Leaving tips

Superwhy · 19-07-2011 01:17PM

jacksprat wrote: »

Im just wondering as a matter of interest, what you would qualify as an exceptionally good waiter/waitress..??? i struggled to find an example..

I worked as a full time waitress for about 18 months when I was 18 and I lived on the tips I received. I think, sorry I know, waitressing is bloody hard work. You're putting up with shi**y chefs, shi**y customers, you're working long hours, you're on your feet constantly. It is hard work. I've worked in many different places and I feel ashamed sometimes when I give out about how hard I'm working when I remember what it was like back then for me. Working in an office or something you will never understand how different it is.

In saying that I don't feel obliged to tip people. I worked in hotels so my customers would stay for weeks at a time and I would get to know them well enough in that I could get the bread rolls they liked or made sure they got the table they liked or showed them around the town on a few occasions. They might then give me a tip when they were leaving and I totally think I deserved it!

When I'm out for dinner I will tip if I get good service, I won't tip just for the sake of it. And this shi* about spitting in food! That is disgusting, I never ever saw that.

jacksprat · 19-07-2011 01:17PM

Chairman Meow wrote: »

go work in a kitchen for a week and get back to me on that.

i was referring to waiters/waitresses there^^ i know they work hard in kitchens! i already acknowledged that in my original post if you cared to read it..?? i actually stated that they deserve the tip more than the waiter/waitress!

Elba101 · 19-07-2011 01:20PM

jacksprat wrote: »

well you would want to be a bit touched or very financially stuck to work in a place that pays you less than the minimum wage!

more importantly, what exactly did you do to deservedly proclaim yourself as a "great waitress"..?!!?

Well I was a terrible waitress. So much so that I got fired. I didn't know what wine to recommend and got all flustered when it got busy.

I always tip if the service is good. A lot of the time tips get pooled and split between floor staff and chefs. It's a bloody hard job which you've obviously never done. A good waitress would make it look easy you see.

jacksprat · 19-07-2011 01:21PM

okay, for the people who do tip in restaurants regularly, what do you expect of the waiter/waitress for them to deserve a tip? what is this exceptionally good waiter/waitress doing??

inforfun · 19-07-2011 01:24PM

Well, since this is AH... a nice downblouse from the waitress while putting my food on the table will get her a nice tip.

NTMK · 19-07-2011 01:28PM

suicide_circus wrote: »

Having worked extensively in non food/drink service retail, the vast majority of companies do not allow their floor/front line staff to accept tips.

True usually i insist if they arent allowed to accept i'll usually Try and make sure anything i buy there contributes to their commission or sales targets

tricky D · 19-07-2011 01:28PM

jacksprat wrote: »

what is this exceptionally good waiter/waitress doing??

Dealing with people - a highly unappreciated skill, as your attitude proves.

Abi · 19-07-2011 01:28PM

jacksprat wrote: »

I know some people say that if the waiter/waitress really goes out of their way to help you or whatever that they deserve something extra, tbh i cant think of a situation where they would deserve something extra. It would have to be something extra extraordinary imo (and i still cant think of an example! maybe i dont eat out enough)

This is why I tip, plus he / she is probably run off their feet serving other people yet still manages to smile when serving you your food.

Also, I don't imagine their set wage would be that much, and they're often college students just trying to get by.

TiGeR KiNgS · 19-07-2011 01:29PM

jacksprat wrote: »

okay, for the people who do tip in restaurants regularly, what do you expect of the waiter/waitress for them to deserve a tip? what is this exceptionally good waiter/waitress doing??

Going by the US, the difference is happier demeanor, correct order more often, prompt, more attentive and more willing to please, basically more willing for repeat business by being friendlier (v. fake but better than nothing) by striking up an informal relationship.

That was a big difference when I was in the US with their service

Wile E. Coyote · 19-07-2011 01:30PM

jacksprat wrote: »

okay, for the people who do tip in restaurants regularly, what do you expect of the waiter/waitress for them to deserve a tip? what is this exceptionally good waiter/waitress doing??

See post number 4!

Kevin Duffy · 19-07-2011 01:39PM

My watch is losing about 5 mins every 3 months. Thankfully I have threads like this to reset it by.

tiny_penguin · 19-07-2011 01:42PM

I will always tip if the service is good. If not i dont - and I wont go back to the place again. The most I tip is 10% - but that would be for exceptional service.

I dont buy the bull**** that it is a harder job than any other, dealing with sh*tty people etc. What about people working in other customer service jobs on just as sh*tty money. They dont get tips and it would never even be suggested by anyone to tip people. And before people say you've obviously never done it, I have, and while i was doing it i knew people who were working just as hard as me, if not harder, for less money.

There was a time that my sister was waitressing and I was in an office job. She got so many tips that she was able to pay all her rent and bills and spending money for the month out of that money and all her wages went straight into the bank as savings, and i was struggling each month working more or less the same hours as her.

Also tips are totally tax free for the majority of waitresses as they do not declare them - doesnt really seem fair to me that people get away with at times huge amounts of undeclared tax free income when there does not seem to be a good reason for it.

It is different in the US as their wages are based on the fact they will be getting tips, ie min wage in the service industry is considerably less than in any other industry, but its not the case over here so its not really comparable. Someone on min wage as a waitress makes the same amount as someone on min wage in any other job.

mackg · 19-07-2011 02:21PM

Abi wrote: »

This is why I tip, plus he / she is probably run off their feet serving other people yet still manages to smile when serving you your food.

Also, I don't imagine their set wage would be that much, and they're often college students just trying to get by.

This. If they are seen to be making a special effort of course you throw them on a few bob, if someone comes back 3 or four different times to check everything is good thats making an effort. The minimum for a tip is to come to the table at least once when not taking an order/ delivering food. Also if an order is messed up tip is forfeit unless the mistake is made up for in another way.

As for spitting on food, my housemate is a chef who has worked in decent restaurants and takes his job seriously, everyone in a restaurant (with half a brain) knows that business is dependant to a large extent on reputation and repeat business. Some clown of a waitress/waiter spitting in food and jeopardising that would not be tolerated in any kind of serious establishment.

Big Nasty · 19-07-2011 02:24PM

In before the Resevoir Dogs comment

G_R · 19-07-2011 02:41PM

jacksprat wrote: »

i dont believe they are busting their asses! its pretty handy work in comparison with alot of other areas of work!

Also, i doubt that the majority of customers are "****ty" as you say.

I don't work as a waiter, but I do work in the service/retail industry. I can guarantee you that there is a very high proportion of pricks. I'm not complaining now, I knew that when I signed up for the job, I even transferred to a different branch of the company so I would be closer to college, so I had no illusions in my head when I started, it's part of the job. I've got a pretty thick skin so I don't mind it, to be honest, I think it's actually quite funny dealing with an irate customer, but some of my co-workers have been left in tears because of customers being assholes.

We are not allowed to accept tips because we are dealing with large amounts of money, and we aren't supposed to have money on shift with us. That said I do think I deserve a tip now and again. I have often gone way out of my way to ensure excellent customer service, and this has been recognised by Management a number of times. Don't get any extra pay for it though, just a pat on the back, so a tip wouldn't hurt.

Someone said earlier in the thread that they would try and buy things that would help out the cashier buy buying commission based products if they can't give a tip. This is really the best thing that can be done. If you are in a shop/cinema/restaurant whatever and the person is trying their best to Upsell something to you, it's probably because they will get something for selling it to you. Normally it will only cost an extra 70/80c so if you would like to help them, buy the product they are trying to sell you.

LightningBolt · 19-07-2011 02:51PM

Worked as a waiter throughout college. The difference between a good waiter/waitress and a bad one is pretty obvious.

Good staff will anticipate when you need drinks filled, when to clear your course away, they are able to recommend suitable wines to accompany your food. If you see a table flying through bread you get them more without having to be asked. It's all the little things that allow a couple/family/group to enjoy an evening out without the need to constantly ask their waiter/waitress for extra things. If there's any delays in the kitchen (which often happen when a large group is due for service before a couple of small tables) they delays are communicated to you and you're not left wondering what's taking your food so long whilst the waiter/waitress does their best to avoid anywhere near your area. They also know not to interrupt customers with idle talk too often.

People will say "well surely that's to be expected of waiting staff", it should be but evidently in this country it often isn't the case. How many people have had waiters/waitresses forget drinks or bring the wrong ones, forgot to order sides for mains, ordered you steak cooked correctly (often it is ordered incorrectly but chefs cook it wrongly and will still try to dish it out - a good waiter/waitress will not bring it out), have had to wait a long time to have their plates cleared, drinks refilled, bills bills brought to the table.

In all restaurants you will find a mixture of staff that I have described in the last two paragraphs. Personally, I will always tip someone who I described in the second paragraph - I'll have enjoyed my food and had a great time with gf/friends/family. Where I've experienced service outlined in the third paragraph they won't get a cent off me and the restaurant would be extremely lucky to get my repeat business (this would only happen if I got bad service in a subsequent visit to the same restaurant, if it was my first time and bad service I would not return).

mackg · 19-07-2011 03:00PM

MCMLXXV wrote: »

In before the Resevoir Dogs comment

No your in way way after:D

Seloth · 19-07-2011 03:18PM

Ireland and The Uk isnt really a tipping culture besides restaurants.

Its ad how most places tip bartenders!!!

It a person is good at there job in the restaurant they get a tip...if they're average or or bad then they dont.

dory · 19-07-2011 03:26PM

LightningBolt wrote: »

People will say "well surely that's to be expected of waiting staff", it should be but evidently in this country it often isn't the case. How many people have had waiters/waitresses forget drinks or bring the wrong ones, forgot to order sides for mains, ordered you steak cooked correctly (often it is ordered incorrectly but chefs cook it wrongly and will still try to dish it out - a good waiter/waitress will not bring it out), have had to wait a long time to have their plates cleared, drinks refilled, bills bills brought to the table.

I could be crap at my job too. Doesn't mean people should pay extra for me to be decent at it.

I tip usually, because I feel obliged. But I think it is the craziest thing ever in a country that has a minimum wage. IF we tip waiting staff then why not everyone else we encounter on a day in town?

LightningBolt · 19-07-2011 03:42PM

dory wrote: »

I could be crap at my job too. Doesn't mean people should pay extra for me to be decent at it.

I tip usually, because I feel obliged. But I think it is the craziest thing ever in a country that has a minimum wage. IF we tip waiting staff then why not everyone else we encounter on a day in town?

Very true, however, a lot of low paid customer service jobs usually involve the customer interacting with the employee for a short period of time and that interaction is generally limited to circumstances such as getting the correct sized clothing from the stockroom, directing a customer to a different aisle or purchasing a product at the till. The employee in those circumstances has very little impact on how you feel about the product you've purchased. If I buy a tv I don't think to myself in six months time, the tv has great picture quality but it's not to my liking because the salesperson wasn't very helpful.

When you go into a restaurant you're in that setting for two - two and a half hours at a minimum. Realistically how many times a week do you deal with someone for that long as a customer? The whole experience is drawn out, the interaction is far greater between the customer and waiter/waitress. When you go to a restaurant your experience is affected by both the standard of food and service. As I've said I'll gladly tip a waiter/waitress if they improve the standard of service as I don't want to be sat somewhere for a long period of time where the standard is average or poor.

Frank Black · 19-07-2011 03:43PM

Would most of the people sneering at the idea of tipping in a restaurant stick with their principles if they were out with a group of friends or work colleagues – somehow I doubt it, they social stigma of being labeled a tight-arse would be too risky.
So basically most of the non-tippers are both stingy and cowardly.

dory · 19-07-2011 04:16PM

LightningBolt wrote: »

Very true, however, a lot of low paid customer service jobs usually involve the customer interacting with the employee for a short period of time and that interaction is generally limited to circumstances such as getting the correct sized clothing from the stockroom, directing a customer to a different aisle or purchasing a product at the till. The employee in those circumstances has very little impact on how you feel about the product you've purchased. If I buy a tv I don't think to myself in six months time, the tv has great picture quality but it's not to my liking because the salesperson wasn't very helpful.

When you go into a restaurant you're in that setting for two - two and a half hours at a minimum. Realistically how many times a week do you deal with someone for that long as a customer? The whole experience is drawn out, the interaction is far greater between the customer and waiter/waitress. When you go to a restaurant your experience is affected by both the standard of food and service. As I've said I'll gladly tip a waiter/waitress if they improve the standard of service as I don't want to be sat somewhere for a long period of time where the standard is average or poor.

I get your point, but I still think tipping is an outdated thing done by rich gentry to the poor plebs working the demeaning jobs. I would find it so patronizing to be given a few Euro for being a good little food carrying girl. I would much rather I do my job professionally, and the people pay what the set charge dictates. And none of this making me feel small business.

jester77 · 19-07-2011 04:22PM

I guess in Ireland where there is a very high min wage people might be reluctant to leave good tips.

I will always leave a good tip if the service is good. It adds to the experience, crap service will ruin an evening out no matter how good the meal is.

Lord TSC · 19-07-2011 04:50PM

Having been to America and seeing how the potential of tips can lead to far nicer staff, I have no problem tipping when I feel the service deserves it. I don't think there should be a set tip, and I think it shouldn't be something thats garrunteed, but if someone makes the effort, I tip well.

jacksprat · 19-07-2011 05:04PM

after noticing the reservoir dogs comment i checked out the clip on youtube (i actually have the dvd but have never watched it!?!

) Buscemi actually expresses my sentiments exactly!

i might just watch that dvd now..!

maximoose · 19-07-2011 05:05PM

black francis wrote: »

Would most of the people sneering at the idea of tipping in a restaurant stick with their principles if they were out with a group of friends or work colleagues – somehow I doubt it, they social stigma of being labeled a tight-arse would be too risky.
So basically most of the non-tippers are both stingy and cowardly.

Complete and utter nonsense :rolleyes:

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