Tipping -- What is wrong with some people????
 

As many of you know, my daughter is a server at Olive Garden. It seems that lately people have been leaving notes on checks rather than tipping (this started after OG started putting recommended tip amounts). Some of these comments have included, "Trevon Martin got no justice so you get no tip." "Thanks to Obama, I'm losing my Medicare so you get to lose your tip." "I only make 10% on my annuities so I'm not giving you 18%." and so on and so forth. I've never heard of such small-minded petty comments before.

I understand that some people don't believe in tipping and, I guess, that's up to them but to blame a server for the politics of a state or the general economy is just plain mean.

Right. And then there are locals who blame The Villages "rich fat cats" for all their county's or city's economic shortfalls.

The bottom line is that TV has produced many jobs and increased tax base hugely.

When people blame a villain they've never met and know nothing about personally, there's little hope of logic and fact changing their mind.

Those server comments are just plain ignorant, or from really old people whose ornery brains are getting like petrified wood.

I agree
 

I agree there is definitely something wrong with a person who would do as you said in your OP. A "normal" person tips according to the service he/she receives. This type of behavior is scary. chilout

That's just plain tasteless and innappropriate. it's unbelievable some people would stoop so low as to blame others for the state of the nation. People leaving notes like this more than likely never worked in the service industry. Plain cruel. That's the way I see it.

that's incredible. I hope they are the exception and not the rule. I always tip generously especially is the server is good. Any work dealing with the public is difficult and I appreciate it.

It is cruel and selfish, but with the older folks like that, I think often they are reminding themselves of how THEY "used to have to walk 5 miles to school, barefoot, thru a foot of snow and then got home to having to shovel coal" etc. while "you young whippersnappers have it so easy nowadays". Older people can be very cranky, especially when they don't feel good most of the time.

OMG, how ironic. My daughter (who works at Applebee's in Tallahassee) called me last night, with basically some of the same problems.

It broke my heart for her. It's hard to imagine how mean and ugly some people can be.

I wonder if this is a general finding around here or is it more specific to Darden Restaurants? Sadly people mad at Darden might be taking it out on their hard working employees. If you're upset with Darden don't go into their restaurants. I noticed that RW had quotes which might be from both ends of the political spectrum. Hmm.

I like to hear from servers in other restaurants to know if they are also seeing more of this abhorrent behavior.

all the service people I have encountered in my admittedly short time here, have been so upbeat and pleasant. They are so accommodating to using coupons with separate checks, etc. I can't understand how someone would react so poorly to such good treatment.

As a past bartender I have to say that I never relied on tips as the patrons are not responsible for my salary or life style. I figured if I didn't get the pay that I wanted then it was my responsibility to to seek other type of work to better myself as I did. The hole problem is the service industry doesn't pay THEIR employees enough and it shouldn't be the patron's responsibility to subsidize their income. As for the notes that's just ridiculous and rude.

I'm sure that's true. I just hope I don't become like that when I stop firing on all cylinders in my later years. LOL. Since living here we had no issues with the young servers and employees in resaurants, hotels or other venues and are very well mannered and polite.

Heartless
 

If one has enough money and health to eat out at Olive Garden, and enough brains to write a coherent note, one is neither too poor nor too ill to leave a good server a good tip.

That is repulsive Red, but maybe it's time to fix the system. After watching a friend skin a server's tip time after time, we know longer go anywhere with her but a self-serve restaurant.

I think servers and bartenders should be paid minimum wage and have an added 20% tip automatically included in the bill total, problem solved.
Complaints about the services from inept employees would make it easier for the employers to cull them out and retain good workers. Almost all appropriate taxes would be collected by the IRS because a full accounting would available.

The current tipping system is archaic and ridiculous, to say the least.

I've never heard of this behavior before where people leave notes on checks instead of tipping. It sounds very strange. It seems like they are trying to justify not tipping by finding a reason, even though the reason doesn't make sense. Perhaps by making up a reason in their own minds, they feel less guilty for not tipping.

I have also heard this has become a new trend... I say these people are cowards..

Servers work hard and long and from now on, I will tip over the amount to help make up the difference of these mean non tippers.

I so agree. That is outrageous, and cheap and cowardly.

Kathie,

We must be related. I do the same. For people to write a note is just plain rude. I see more and more of that in our area.

:mademyday:

I agree I will also increase my tips for good service. I have always been a generous tipper and after reading this thread will be even more generous.

I agree as well
 

Small minded people like these are just looking for an excuse not to tip and unfortunately other people "pay" for this behavior. I tip commensurate to the service, and make it a point to speak to the manager to inform him/her of exceptionally good, or really bad service. I can only think of one server that we have had at a Villages establishment (the name of the restaurant is inconsequential to this discussion) who was less than adequate (we were pretty much ignored-getting a drink refill was next to non-existent and the plates were almost literally dropped on the table).

Just curious - Why would you think it is isolated to Darden chains? One poster said the same thing happened to someone they know at Applebee's (not a Darden chain member).

My husband and I had breakfast at Perkins on 441 today. When our server left the check, she also left a cute Halloween pin that she makes for all of her customers. How cool is that? Of course she got a very nice tips.

My brother recently shared his philosophy with me about tipping - he tips servers generously to thank them for working - he ignores people begging in the streets.

A wise man.

These people obviously don't or never worked in the service industry so they don't understand how hard servers or bartenders work during a normal shift to take care of their customers. My son works as a bartender in Connecticut and knows who the best or better tippers are and who don't tip at all. They get the best service from him, while the non-tippers are usually the last ones to be served when the bar fills up quickly.

If people cannot afford the tip to those that serve you and try their hardest to provide the best dining experience then they should stay home and discuss their views or agenda with themselves.

I read an article someplace within the last week that claimed that studies have been done and when a restaurant shows the recommended tip, that tip totals actually decrease. Has something to do with showing the % (usually 18%) and people getting upset with the recommendation. Also depended on how the % was applied. Total plus tax or just food and beverage total. If I can find it again I will post the link.

But in any case, if you get good service, leave a good tip. (20 to 25%) If service is bad, still leave a smaller tip and tell the waiter/waitress why. Maybe they can fix the problem next time. Remember their hourly wage is not very high.

I agree with you. I was giving a probable reason, NOT an excuse. There is no excuse for such behavior.

Personally, I think extreme cheapskate tactics border on mental illness. Sometimes it's wealthy people who are the cheapest, pretending (lying) that they can't afford something under $10.

The general manager was cashiering there the other day, and was right out there on the front lines where every manager ought to be, to see what both servers AND customers have to put up with! Her presence had a lot to do with the good service/food we got.

I've never had a bad service experience at any Village's restaurant. The servers have always been very pleasant and truly made us feel that they appreciated our business.

It bothers me every time I read about people that refuse to tip or under-tip. I wonder if they realize that most of these dedicated servers depend on their tips to pay their rent and basic living expenses?

I never penalize a server for having a bad day -- I've had a few in my time as well and was always thankful that my boss or coworkers never held it against me.

It's sad that this problem will probably never go away.

Thank you all for your kind words. I will admit I was (and am) very upset for my daughter. It seems the problem started when Darden started putting down recommended tip amounts. This has definitely decreased the amount of tips servers are getting -- some resent the "suggestion", some used to tip more than 18% and now don't. It's really a shame that employees are being blamed for poor management practices.

We have an absolute first rate server we always tip well at an eatery down in Sumter. She anticipates our drink requests, knows our names, asks about children and grandchildren, and adds to our dining out enjoyment. So much so we are taking HER out to eat next week - She's a hardworking mom of two teenage chldren and deserves a break.

Well now that is upsetting to me. By placing a recommended tip amount on the check, it clearly conveys the idea that a server is automatically "entitled" to at least that amount, regardless of whether they did a crappy job or a good job. It also conveys a message that the company does not believe they should pay what is "entitled" to the server. It's the attitude conveyed by the business that is a big turnoff IMO.

If I see a "suggested tip" amount of 18% or whatever, it's going to give me great pause. Tipping is supposed to be subjective, according to what kind of a job the server did. It should not be automatic, regardless of poor service. (Large tables should have the automatic percentage attached.)

If they're going to remind customers about tipping, I would much prefer to see a sentence there like: "Tipped minimum wage is $4.77/hr. in FL, and our servers greatly appreciate a gratuity that reflects their job performance."

An entitlement attitude is a real turnoff.

Maybe we should all email Darden and tell them what we think of that suggested tip percentage nonsense!

Well now I see this added info about a new IRS ruling that sheds some light on the Darden suggested tip amounts....it appears to be for good reason because of taxation (should we be surprised?):

Many restaurants have long-standing policies for adding an automatic gratuity to the tabs of parties of six or more, but an updated tax rule may change that.

Beginning in January, the Internal Revenue Service will classify automatic gratuities as "service charges" rather than tips because they aren't voluntary. The distinction allows the IRS to treat those gratuities as regular wages subject to payroll tax withholding........

.....To address the longstanding problem of large parties often tipping less for more labor, Darden is experimenting with customer checks that come printed with three suggested tip amounts already calculated.

All bills, regardless of party size, are printed with the calculations for adding a 15, 18 or 20 percent tip to the total. If the new checks are received well by customers and work to prevent servers losing tips on large tabs, automatic gratuity could be eliminated company-wide by year-end, and other restaurants are expected to follow suit."

New IRS rule may end automatic gratuity in restaurants - UPI.com

And if one cannot afford to tip what is one doing "eating out" anyway????

I just cant believe this is happening in TV

Darden is a national chain - not just tv.

I have become so "jaded" by less-than-reputable owners, that I tip well IN CASH. This way I KNOW the server receives the tip they deserve without question. Sure, I need to always have cash on hand, but I think it is worth a bit of my time so that the server doesn't get cheated out of their due compensation.

Cash tips!

While on vacation in Maine this summer, I noticed that almost all of the restaurants added an 18% gratuity to the "bill" of those dining. This is done automatically. It is stated on the menu.

This is nothing new. It's done in many states.

Also, in many restaurants (various states) all of the servers have to "share" their tips with the hostess or host who takes them to their table, hands them their menu, etc. I would assume in better restaurants, the tip is also shared with the ones who clean off the table......or the bus boys.

The young people we've known who have worked in restaurants get very low wages.......they RELY on the tips.

We always tip generously. Would never leave such a note.

On the other side of the coin.......in a good restaurant, wait staff can do very well tip wise.........but usually after six days out of seven working and very very long hours.

A blast from the past. Back in 1968, I had a next door neighbor with two toddlers who only worked waitressing on the weekend when her husband could stay with the little ones at night........she would tell me she made $100. for the two evenings waitressing. Back in the '60s that was good. That $100. was in "tips" alone......

A young person we know now who "hostesses" tells me she makes at least $300 or more in tips alone..........plus her salary. That would be the minimum......