Please always tip at least 15%, regardless of the service.

[rainbow4321]

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

My daughter worked in the service industry for a while and would tell me how they all dreaded the side jobs---like stocking things or rolling napkins/silverware or other non-serving tasks. Because they knew that they were at their flat 2-something an hour instead of that hourly rate AND tips.

I do make a point of doing 20% but I will admit that I have given much less when this happens:

Bring me my food, return literally a minute later to ask how it is...and then wait til I'm DONE to swing by and ask if I want a soda refill. Um, no..I'm DONE eating. I shouldn't have to flag down another restaurant worker or get up and go to the bar to get my refill. Especially since I have pushed my empty glass to the end of the table so it can easily be seen as being empty.

Sounds petty but this happens frequently. I don't know if it's because I'm a lone diner (travel for work) and they know my bill (and then tip) will be lower than the parties of 3 or 4+ people so I'm not very high on their to do list.

But I've also been known to walk out of a place when they ask "how many", I say "one" and they try repeatedly to convince me to sit at the bar for my meal because they don't want to seat me at a table..not even a "2 top" (i.e. 2 person table). I don't appreciate being made to feel like I am an inconvenience. Me and my money can go on to the next place.