General Discussion

moonscape

(5,680 posts)

109. I was a waitress in Manhattan (the Village) in the 70's. It was

Sun Apr 23, 2017, 03:31 PM

Apr 2017

a soul food place, and every couple weeks they'd have a band downstairs and it was crazy crowded with mostly people wanting drinks and they didn't hire more wait staff, just ran us ragged.

Well, an elderly woman and her son came in and wanted to eat actually. They looked like they just came in from under a bridge - the son was awkward, challenged. Anyway, I felt really sorry for them, and was hoping they'd be able to afford their meal. They didn't order much, but I was extra kind to them thinking it must be a big deal for them to be eating out even modestly.

When they left, I found a $50!!! tip on a bill of about $15 or so. That was a lot in the 70's!

Here I am all these years later, remembering it.

I'm sure you made your wait person's day/week/month!

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Please always tip at least 15%, regardless of the service. [View all] athena Apr 2017 OP

My minimum tip in restaurants is 20%. MineralMan Apr 2017 #1

same for me MM...👍🏼 spanone Apr 2017 #3

The last time my wife and I went out, MineralMan Apr 2017 #10

Bravo!!!! spanone Apr 2017 #13

Well, it was fun, too. MineralMan Apr 2017 #14

I was a waitress in Manhattan (the Village) in the 70's. It was moonscape Apr 2017 #109

Exactly! Good for you! athena Apr 2017 #9

Ditto. I have a sibling in the restaurant biz - tipping is so important Justice Apr 2017 #71

Ditto. 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2017 #85

I have also gone to 20% wryter2000 Apr 2017 #103

I have too because it is easier to figure. Jim Beard Apr 2017 #157

Me too Bettie Apr 2017 #108

Post removed Post removed Apr 2017 #128

Hmm... MineralMan Apr 2017 #145

That's how my husband and I do it! Pacifist Patriot Apr 2017 #167

K&R mcar Apr 2017 #2

Agreed TEB Apr 2017 #4

In today's low wage economy I give at least 20%- it means much more to them than it does to me wishstar Apr 2017 #5

For me, it also depends if it is a low $ per item menu. If the bill is going to be twenty bucks Jim Beard Apr 2017 #158

In fact, 15 is bare minimum fun n serious Apr 2017 #6

Right. These days, 15% suggests you were not completely happy. athena Apr 2017 #12

"Delighted" or not, I don't think I'm going to leave 25% of my bill as a tip. And my mother was a WinkyDink Apr 2017 #25

I worked as a waitress. We ALWAYS leave 25%. I know what it's like to work in food service anneboleyn Apr 2017 #92

I tip at lest 20% and more if the service is good. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #7

It's a very tough job. athena Apr 2017 #24

Yes it is a very tough job...and if it is the kitchen and you can tell usually. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #100

I've seen so-called progressives saying otherwise. nt LexVegas Apr 2017 #8

15% means I tolerated your bad service. Atman Apr 2017 #11

Suppose your server is a he? pangaia Apr 2017 #83

Then I edit my post. Atman Apr 2017 #166

Recommended. H2O Man Apr 2017 #15

Huge congratulations about your son. panader0 Apr 2017 #96

Light heavyweight. H2O Man Apr 2017 #98

I think that employers should have to pay living wages to all employees Horse with no Name Apr 2017 #16

I don't disagree about restaurants crazycatlady Apr 2017 #17

Did you miss where I said "I always tip well"? Horse with no Name Apr 2017 #20

I concur - Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #34

Totally Horse with no Name Apr 2017 #39

My wife and I always leave 20% or more. hunter Apr 2017 #18

The only reason I do not tip on purpose is because they were nasty and rude. Doreen Apr 2017 #19

How about supporting a minimum wage that's a living wage! ZX86 Apr 2017 #21

Nice post, Mr. Pink. Orrex Apr 2017 #26

I'm not against tipping. ZX86 Apr 2017 #46

You'd be hard pressed to find someone on DU who's opposed to a living wage Orrex Apr 2017 #57

I agree. ALL Americas workers should 'at least' get Federal minimum wage. Exceptions are wrong. Sunlei Apr 2017 #69

You are absolutely right that it is better to fight for a living wage. kcr Apr 2017 #151

15 dollar minimum wage is not a livable wage and many small businesses cannot afford more and still still_one Apr 2017 #37

If you can't run a business with out ripping off your workers ZX86 Apr 2017 #52

I take it you don't like to tip, and also have never run a small restaurant. Just because you want still_one Apr 2017 #55

No you are wrong. Very wrong. ZX86 Apr 2017 #91

Funny how that works... Orrex Apr 2017 #77

Thank you! ZX86 Apr 2017 #99

Anyone that considers a voluntary donation as a part of the salary Egnever Apr 2017 #141

I guess that the IRS doesn't have a real understanding about wages then still_one Apr 2017 #142

Are you trying to imply the IRS standing on tips is realistic? Egnever Apr 2017 #160

First of all I never said what the IRS does is realistic, fair, or anything else. still_one Apr 2017 #163

The law is what it is. Undertipping because you think the law is bad is hypocritical. athena Apr 2017 #38

Again. I'm not against tipping. ZX86 Apr 2017 #63

OK. I misunderstood. athena Apr 2017 #105

Thanks for understanding. ZX86 Apr 2017 #112

And shocking. I knew they made a little less but that's ridiculous lostnfound Apr 2017 #129

Thank YOU! smirkymonkey Apr 2017 #22

I've had to learn this lesson myself. athena Apr 2017 #32

Yes, funny how many people use the excuse "Well, maybe the service wasn't very good." smirkymonkey Apr 2017 #146

Tips were unusual and for exceptional service in the UK Yonnie3 Apr 2017 #23

Thank you so much for posting this. emulatorloo Apr 2017 #27

Tippng is insulting in a few cultures / countries. BSdetect Apr 2017 #28

In case I wasn't clear, I am talking specifically about the U.S. athena Apr 2017 #30

Husband and I always tip 20-30% minimum, you just have to factor it into your meal cost Kimchijeon Apr 2017 #29

We always tip 20% or more. Kittycow Apr 2017 #35

I tip a minimum of 20%, but you are wrong if the service is bad you should still tip? still_one Apr 2017 #31

I always tip st least 20%. phylny Apr 2017 #33

Thank you for separating this from the thread that seemed designed Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #36

I disagree with you. athena Apr 2017 #40

What does who you supported in the primary have to do with tipping? Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #43

It is meant to bring people together. athena Apr 2017 #45

I'm not making about "my beloved candidate" Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #123

Post removed Post removed Apr 2017 #41

It must be nice to be someone who never makes mistakes. athena Apr 2017 #49

"Stop lying"? You sound like you've a personal grudge going on here. What's with that? uppityperson Apr 2017 #50

Calm down. Good Lord. Kittycow Apr 2017 #59

Well known troll crazycatlady Apr 2017 #66

Oh thanks. Kittycow Apr 2017 #76

google the screen name crazycatlady Apr 2017 #78

Yeah I did right after your initial reply. Kittycow Apr 2017 #86

Damn I remember someone with that name from Babycenter. EllieBC Apr 2017 #139

same person crazycatlady Apr 2017 #140

More likely ranch dressing with some mozzarella sticks. tammywammy Apr 2017 #144

Found it! EllieBC Apr 2017 #164

That was so weird. athena Apr 2017 #79

It seems very strange that you've had so many bad experiences with wait staff. pnwmom Apr 2017 #72

It was a copy/paste off of a Reddit rant of her's. Kittycow Apr 2017 #95

Because I'm math deficient, so I usually tip 20% MrScorpio Apr 2017 #42

That's what I do, as well, although I'm not math deficient. athena Apr 2017 #44

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #47

I was a waitress and I disagree with this thread. usedtobedemgurl Apr 2017 #48

Points well taken. But . . . matt819 Apr 2017 #70

To err is human. To empathize is also human. athena Apr 2017 #74

Everything you said - right here. I have 18 years in the pnwest Apr 2017 #102

I think you meant to reply to the post I replied to, not to my post. athena Apr 2017 #107

I was a waitress, and we never leave less then 25% (post above). Most customers blame anneboleyn Apr 2017 #93

Just about every other job, people get paid even when they make mistakes and have bad days. kcr Apr 2017 #155

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #51

If you're not a voter and don't care about politics, DU is not the place for you. athena Apr 2017 #53

Do enjoy your stay here. mac56 Apr 2017 #56

I look forward to years of positive contributions by that poster. Orrex Apr 2017 #60

If you google the username and tipping tammywammy Apr 2017 #73

I rarely go out to eat but I think it is the law to tip 15% in NYC. hrmjustin Apr 2017 #54

There is no law in NYC on tipping. former9thward Apr 2017 #195

Done matt819 Apr 2017 #57

My rule is $5 or 20% whatever is more. airplaneman Apr 2017 #61

Ah, good point. If I get one beer at a bar, I'm not going to leave JUST 20%. EOM Grown2Hate Apr 2017 #65

I tip at least $1 per drink at the bar crazycatlady Apr 2017 #115

100% agreed. I do hate to see that business get away with paying a paltry $2.13 an hour for Grown2Hate Apr 2017 #62

By the way, I always used to note when our kitchen ran slow..... usedtobedemgurl Apr 2017 #64

Sorry but if a waiter or waitress can't do the simplest things askyagerz Apr 2017 #67

I tip 20-30 percent depending on the service. I've done a lot of work in food service Luciferous Apr 2017 #68

Actually, tipping is political in some ways matt819 Apr 2017 #75

That is very well explained! athena Apr 2017 #90

I used to wait tables in college so we tip a minimum of 20 percent. redstatebluegirl Apr 2017 #80

When I was a waitress LittleGirl Apr 2017 #81

What a horrible story! athena Apr 2017 #94

Well, that was 30 yrs AGO LittleGirl Apr 2017 #143

Service has to be downright hostile and it has to be clearly the server's fault Warpy Apr 2017 #82

K & R 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2017 #84

Went out to dinner last evening.. mountain grammy Apr 2017 #87

I tip 10% when its takeout. aikoaiko Apr 2017 #88

Both my husband and I, at times have depended on tips Runningdawg Apr 2017 #89

I wish I could afford to eat out more than once a year. OnlinePoker Apr 2017 #97

$5 dollar minimum... lame54 Apr 2017 #101

The one thing I do know with my 20+years experience in waiting. Dealing with the public YOHABLO Apr 2017 #104

My spouse and I don't dress well, but we tip well. athena Apr 2017 #111

The expression on the waitress face yesterday spoke volumes liberal N proud Apr 2017 #106

I generally tip 20% Even at Lunch bitterross Apr 2017 #110

how about in California where minimum wage is required ? JI7 Apr 2017 #113

I don't know. I wonder if there are DUers who work as servers in California? athena Apr 2017 #114

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #116

I'm supposed to believe a man's personal opinion over actual statistics? athena Apr 2017 #118

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #121

Not all statistics are manipulated. athena Apr 2017 #126

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #133

I'll probably get flak for this NobodyHere Apr 2017 #117

What? athena Apr 2017 #119

Doh! NobodyHere Apr 2017 #120

LOL. athena Apr 2017 #122

We're a 20% tipper madokie Apr 2017 #124

We tip a minimum of 15% of bill before alcohol and taxes Freethinker65 Apr 2017 #125

I dont like the tipping system Mosby Apr 2017 #127

No argument there. But the system is the way it is, and we have to live with that. athena Apr 2017 #132

Exactly. still_one Apr 2017 #135

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #137

The way to not just live with it is to go elsewhere Major Nikon Apr 2017 #193

When minimum wage goes to $15 in 2021, I'll stop tipping n/t taught_me_patience Apr 2017 #130

you are being sarcastic, right? still_one Apr 2017 #134

i always tip generously.. once i forgot..... samnsara Apr 2017 #131

Everyone makes mistakes. athena Apr 2017 #147

Having worked for tips, I almost always tip more than 20%. Although, don't eat out often. Hoyt Apr 2017 #136

I worked many years janlyn Apr 2017 #138

Appreciate the spirit of this post but I reject absoutes fescuerescue Apr 2017 #148

This is what I disagree with. athena Apr 2017 #149

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #159

Oh I disagree Egnever Apr 2017 #161

Oh I did talk to the management fescuerescue Apr 2017 #165

And then they might get fired RhodeIslandOne Apr 2017 #175

I hate this system. Just pay people right and get rid of tipping altogether AgadorSparticus Apr 2017 #150

Why not both? n/m RhodeIslandOne Apr 2017 #176

Because tipping is a pain in the butt. Most places around the world don't tip like we do. AgadorSparticus Apr 2017 #184

The OP is absolutely correct and here's why: kcr Apr 2017 #152

That seems reasonable, mostly.... Adrahil Apr 2017 #169

Great. Then they don't get paid. But they're still employed, at their job serving you. kcr Apr 2017 #171

Here's the thing... Adrahil Apr 2017 #172

Okay then. Points for honesty that you're ok with withholding wages n/t kcr Apr 2017 #185

Sure I am if.... Adrahil Apr 2017 #188

20% is standard for me. argyl Apr 2017 #153

Of course Volstagg Apr 2017 #154

Usually tip 20%, but.... Adrahil Apr 2017 #156

And when the servers get "side jobs" delegated to them...their pay is the 2-something an hour only rainbow4321 Apr 2017 #162

I tip 3000% regardless of service maxsolomon Apr 2017 #168

Why is does being Texasgal Apr 2017 #170

Agreed Gothmog Apr 2017 #173

I am a generous tipper RhodeIslandOne Apr 2017 #174

20% - 25% usually. Will go down to 15% for truly bad service, but no lower. tonyt53 Apr 2017 #177

I'm a balloon twister TlalocW Apr 2017 #178

I usually tip over 20%, but I was a waitress long enough to know when it's bad service or just Lisa0825 Apr 2017 #179

We do get the red out Apr 2017 #180

I start at 20% and will only go to 15% if the server does something nadine_mn Apr 2017 #181

My husband worked as a bus boy when he was young, we ALWAYS tip 20% or more now. a kennedy Apr 2017 #182

k$R yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2017 #183

At least 20% rounded up because it's easy to calculate ecstatic Apr 2017 #186

Tipping just pushes the burden of paying the workers a livable salary on the customer qdouble Apr 2017 #187

That is not only facile and self-serving but also illogical. athena Apr 2017 #189

Then they should charge the appropriate prices for their products. It's called false advertising. qdouble Apr 2017 #190

I always tip at least 15% for the exact reasons you outlined. n/t Zing Zing Zingbah Apr 2017 #191

I START tipping @ 15%. . . Service workers make SHITTY money, and it's criminal BigDemVoter Apr 2017 #192

As others have mentioned I also tip pizza delivery drivers well. alphafemale Apr 2017 #194

I tip 20% for almost everything BUT Drahthaardogs Apr 2017 #196