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

[nadine_mn]

181. I start at 20% and will only go to 15% if the server does something

like have a really bitchy attitude or rudeness (some servers - just like anyone else - can be jerks). And I don't mean rude as in they won't kiss my ass and treat me like I am the only customer ever or if they professional but not overly friendly. I mean they have to do something pretty awful - and if that happens, we would probably just leave.

My start at 20% (and I'll go up to 30%) is for various reasons
1) I briefly worked as a waitress in college at Pizza Hut where people don't think they have to tip a pizza place even when dining in. I SUCKED as a waitress - I have no idea how anyone can handle it for years!

2) My first job was a dishwasher in a small town diner- horrid conditions but I would take that any day over waitressing. I often saw the waitresses take the brunt of abuse from cheap ass locals, rude tourists who thought everything was "quaint", and temperamental cooks. But always they had a smile for me and were super nice to a 15 yr old covered in lutefisk.

3) More and more I hear about how servers have to share tips with everyone else - fuck that.

4) I am also trying to make up for assholes I know don't tip or are shitty tippers.

5) I grew up shit poor and we are still barely making ends meet. So if we go out, we build in tip to our budget. So if it means we can't afford dessert so we can leave a good tip, so be it. Nothing makes my eyes twitch more than reading when people say they saved up for a nice dinner and can't afford to tip. TIP IS PART OF YOUR MEAL


Non-tip things I do that I hope make a difference: I always make eye contact (not like in a creepy way) with my server, say hi ask how they are doing. None of this mumbling into my menu like they aren't even there. Stop conversation and put phones away (well do that anyway usually unless I am fact checking my husband because I have to be right) - I give the server my full attention.

I say please and thank you like a fucking normal person when asking for something or when they bring out food or refill. I apologize if I forget to ask for something and have to make them make another trip. Some assholes think it's cute to see how many times they can run a server ragged.

If service was exceptional - I will tip 25% and above and if I can write a little to the server about how awesome they are.

If a restaurant is busy or you can see that a server is having an off day, or if I am having an off day - I do not let that influence tipping.

I hate the tipping system - ooooh I so fucking hate it. Because I have see so many women servers being told by creepy men that they have "earn the tip" or being told to "smile honey". Because its demeaning. Because it is unfair.

sorry for the rant