Why Your Reasons for Demanding a Tip are Wrong

Waiters are understandably upset about why I don’t tip and have given many illogical reasons in support of this ridiculous practice. Here’s a rebuttal of the most common ones.

Bullshit 1: We only Pay for the Food. Service is Extra

The menu price doesn’t include just the cost of preparing the food and paying the chef. It includes the restaurant setting, the tables, the cutlery, the effort and investment that the restaurant owner has put into the dining area. Now guess what? Since I’m paying for it, the restaurant has to give it to me. And how do they accomplish this?

Waiters. Ding ding!

See without waiters, the restaurant has no way of delivering the dining experience to me that I’m paying for. I’m paying for sitting down in a nice place. I’m paying for the air conditioning. I’m paying for the nice tablecloth and for my food to be delivered to me in a reasonable time. The menu price covers all this. Waiters are just the restaurant’s way of bringing me my food. Of fulfilling their part of the contractual obligation.

Bottom line. Servers are not independent contractors. They’re not an “extra” that you have to pay for. By hook or crook, the restaurant needs to deliver the product. Whether they use waiters or conveyor belts (a term that many seem to object to), is not my business. I don’t care. The waiters can just melt into the background and let me enjoy my food in peace. If the menu includes free refills or whatever, then waiters are required to deliver that as well. Why? Because…wait for it….I paid for it!

Bullshit 2: It’s the custom. It’s ‘merica!

Yeah right. You do realize that not all customs are created equal don’t you? Slavery was a “custom” back in the day and so was race and sexual discrimination. Anyone with an ounce of integrity does what they feel is right. There are many harmless customs in the world like bowing instead of shaking hands, or using chopsticks instead of forks etc that are morally neutral. It really makes no difference if you follow them or not.

But tipping? Hell no! It’s not morally neutral. If you get better service because you’re a good tipper, then you’re essentially paying a bribe to servers to get them to do their job properly next time. All customs have a limit. And tipping is such a convenient custom isn’t it? Hell, I wish I had a custom in place for people to just throw money at me.

And just in case someone feels I don’t appreciate the US, there are many great things about this country that I love and I’ve blogged about repeatedly. Freedom of expression, the way Americans show respect to their armed forces, the politeness of people as you walk by on the road, the work culture, the individuality.

I just don’t like tipping. It’s not as if a person has to blindly accept everything in a country without judgment. There are good things. And there are bad things. Just like everywhere else.

Bullshit 3: The cost of food will increase dramatically

Someone needs to do basic math. Increasing the price of food to pay minimum wage to waiters will not double the price of food. Some have even gone so far to claim that it’ll increase 4-5 times. Ridiculous. Totally, utterly ridiculous. Let’s dissect this rubbish.

As an example, I’ll take Chili’s. A waitress at Chili’s was so kind as to comment saying that the price of food at her restaurant will increase by 3 times – $30 for a $10 burger. Using the statistics she herself gave in her comment, there are 12 waiters (at full capacity) who need to be paid minimum wage. That’s $5 extra per hour per waiter making it a net total of $60 per hour that has to be added to the price of food on a full day.

$60/hr? For 12 waiters. That’s it! It’s peanuts. If you assume even that each waiter is serving just four tables. That’s $5 an hour extra they have to make from four tables. Even if we say that each table sits for a massive two hours, the extra paid per table is way less than $5. On the total bill. Worst, worst case scenario.

You know what? Customers won’t even notice. So stop the garbage about the prices of food going up several times to pay minimum wage. It’s utter nonsense. The only reason waiters don’t want this system in place is because they earn a hell of a lot more than than minimum wage using our tips. And they come across as the victims.

Waiters are Struggling Mothers/Students

Look, it’s not as if I don’t have sympathy for those who struggle in life. I just don’t think it’s my problem. And I specially don’t like it being impinged upon me. Generosity is one thing. Having money demanded from you is something totally else. Any tip I give is out of the generosity of my heart and I expect some gratitude for helping those in need. It’s not something I have to do since…refer to Myth 1.

Bottom line: Socially mandated tipping is a scam. I can’t believe how intelligent people have been hoodwinked into it. Probably because they like to come across as “nice” people and feel sorry for servers who hover around looking expectantly. Well, I find that irritating and I won’t buy into it.

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868 thoughts on “Why Your Reasons for Demanding a Tip are Wrong”

  1. Well that’s just peachy. Let your waiter know your plan when you arrive- so they don’t waste their time serving you at all. While a tip may not be mandatory- neither is serving your pathetic excuse for a human ass.

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    • In reply to Sim

      It actually is, as a waiter you get paid by your employer to serve the customers.
      If that’s your plan, let the customer know before he enters that service isn’t included in the price listed on the menu.

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      • In reply to Kel

        You can also be fired for not doing your job. You think your boss will kick someone out of their restaurant for not tipping you? Your boss wants their money. The reason tipping was normalized was so they don’t have to pay you. Dumbass.

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      • In reply to Kryz

        You clearly know nothing about how many changes hands or how people get paid in a restaurant.

        I have told my boss about people not tipping me on big checks and he has asked them not to come back. When servers don’t get tipped it costs the restaurant money you “dumbass”

        Do your research before you talk about something you know nothing about.

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      • In reply to Kryz

        Brian is exactly right. My manager will do the same exact thing. NOBODY wants cheap people in a restaurant.. not only do they waste the servers energy and time, it costs the company.

        Try serving yourself. Your opinion and idiocy WILL change.

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      • In reply to April

        If that last statement was indeed true, tipping would be the norm all over the world. And factually it is not the case. In Norway for example, you never tip and the server is paid a decent wage like everyone else working in a position not requiring a degree of some kind.

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      • In reply to Kryz

        Well anyone working in hospitality at any level would kindly refuse this prick, so they’re more likely to get a high five than fired.

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  2. Hi! I’m a waitress. And you should tip me. Why? I have to deal with your rude, sucky attitude. And we don’t get paid minimum wage. Because it’s different for servers. $20 for a 6 hour shift. $20. Another reason, I clean the bathroom. So either tip or leave. Because I’m tired of this.

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    • In reply to Gghh

      If you dont want to tip servers…dont go out to eat. Plain & Fucking Simple!!! You cant throw down a few extra dollars for good service??? Cheap ass tight wad. Servers are just trying to pay the rent like everybody else!!

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    • In reply to Gghh

      Then don’t go out to eat then asshole. go home and make your own food since you wanna talk down to waitresses like you’re on such a high horse.They’re not your slaves.

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  3. Update, the family and I went out to a Texas Road House… An Indian couple came in and sat in the booth right behind us. The first thing thats ordered… Water with no ice. Next the server came back with a basket of bread… The guy grabs her arm and says “I did not order this” afterwhich she told him that the bread is on the house for all. Then as they order they try picking apart the orders trying to haggle down prices of entrees that have sides with them. Later he grabs the servers arm as she is walking by, with a large tray in her hand, she had to stop suddenly and almost lost all her orders for another table. She told him that if he needed to wait his turn and doesnt appreciate being touched by customers and that if he needed something, just ask or wait. Needless to say, they ate their food and, of course, no tip. The waitress. What you Indians and some Europeans don’t realize is that tips DO kerp cost down. Go to a grocery store and buy a 30oz ribeye. Buy some potatoes and veggies and make sure you have a drink and some warm buns. Add the cost of all that up and the price is nearly similar to what you pay at Texas Roadhouse. Why? Because the waitress makes tips. The restaurant then has the waitress divy percentages of tops to the bus boy, the restaurant and bar tenders. This makes up for not really marking up the food much. If you take away tips, expect at least a 15-20% markup on all orders and maybe even more depending on how many employees and demand.

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  4. Tipping makes absolutely no sense what so ever. Most people don’t even know by law your employer is required to make up the difference of minimum wage if you didn’t get it with your tips. NOBODY tips based off of good service anyway.
    Think about it like this.
    Let’s say you have a waitress and they are busting their ass, taking your order always checking on you, making sure your drinks are always filled etc…, but they are a complete asshole to you. Rolling their eyes, smacking their lips and being rude, 9/10 you either won’t tip or just give them $2.

    Now let’s say there is a waitress that is fumbling your order, never checking on you, getting food mixed up etc… But she is the sweetest person in the world and is nice to you, most people will make excuses for her like “Oh this must be her first week…. She must be overwhelmed…” and give her a pretty good tip.
    Tipping is Bullshit and I’m not going to be socially pressured just because you are doing your job.
    Everybody wants to tip servers, but the guys that lug your 300lb Kenmore washer/dryer up 3 flights of stairs get a pat on the back and maybe a bottle of water if it’s hot enough outside. Fuck outta here with that.

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    • In reply to Joshua

      Spoken just like any other person who have never worked in the hospitality/server industry. I have never worked as a furniture mover, so I cant comment on the money they make. I’d bet that they make more then min wage…your comparisons dont make sense. Servers would LOVE to be paid a higher guaranteed wage and eliminate tips, or make min wage and get tips on top of that… (depending on state you live servers are paid 3-4.50 an hour.) The government allows it and yes companies to have to insure a server makes min wage, but its on a total scale, not just week to week. You dont tip fine, but be up front and tell your server BEFORE you order that a tip wont be coming…That sever wil be happy to give you a $4.00 effort. Also you cant complain because you dont want good service you just want your food.

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    • In reply to Joshua

      Those people make more than minimum wage… and I tip them when they bring in my appliances… U tip your barber, hairdresser, etc??? U pay for a service… so when your service SUCKS because people start to remember u, remember this bullshit post… and yes, prices would go up a minimum of 25% if we all went up to a higher wage… do the research. My company lost 1.5 million dollars a year by raising each server to 7.50… that was only a 2.50 an hour increase… so double that and tell me what they will lose??? Tip for good service, u do have the option to not tip but dont complain when u cant find us or your drink is empty… remember u can always take out or drive thru… we dont mind…

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    • In reply to Joshua

      I must comment that if you eliminated tipping from the US culture you should expect a dramatic decrease in the quality of service across the entire hospitality industry. Currently dining out in an American restaurants is one of the best customer service experiences in the World.

      Why? Because they get paid shit money and know that if they work their ass off for stupidly long hours (for a shitty hourly pay, would you bust your balls for min wage?) they will reap more tips than a coworker who gives zero fucks.

      If you eliminate tips but keep the same wage they won’t be so masochistic, except those looking to climb the ladder. The average part time employee (which make up most of the work force) won’t really step it up without the added incentive of tips.

      If you raise the minimum wage there still is no additional incentive to go above and beyond. What are my expectation as an employee to ensure I keep my job and do not get fired? Line drawn and no going above it.

      I’ve heard a lot of talk about tipping keeping food prices down, that I cannot comment on having never worked in the US or seen an American restaurant’s P&L, but I do know that in the US you get shit loads more bang for you buck than anywhere else in the world, bar maybe Thailand. Huge portion sizes for far cheaper than anywhere in Europe or Australia that’s for sure.

      I believe in a fair wage for an honest days work, anything else is a bonus to be grateful for. In the US however I see tips as crucial to allow anyone in the industry to pay rent as the minimum wage should be illegal. Average minimum wage for a part time waiting job is about $22ph in Australia, sick pay, holiday leave and minimum working hours requirements too in some places. The world needs people to bring others food, to cook it, to make great drinks, give you an experience you’ll always remember. Just remember that there’d a difference between disagreeing with an almost enforced culture and doing it by being a condescending cunt.

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  5. For the record, let’s start with the fact that I have waited tables before. I have also spent nine other years in food service, ten total. I have done fast food management and fine dining as well, so the argument I don’t know from first hand struggling is absolutely incorrect.

    With that being said, while I don’t agree with the way the author of this article approaches the concept, I don’t agree with the pressure of having to tip either! I find it has become a standard to have to tip a server, no matter the service, and I have had some horrible experiences. I am the first person to write off incidents for bad days, or newcomers, because I have worked 12+ hours on the floor at a quick service establishment and know that rushes can be overwhelming.

    But the argument that paying extra should be expected when you dine out, or that the service is seperate, is far reaching. McDonald’s workers, Wendy’s workers, Long John Silvers workers, Dairy Queen workers, they get paid minimum wage. At minimum wage they (me) make the food, or assist in the preperation, ring it in and handle money, deliver it, and clean the dining room and restrooms.
    Sometimes they hand it out, but I have seen food being delivered to tables in many establishments and situations.

    I’m not saying waiters don’t work, I’m just saying that the argument of fair pay is invalid. NOBODY in the food industry gets paid what they deserve. And if you go off of a scale, servers don’t do as much as general fast food workers who make minimum wage. The fact that there is an entitlement for waiters to get tips, who go home with way more than I do, when I’m working wait staff plus making your food and cleaning when your gone is definitely a custom that doesn’t make sense. And they are doing a fraction of a quick service workers job.

    That being said, I don’t mind tipping for good service at all, I in fact tip well and uniquely, and I make less than the servers I tip.

    But I can’t help but agree that servers entitlement to being tipped, while the rest of us are grateful to recieve a dollar here and there, is unfounded. Your company is required to pay you minimum wage, and can afford to, they simply don’t want to.

    If they were that concerned with fair pay, they’d charge gratuity or factor it in!

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    • In reply to Hospitality_Hierarchist

      There have been few occasions i have left no tips. When I do, the waiter/waitress already knows why and has been addressed by me about what went wrong service-wise. Your are absolutely right… A tip is not required. But the author here is very naive and arrogant in his approach. I lived in Japan for 2 years back in 2004 and another 2 in 2006. All restaurants there charge service charges and do not accept tips. Frankly, I wish restaurants would take that approach here. I worked at Benihannas for 1.5 months and I quit right away. The reason was the tipping system from management. I would make 4 an hour. Then take tips. From there I had to give 8% to the chefs (who receives $10 an hour plus tips from customers) 1% to busboy, 1% to bar tender (who also get tips from customer’s) plus 6.5% towards taxes. So when I would not make a threshold in tips, it came out of my pocket… Who wants to pay to work? The company is to blame for this formula, but I can tell you than many servers see a group of Indians walk into a restaurant… It’s going to be tons of questions and demands and when it’s all said and done… No tip. If you’ve been in the business for as long as you say… Then you already know this.

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      • In reply to Kevin

        I am a waiter in India and I don’t believe customers should tip us. Rather employers should pay us higher. Some restaurants do have the ‘no tip’ sign. But as India has the bad habit of importing American Culture, tipping is alarmingly increasing in India. We should check ourselves not to take any harmful habits from other nations.
        Encouraging Tipping is just Encouraging Black Money.
        And Tipping as said is just like paying a Bribe.

        And to all Americans, Do whatver you want in your country. Please do not tip when you are in India.

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  6. Dear Mr. or Mrs. or Miss. … Or what ever your Title is?
    Please post a picture of you and your cheap ass family so everyone will know you when you arrive at there astablishment.
    Also, when you write an article, please back it up with your real name.
    And when you go shopping for a house, ask the real estate agent to waive their commission, they really don’t deserve it, they didn’t build the house.

    Be proud of your way, where a button that says “I don’t Tip”

    Please order your food to go, and don’t ever dine in.

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  7. You should probably just order takeout. If I realize that a table isn’t going to tip me, my service to them isn’t as good. I don’t have time to be nice to people who make it harder for me to pay my bills. Also you mentioned something about “deserving to be a server for the rest of your life.” Being a server is not a punishment. Some people actually enjoy making others happy and it’s a good source of income.
    Moral of the story: if you can’t afford to tip, take your ass to McDonald’s or stay home. Nobody wants to wait on you anyway.

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  8. Ahhh what you have totally forgotten (probably because you don’t do research, you just type out your “thoughts”. The united States government has put laws in place allowing employers such as restaurants to pay lower wages becuase of tips. The government is encouraging this behavior. They set laws in place so businesses can act this way. So really, you fail to attack our government for putting such an act in place.
    Also, do you tell the server that they won’t be tipped up front ? I treat everyone the same because I like being a happy person not because I’m trying to gain a friend. And no, me serving you is actually NOT part of the bill or something we have to do. I’ve worked many places where there would be a regular who thought the same aas you, and at each place I worked that person was told that they Can pick up their food from the Togo counter. They can eat inside however get your own refils and get up to get whatever else you want. No tipping fro! You –no extra service for you. Yes I might still have to clean up after you, but I’m not waiting on someone who seems to dislike servers. And really if you don’t like to tip or don’t like a server attitude then why don’t you order to go and eat it somewhere else?
    You can thank our government for putting in place and encouraging tipping practices. You can thank yourself for crap service. (Your right my job is to serve. Doesn’t have to be the greatest right. You yourself said it’s unskilled) I’ll mumble everything surve you warm drinks in unclean dishes because well. I’m unskilled and really don’t deserve your money to ensure you have a good dining experience. That is, if you really don’t care about having service when you go out. But just remind me you don’t want or like service so I can appropriately just not be the best me. The restaurant isnt ensuring that. They just ensure I do the basic unskilled job their is. I’ll deliver without a smile. Kinda dump your plate infront of you (not spilling, but not being polite either) you want a refill? Wait. I’m doing something and when I’m done. I’ll get it for you. Of course you didn’t say ice. That’s why I didn’t get that for you. You dropped your fork? Awww well I’ll send once I’m done doing whatever it is that actually pays me then I’ll get it for you.
    I’m not your servant. I am your server. There is a huge difference. If a Customer tends to abuse the server (run them ragged or be just an overall offender ) then the restaurant has the right to change how they conduct business all with in the limits of the law.

    Don’t attack the servers or even the business when the united States government has put these practices into law form. You live under the roof of the united States of America? Well you can thank the government for tipping practices. Don’t like it? Move somewhere else that you may agree wi more.
    You don’t tip? Then order Togo? Or are you just to lazy to get things yourself?
    I think that’s more the issue. Your just a lazy person. Lazy with finances and lazy as a human being. Laziness allows Ppl to make excuses. Lazyness has allowed your thinking to be scewed and also makes you look uneducated and unresearched. I hate when Ppl blog about things that they clearly didn’t do any research. Just literally spewing uneducated content to fuel a fire.
    I feel bad for Ppl like you. I see you as rejects from society. But only bc your cranky attitude pushed you to become rejected from society. Always grumpy and looking to push buttons.

    You have a scewed way of thinking. Your mind has altered programing and needs to be fixed. Hense why you also speak as an uneducated person.
    Good luck in life. Hopefully you will get education or atleast some help.

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  9. How about the fact that I have to claim 13% of all the food and drinks I serve every shift, which is then deducted from my paychecks. In fact, I don’t see a paycheck and I actually OWE upwards up $1000 every year in taxes because I make less than $5/hr. If everyone tips 10%, I’m actually paying money to wait on you- how is that fair?
    Restaurant jobs are not easy, assholes like yourself prove that point. Floor manager? Impressive. Why don’t you walk a mile in my non slip shoes?
    Thankfully, you are the minority and most people love the social aspect of going out to eat and appreciate the services we provide.
    I bet you’re not popular at strip clubs either.

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