Comments on: Peer pressure ripped me off

By: Adil

Adil — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:24:15 +0000

I totally agree with James on this.. Unfortunately, the business model of most restaurants is built in such a way that it expects the customers to tip so as to make up for the minimum wage paid to the waiters and waitresses.. So, these days, I do tip by default.. However, I will refuse to tip if the service is exceptionally bad.. In fact, one time, the service was so bad, we just walked out of the restaurant without paying.. The main reason was as we tried to inform the manager that his restaurant was understaffed, he refused to acknowledge that fact.. They were so mismanaged, they didn’t even notice us walking out.. As obdurate as it sounds, I have no regrets, because this way, the restaurant owner paid..

By: moneyrelations

moneyrelations — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 03:15:53 +0000

Hey James,

That’s a good one from Seinfeld That’s a good point about appreciation. Is it lacking nowadays? We’re so nonchalant about tipping now - giving and receiving. It’s just lost meaning either way.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

By: James Wilcox

James Wilcox — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 22:01:32 +0000

Tipping has gotten to the point where it’s expected even if it isn’t deserved. A tip used to be something you left as appreciation for good service or for a job done above and beyond the normal service. Now waiters and waitresses expect it no matter what. It’s like when you see tip jars on the counter of a donut shop or bagel shop. I think Jerry Seinfeld said it best, “so you want me to tip you for basically turning around?”. I never leave a tip unless the service warrants it.

By: moneyrelations

moneyrelations — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:02:56 +0000

HAH! I wouldn’t do that, Nancy. As always, I like to hear all opinions. I don’t have all the answers so convince me
I do agree that it’s not the servers fault, kinda. But it’s guilt by association.

I used to waitress when I was in uni as well at a small buffet joint and sometimes I was the only waitress while the owner’s wife helped in the kitchen or was doing deliveries.

Despite this, I STILL didn’t get all the tips.

I don’t know how waitressing usually works, if they pool all tips together and share but this is what happened to me. I have also heard of restaurants where the servers don’t get to keep ANY tips and it goes strictly to the boss, but in return, obviously they get higher wages.

Also, at this place we went to, we had specifically asked for our bills early. However, the waitress decided to do ALL 15 bills and had to add the tea and coffee that the hangers-on had just ordered.

Erm. Needless to say, it took awhile.

By: Nancy (aka money coach)

Nancy (aka money coach) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 07:45:48 +0000

ok - a bit of small consolation (and trust bleeding-heart me to have this take): possibly, it wasn’t your server’s fault that the service was slow (ie. it was the kitchen/manager for not fully staffing etc.) Servers usually work pretty darn hard for their money, and have slave-labour wages. They only have a chance at proper money via tips. And it’s the holiday season coming up. So, while the restaurant itself did not give a good experience, if the poor server stuck in a lousy restaurant happened to receive generous tips … it may be the only nice thing that happened to her there all day.

OK, feel free to send me to Akismet in Mike’s place if you like.