A customer's perception will likely become the basis of his generosity. Every server should understand that.
I take issue with the argument that leaving a tip is somehow a social responsibility. And I take extreme exception to the idea that compulsory public servitude should be institutionalized in my country.
This. A thousand times this. A server's job is not hard. You have a few core responsibilities that, if met, will likely earn your tip. I
like to tip well for a job well done. I know that doing so lets the server know - in hard, countable form - that I appreciated their good service.
But a "tip of the hat" is just that. It is not a requirement. So don't act like you are entitled to it, and do something to earn it.
I've worked in the banking industry before, so I'm more dialed into certain banking things that most people are ignorant to. However that doesn't mean that I go around spouting off about how everyone should be forced to work in the banking industry for a year so that they have a better understanding of just why you shouldn't treat your debit card like a credit card. Or any of a thousand other common problems.
I'm not "enlightened" because I have experience in that industry. It's actually the other way around. I used to deride our customers to my coworkers over the customers' actions that we saw from a different viewpoint because we were on the inside.
Similarly, food & bev folks are also not "enlightened" on the matter of tipping simply because they've worked in that industry. Their viewpoint is simply different.
Ignorance like this is why ppl should have to work a service job like shoreman said. Whatever perception you have in your head of how a restaurant works is dead wrong. Its not Hells Kitchen where you just go yell at the cook as you suggest. Ive had plenty that though they could but those that have worked for me know thats the easy way to find yourself unemployed. Second for the most part I know a lot of servers that have done the job for years and make really good money, thats why they do it. Its people like you and a couple others here that blow my mind on this deal. This tipping thing is not a new concept, servers and most bartenders make $2.25/hr. As for make the company pay them argument, if restaurants had to pay 30-40 more ppl $10/hr a day to serve, most ppl are not gonna be able to afford to go out to eat. But you have ypur argent and thats fine, bottom line is if you cant afford to go out to eat or are to cheap to, then just eat at home.
Ignorance isn't the problem. It's entitlement. You're saying if someone doesn't tip, you don't want to serve that person? My, oh my. I guess you also don't want a job and the opportunities for a tip that those customers bring to you.
Those servers and bartenders accepted that employment of their own volition. A predefined level of compensation is not guaranteed with such a job, and this is very common knowledge. If that's something that is a requirement for them, there are plenty of other fixed-wage jobs that will fulfill that.
You do know that many who do this type of work are in fact working towards a better career - such as one going to school.
And I applaud their efforts and wish them well. I really and honestly do.
But that doesn't mean I'm
obligated to bankroll their future because I am dealing with them when I want food or drink. Nobody did that for me. I am, however, very happy to reward them for a job well done. Or not if they fail to do their job.
Honestly, part of the price of a meal or a beer at a bar is a tip. I'm not thrilled with the system, either, but it is what it is. If you sit down to eat, get the food you ask for in a reasonable amount of time and hasn't flung feces at you like a capuchin, you have already agreed to tip appropriately. Sorry.
Realistically, yes that tip is part of the cost of going out, and I accept that. BUT unless it is built in to the cost of the food/beverage explicitly already, no, you did not agree to do anything. Tips are voluntary. Period.
For me to not tip at all they would have to insult me or my wife, or just flat out not listen to my order/never being food. I've tipped 10 percent and said "that'll teach em."
Had too many friends who served call me furious or crying to not tip.
It basically is the same with me. The lowest tip (10%) I've left anytime recently was at a sushi place last weekend. But that was because the server was absent and I had to ask him to do simple things like get me more tea.
As far as the crying friends goes: some people are just horrible arseholes. But this works both ways. On average, an arsehole server isn't going to get a tip (assuming the customer did no wrong) and an arsehole customer isn't going to leave one (assuming the server did no wrong). Nothing much can be done about the arsehole customer, but the server does have control - on average - over what their tips will look like.
