I too worked as a waiter for 2 yrs in 2 different restaurants while in college in the late 90's. I was very polite and upbeat and sometimes got behind, but most of my customers would understand, although some would not and were outright rude and demanding. One time I got so frustrated with one lady I told her she might have better luck down the street at Burger King. Almost got fired for that one! I think everyone should work that job for at least a week to see all of the crap that servers go through. Then you'll change your opinion on tipping. Sadly, most restaurants are only obligated to pay their servers and bartenders 1/2 of minimum wage. I think California may pay full minimum wage. So when I was a waiter in grad school in Birmingham, Alabama, I made a whopping $2.25/hr back in 1997. HELLO! With over 50% of the customers paying by credit card, guess what? The restaurant also makes the waiters pay the credit card service fees. They deduct it at the end of the night. So here's the range of pay I experienced as I worked my *** off with a smile 20-30 hrs a week and even received 3 offers of higher employment while there from people who wanted me to work as manager in their company:
Monday lunch rush at Olive Garden = 10 tables turned. After average of 0-10% tip minus ccard fees, I owed the restaurant $5!!! WTF??
Average wed. PM shift at Olive Garden = net of $60 for a 6 hr shift
Average weekend double shift at OG = net of $90 for total of 10hrs on the floor with a 90 min break
Average wed PM shift at R&K cajun Seafood (higher end place near airport) = net of $80 for 6 hr shift
Average weekend double shift at R&K = net of $120-$140 for 10 hr shift
Best case OCCASIONAL large party (20-30) lasting for entire 6 hr night shift = Immediate tip of $100 when the group leader walks in the door and tells me to "take care of us" + final tip of $120 against bill = $220
That being said - when I eat out I tip 30-50% for exceptional service and food, 15% for average service, and at least 5-10% even if service is bad, unless everyone is outright rude, which is very rare. Only once or twice have I left only a dollar or less when the food was bad AND it took a long time to come out AND the service was rude AND I decided I would never come back.
Rule of thumb is this! - if you plan on visiting a place MORE THAN ONCE, that goes for a restaurant, a barber, or a bar - tip your server! You don't want to be on the receiving end of bad food, bad drink, or a bad haircut. Believe me, the servers will remember your ***!
Rent the movie "Waiting" and watch it. It's like they went into one of those chain restaurants and filmed it on an average day. I swear most of it is sadly true.....not so at upper scale places, but watch out for those chains like OG, Red Lobster, Fudruckers....mostly decent food, but don't mess with them!!!
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Well, you see what happened now? Applebees fired the girl after the pastor called and complained. What a crock of ****.
yeah, that's B.S. A good manager will always stand behind their worker's judgment unless they violated company policy. The 18% is actually restaurant policy in most cases and not up to the server. Since the 18% policy for parties of 8 or more (in some restaurants it's 6) is usually listed on the receipt and also in the menu, the pastor was out of line. Just to play it safe, I would often inform the customers at the start of the meal that this is the policy since it's a large party. Then can choose to stay there or leave. I think the pastor was not surprised, but probably went in there looking to start something. Not very Christian-like if you ask me...
