Were we the SC?

[EricKei]

Actually, as a former delivery driver and server, I agree with the dollar/tiny % tip. It sends a very clear "this is all you deserve" message.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

The concept of tipping has changed over the years. It used to be that a tip was a reflection of the quality of the service provided. You did an awesome job, then you got a tip. You did poorly, you didn't get one or got very little.

Today tipping is now supposed to be a supplemental salary that we the consumers must pay because the management enjoys the fact that you can pay wait staff far less than minimum wage.

I. Do. Not. Buy. It.

In your case you were not the sucky customers. You as the customer have every reason to expect polite, prompt (within reason) and courteous service. Having that person fire off both bitch barrels at you was uncalled for.

In that situation I would have gotten a manager and cancelled the order and left. If I could not for some reason then there would have been no tip and once again Management would be informed as to why. I care not that they may be paid less than illegal immigrant day laborers. You treat me with anything less than the respect that I deserve as a human being, you ain't getting a dime.

And I'm usually pretty reasonable. If a place is busy and the wait staff are busier than the proverbial one legged man at the equally proverbial ass-kicking contest *and* they do their best (under the demanding circumstances) with us, then I'll still tip and usually tell the manager that the person did an admirable job under those demanding conditions.

Honestly? If my food is taking longer than is normal? I'm happy to get a polite "I'm sorry, but because it's so busy the kitchen is a little slammed at the moment but it will be out soon".

But if someone were to do to me what that woman did to you? Manager, complaint, cancel, leave and give serious thought about ever going back there ever again.

[Mystic]

I am one who believes a tip should be determined by service given, not something that is to be expected for just being there.

If you treat me like crap, you will get nothing. There have been very few times I've ever had to give nothing, but it has happened.

You treat me good and I will go above and beyond what is typically expected.

I remember Halloween 2005, we were visiting a Denny's and the place was slammed. There was a single waitress on duty and she was nearing tears because of how rough the night had been. She still gave us great service because we were seemingly the only nice people in the place. We ended up leaving her a $40 tip on a $40 meal. Hope that made her night better.

[Eireann]

A friend of mine once told me about an experience she had, along with a friend of hers, in a restaurant. Now, keep in mind, my friend was working in a restaurant at that time, so she knew full well how it can get, and how some customers can be. She was, and is, always civil to restaurant workers, and doesn't think of them as "the hired help", or any such nonsense.

Anyway, the two of them walked into a restaurant that's well-known for having good food. The place was empty except for the two of them. It was also clean; no tables needed busing, or anything like that. It took some time for the lone waitress to seat them. It took even longer for her to take their order. It seemed that she resented the fact that they were there at all.

After a mediocre meal and a lot of attitude from the waitress, they were done. They didn't complain to her, and they didn't ask to talk to the manager, but they didn't tip her. As they were walking out the door, she called after them snottily: "Thanks for leaving a tip!"

[Null Requiem]

After a mediocre meal and a lot of attitude from the waitress, they were done. They didn't complain to her, and they didn't ask to talk to the manager, but they didn't tip her. As they were walking out the door, she called after them snottily: "Thanks for leaving a tip!"

And that is where you say "You're welcome, you earned it," with a big smile and as cheerful a manner as possible.

[Pixilated]

*snip*
After a mediocre meal and a lot of attitude from the waitress, they were done. They didn't complain to her, and they didn't ask to talk to the manager, but they didn't tip her. As they were walking out the door, she called after them snottily: "Thanks for leaving a tip!"

Or how about, "You want a tip? Here's one: Try treating your customers with courtesy."

I never blame the waitstaff if the food isn't great; there's nothing they can do about that. Their attitude? That's a whole different ballgame.

[Argus]

If you don't leave a tip at all, they might think you simply forgot.

My mother's approach was to leave a 2 cent tip in such cases. (And she once worked as a waitress, so she had good judgment as to when that was appropriate; her usual tips started at 20% and went up from there.)

[Mr Hero]

Someone here on the site once said that SC's need to work somewhere to get the money to spend in your places of work. The waitress was an SC earning her money.