage were you are going. Federal may be $7.25, but no one pays that in Boston, there it's more like $8.25. $13.02 if you are looking at living wage.

[quote]Lilyredrose: Don't know if you knew, but that server has to take their time to go to the back and prepare your stuff for you. The sides, salads, box it up, all while having their other tables. That is why some kind of tip (even a small one) is expected for to go orders.[/quote]

The cook wrapped up some biscuits and put them in a bag, no sides, no jelly. I've served. Don't recall asking for a tip when I handed someone a 'to go' order that the cook prepared. We'll "be expected" to tip at McDonald's next.

Sorry. I misunderstood. I thought they got a meal together for you, not just biscuits.
No, they are at least paid federal minimum wage at McDonalds.

I usually double the tax amount - in Florence that is 8.5% x 2 is 17%. If the service has been really great, I'll add more. I always leave at least $2.00, unless it the service has been awful - no drink refills, no check backs, wrong orders, etc. If the place is busy and the server kept running, I take that into account when tipping.

You should tip pizza delivery drivers also.

It is my understanding that even though wait staff is paid $2.13 per hour, if they do not make enough in tips to make minimum wage for the hours that they have worked, the owner of the restaurant has to make up the difference to the wait staff- in other words, even if you do not tip, the waiter still makes minimum wage. If a certain server has to be augmented all the time, the owner will know they are not a good waitress and will hopefully replace them. (He would rather have you pay their salary than him.) So not tipping a consistently poor wait staff person DOES tell management that they need to be replaced.

My friends and family that have worked in the restaurant industry have always said that the Sunday church crowd are some of the most disrespectful and worst tippers of any patrons.

I always wondered that if you are not supposed to "work" on Sunday because of your religious point of view - why would you go to a restaurant and expect others to "work" for you?

Posted 25 August 2010 01:53 PM -Woodsman
"You should tip pizza delivery drivers also"

Yes, you should. And I do.

I always leave a 20% tip or higher when I get good service. However, I have no problem leaving no tip when I recieve bad service.

AllyTiel
New Kid on the Block
Picture of AllyTiel

Posted 19 August 2010 08:10 PM Hide Post
I tip at Sonic every once in a while just to be nice, but they receive regular minimum wage, so I don't think its necessary. I just think its nice for them to get a little tip every once in a while since they do have to come out in all types of weather. Smiler They don't live off tips though.

I am confused it is ok for them to make minimum wage but not you? I always tip at Sonic and I tip 20% or more when the service is good at a restaurant. I have left no tip only twice in my life 47 yrs and they earned it!!! I believe a tip is earned and not a right, it seems you think no matter how bad the service is a tip is mandatory. I also agree that if you provide a good dining experience you deserve a tip. We just disagree on you view that no matter what someone deserves a tip.

ok, heres' my take on it.
( if anyone cares

you give me average service.. nothign horrible, nothign great, you get an average tip.. roughly 10 percent. if you cna be bothered to make me happy, i'm not going to bother doing the math.

you do a great job. .you make me happy... you smile and you make me smile... i've left 100% tips before.
heh.. ive ordered a coke and a plate of wings and left a 100 on the table....

but.. if you are surly and cranky.. if i have to wait for things i should wait for .. if you give me poor service , you get a poor tip.

the worse the service, the less likely you get a tip at all.

i understand hte point of whoever it was that said they leave a tip no matter how bad the service was...

.. but i don't agree with it.

you do a crappy job at aork, and still expect to get good pay?
how does NO grab ya?
i don't reward poor performance, no matter who i get it from. i don't buy a new video game for my kids when they get a D on a report card.

to leave a tip even when the service is bad is just stupid.
Trash, someone called me.. because i am one of the ones who refuses to reward poor service.
ok.. fine. i'm trash. but, i am not encourageing bad service. if they get tips for being a crappy server, why would they bother getting better?

i may be trash, but at least i'm not an idiot.

the idea of 15% for me is a guildline... it's where i start. you blow me away, you get better tips. if you suck, you get nothing.

yes, i tip pizza drivers... IF i get what i ordered ( i don't blame a badly or wrongly made pizza on the driver.. he's only responsible for getting it and the drinks et al to me..)

i tip the kids that take the groceries to the car (yes.. some places still do that).

i tip the lady that cuts my hair.

on the rare occasions i used a taxi, i tip the driver...

*IF* they do a job worthy of a tip.

if i do a crap job, i don't expect a tip. if i want a tip, i work for it.

The way it’s supposed to be done is as follows:

It starts with the server; servers need to realize that they are not owed a tip but that they do owe good service to their customers. If a server does a bad job they should not by any means be tipped. Tipping for bad service promotes laziness and does not help future customers to get good service. If you do not tip when bad service is received then you are sending a message to the server that it’s time to shape up or perhaps if a server who regularly gives bad service is not tipped then they will get the hint that waiting tables is not their forte’ and find another line of work which makes room for servers that will do a good job and give a great dining experience to their customers.
Used to be that 10% was considered a fair tip, then it went to 15% and now 20% and the excuse is always the same and that is that the cost of living went up, well so did the cost of food at the restaurant so jacking up the percentages is not a necessity to keep up with inflation.
When deciding how much a tip to leave there are a few things to consider: first is the type of service you received, next is the amount of the bill, then how long you were there, and then the trouble factor such as how many people and if there is a mess left behind.
When you go out and sit down for a meal and receive good service then you should leave a fair tip, no matter how small the bill is you should leave at least $2.00 for the first person and $1.50 for each additional person. There have been times when I have gone to eat alone and had a bill for less than $5.00 and left a $2.00 tip (that’s 40%). If there are just a couple of people and you have been at the table about 45 minutes and had a bill for $50.00 then at least a 20% tip is in order and of course at 20% this means your server received $10.00 from your table over less than an hour span in addition to tips received from other tables and their 2.whatever an hour. At this I would say the server is making enough to get by ok. Let’s say the bill was $100.00 and the number of people is the same and amount of time the same? In this case 15% is pretty generous, $200?? Yea 10%. Of course if you are there for an hour or more and have more people then the tip needs to go up appropriately. oF course if the level of service is really outstanding then a little something extra over a normal tip should be left to show that their efforts did not go unnoticed.

I usually tip 15 percent for mediocre service, 20 percent before taxes for good service and 20 percent after taxes for very good service. I tip my barber and tip taxi drivers 10 percent, which is standard in most cities.

I have never been a server. I have been out to eat on more than one occasion with a group of 5 or more and the server was amazing kept drinks refilled came to the table so many times to make sure that everything was ok and when it came time for the check the ones paying dropped two dollars on the table. My fiancee and I ended up waiting until our group walked away and threw more money down. I don't understand how people can receive great service and leave such a horrible tip. I understand horrible service horrible tip. But they would leave the same tip regardless of great service or not. They even commented on how good the server was. I am curious as to why people don't leave better tips for good servers. I understand the bad ones no explanation is really necessary. Is it a power thing? Or do the low tippers/no tippers feel like someone else will give them a good tip? I'm just looking for an honest answer from the people that receive great service and leave no tip or a low tip. To all the service industry workers out there Thank-you but I will not be trying to take your job from you. There are people like me and others on this forum that recognize what you do and appreciate it.

The kids who work at Sonic in no way have the responsibilities that a server at a sit down restaurant has. They bring your food, and are gone in seconds. Servers are with you for at least an hour in most cases, taking orders, bussing the table, filling drinks, bringing extra condiments, making the salads, bringing the food, and closing the check among other things. Carhops at Sonic make at least $7.25 an hour. Servers make $2.13 an hour and they live off tips. Not so for Sonic workers to my knowledge. Today I went to Sonic and did leave $1 for my food. I usually always leave $1, but am not real strict on percentages for them. Obviously in a sit down restaurant, the check will be much higher. Went to a Japanese Steak house the other night. Check was $30, left $7.

Maybe those working at the low paying restauarants should start working for Sonic. More pay, less work.

Posted by Jennybean"I have never been a server. I have been out to eat on more than one occasion with a group of 5 or more and the server was amazing kept drinks refilled came to the table so many times to make sure that everything was ok and when it came time for the check the ones paying dropped two dollars on the table. My fiancee and I ended up waiting until our group walked away and threw more money down. I don't understand how people can receive great service and leave such a horrible tip. I understand horrible service horrible tip. But they would leave the same tip regardless of great service or not. They even commented on how good the server was. I am curious as to why people don't leave better tips for good servers."

Jenny, they may have thought that $2.00 each from a table of 5 added up to a good tip of $10.00. (I would have left more than $2.00 for the great service too.)

I'm sorry I wrote it incorrectly, there was one couple paying for the group and the couple left $2.00 for the entire group.

Oh, sorry I misunderstood Jenny. Only $2.00 for the entire group?? Okay,that's just not right. For HORRIBLE service, maybe, but not for great service. There's no excuse for that. I could hope and say maybe they added the tip to their credit or debit card total if they used them, but maybe not, especially if they are older and don't use a card. I never carry cash and use my debit card, and add the tip to the total charged to the card.

My guess is that the people who left $2 for the entire table are probably just ignorant rednecks.

Here's a tip, find another job. Here's the definition of tip for you: "Optional payment given in addition to a required payment, usually to express appreciation for excellent service"

Notice the OPTIONAL part. I have no problem tipping, but when someone thinks just because they are working they deserve one that gives me no incentive. You get tipped based on your service. If you are a good server I have no problem giving a good tip; bad server I have no problem leaving nothing at all.

If you think you are entitled to a tip you have it completely wrong. It is completely up to the person. I find it very rude and plain ignorant that the OP says "If you cannot afford a tip, do NOT go out to eat". You are the exact person I would have no problem leaving no tip to because of your arrogant attitude. It's none of your business where someone does and doesn't choose to eat. It's within their complete right to not tip you and you have no place to judge them.

Either get a different job or shut up. Maybe if people refused to work under those conditions then the minimum wage for servers would go up and/or the restaurants would offer higher pay. Instead of protesting or forming some type of "waiters(tress) union" you come on here to complain about the very people keeping the restaurant open.

Canade..The people who got the bill for you probably expected everyone to leave a tip. If I go eat with my dad and he gets the whole bill I will still give my part of the tip.

Chamber, don't hold back, man.
On a serious note, I don't think the OP meant that everyone deserve a big tip even if the service was lacking. I just think she wants people to mentally add the tip into what they think they're going to spend and make sure they don't order that extra drink if it means they won't have enough money left to leave that full tip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNWQt80PHCk&feature=fvw

As most of you know earthmomma heard what Columbus said when he first saw land! I often travel alone in Europe and in the larger US cities. My rules for tipping well: Do not say "Just one" in a "you bag lady tone of voice". Do not seat me way in the back by the coke boxes or the kitchen. I will ask to be moved anyway. The waitress should never act as if I am imposing on her for being there. I carry four major credit cards with good limits and a zero balance. I will pay with American Express (charges restaurant more) if I am displeased. If I am treated decently I will pay cash with a generous tip. Oh, I forgot, if you are ofering the table next to me refills, offer me one too! I have been known to lay down a two dollar tip for the water,etc. before I order and walk out. This includes the Bronzeback in the Marriot. How do you think I lived so long if I did not eat? Most of the European restaurants get the cash and generous tip! The Tribeca Grill and a tiny French
restaurant in NYC are tops for the cash payment!Oh, I forgot to point out that two appetizers or other small plate combos usually add up to more than one entree! Local servers might keep all this in mind! The Sweet Magnolia is tops in graciousness locally! Obviously, I have not lost my memory when it comes to food situations! LOL!

"Here's a tip, find another job. Here's the definition of tip for you: "Optional payment given in addition to a required payment, usually to express appreciation for excellent service....[blah, blah, nonsensical screed]...

Either get a different job or shut up. Maybe if people refused to work under those conditions then the minimum wage for servers would go up and/or the restaurants would offer higher pay. Instead of protesting or forming some type of "waiters(tress) union" you come on here to complain about the very people keeping the restaurant open."

Lol...guess who's outed themselves as a non-tipping redneck. I love it when those southern stereotypes come alive, as when you disagree with someone and instead of using a rational argument, you resort to telling them to shut up. Well done, Bubba.

pOSTED BY SAVING:Canade.."The people who got the bill for you probably expected everyone to leave a tip. If I go eat with my dad and he gets the whole bill I will still give my part of the tip."

Huh? Not sure what you are referring to. You may have me confused with JennyBean who posted about a big group leaving only $2 for the whole table for great service.
If I at dinner and someone does pay for mine, I also leave a tip.

Oops! Canade... sorry about that. Judging from your previous posts I would say that you are an excellent tipper. I would say that I am above average ..but I am practical. If I get lousy service I am not so generous. My husband though will tip very well if the service is lousy or great. LOL Sometimes he has left a $20 tip on a $20 meal. And thinks if he only leaves $5 on a $25 meal he will insult the server. One day last week we went out and the service was terrible. Our food came to about $20. He wanted to leave $5 and I talked him down to $3. I told him, "If you leave an above average tip for lousy service.. how will the server know that they need to improve?" LOL

I think Logan's servers are awesome!

Savin, I understand the whole don't leave a good tip for bad service. BUT here in Alabama, so many people are just plain ignorant and stingy that a 3 on $20 is not uncommon, even for top of the line service. With that $3 on 20, I would suggest leaving a note saying you would have left more if the service had been worth it. Otherwise that bad server (maybe even without realizing how bad their service might have been) might just assume you are another ignorant alabamian. Sad but true... :P

[quote]Savin, I understand the whole don't leave a good tip for bad service. BUT here in Alabama, so many people are just plain ignorant and stingy that a 3 on $20 is not uncommon, even for top of the line service. With that $3 on 20, I would suggest leaving a note saying you would have left more if the service had been worth it. Otherwise that bad server (maybe even without realizing how bad their service might have been) might just assume you are another ignorant alabamian. Sad but true... :P[/quote]

This reminded me of something that happened years ago and it made me smile. An elderly family member once took me to lunch. It was his treat and he was so happy to do it. When the time came to leave a tip he put down $1.00. I reached into my purse and pulled out $2.00. As we walked outside he handed me back my money that he had unbeknownst to me picked up from the table. He said that it was his treat and he didn't want me to spend any money on his treat. LOL I didn't know what to say except "Thanks". We had left a $1.00 tip for 2 people on at least a $20.00 check.
Now if that ain't funny...your funny bone is broken! Of course that is one of those things that isn't so funny at the time but ripens with age.

Ally - $3 on a $20 ticket is 15% - acceptable. Sometimes you sound like you are looking for charity for servers, not just compensation. Do you think a server should be tipped just for showing up?

[quote]]Savin, I understand the whole don't leave a good tip for bad service. BUT here in Alabama, so many people are just plain ignorant and stingy that a 3 on $20 is not uncommon, even for top of the line service. With that $3 on 20, I would suggest leaving a note saying you would have left more if the service had been worth it. Otherwise that bad server (maybe even without realizing how bad their service might have been) might just assume you are another ignorant alabamian. Sad but true... :P[/quote][/quote]

Yes, $3.00 on a $20.00 tab is correct. Also, almost all restaurants add the tip for parties of 8 or more to the ticket. Sometimes people don't realize that and leave a tip on the table. We eat in large groups about once a month and I've seen this happen. I notice that when it does the waitress doesn't return/refuse the "double tip" even though they see it on the table before our group leaves. Will any waitress/waiter posting on here deny that happens?

I have been a waiter until this semester. The large "groups" Jennifer is referring to I hope aren't the church crowd, these are the absolute pits when it comes to gratitude for service and tipping. I became a busboy while still in high school at a popular chain restaurant and nobody wanted to work on "church" nights. These are the most whiney, cheapest people in the world. Fortunately, I got the waiter position at a more upscale restaurant where we have frequent out of town guests and very few of the Sunday crowd, at least not in groups. What kind of establishment do you people go to for a $20.00 complete dinner meal or is this lunch? As for giving back a tip, why should a wait person? Why should anyone for that matter? When you go to a sit down restaurant, well other than catfish, if you can't leave a 20% tip, go to Mickey D's, that's where you belong,

Eat at home. Enjoy exactly what you want and all you want. If you enjy the meal, tip yourself with a generous tip. You will be surprised how much money you have at the end of the month. I do not like whiney stingy low tippers. On the other hand,, I am getting tired of whiney give me some more money wait people. Rocky ends his tirade with an insult. If I could idntify him when eating out, I would ask to be moved from his wait area. Demos gets a 25% tip from me . Courteous helps!

DEMOS has great and gracious servers! 25% tip at Demos. I am sure Ally and Rocky probably work somewhere else!

Uh no rocky, it's not a church crowd. And we're far from being cheap. Because when they realize the tip was added on to the ticket I have never seen them go back to the table and pick up their money. And like I said, there has never been a case of the server returning the "double tip". The church crowd? Oh sheesh, I worked at Shoney's when I was younger, we had a church crowd that would bring food with them, then dicker over prices of food because they had brought their own salads, tomatoes etc. and felt like they should get a discount since the "salad bar was included" in the price of the meal, and they weren't taking anything from it. One woman said she didn't eat whipped cream so could I take a little bit off the price of the pie since it would be left off. When told we couldn't do that she ask for the whipped cream "on the side" and I guess one of the others ate it. Now if you have worked in a restaurant you know those stories are true, and I have lots more. I don't really run into a lot of bad service from servers. It happens but there is usually a reason.

Earthmomma, if it was you that ask about the chili recipe for Dairy Queen hot dog sauce I posted it there.

Not me, but thanks from several of us!

You're welcome. Hope it is the one that everyone is looking for, so if anyone makes it let me know how it turns out.

Demo's absolutely has the best wait staff in the Shoals area. Must be the training and respect for the customer's happiness. I ALWAYS tip better there than most anywhere else and I am pretty much a straight 20% tipper. At Demo's I always tip on the full menu price when they have specials they are that good!

The last time I went to Demo's, I was affected with a food allergy from something I ate. Before I left I started itching bad and withing 30 minutes started breaking out in hives all over my body. I took a Benedryl and was over it within 2 hours.
I never did inform the management about it though I should have so we could determine what it was. What I ate was Blackened catfish, Salad with their Greek dressing, red beans and rice and the rolls. I think it might have been the oil they used in the bread or something in the beans and rice?

It is true their service is tops!

Probably a Greek spice or possible MSG in something. Companies(not Demos)break up the MSG into its components,list them, and you do not know you're getting MSG. It, unfortunately, is legal! I used to wonder why I was "knocked out" after I ate Walmarts's chicken fingers. Mystery solved with this info. The blackened spice could also be the culprit.

You should call them, Gus, and find out every ingredient in the food you ate that day. The next time you eat whatever it is, your allergic reaction might be worse, as a matter of fact, it probably will be. And if the "hives" end up in your throat, you might just possibly stop breathing. Please don't take a chance. Find out what the ingredients are, then check on the internet, or with your doctor, to find out which ones can cause this type of reaction. Please, do it for the people who care about you!

The only thing I have not ate there before was the red beans and rice. I have strong suspicion it was the Greek dressing though. Yes, I should make a call.

We ate at Applebee's yesterday b/c of the free Veteran's meals (thanks for that by the way my dad really appreciated the recognition). I had not eaten there in quite a while b/c the service before had been not so great. The waitress we had yesterday was so sweet and attentive. She definately changed my opinion of the Florence Applebees. Also, my husband worked in the local restaurant business as a manager for over 10 years. We ALWAYS leave a tip and he is a VERY good tipper. We usually get really good service b/c he's pretty well know by servers in this area that have worked with/for him before. Two things that ALWAYS lower a servers tip from him are: 1) The server blames the kitchen for every error in the order - He says even if the kitchen staff is screwing up that your customer doesn't want to hear you play the blame game. He says that if a server will say "I'm sorry this happened let me fix this for you" that's all he's looking for. 2)If he orders a salad with his meal and it arrives very close to the time the entree does.(One trip to Texas Roadhouse his salad came AFTER the entree) - He and I having both been servers and managers know that this is unacceptable.

We have found that since having kids we like tip higher for a server paying attention to our kids and interact with them. I was shocked that some servers act like small children aren't there at all. We had another really great server at Logan's in Tupelo last weekend. She was very good with our two-year-old son and even encouraged him to eat when she saw that he was getting distracted by some jerk at a table behind us that was throwing peanuts at him (really sad when a 2-year-old has better manners than a 50-year-old man).

Waiting tables is not an easy job. I've always said that everyone should have to wait tables during a weekend rush and work retail at store opening on Black Friday. It would change the way you look at the public and people working in those jobs forever.

I ate at Stanfields the other night. I haven't been there in a while and they have had some changes. There were probably 4 servers up front shooting the crap not doing anything while one girl(who I recognized, all the rest were new) was doing all the cleaning. There weren't a lot of customers in there but the ones there weren't getting waited on. The other servers would just walk by and not do anything. After watching another person's tea be empty for about 10 minutes, it got filled by the girl. She was busy and I could understand that but all the others not doing anything could have filled it. And to top it all, they now have printed off checks that have the tip already figured on it at 18 and 20%. From what I saw during my visit and the check already having that figured on it, I will not return. I feel a tip is something earned and not something figured on your check to go ahead and pay because it's there.