Seriously, STOP 8

Working in the food service industry is hard. The work is usually physically demanding, and the workers are on their feet all day or night. The hours are typically contrary to normal business hours, leaving the workers personal lives for odd hours. Finally, these workers have to deal with rude people who expect them to drop everything they are doing for their other 5 tables to fetch them something from the kitchen. So seriously, STOP leaving crappy tips!

Although I am now a teacher, I did work in restaurants for about 6 years so I have a good frame of reference when I say it is a difficult job. Now I will admit the individual things a waiter has to do are not hard. I mean seriously, pouring a drink and carrying a plate are obviously simple tasks. However, I say the job is difficult because it is hard to remember everything that everyone wants, while dealing with computer glitches, the kitchen and dish staff not doing their jobs, running out of food or drinks, listening to the manager spout off about random grievances, all while seeing to it that everyone is happy. It is a lot to juggle! And the big pay out for this highly stressful juggling act is a whopping $2.17 an hour.

Servers rely on their tips. These tips are what their salary consists of. If a server works a 40 hour work week and they make no tips their check for the week is only $80. Can you live off of $80 a week? I don’t think so!! Tips should be equivalent to the service you receive, but all tips should start at at least 20% of the total bill. If they are a bad server bump it down, but only do so if the server is rude or never visits the table. If they forget one little thing, and you can see they are busy cut them some slack, remember they are juggling 10 things at once.

I know it is hard to see your hard earned money float away as a tip, but it was your choice to eat at a restaurant with a server. If you don’t want to tip take a trip to the local McDonalds. They serve everything on a tray and you only have to pay for the food. When you go to a restaurant you are paying to be served, so pay up with your tip! It is like they say, customers want, “Service with a smile.” Servers just want tips for their service, so everyone seriously, STOP leaving crappy tips!