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.
Listen, Reservoir Dog. I understand your reasoning on some of these issues but it’s for all the wrong reasons. I’m a restaurant industry professional and you have to be real with how things are right now. Minimum wage for servers hasn’t increased since the 1990s but that gives you no reason to lose your class…even at your favorite buffet. Just because you don’t think someone isn’t “working” for your money doesn’t mean that they actually aren’t. There is more to it than just “bringing food” to your selfish personality. I promise.
In reply to Alex Shumila
You’ve failed to explain why an unskilled job (by definition) such as waiting tables should pay more than minimum wage. They’re working for that minimum wage they are guaranteed, that they sign an employment contract for. They didn’t have to go to school to get the job, and people who have done serving as a job have admitted it was one of the easiest jobs they ever had (including $Bill who had it as a job).
The fact that they make minimum wage does not justify them expecting customers to pay them for a job they’re already being paid to do. If they want more money they should do what any intelligent person who wants more money does and get a job that pays more.
In reply to Alex Shumila
You lost me the second you said restaurant professional. There is only a tiny bit more than actually bringing food to the table so let’s discuss that. You announce the evening menu. Take the food order. Take the drink order. Bring food and drink to the table. Repeat as necessary.
Minimum wage is minimum pay for minimum skill. You have knowbody to blame but yourself. No tip for you waiter boy.
Ive been in the industry for 20 years, i completely agree with you. i make amazing as shit money from dumb ass people leaving me tips. its stupid to tip. i make all my money in tips and i dont tip any when i go out. its bull shit. i am doing a job and getting paid shit because i didnt want to go to school. im lazy and im now being rewarded for it for giving fake smiles n shit. tip your chef not your server they completely ruin their lives to make your food. servers get paid more than any chef and they only wor a whopping 20 hiurs a week where chefs are there 70 to 100 hoursa a week for a whole 600$ a week.. i was a chef for years the most i got tipped in 5 years was 2 dollars. i serve now and its a joke, us servers dont give a shit about you, dont tip us alt all. its the easies job ever (minum wage or way less worthy job). other countries its frowned upon to tip. were not scum we should get paid per hour not by what you feel bad to leave us. STOP THE TIPPING IN THE US
In reply to Jurgen
U r a fucking jackass! You get a lot of tips but you don’t tip yourself!? Wow- karma is a bitch asshole
Zeus, the brunch is at the Waldorf Astoria. You should make reservations. Save room for Red Velvet cake you’ll be glad you did. http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/dining/waldorf-brunch.html
In reply to $Bill
$Bill- I just had the Sunday brunch this afternoon at the Waldorf and omg it was so fantastic! The best buffet I’ve ever had. Tons of top choices and you were right…the red velvet cake is to die for.
In reply to Zeus
Zeus I am so glad you enjoyed the buffet. The Red Velvet cake is The Waldorf Astoria’s claim to fame.
I wonder if that’s how he likes to be treated at his work place.
Boss be like: “Oh, you want more money ? But I’m already paying you to work for me, money doesn’t grow on trees you know ?”
Lol
In reply to AL
You realize that most people, if they feel they aren’t being paid adequately and aren’t given a raise, get a different job that pays more, right?
They don’t just sit there and whine about it and expect other people to give them money because of it.
In reply to AL
You whine like a little girly bitch. If you don’t like the pay get a better job. Go to college or vocational school to better yourself. Of course you won’t being a waiter is all you can handle.
Talk about unskilled job like waiting on table.Isn’t that why we tip them?
Because the job is so unskilled that they pay you not that much
so you have to do your service job with best effort.
In reply to Question
That’s backwards logic. They earn very little because it is unskilled labor. If they want more money, the solution is to get a job that pays more money.
There are many minimum wage, unskilled jobs that do not get tips.
In reply to What a joke
I meant the reason we tip them in general.
Of course,if they want to earn more money they have to get
different job rather than waiting on table.I don’t think anybody
should be relying on this source of income,unless they want to earn extra money for their snacks.I know ir’s undkilled but
this kind of job is not for anybody.At least you have to have great personality otherwise I will lose my appitite.
In reply to Question
Tipping originally was a form of showing off money by the rich. The idea was they had enough money they could get special treatment by throwing the commoners an extra nickle or something.
Not terribly long after minimum wage was first enacted in the US, laws were passed to allow a tip credit to be deducted from the pay of servers. The reasoning was that the employers felt it was unfair to require them to pay the servers the full wage if the servers were being paid tips.
As tipping culture has developed, it has become more severe, as the amounts being tipped have gone up, both in percentage and actual amount. This is why the tip credit is bigger than ever.
The TL;DR is this: the low wages of servers is more a result of tipping, and not the reason for it. Federal law requires a server’s employer pay them the full minimum wage if they do not get enough tips to make that much (even if they get none).
In reply to Question
Would zlove to know what “skilled” job you’re in with such terrible grammar and spelling.
In reply to Serving and smart
Can’t think of anything so you have to point out something inconsequential? You lose.
I worked as a server for many years while earning my Degree. It was easily the most difficult job I’ve ever had. It takes a certain type of person to be able to manage a section of tables flawlessly. Not everyone can do it. I have the utmost respect for people working in this profession. When I eat out, I tip at least 20 percent every time because I know how difficult this job is. I currently work in a corporate office in a professional job and it is nowhere near as stressful as my time spent working as a server. It’s clear to me that you don’t have any respect for the profession. Judging by your post, I would say that you dine out alone, probably spend most of your time alone. You seem like a closed-minded person who lacks compassion. I would challenge to look outside yourself and open your mind.
In reply to Serving more Stressful than Professional Job
If it was the hardest job you ever had, I imagine you either aren’t doing anything at your current job, or you haven’t considered the consequences of screwing up at your job.
If things weren’t perfect at the restaurant, what happened? Yelled at? Fired? You get fired as a server, you walk down the street to another place and put in an application.
You screw up at a professional job you might cost other people their jobs. You could cost the company thousands or millions of dollars. You get fired good luck finding another job. If you put down you were fired for screwing up you won’t get hired. You don’t put down the job you got fired at and they want to know why you haven’t had a job that whole time.
Serving is only stressful if you make it stressful. There are no serious consequences for fucking up. There’s a reason the highest rates of stress related illness and death are among professionals, and increase in frequency the higher the position.
In reply to Serving more Stressful than Professional Job
Bhagwad’s Blog is not in Americanized level.
Not from any open minded profession,so forget about compassion
or any generosity.
I tip my server Not because it’s a custom.
Any educated youngster could figured out that tipping is unnecessary.I tip them because I am in mature humen being level.
Generally,tipping is also some kind of indication of how AMERICANS
culture is.
In reply to Metallic melted
Given that tipping culture in America is the reason the tip credit exists, it’s actually part of the problem. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, even the Huffington Post has done an article about how tipping culture is harmful, so by continuing to tip you’re just contributing to the problem.
In reply to What a joke
Waiters make $2 an hour, NOT minimum wage. They make that wage because it is a TIPPED job. It is not a “minimum skill” job either you arrogant asshole. It’s work, hard work. Obviously you’ve never done it so you DON’T know all about it. That wage will never be raised because in America you’re expected to tip. Dont like that? Live somewhere you’re not, or go to McDonald’s where they make more than us servers for doing significantly less work. Fuck you. Your boycott of American tipping culture doesn’t feed my children. I’d I go to school I still need to feed them until I GET a better paying job.
In reply to What an idiot
“f an employee’s tips combined with the employer’s direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the Federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.”
http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/002.htm
That’s the Department of Labor. Servers make minimum wage.
I’ve done serving as volunteer work, and $Bill did it as a job. It’s really not hard work, and if you think it is then I’d be surprised if you can tie your own shoes.
And it’s unskilled labor by definition. It requires no education. They train monkeys to do it (that’s not an exaggeration or a home, it’s simply a fact). Anyone who could not succeed at being a waiter would never be able to manage any job that doesn’t require taking off their clothes because it is a job that even trained animals can do.
If you’re trying to feed children on a server’s income, you’re a failure as a parent. Unskilled jobs are meant for people who want some work experience and a little extra money. They’re not for people to try to feed a family with.
Either way, I’m not your employer, and it is not my responsibility to pay you. You’re already paid for the job, and you agreed to the wage you legally get for it. Your life is not the customer’s problem. Ever.
In reply to What a joke
..not an exaggeration or a joke*
Freaking autocorrect…
In reply to What an idiot
McDonald’s employees work 10x harder than any waitress ever will and they make my minimum wage which is probably a lot less than your pay with tips. Since you probably under report your tips like most servers, you can feed your kids with the food stamps you screw the government out of instead of selling them for drugs and booze. You are the perfect definition of white trailer trash. I bet your kids have separate daddies too.
In reply to What an idiot
Before I had children this is what I did:
First I finished my college education. Then I started my career that offered benefits including medical, dental and a retirement plan.
Built-up a healthy bank account. Married a woman that already finished her PhD. (just like me). She also built up a healthy bank account. Then we built a home together. We made sure that our lifestyle was within our means in case one of us lost a job. We also banked one year of living expenses just in case. We started a college trust fund. Then we had a child.
You are a failure, and an incompetent parent to have kids with a minimum wage unskilled income job. You deserve poverty, food stamps, and misery. No tip for you dumbass.
In reply to Metallic melted
Slavery was the culture too. Woman did not have the right to vote because men made the culture that way. Tipping was brought over from European aristocrats to show the common man how much more wealthy and important they were. Rich people laughed at the common man and made them do demeaning things for tips. Stick your head in the toilet I will give you a few coins.
I also refuse to tip you for doing your job. If you want to do some demeaning things I’ll tip you for my entertainment.
In reply to Serving more Stressful than Professional Job
If waiting tables was the most difficult stressful job you ever had. You have to be retarded.
Kama ,it follows …
In reply to Real vs Fake
Only simple people who will never have anything good in life even mention the make believe word (KARMA)
The funny thing is you could not even spell it correctly.
No tip for you waiter boy.
In reply to $Bill
This word existed in your world,wow!
You’re probably only know how to spell it.
What do you know about it,lol,nothing so far.
In reply to Real vs Fake
Let’s think about karma, shall we? Karma would suggest the “bad” person doing the “bad” thing would be punished by the universe, while the “good” person would be rewarded, to balance things out.
Given that $Bill has become more and more wealthy, and others like him aren’t being punished by the universe, while servers who threaten violence against people who do not tip and do not work to improve their station continue to live in such a state instead of getting a reward from the universe for their “goodness,” logic would indicate that not tipping is the correct thing, according to kharma, where those asking for tips (i.e. money for a job they are already being paid to do) are earning negative kharma.
In reply to $Bill
Oh,I didn’t mention that KARMA comes to your love ones too.
Goodbye……..drown in it,HAHAHAHA?
In reply to Real vs Fake
Why don’t you go pray to your retarded fish frog monkey god. Then throw a few virgins down a volcano to make sure the sun comes up tomorrow morning. Your make -believe karma will never smile upon your zit covered ass.
In reply to $Bill
You are the one who mentioned server job is unskilled .
But you’ve also said why should I tip for what you already have to do?etc…
I don’t think you actually know condition of this.
The way I see it you should tip your server because they get pay little due to this unskilled job.
“No matter what don’t tip”that’s how it sounded every page you’ve appeared.Why don’t you go find yourself a chef for a wife?
I know it unfair to tip after what I’ve already paid for my bill
But your reasoning of retardation is showing on and off.
If I agree to your leading it would be s big mistake because
they all still tipping in US no matter what.
I am not listening to you not until you are capable of make no tipping server become a law .
I prabanbly become another asshole if I believe everything you say.Goodbye and be gone,SNAKING $BILL.
In reply to Real vs Fake
I think they should suffer with low pay for having an unskilled job. No tip for you waiter boy.
If you don’t want to pay for the service, and yes interacting with other humans (humans who WORK at the restaurant you are CHOOSING to eat at) comes with the service while eating out, then try making your own fucking Italian or Chinese food! Or go to a cheaper place where workers actually make minimum wage and don’t need tips to live… You fucking classist asshole, I dare you to work one of these jobs and see how much you make with your attitude. It certainly won’t be enough to sustain yourself. You may have to take multiple jobs, like so many of the people who work in the service industry. Or move to a country where tipping is not customary because they already make enough money.
In reply to Bailey
1) Servers make minimum wage, by Federal Law, with or without tips.
2) Serving is not meant to be a job you live off of, it’s meant to be a job for people who want a little spending money and work experience.
3) Tips are a gratuity, by their very definition they are not required, nor should they ever be expected – especially for doing a job they are already being paid to do for a wage they agreed to do it for.
4) The customer is not their employer, and it is THEIR employer’s responsibility to pay them.
In reply to What a joke
A server is, in essence, a sales position in which you get paid straight commission. The more you sell, you more you make, generally speaking. Sure, you can make minimum wage if your a bad server, but you can also make nothing being a real estate agent; you get out what you put in. Some servers make six figures as they take their profession very seriously and study human interactions and psychological tactics to boost tips. It’s funny how your mention a server is an “unskilled job positions” when they teach sales courses in universities and have countless books written in the subject. I’m a server, and I believe that every dollar I make is an exchange for some kind of value I provided, whether that be through a simple smile, making people feel good about themselves, or by providing a recommendation that the customer would not have otherwise ordered. If you don’t want to tip, order take out! Fortunately 98% of people are not like you and do appreciate my salesmanship and tip 15-20%, allowing me to make a comfortable living with this profession. i honestly feel bad for people that don’t tip as they either need the money more than I do or are just low in character. I respect your opinion however. Peace
In reply to Frankthetank
I do not tip car salesmen or real estate agents. Their commission is included in the price of the product. I pay for the food. You’re not getting a penny more.
In reply to Frankthetank
Not only do you have zero value, but waiting on people is not a profession it is an unskilled job. No tip for you waiter boy.
In reply to Frankthetank
No server could ever teach at a University. It would have to be a stoner unaccredited community college. So the word University would not even apply. The server would not be a server because they would at least need a doctorate degree. You are in fantasyland.
You say servers write countless books, how can that be? The average server dropped out of high school and can’t even get a job at McDonald’s. They are completely unskilled and dimwitted which is the reason why they are waiters in the first place.
Writing books and teaching at prestigious universities is reserved for real professions and educated people.. Ergo not waiter boys.
In reply to Frankthetank
Well, if you want to say they’re commissions, then fine. That means the customer CERTAINLY doesn’t pay you (even in direct commissions, only the employer pays – they’re the one with the contract), you’re overtime exempt (as in, you don’t get overtime pay for working overtime), and your employer only pays you a percentage of the sales you make – and it’s a specific percentage, it does not vary.
Oh, and the FLSA doesn’t require payment of commissions, either. http://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/commissions
Seems pretty crappy in a business where your job doesn’t include trying to convince them to buy the more expensive appetizer or the fancier beverage. Wait… how are you in sales? Recommending the specials isn’t sales. You give them the menu, maybe read them the specials, then fuck off for a few minutes while they decide what THEY want. I’m guessing you’ve never actually worked in retail sales (the kind where you actually get commissions), because if you imagine the two situations even compare, you’re delusional.
Also, the fact that you think you should take pride in manipulating your customers so they pay you unearned money (again, you’re being paid by your employer to do the job you’re doing) is even more reason to ban the practice.
In reply to What a joke
What a joke, I have $100 that says Frankthetank is delusional and high on drugs.
Server duties used in the same sentence as writing books and teaching at universities. If this isn’t delusions of grandeur, coupled with severe drug abuse I don’t know what it is. It created a fantasy world for this guy.
In reply to $Bill
Lol.. You guys are funny. Peace out
In reply to Bailey
http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/002.htm
You do make federal minimum wage you lying sack of shit.
If you have an unskilled job you should have to work multiple jobs to support yourself.
In reply to $Bill
Hey, servers make minimum wage just with tips, and they also pay taxes from tips! Without tips, they get $2.17 /hour. You are an idiot. If you don’t tip, next time they might just refuse to serve you, so you will do your silverware yourself, swop the flor under your table yourself, get your drinks and refill them 5 times yourself, and yes, clean part of kitchen as a sidework yourself! Servers do that too. Idiot!
In reply to Server
Apparently you can’t read.
“If an employee’s tips combined with the employer’s direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the Federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.”
http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/002.htm
The link is RIGHT THERE.
In reply to Server
You should add cleaning the bathrooms to that list because that is all you’re qualified to. You are so stupid you don’t even know how much you make per hour. Just being allowed to wait on me is a great honor for you.
In reply to Server
Dude you are the reason why people think servers are so stupid. We make $2.13 in our base pay. If that plus tips does not equal federal minimum wage the employer has to make up the difference. If state minimum wage is more money they have to pay that wage instead.
Being a waiter is the easiest job I’ve ever had. I worked as a lifeguard last year at a state park. It was hard work. We were treated like military recruits to keep us in top physical shape.
You are just a bitch for complaining about Refilling a drink five times. If I get a tip it is nice and I appreciate it. I do my job the same I get tipped or not. Nobody has to tip you, you better fucking appreciate it if they do.
I am just a 16-year-old. This kind of job is only made for teens and people just looking for a little extra cash. If you do this shit for a living you are such a loser.
In reply to 16 yr old server
I couldn’t help but smile after reading what you had to say. You are just beginning your life, and already you have more wisdom than any adult server will ever have.
When I was a teen I was a server too. It really is a simple easy job. Enjoy it while you can the real world is not so simple.
If you are a boy I will give you a tip. Waitresses are really easy (hint- hint).
Seriously? You’re seasonings are that of a hermit crab/ grouch. I am guessing you my dear Sir aren’t a people person. Not everyone (waitress) is chatty with you just because of a tip. Your waitresses apparently doesn’t know how to read their tables You can tell if a person is being fake and trying to get a bigger tip. You must of had some scrappy waitresses then and it doesn’t help you’re a grouch. I am a waitress and I love my job. Being a server is not an easy job……we have to grin and bear it to deal with assholes like you. I have a knack for leaving nasty attitudes of my customers at their tables. Why let someone else’s attitude ruin my night. lol. If you don’t want to interact with servers there’s always fast food and cooking the food yourself. I’m just saying to tip your waitress or to try waitressing for a week be for you go throwing stones in a glass house.
In reply to Sarah
Ugh, your grammar is so bad. ><
If you think being a waitress isn't an easy job, you'll never make it in any other job. You say that waitresses aren't all fake and say you genuinely enjoy your job, but then admit to having to "grin and bear it." You realize pretty much every job has a situation where you have to grin and bear it, right?
Why is Bhagwad an asshole? Because he doesn't think you should be paid for a job you're already being paid to do? Because he knows the purpose of a server is to serve food?
Also, several people here who don't tip have done serving work, and there are many people who used to be servers who admitted it's the easiest job they've ever had. Hell, there are current servers who have said it.
I also don't think you understand what "throwing stones in a glass house" means, because it doesn't make sense in the context you're using it.
In reply to Sarah
Do you even have a 6th grade education?
I hope this whole article is a joke, because if you are serious, you’re a fucking retard (phd or not), and so is your buddy Bill. Most servers choose the job because 99 percent of Americans tip; they don’t do it for minimum wage. Judging by the name of your blog, and your ignorence of American culture, I am guessing you are not American. This comes as no surprise, since foreigners are usually the worst tippers. My guess is, you’ve come to the US from a foreign country, and had the majority your schooling paid for by American taxpayers (including the servers that you don’t tip). You’ve probably shared your blog with your foreign buddies so that you can all make eachother feel better about being pieces of shit, and they can help you gang up on people who oppose your point of view. The fact is, if everyone thought like you (thank god most people don’t), no one would want to be a server. There are much easier jobs that one can do for minimum wage. Unfortunately, many Americans have to work an “unskilled” job to afford an education which gives them the opportunity you likley inherited because of special programs offered by our government. It’s funny that becuase of your phd you feel like you’re above all these unskilled workers. However, even with all that schooling you are too stupid to realize you are part of a very small percentage of assholes that don’t tip. Go fuck yourself.
In reply to Scroat
So I am an asshole because you took an unskilled job, and you want me to pay you extra money for doing it. You sound like a pouting child that did not get his way.
Most servers choose this job not for the reason you listed. They do it because they are too stupid to get a real job. Or too lazy to learn a trade or go to college.
American culture is about the opportunity even poor people have to an education.
It used to be called the great equalizer. Even a person born poor, could get an education and become wealthy.
You are a stupid lazy piece of shit that wants others to give you extra money because you are not man enough to have an adult job. Even if tipping was abolished, you would still be a server slave at minimum wage because your only other choice is flipping hamburgers, or mopping floors.
I am definitely above all unskilled workers. Even unskilled workers are above servers.
In reply to $Bill
Lol alright Bill, you win ;) Even at my level, I have enough brains to see what is going on here. I hope you have a great day. I’m sure all of the pissed off servers this blog attracts will probably make Bhagwad more money than I’ll make today. It must feel awesome to be such an accomplished business man.
In reply to Scroat
Truth! I used the money from ads on this very blog post to fund a trip to Greece and Turkey 2 years ago :P
In reply to bhagwad
I want to thank you for this blog because it provides me a source of free entertainment. I am glad you enjoyed your trip. I went there myself once. A waiter would never be able to afford that trip.