It never fails to shock me how a tip is demanded in the US. People simply refuse to listen to reason when we (yes, there are others!) tell them that leaving a tip isn’t necessary. Well, I’m hoping for too much here, but if you’re a waiter, here are 5 reasons why I will try my best not to give any money to you and why the reasons for tipping are crappy.
1. You act as if you’re my best friend
Just leave me alone ok? I don’t want to bloody chit chat with you. I want food. FOOD! Get it? It’s a restaurant. I go there to eat. I go because I want either Italian food, Chinese Food or something else which I can’t get in a McDonald’s. So I come to a restaurant to fulfill my cravings for it. I will pay for what I value – food. Not you.
Christ, you offend me – kneeling down next to my table, pretending to like me and chatting as if you’re my best friend when it’s obvious that all you’re after is the tip! I’m not a bloody money bag you know. I will pay the bill which includes the cost of the food, the environment and the salaries of the people involved – nothing more.
The only way to get money out of me that I don’t have to legally pay is by prying it out of my cold dead hands…
Bottom line: I don’t want to know your name, or interact with you for any longer than I have to in order to place my order. As far as I’m concerned, you’re the equivalent of a conveyor belt that brings me my food and a computer into which I input my order. Of course, I won’t be rude. But don’t expect me to interact with you any more than I would with some stranger.
Image Credit: cafemama
2. You don’t get paid enough
And this is my problem how exactly? It’s astonishing that customers are expected to make up for your employer’s cheapness in not paying you a decent wage. Please include the full cost in everyone’s bill thank you very much. I’ll pay it because I have to and the charge is there for me to see.
What’s really funny here is that no one seems to criticize the employers! All criticism is reserved for non tipping customers instead of the owners of the restaurant for not paying a decent wage. Wtf! Could it possibly be because you guys know you can make much more by tips and under report your income to the IRS?
3. You’ll spit in my food if I don’t tip you?
And I’ll shoot your kid if you don’t give me a million dollars. Seriously, am I even hearing this right? You’re actually using the threat of blackmail to make me pay you? Well as long as you’re openly claiming to be a criminal it’s all right I guess.
Fortunately that’s why I prefer buffets. Listen apart from it being illegal, this shows your poor integrity. But if you spit in someone’s food because they didn’t give you money you didn’t earn, then you’re a loser and deserve to be a waiter for the rest of your life.
4. Bringing me my food isn’t worthy of being paid extra
Did you cook it? Did you invent it? No. You picked it up and brought it to me. While it might not be easy, there are plenty of jobs which are much worse – shop floor workers for example. And I’ve been a shop floor manager, so I know. Face it – compared to other jobs, being a waiter is unskilled. You get paid what the market will think your services are worth. You don’t deserve more for your work over and above what your employer should pay you.
5. Money doesn’t grow on trees
I expect you to be grateful and pray for me at night if I tip you 10%. Be happy I gave you anything at all. I worked for the money in my wallet and by giving you some I didn’t have to, I’m doing you a favor. Learn to remember that when people give you something they don’t need to, it’s a favor. You don’t complain that they didn’t give you more!
By the way, the same thing above applies to all professions that demand tips including those on cruise liners.
So now that you understand why I won’t give you money you don’t deserve, stop with the “oh how could you?” attitude. I can. And I will.
Update: Here’s a rebuttal of the many silly justifications for tipping that people have given in the comments section.
well, if you have an issue, take it out on the gov’t, write to congress, protest on our behalf. but do NOT not tip because “our employer should pay us a decent wage.” So you’re really looking out for me aren’t ya? Then let’s blame black people for racism, jews for the holocaust (terrible wasn’t it) and cancer patients for getting cancer (terrible disease really) by that logic. People shouldn’t steal, people shouldn’t murder, etc but guess what? They do. So yes restaurant employees should be paid a decent wage. But until then, tipping is what we are stuck with. So until it changes if you don’t tip, don’t go out to eat. Generally, it’s only the really trashy miserable people that feel this way. I can see people a mile away like you coming. I’m going to college, have bills to pay and if you have never been a server you will never know what I do. I am sure whatever you do for a living doesn’t matter either. No one on this planet does. And no one is certainly better because they aren’t a server. Anyhow, I see your skin is ahem, darker shall we say? Well I am prepared for the african-americans, the mexicans etc that don’t tip me simply because I am white or because “they don’t believe in it” just like you. So next time you are denied service in an establishment, think about why. The system, if anything will remain in place the more people act the way you do, because everytime I have an asshole customer, the next table feels sorry and they double what they normally tip. You aren’t going to win. Have a nice day, and fuck off. Go back to your “real job” that probably “pays well” without “having to be tipped.”
In reply to never wrong
Wow. You just compared your choice to be a waiter to getting cancer or being black. Congratulations.
What the waiters/delivery drivers won’t tell you is they’re making well over $10/hr with your tips. This is more than anybody in an equivalent job (part time while in college) is going to make.
I worked at UPS part time in college loading trucks, frequently carrying heavy packages at a fast pace. I got $8.50 an hour and I can bet you I worked way harder than any waiter. Nobody ever tipped me. Why should I use my hard earned cash to pay you?
I don’t buy the “they’re providing a service” argument. I don’t tip gas station attendants or cashiers. They provide a service for me.
In reply to Mike
Yes of course Mike. Guess what? 75% of that goes in to my vehicle some way. Whether it’s oil, fuel, new parts, etc. The delivery fee is BS and most of the time doesn’t even go to the driver. I like driving, it’s fun. I like seeing a wide array of different people. I like delivering to people from out of state, out of country or famous people, it’s real fun. My job is interesting and I enjoy it! Do I get paid good money? Probably not, some days yes, some days, no. I can go two weeks without even making $600 (before taxes) and that’s before all fuel and maintenance costs. But yes, there’s weeks where I can make well over $2500, but they’re few and far between. By the way, I always work around 45-50 hrs a week, yes the “overtime” is included in the figure above. I’m lucky if after the week is through, that I’ve made even $10.50 /hr to pay for things that are not my vehicle, like schooling, car payments etc..
By the way, almost anyone well off or poor NEVER tip, it’s the middle wage that always tips and always the best.
In reply to Mike
By the way, NEVER put me into the same category as a “waiter”. They don’t have to constantly fix their vehicle, pay for fuel per delivery or anything similar. I do everything that a waiter does, but in a more mobile fashion, with my own tools. I also cook the food too!! How amazing, almost all delivery drivers usually make alot of the food, too!
So always remember, your driver is being your cook, your QC for your food, your delivery driver and your customer service, he also cleans up when he’s done.
Fuck you
First of all, I agree with you that waiter/waitress would not try to do minimum wage. They tend to get more than minimum wage by tipping system.
Anyway, it is part of the system and I feel that people who would not tip are abusing it.
You can say they sign up for this job, they have to deal with it. Same thing apply here, you go to full service restaurant, then expect to tip your server.
I might do the judgement here, but it seems that you are nothing but cheap.
All the reasons you have mentioned are just an excuse not to tip, and this is nothing to do with you don’t like the system. You are just plain cheap.
You are the type of person who are selfish and try to get everything, without pay anything.
Of course, we all want to pay less and get more, but there is always the limit. Your limit is just too much and even that you will never satisfy with it.
For example, you are kind of people who will print scam coupon, or will keep pushing retailer to honor their price mistake at all cost, or bashing and give all negative feedback when there is a deal that you missed.
It will be just pointless to say anything, but if you do not want to tip and like the food there, you can always order take out.
In reply to Chad
Umm…the stuff you’ve mentioned is borderline illegal. It’s unfortunate to see how heavily the tipping system has scammed you people into enjoying the fact that you’re being taken advantage of.
Oh wahaha! Now i understand why people usually call Indians “the cheapest shitty apes to ever live on earth”.
“1. You act as if you’re my best friend” – i got a big WOW in my mind when i saw this. For your information, that’s how the waiter/waitress are trained. Most customers( except for some dicks like you) would find the meal much more enjoyable when their servers are nice and friendly. It makes the difference between a fast-food store and a “RESTAURANT.” If you don’t like it,why not buy to-go food and eat them at home, saving people time to have to serve cheapskate like you?
“2. You don’t get paid enough” – Oh please, that’s just how restaurants in U.S work. WAiters/waitress CAN’T do anything about it. And stop barking about ” they choose the job, they have to bear with it” stuffs. You really think it’s easy to find a job in U.S, especially in crisis time in these years? If they complain to their employers, they will simply be fired and it’s very difficult for them to find another job. Without income, they may become homeless, and even resort to commit crime to survive. Hey, don’t be surprised if someday someone rob you at gunpoint and then you realize he/she used to be the waiter/waitress you didnt tip before.
“3. You’ll spit in my food if I don’t tip you?” – There’s not much to say about this thogh. Unfortunate for you, waiters/waitress, who were stiffed by you, remember your face very well. Trust me, nobody would ever threaten you. They prefer to do it in secret. I cant image just how many spits( not to mention, boogers and urinates too) you have swallowed down that throat of yours. You may want to go to your doctor for a health check now. Well, it may even be too late now. I actually feel bad for you at this point.
“4. Bringing me my food isn’t worthy of being paid extra” – Bringing the “shop floor workers” up as an example to compare with waiter/waitress is a very stupid idea. Shop floor workers stay at 1 place, do the same thing the whole day, they dont have to adapt to different situations. Besides, they always have a minimum wage of $7/hour and in case something happen to them while working, the company will be responsible for the incident (treatment fees,etc). Waiter/waitress don’t invent or cook your food, but they have the responsibility to keep your food safe until it reach you. One little mistake and your food can be messed up ( even a little bit). You get mad, employers get mad, they get fired! And no, in a restaurant which is crowded with customers and other employees, it’s not that easy to simply bring the food to you. Besides, waiter/waitress have to answer any of the customers’ sudden request ( extra sauce, spoon, forks,etc) while maintain being polite and friendly, no matter how tired they are. They have to adapt to different situations. Yet, it’s no surprise if a waiter/waitress get paid $3/hour. And guess what, they don’t get the whole tips from the customers, the tips will be collected and then SHARED AMONG EVERYONE IN THE RESTAURANT, including the cooks and the receptionists!
“5. Money doesn’t grow on trees” – this part is so ridiculous that i dont even want to say anything about it
And no, i have never been a waiter, but my cousin is, so i learn everything about waiter/waitress from him. In addition to that, i simply cant stand cheapskates like you. All of your false accusations toward the waiter/waitress simply come from your cheap nature. Dont spit BS about other people if you have never been in their shoes. Besides, if you hate American culture so much that you also hate to help people,who struggle much more for a living, a few buck, why dont you just go back to India, where you can freely stiff everyone?? America would be so much better to have Indian cheapskate like you repelled outside of it.
In reply to Logan
so why do people even go to restaurants in America?
Seriously everyone in America, Wake up! learn how to use a microwave, or even a toaster and stop eating out.
Let all the restaurants go bankcrupt. Look at the smart arsed and rude attitude they have -> and they are proud of it! I say FUCK THEM, FUCK THEM ALL.
They cry because they are “poor” but if someone earns less then they do, but comes in to buy a meal, what they will spit and put boogers? Fuck that.
If everyone in America completely stops eating out and going to restaurants, then YOU can make a difference, and teach waiters to be respectful to clients and to appreciate the jobs that THEY CHOSE!
I use to give a tip but not any more it’s there job. When I entered the building to get my hair cut I noticed at the front counter that their hair cut price went up from $11 to $12.50 I thought to my self what the hell last hair cut was $11.Getting my hair cut the person was talking to me about her boyfriend and asking me if I had a good weekend and things like that. When my hair cut was done I gave a tip.So my hair cut turned into $14.I told my friends and family members about this and they said thats how they put their rates up,I ask how….WELL this is what is done,
your hair cut is how much now $12.50 plus tip it’s $14.00 then they think I have to make more money so what do they do,The price of a hair cut goes up.I went for another hair cut it went up again .I paid cash with a $20.00 they looked at me like they wanted more of my money, I said change please and left.My friends and family tell me pay by interact.My hair cut price is now $16.00 so I pay $16.00 and that’s it. I am not interested in hearing about your boyfriend( she didn’t know when to shut up) my weekend is nothing to do with you and I did not want to be rude I just listened to what she had to say by that time my hair cut was over.But had to make one stop on the way home pick up some Tylenol or Advil my head was just pounding .I know the company has to pay their rent is that my problem NO. The hair stylist has bills to pay thats where their tips go(so they say) but is that my problem NO.I feel like I am paying their bill for them.The person I gave a tip to I seen her at the bank put it that tip towards a bill that could be me putting that money towards my bill (just happened to see her at the same bank I go to.) ( this is where you the reader can swear)
I know times are tough on everybody money goes so far but what can you do,- nothing.I am not going to swear and all those other words you are looking for I will leave that up to you think to your self.Think what you want to think I can’t control that.Bottom line is that it is up to the person weather to give or not give a tip I choose not to.They get paid to cut your hair and nothing else.It has been about a year since this all took place and you know what things never change you give a tip and next the whole bank or give a banana then the person want the whole banana tree and what are you left with nothing but the
banana peel’s So what can people about all this that is the question I give to all you readers out there.Sorry If I piss anyone off but that is what I am thinking thanks for reading.
And that my opinion
In reply to Neal
You’re just as much of an asshole than the guy who wrote this. Maybe even more, being as he understands how to grammatically construct a sentence.
If you don’t like to do it then get out of our country. And let the stereotype on your race continue. You got your opinion and the people of this country has theirs. Of course yours does not hold stronger because you are the one not from here.
In reply to sandee
kicking the waiters out isnt really fair. But ok, go for it! Getting rid of thousands of useless unskilled and uneducated losers would make america a better place
I’ll keep this short and sweet. Waiters tips aren’t just for the waiter. Tips are given to the cooks, hosts, bussers, etc. As a waiter, if you say you got stiffed all day, the rest of the crew thinks you’re kiting and keeping the money. If your restaurant takes out a portion of your sales as tips for others (3%), then the waiter loses 3% of the money on a sale.
I once had a $100 table leave me no tip (I’m not going to lie, it was an issue of color and discrimination). That means I had to give up $3 from my own pocket, just so the guys in the back got tip.
Wow, you said this so perfectly. I totally agree with everything you put.
My family owns a small restaurant and I am the waitress. I handle other things as well, but my main job is to serve people.
I’ve had numerous tables stiff me. I read the comments on this forum about us waiters/waitresses should ask our employer to pay us more. Trust me, if we got paid more than minimum wage – the price of our food would go up dramatically! And that would not be fair for the people who order their meals to go or for the people that actually do tip. I am the only waitress at my family’s restaurant, so imagine if there are 4 or 6 servers to pay.
You think that being a waitress/waiter is easy? The task is easy, its dealing with the rude, cheap ass customers like Bhagwad that make our jobs unbearable. Nobody likes working for free! So to all the ignorant people that don’t believe in tipping – it’s not that you don’t believe in tipping. You’re just making excuses for being a cheap ass!!!