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 kind of agree with the post, because of the employers. The US is the ONLY country that “demands” a certain percentage of the bill as tip.. other countries around the world get paid a fair amount and don’t require, or even expect(!!!) a tip. If you leave a tip it will most likely be 10-40 cents so you don’t have to wait for your change.
Wow, what a DICK!!! Servers only get paid $2.13 an hour in most state, which all goes to taxes and benefits to the lucky few whose jobs offer benefits. TIpping in this country is REQUIRED, not optional. Your server(waiter/waitress) is a person too, so being friendly and conversative is just part of the job and often provided a pleasant dinning experience. So many people stop by a restaurant after a long stressful day at work and don’t feel like cooking, It’s nice to have someone serve you, bring your food out, refill your drink, and clean up after yourself and your rowdy messy, messy kids. Not tipping just because you believe it should already be included in the bill is completely understandable. I’ve been waiting on tables for 7 years in order to pay my way through college. This is America, unless otherwise specified, tipping is required. 99.99 percent of people serving you will not spit in your food if you’re not going to tip, rather they will provided piss poor service and neglect you rather than take care of you and serve you in a comfortable hospitable environment. Not tipping because you received horrible food and service is understandable, but it the food and or service is that bad, you should always speak to a manager. Whoever wrote this article is rude and ignorant. Waiting on tables is semi-skilled labor, digging ditches is unskilled labor and often pays more. Always tip your server, in the event of horrible food and or service always speak to a manger, don’t be a dick. Maybe your server is having a bad day, tip them anyways, everyone deserves a benefit of a doubt. whoever wrote this is an ignorant asshole who thinks $2.13 is enough to live on, by law that is minimum wage for tipped employees.
In reply to ZACH
Digging ditches requires a lot more skill than being a waiter. Because you have to operate dangerous heavy machinery. You also need An understanding of geology and how to properly shore up walls to prevent collapse. After four years of training you can expect to make about $60 an hour Plus medical and annuities. Being a waiter is less then unskilled because mentally handicapped people are actually normally employed to be waiters. Normal people would want to kill themselves with such a retarded simple job. Which leads me to believe you must be very stupid lazy and have no ambition to be a waiter. I am not going to tip you for doing a job that retarded people do. I am also not going to tip you for doing your very simple unskilled job. A waiter is so stupid turning on your TV requires directions for you.
As someone who works in the service industry, I’d like to make a PSA about the word ‘Tips’.
Tips is actually an acronym that stands for:
To
Insure
Prompt
Service.
Not only is our economy set up in a way that waiters /depend/ on tips to survive, but a tip is also your way of saying that you
Enjoyed your experience and would like it to continue that way for the next time.
Say you were to do a project of sorts in your own job. Although the project requires you to work extra hours and do extra tasks, when you’re finished, you don’t actually get any extra pay for it.
Now, the next time you get asked to do the project, do you think you’d put a lot of effort into it?
Don’t be an ass. Tip your servers.
In reply to J
Wow just do your unskilled job loser. Being a dog fetching my dinner does not need extra effort, or deserve a tip. If you don’t like it get a real job.
In reply to J
Bringing my food order from the kitchen to my table and a bottle of wine does not require extra effort. Getting projects done within deadlines is called being an adult. Being a waiter is just a kid who is lazy stupid and will never make anything out of his life. I would much rather pick up my food from the sous chef, then to have to look at your stupid pimply face. I’m not going to tip you for being a conveyor belt. If you don’t like it. Whom am I kidding. You are a huge failure of society and will never amount to anything anyways. My tip to do is do your job well or I will complain to the corporate office and you won’t have a job anymore.
If you don’t want to tip, get take out. If you don’t want to pay for a service you’re not receiving when you get take out, tip when you dine in. This is written with such ignorance and vitriol that you are either a troll or a sociopath.
In reply to Bravo
You are being paid for your service. ($2.13 an hour). Unskilled job equals unskilled wages. No tip needed or required. Not my problem you suck at life.
Servers in America get taxed on their tips regardless if you tip them or not. If you don’t tip we still have to pay a percent of your bill in taxes that come out of our check automatically. It’s like you’re stealing when you don’t tip. Also, we make the same as people who work at McDonald’s, and less in most states, yet we do far more work for you then they do. If you don’t want to tip then go to McDonald’s or Taco Bell.
In reply to Mallory
You are full of shit. You are only taxed on tips you actually make plus employee wages. Getting taxed on money you don’t make is considered money laundering,tax fraud etc. Real question is how much in tips you don’t claim
In reply to Tax Guy
Dead wrong. The IRS assumes a server makes a certain minimum percentage of tips based on sales, and they’re taxed on that amount. If that minimum amount isn’t claimed, both the server and the restaurant that employs them can suffer penalties from the IRS and the state tax commission. Those are the facts, your feelings about it are irrelevant.
I’d comment further, but the level of bitterness over common social interaction in the original post goes so far beyond the tipping issue it’s laughable.
In reply to Myles
I used to be a waitress until I got serious about my life and actually did something about it. I only got taxed on tips that I claimed yeah right and wages. I never ever paid taxes on money I never made. You’re a real fool to think otherwise.
In reply to Amy
Many place sign tip agreements and are taxed on the amount in the agreement regardless of what they make in tips I.e. Employees at bars and restaurants in borgata casino in atlantic city. Myles is right. Next time do research before implying some one is a liar. Not all serving jobs do their pay role and toke tips the same way.
In reply to atlantic
I am a Tax Attorney. Whatever agreement that you signed, may not infringe upon Federal tax law. Upfront you may pay the percentage that you speak of. At the end of the year you have to get it all back. Therefore you are not taxed on any money you did not earn. I can understand how an uneducated person may feel they are being taxed on money they did not earn. However that is not the case. With your GED education I am sure this is too complex an answer for you. So let me simplify it for you. (Yo homey dat money you be paying dealyo be coming back to you so it ain’t coming out of your pocket know what I’d be saying yo-yo Da man not be taking money you did not make.)
In reply to Tax4U
You made a lot of sense at first but then you had to show your true colors and insult people with GEDs and prove once again that as a lawyer you’re nothing but a well educated leech. How over paid you are, as someone who argues for a living, compared to someone who bust their ass being nice to pompous jerks for their pocket change, is appalling.
In reply to Tax4U
Wow all that education, yet you remain so ignorant. A first rate attorney and a second rate human being.
In reply to Tax4U
You are a fool. As someone who waited tables to put myself through college, I know both sides. I had to pay taxes based on a percentage of my sales. I worked harder as a server than I ever have as a CPA. And it what fairytale world do you live in that everyone gets all of the taxes they pay back? You are obviously NOT in any type of financial career. Whether I was tipped or not, I had to pay taxes based on my sales. Quit trying to explain your poor behavior with flawed arguments.
In reply to FormerwaitressCPA
There is no way you are in any type of financial occupation. You are a moron. The tax attorney never said you get all your taxes back at the end of the year. What he did say is that you are not taxed on money you never made!!!
In reply to Amy
Your an idiot I work with waitresses bartenders and all sorts of tip prersonal and have even been one before and bc of ass holes like you had to leave the job I liked and had a great time doing with not alot of stress and it was perfect for my schooling but due to no tip oh and BTW I made 3.25 an hr PLUS tips and on your cks you have tip compliance tax at a percentage taken out every paycheck no matter if I got a dollar or 100 dollars it still comes out …. LEARN YOU FUCKEN FACTS BEFORE OPENING YOUR MOUTH. you don’t want us to talk to you well guess what we don’t want to talk to an ass hole either so next time you don’t want to tip the person helping you STAY THE FUCK HOME AND COOK IT YOUR DAMN SELF
In reply to Myles
http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs15.pdf
If an individual in a position considered”tipped employee” (as defined in the above link), they are owed the minimum wage regardless of the amount of money they receive in tips.
I agree with the intrusiveness in which some in the service industry engage and after living in Germany for many years I became accustomed to being left along to enjoy my meal when dining out.
Growing up, my mother worked as a waitress and worked very hard so I have a soft spot in my heart for waitstaff. I tend to be a “regular” at places and the staff learn quickly to leave me be to enjoy my meal in peace and in those instances, I tip well. If I want them, I will flag them down. It they they endlessly engage me and disturb me, I respectfully inform them of my expectations. If they fail to understand, I feel that they have provided poor service…so lower tip. Much lower possibly. It is a personal philosophy.
However, knowledge is power…if you are in the service industry and your employer is pulling a fast one on you…please refer to the link above. They have to play by the rules.
In reply to Tax Guy
Actually….take the minimum wage. Then subtract it from what a server makes. That’s what we have to claim in tips per hour even if we don’t make it. Very frustrating. And it’s people like you, that make us want to spit in your food. But will we? No. Because that’s wrong. But if I know you’re not a tipper, and I see you often in my restaurant, I will make sure you get shitty service from me. I will not run my ass ragged for nothing.
In reply to Angel
Angel, I dine at very nice restaurants that would never tolerate a waitress not busting her butt. I will never tip you for doing your unskilled pathetic job. Nothing you do is worthy of a tip. If I feel you’re not performing as well as I would like. Summoning the maître d’ would will terminate your employment. A patron would never tolerate the likes of you.
In reply to Tax Guy
Your an idiot I work with waitresses bartenders and all sorts of tip prersonal and have even been one before and bc of ass holes like you had to leave the job I liked and had a great time doing with not alot of stress and it was perfect for my schooling but due to no tip oh and BTW I made 3.25 an hr PLUS tips and on your cks you have tip compliance tax at a percentage taken out every paycheck no matter if I got a dollar or 100 dollars it still comes out …. LEARN YOU FUCKEN FACTS BEFORE OPENING YOUR MOUTH. you don’t want us to talk to you well guess what we don’t want to talk to an ass hole either so next time you don’t want to tip the person helping you STAY THE FUCK HOME AND COOK IT YOUR DAMN SELF
In reply to Tax Guy
Hey, bet ya didn’t know but you ARE being a rude entitled prick. I’m a server at Applebee’s at one of the worst locations known on the franchise. Us servers at Applebee’s have to tip out 3% of every check which goes to the hosts and bartenders who CLEAN AFTER YOUR MESSY TABLE AND MAKE YOUR DRINKS. So if you stiff a server at Applebee’s on your check, we have to pay that 3% out of our pocket to pretty much pay for a portion of your bill. Yes, our employers are cheap, but we are a team and that’s what valuable coworkers do for each other. If you feel that you shouldn’t have to tip, maybe you should use your money to go to a grocery store and cook your own food. If there were no servers in a restaurant because you want a “certain meal” how would you receive it? Us servers “chit chat” because we legitimately try to provide the best dining experience to all guests basically the same way we would like to be treated by a server. I hope you choke on your food while you’re highly in need of a refill. Cheap ass.
In reply to SERVER
Even a flunky such as yourself that works at Apple is entitled to minimum-wage unfortunately. http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm Looks like even those that suck at life get minimum wage. Society needs to stop over paying people like you.
In reply to SERVER
I just had my Porsche 911 detailed. A small dog ran out in front of me getting entrails on the front spoiler. Now I’m sad because of the mess the dogs guts made on my clean work of art. Stopped at a gross Delta sonic carwash to have them clean the mess off. Never let them detail your car, they are only to be used for emergencies. Next-door was an Applebee’s. Ewww icky gross I only picked at that disgusting steak. We had some drinks the bill for myself and dining companion came to around $90. The look on the waitresses face when she saw the tip line was crossed out cheered me up. Can you believe she asked me if she did something wrong? I told her yes. Why did I even have to ask you for anything? You should’ve anticipated needs. I told her don’t worry maybe one day you’ll get a real job. I told my daddy about my day he couldn’t stop laughing. Mum told me not to tell anybody I went to Applebee’s she would be embarrassed.
In reply to Mallory
“Also, we make the same as people who work at McDonald’s, and less in most states, yet we do far more work for you then they do.”
far more work than they do? it’s literally your job get over it…people at Mcdonalds/fast food do way more work than servers in general that’s why they get paid more…which at 7>25 ain’t shit…
https://plus.google.com/+BhagwadPark/photos/photo/6112006697512791746?pid=6112006697512791746&oid=115170732126609500444
There’s a picture. All the servers take notice. If you see this guy come into your restaurant, be sure and give him the service he deserves.
This author is clearly a jew
In reply to Notajew
If he was a Jew he would be a doctor. His education would consist of a medical degree & PhD. He would be very wealthy. Plus he would own several restaurants. Not sure what your point is?
In reply to Notajew
You are employing a dangerous stereotype. As a whole the Jewish community is well-off compared to other “minority” groups.
But the picture is more complicated than appears to the casual glance.
I for instance am a Jew who is living just above the poverty level.
It’s really hurtful to hear you use such stereotypes.
I’ve seen the word “idiot” tossed around in this thread so much it means nothing. It’s tempting to fling harsh words when my feelings are so hurt. But I’m sure you are a good person who works hard and only wants what’s best for you and your loved ones.
So I am asking you to think twice before you use harmful stereotypes. You are better than that.
Your exactly what is wrong with society today. A poor excuse for a human being. Your so thoughtless and rude. Stay in Europe and tip shitty there. We do it differently here.
I’ve never worked in the service industry, but I always tip 20%. You are just an evil cheap heartless asshole. I hope your soul burns in hell eternally for the sins you’ve committed against your fellow man.
Team Kat!
In different countries, there are different customs towards tipping. In some countries, tipping is an insult. In some, like France, a gratuity is normally included in the price of a meal. I used to live in France. I smile, I speak French and tend to be friendly, but would never consider that I received particularly good service in most French restaurants. Why would they, they’re going to get paid the same regardless. In the United States, where the gratuity is usually not included, at a sit down restaurant it is customary to tip waitstaff 15% of the cost of a meal and drinks, a bit more if the service is good, a bit less if it is poor. If you don’t leave a tip, you who has the luxury of eating meals out are cheating a low wage earner from income they’ve earned.
I don’t care what you do in France. Or India. Or wherever else you may be eating or what your inflated morals dictate. When you eat out in this country, tipping the waiter is expected. Not doing so kinda makes you a dick.
In reply to pinktech
Here’s a real simple idea: restaurant/bar put your prices UP by 15%…pay that proportion as WAGES…no need to tip. No need for your staff to falsely suck up to patrons. Funny how hospitality staff in Australia don’t need tips