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.
I have asked someone of Indian descent why people of his race don’t tip or tip like sh*t, he told me it’s because that your people regard us as people selling apples on the street. Well, whenever I have people of Indian descent – (dot not feathers), I will give the lowest priority out of everyone else I wait on. Oh, wait you wanted vegetarian – screw you, I’m going to make sure there is beef stock in everything you order!!!! If you don’t like the way things are here in AMERICA – THEN GO THE F*CK BACK TO INDIA!!!! And, believe me – if all the indian people just stopped coming to my restaurant – I’d be so damn happy that I’d sh*t twinkies!!!!!
In reply to Tony A very skilled waiter
Tony, I think the Klan has some openings.
Go back to India? How about you, Tony, go back to Nazi Germany.
I’m sure all the Native Americans told your ancestors to go back to Europe where they came from.
Your not tipping just because someone brings you your food, your tipping on the service being provided to you that you either dont have time or are too lazy to provide for yourself. I hope for your sake you go to a new restaurant everytime because servers remember who dont tip. When you return your food will take twice as long to come out not because it isnt ready but because you wont be a priority whatsoever. Your food will sit under a heat lamp. You want a refill? A water? You dropped your fork? You need another napkin? How quick and efficient would you like your service to be? THATS what your tip is for. You dont want to have to cough up a couple bucks in appreciation for good service (beyond just receiving your food) go to a buffet. Oh and btw, you think your safer going to a buffet so your food wont get spit in? Ha, keep thinking so my friend. You wont return to a restaurant because of bad service? Nobody cares. Ive been in the industry for ten years and management almost always sides with servers. Maybe not infront of your face but no ones going to get fired because they gave a cheap miserable person poor service. The industry still and will always get minimum wage because tips are a known part of this industry. You think its a mindless monkeys job that doesnt deserve more than minimun wage or a tip, Id love to see you with a full section in a busy restaurant full of needy people expecting to be waited on hand a foot. of course you dont know what that is like or you wouldnt be rambling on, talk about what you know you might sound a little smarter. If your cheap fine be cheap, plenty of you out there but to talk about something you know absolutely nothing about as if you know it all is quite foolish. When servers report their tips and then try to go buy a house claiming their tips as income is not accepted, at least here in canada. So why am I going to give my money to the government that doesnt recognize that money theyre receiving as income. Getting angry because you have to pay taxes and servers dont claim all tips is sad and letting what did or didnt happen to you compared to other people upset you is only going to do just that, upset YOU. In almost every store in this industry in canada it is mandatory for servers to tip out their cook, bartenders, bussers and in some cases floor supervisors. You can also go to many high end restaurants (which Im sure youve never been to) where tips are automatically added onto your bill based on the total whether you like it or not. Next time you want to rant why dont you make it an educated one, go try out the job for a week and then give an opinion out of experience not ignorrance.
In reply to Really?
siding with the servers? What about the customer is always rigth? Geez, talk about the Entitled States of America at its work again. No wonder the restaurant industry took a huge nose dive when the crash occured in 2007, its because of this horrible, arrogant entitled attitude. Consumers have every right to be arrogant, they are teh consumer. The employees have NO RIGHT to display such pretentious attitudes. You have no right to be angry. Guess what? we consumers pay your pay checks. Don’t bite the hand taht feeds buddy.
Want “social justice?” Remember the USSR? O right, they broke up in the 90s.
It isn’t a mindless monkey’s job, but a job is a darn job. Do your job and accept your paycheck as such. I am not obliged to pay ANYTHING except for what is on the bill, including auto-grat. Why doesn’t your restaurant just enact auto-grat. That way I’m legally forced to pay your tip and I have no problem with that.
Serving is a job. Being a doctor is a job. Being a janitor is a job. Being in construction is a job. A job is a job. Quit whining and stating that only your job is difficult. Try serving your country in the armed forces and coming back home to on the back, some PTSD and no legs.
Danny: I have not received a raise in a while, other than standard of living. But that isn’t even required. If I were an employer, I can designate whoever receives raises and who doesn’t. Who cares. As long as I have a job, I’m happy. I’ve occasionally tipped service workers on Holidays (though I don’t celebrate any of them). Construction workers I’ll buy them lunch and/or dinner. That is it. Same with wait staff–I will give them WHAT I DEEM FIT. It could be $1.00, $5.00 et cetera.
To all of “really’s” points. Its called a job. It fits your job description. I as a consumer don’t need to pay you to do your job. That’s your employer’s job. At Best Buy, the Best Buy kids do the same thing. heck sometimes they also give me water as well. Living Spaces does this often. They’ll get you water and food while you shop. Does this mean I have to tip them? Absolutely not.
Next time you want to rant, perhaps you should be focusing on your job instead. I also got my grad degree, but you don’t see me complaining about my jobs. I shut up, I worked and I sweat and I bled. That is how jobs work.
Again Really, I’d love to see you working in an LA county Hospital in the ER. I’d love to see you working as an EMT. Please, spare me about the “busy restaurants.”
Andy, great points :)
Indian descent? What are all the Klan members deciding to come out and show how all but the White race are inferior some how? Go back to India? I say go back to Nazi Germany.
Danny: I have not received a raise in a while, other than standard of living. But that isn’t even required. If I were an employer, I can designate whoever receives raises and who doesn’t. Who cares. As long as I have a job, I’m happy. I’ve occasionally tipped service workers on Holidays (though I don’t celebrate any of them). Construction workers I’ll buy them lunch and/or dinner. That is it. Same with wait staff–I will give them WHAT I DEEM FIT. It could be $1.00, $5.00 et cetera.
To all of “really’s” points. Its called a job. It fits your job description. I as a consumer don’t need to pay you to do your job. That’s your employer’s job. At Best Buy, the Best Buy kids do the same thing. heck sometimes they also give me water as well. Living Spaces does this often. They’ll get you water and food while you shop. Does this mean I have to tip them? Absolutely not.
Next time you want to rant, perhaps you should be focusing on your job instead. I also got my grad degree, but you don’t see me complaining about my jobs. I shut up, I worked and I sweat and I bled. That is how jobs work.
Again Really, I’d love to see you working in an LA county Hospital in the ER. I’d love to see you working as an EMT. Please, spare me about the “busy restaurants.”
Andy, great points :)
Indian descent? What are all the Klan members deciding to come out and show how all but the White race are inferior some how? Go back to India? I say go back to Nazi Germany.
Hey guys, i work in a coffee shop, and a guy just came in, ordered a tea, to go no less, handed me a ten, and said “no change.” And he’s done this before so it wasn’t a mistake. And he doesnt hit on me. I just wanted to say keep your heads up, because for everyone like Bhagwad and “common sense” who angrily punish you for, seriously, working in the service industry and not making your life’s purpose to singlehandedly spearhead a complete revolution of a multibillion industry from the bottom up, there are people who are just generous, kind-hearted, nice people. And just one of them can really make a person’s day. Baristas do not get tipped anywhere near as much as waiters, which i understand completely because we make min wage or even more, but i do have to take sometimes complicated orders of like five drinks with different kinds of milk, extra shots, sugar-free syrup in one, reg in the other, whipped cream on this one with caramel drizzel, that one decaf, extra hot, etc, and have to clean up tables, always have to do all dishes, close entire store by myself. So tips are greatly appreciated. I know they’re not required. But the guy who tipped me $7.86 for a simple tea today makes me realize what is possible when someone is just – well, a nice person. No one says people have to tip. Its nice when instead of being mean about though, people just admit that if theyre eating out in the first place, or getting a $4 espresso drink, they do have the money to tip. Happy New Year all.
In reply to Barista
we’re not discussing humanism. I’m at least discussing the required obligation of tipping. Baristas are different. Heck i’ll throw down some for baristas. However isn’t the tipping system in the restaurant industry arbitrary? why 15%? Why not 10%? Why not $2.00? Why not whatever I want. You said it yourself, this gentlement threw down what he felt was necessary. Why can’t I do the same? If I’m dining alone, I eat one plate and it comes out to $30, why can’t I leave $2.00? Think of it this way, how is it fair if a couple dines outfor $20 and they leave $3.00 but if I go myself and eat at a price of $30.00 and leave the same tip, i would be seen as cheap?
That is nice don’t get me wrong, but we are discussing the capitalistic implications of the gratuity system. I’m not legally required to leave a tip period. I am, however, legally obliged to pay the final bill (whatever is on the receipt).
Let’s face it, as Andy said, who doesn’t love extra money? If you were a nurse, who wouldn’t deserve an extra $20 in the ER? Heck, they saved your life, right? O but wait, it is forbidden to tip healthcare workers. So what gives? Why can one industry forbid tipping, yet another condone it? It is such hypocrisy. The Entitled States of America at it again I’m afraid.
How am I punishing anybody, Barista? Please clearly explain how exactly I am punishing someone. By being fiscally responsible? By paying exactly what I am required to pay? Please describe it in LEGAL terms, not humanistic terms. We live in a secular capitalistic nature. Your ills mean nothing to me. If you all are so hung up on “being nice” don’t buy anything from China or India. I’m sure whatever you are wearing or typing, a little kid who made about $.50/hour worked his but off for 18 hours straight in some sweatshop. Lets cut the “niceness” and be real.
In reply to Common Sense
Haha. No, i think i’ll just discuss it on whatever terms i want. It’s really quite simple – it doesnt cost a lot to tip. If you have the money to spend $30 on dinner, you have the money to tip. You are punishing that waiter if you dont tip because you are entering into an understood deal when you eat at a place that has service, and then not holding up your end of the bargain. Much as you are insisting on discussing things on your terms here, because you know thats the only way what youre saying will make sense. No one makes you go to a restaurant with waiters, and you’re acting like a victim because of something that is basically out of their control. Realistically unionization would cost them all their free time and resources and still would probably not work, but in your eyes, its their fault somehow for not unionizing. The whole oppressive tip culture, oh poor victim, is your fault because you choose to go to restaurants with an established system and then cry about the fact that you have to deal with it…you *dont* – just stop going…no one will miss you! “Oh man do i hate rock concerts! They play so loud! Every time i go to one my ears ring! There’s no reason rock has to be loud!” …but it IS. So stop going to rock shows if you dont want to be the “victim” of their absolutely unnecessarily loud music. And stop going to restaurants with service if you dont want to pay for service…idiot. And get a life and find a hobby other than making people mad on the internet. Duh.
Can somebody just shut this fool up?
In reply to Youdisgustme
Who asked you to come and read my blog? :D
BTW did yall know that it now is the “new norm” in big cities to tip 30% at restaurants? I suppose my rate increase prediction was pretty darn accurate.
As a kid, “10 %” was the new norm.
How can ANY OF YOU explain this percentage increase? It should have nothing to do with wages or prices since restaurant entree prices increase along with inflation, so the 15% would therefore be normalized according to whatever the current prices are.
You’re a fucking idiot if you think serving is an unskilled job. There are very few people who can actually do it well, and I’m sure your dumb lazy cheap ass would be horrible at it. Because you are lazy and cheap. Let me repeat. You are a lazy cheap asshole, so stay the fuck at home.
In reply to Holly
don’t bite the hand that feeds. All jobs require skill in oen form or another, however the labor department defines wait service as “unskilled labor” since no formal training is requried (college, certification etc.) Bartending is slightly different since licensing is required. Please just stop with the emotions and use logic.
Again, 30% tips now? Are you kidding? Cheap? So if I buy something f or $60, I’m now required to put an $18 tip? WHAT!!!!???
Tips is an acronym for To Insure Proper Service. Anyone who thinks waiting tables is unskilled labor is an idiot. Try keeping up with several tables of people, remembering what they are drinking, eating, special requests. Taking care of and anticipating their needs to ensure they enjoy their dining experience. Also the restaurant I work in is right of the interstate when you enter my city. I give directions, tell people about interesting attractions in the vicinity, how far they are from where they are going, etc. It is a mentally and physically demanding job, if a majority of people shared your opinion you would not receive any level of good service when you dined out.
In reply to Steve
I can tell you diretions as well.
TIPS–an obsolete standard that began in Victorian England to convey the wealth of the rich folks towards the pawns.
I don’t believe that waiting tables does not take skill, however the labor department defines wait staffing as unskilled labor since no particular certifications or college education is necessary. A waiter by law is not required to have any licenses, college, associate’s degrees or even a diploma. A bar tender is technically skilled since h/she does require a license.
Skilled has nothing to do with the difficulty of the position. It has to do with specific definitions with licensing, training, and education.
Some even call wait staffing SEMI SKILLED labor, since you do have to perform balancing acts etc.
Now let me ask for the billionth time–there are many states in which tipped AND non tipped employees share the same minimum wage–california, washington are some examples. Does this mean that if I dine out in Washington state or California, do I still have to tip? You are receiving minimum wage, so why would I have to tip?
“It is a mentally and physically demanding job, ” tell that to LA county EMT’s that make about $9.50/hour and are forbidden to receive tips and sometimes work up to 16 hours/day.
Please Steve, spare me. I can give directions, tell you interesting activities in the vicinity, how far and where they are going for free. In fact, I can tell them those things and I will pay them on top of that.
Its amazing how conceited you are. Honestly, if you don’t like the culture, then don’t eat out! It’s like if I went to India and expected to sit down and order a hamburger- they don’t serve hamburger for their own cultural reasons, so who am I to bitch about it? Same for tipping. If you’re going to be a dick about it, then you’re better off staying at home for everyone’s sake.
In reply to Anon
they have hamburgers in india. Even if they don’t, the menu clearly states that a hamburger is not carried at the establishment you are eating at, so therefore, you legally have no right to whine (i do not want to use that awful word you used) about it.
No one is legally obligated to tip.
If you do go to a restaurant in India and raise a ruckus about not having a hamburger, you are harassing the owner, which in India is illegal.
We are discussing legalities anon.
So in California, where all workers, tipped and non-tipped, receive minimum wage, do I still have to tip? I will ask this question each time somebody puts up a new thread. i want an answer on this.