OK, I get that we're in a recession, but I need a pep talk.

I feel for you Jeremy. Recession or not, there is no excuse for those abysmal tips. You guys survive on your tips. In my opinion, a 15% tip, at the very, very least, is simply part of the bill. Anything less is stiffing a server, in my opinion. It would appear that your non-sympathizers might be the same people leaving crappy tips with apathetic justifications like, "you should be merely happy with having a job."

Hang in there Jeremy. I'm really afraid of losing quality service in these tight times and I've certainly noticed a dense lethargy among it. Hopefully the maturity level of your patrons will rebound quick enough. Maybe I should come into Bourbon's and tip the crap out of ya

It would appear that your non-sympathizers might be the same people leaving crappy tips with apathetic justifications like, "you should be merely happy with having a job."

(Note to self: walk away from this argument ... it can only go downhill from here.)


Kevin,
Pretty broad paintbrush there ... Just sayin'.
Rebecca

It would appear that your non-sympathizers might be the same people leaving crappy tips with apathetic justifications like, "you should be merely happy with having a job."

(Note to self: walk away from this argument ... it can only go downhill from here.)


Kevin,
Pretty broad paintbrush there ... Just sayin'.
Rebecca

Agreed.

I don't really want to get into a tit for tat about recession times, but I will say this:

re: Michelle's suggestion that somehow expecting people to tip fairly, and if they are a little low on funds to not get that appetizer or nice bottle of wine is some sort of self sabotage...

a)I've been in the industry for nearly 10 years, at this point I know who's just extra demanding or who doesn't know better...most of the people I was ranting about DEFINITELY know better.

b)Getting the extra appetizer and leaving a bad tip is way worse than not getting the appetizer and leaving a reasonable tip. EVEN IF THE AMOUNT OF THE TIP IS IDENTICAL. A tip is not only part of my wages, it is a reflection of my work. It's not just finances here, it's an issue of feeling insulted when I try to go above and beyond the normal call of duty.

People should leave adequate tips in proportion to what they order. Period.

MTA: and before we jump back into a depression era back and forth about "shared sacrifice," let me also point out that as people have less and less money to spend, it's inevitable that my wages will decrease. I don't think that I should have to accept abysmal tips as par for the course. My shared sacrifice happens regardless, but when people order whatever they want even if they can't afford it, then it's not a shared sacrifice, it's them getting whatever they want, and me getting stuck with the bill in a sense. People should look at an adequate tip as part of the bill, not as a maybe.

Jeremy,

I never caught where you are a server. I may want to come by for a meal.

I'm at Bourbon's Bistro, and I'd be happy to serve you...maybe even turn you on to a new bourbon or two!

I feel for you Jeremy. Recession or not, there is no excuse for those abysmal tips. You guys survive on your tips. In my opinion, a 15% tip, at the very, very least, is simply part of the bill. Anything less is stiffing a server, in my opinion. It would appear that your non-sympathizers might be the same people leaving crappy tips with apathetic justifications like, "you should be merely happy with having a job."

It would appear that your non-sympathizers might be the same people leaving crappy tips with apathetic justifications like, "you should be merely happy with having a job."

I'm not sure what makes things appear that way to you, but I would be willing to bet just the opposite is true. Not based on any observations or conclusions I've drawn about you based on one or two sentences you wrote, but on good old fashioned gut feeling. I think our point was a good one. We were just trying to be rational and talk Jeremy off a ledge...a pep talk if you will...

I'm a 20+ percet tipper. Not because I feel obligated (I have know problem giving a jerk with a bad attitude 5 or 10%-i don't really take off for mistakes), but because by and large the service I receive in this town is really good. So hats off to Jeremy for being one of these fine servers.

Look, it's real easy for me to get up on a soap box and tell everyone how I think anyone that tips less than me should just stay home, but I was just pointing out that perhaps this wouldn't really be in his best interest. Be carefual what you wish for as they say. As bad as the insult stings the servers they may be better off with these jerks dining out than staying home. The businesses we love get much needed patronage and Jeremy at least gets someting on a Wednesday night. I dunno I just asked him to think about it.

That was exactly what I was getting at!

My husband and I have both commented on the elevated level of service we've been receiving in restaurants these past few months. You better believe that servers will be stepping up their game. As more quality restaurants are forced to close their doors, more qualified servers are out for hire.

not to really take this in a different direction, the last time I worked in a restaurant the servers made 2.13 plus tips, so its been awhile I hope the restaurants end has gone up. But wouldnt it be better all around if servers were standard straight pay employee's and tips were just that tips, not supplimental salary. If a server was a salaried position as say everybody in the kitchen, I think you'd see alot more survival of the fittest when it comes to wait staffing.

We all know that there are good servers, and bad servers, and even good servers can have bad days. And bad servers can have good days. You cant punish the wait staff for kitchen mistakes, or if the tea isnt sweet enough to your liking, if my glass is empty for too long, if im looking around for you and your busy chatting with the rest of the staff at the bar, if you show general indifference to concerns or questions I have, if my order is wrong because you failed to listen to me (dressing on side) those you get penalized for.

At the same time, if I cant afford the meal plus tip, you can always order it to go.

I know most of the servers I've had in the last few months have been fabulous at their jobs, and were tipped accordingly.

My concern is the servers who do a crappy job who still feel entitled 20% (again, most of my dining experiences as of late have been flawless). To me, a tip is earned. It isn't a "given." Do a good job, you'll get a good tip. Do a great job, you'll get a great tip. Do a crappy job, and you'll get a crappy tip. I'm pretty easy to please. Bring me the dressing on the side, please, and keep my water glass filled. That's really all I ask. If you can't do that, then in IMHO, you aren't entitled to 20%.

I know we're in a recession, and that really sucks for everyone. I have really shitty days where I work, and I occasionally tell the phone to shut up, but I also recognize that every time the phone rings, it's job security, and I'm grateful. All I'm saying to Jeremy is that, perhaps he should be grateful for all of his customers, crappy tippers and great tippers alike. I would be ill-advised to tell my customers to stay home, and not come in, because they aren't buying the amount of things I would like them to buy, because in the end, lack of customers will cause my place of business to go under, and I'll be without a job. There are an awful lot of people who would LOVE to have my nice cushy job. I'm fortunate, and I recognize that. There are also a whole bunch of people who would kill to wait tables, and would be thrilled to get a 10% tip.

Hang in there, Jeremy. Hopefully, the rest of the week will make up for the fact that you had a rough night. With Christmas coming up, maybe your next few customers will be feeling generous. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Hang in there!

I wish I could come in and leave big fat tips for everyone but I've lost my job along with four other members of my family.

It was always disheartening to get a poor tip when I worked in restaurants. I sympathize, I really do.

This is going to sound cheezy and new agey and a little more Oprah-y than I'd like, but say thank you for every penny that comes your way. There is a force out there that is listening and will send more your way when you need it most.

I've been out of work for three months. I have not even had an interview in over a month, and I still get up and say thank you for what I have every day. It keeps me going. If can help lighten your outlook then its worth a try.

My father always said if you have to ask how much something is ,you can't afford it. If someone can't afford to tip accordingly (20%), they are in the wrong restaurant.I can understand if the service was unacceptable or some major mishaps happened but..... to do that to someone that did a great job is unethical and selfish considering they are dining in a fine establishment,in my opinion.This isn't Europe, our servers and bartenders make 2.13 an hour.Our service industry is a system based on people doing the right thing ,especially if they are drinking 50 dollar bottles of wine. Cheer up Jeremy sounds like you just got the big ole stiff, it happens. It probably has more to do with christmas.

Re: OK, I get that we're in a recession, but I need a pep talk.
by Brand McGowan on Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:02 pm

My father always said if you have to ask how much something is ,you can't afford it. If someone can't afford to tip accordingly (20%), they are in the wrong restaurant.I can understand if the service was unacceptable or some major mishaps happened but..... to do that to someone that did a great job is unethical and selfish considering they are dining in a fine establishment,in my opinion.This isn't Europe, our servers and bartenders make 2.13 an hour.Our service industry is a system based on people doing the right thing ,especially if they are drinking 50 dollar bottles of wine. Cheer up Jeremy sounds like you just got the big ole stiff, it happens. It probably has more to do with christmas.

Under normal circumstances I would agree with you 100% but these aren't normal days we're dealing with. This is a severe recession. If you as a server or if the restaurant you work for wants to stick to the aforementioned attitude be prepared to padlock your doors and hit the streets to look for another job. There simply aren't as many monied diners out there to justify as many upscale restaurants as there are competing for dollars.