waitresses!!

[rexdoggieowner]

i'm a college student who is an east side mario's waitress... i have been there for over 3 years now! but serving for less then 2 years...

it BUGS me when people tip only 10 percent.. i think of myself as a very good server.. i always get the drinks/food/apps fast... and everything you might need ( no matter how busy we are) and still shi@#y tips... its frustrating cause we get paid 6 bucks an hour... and i'm trying to save up for school.. and pay all of rex's vet bills ( neutering... shots.... obedience classes) and other expenses.. i work my bum off!! and all i get is people tipping 10 percent.. its suppose to be 15 the least!!!!!!!! ( not saying that EVERYONE tips bad though)

pllleaseeee people, serving is a very stressful job-- tip us right ( well if the service is good )

[Luba]

I just dont think some people can calculate

Yes u have a stressful job, I give you credit!

[rexdoggieowner]

haha.. thanks!! its GREAT experience with customer service tho... i usually find myself screaming in the back of the resturants at least 1 time during the night..lol...

[Iggette]

I fully agree with you, if you ever want to loose weight become a GOOD waitress, they work their bum off is an understatment, they put up with bad cooks then get the blame when something is not right, or the owners that dont keep supplies up then get the evil eye because a customer orders something only to be told "sorry we don't have any tonight" cleaning up after all us sloppies for sometimes over an hour at a time for what 2 bucks When I can afford it and I go out for dinner or a night of boozin I always factor in 25% tip for a night out but I am also the type that will not tip kindly if your having a bad day and I'm getting the brunt of it or I walk in and it takes 20 minutes before I'm noticed or acknowleged ( If you never saw me I probably left), if it's cold I send it back if its over done I also will not eat it if you are understanding to my dilema of not wanting to eat a steak that has been cooked to medium well when I only enjoy medium rare then you are the waitress for me and will be rewarded for a job well done but if you roll your eyes when I say it is to well done..........NO TIP FOR YOU I become the TIP NAZI.....lol

[LavenderRott]

I am a single mom with three kids, so dinner out someplace that has a waitress is a rarity for me. I don't have a problem tipping a good watiress/waiter. I do have a problem tipping a waitress/waiter that thinks that as long as they got the food to the table reasonably warm they did a good job.

[chico2]

I actually worked in a restaurant here in Oakville for 20yrs ,it was supposed to be for a couple of years,but got stuck because we had so much fun.
It was called"A landmark of fine dining",sure!!!
All of us had been there for years,I developed many longlasting friendships with customers,mostly cat-lovers
I was,if I may say so myself,very good at what I did and would not serve anything not up to par...
But it takes a lot of patience dealing with the public,diplomacy and a great sense of humour.
I worked only weekends for 15 yrs and families with children,were sometimes a nightmare,Mothers Day beeing the worst day of the year
Waiters/waitresses are highly underrated and underpaid and people who think any"dummie"can do the job,have no clue!!
Personally,I tip well for good service,not at all if the waitress knowingly gives bad service,not removing finished plates,refill coffee,not returning to the table other than giving the bill.
Believe me,being a good waitress/waiter is an art-form and requires more than big Hooters

[rexdoggieowner]

woohoo... everyone gets it!!!!!!!!
haha... great thread!!!

[EmmaJean]

I always tip 20% even if service is less than stellar. I will tip more than that for excellent service. I can handle service that isn't that super as long as there isn't attitude to accompany it.

My friends who used to serve told me that oftentimes it's the people who can afford it who aren't the best tippers. Pizza deliverers say the same thing. Nice houses tip less than small working-poor houses.

Of course it's a blanket stereotype, but it happens enough for it to become one.

[glasslass]

In Calif., the tax on restaurant meals is about 7.5%. It's so easy to just double the tax and round it up to the next increment.

$45.00 meal = $3.38 tax X2 = 6.76 = $7.00 tip

If the waitress is cheerful, helpful, and friendly, even if the food was slow/poor quality, etc., I will add another dollar or more. It's not her fault the restaurant is understaffed, or that the theatres just got out and everyone came in at once, or the owner is a cheapskate. But, those factors will determine what restaurant I go back to in the future.

What burns me up is when I get that helpful nudge when I get my change. I took my mom to our local Sonic drive-in where the theme is American Graffitti and the carhops wear rollerskates. We ordered 2 chocolate milkshakes. I don't remember the exact amounts, but the tab was around $4. I gave the carhop a $20. Instead of a $1, $5, and a $10 in change, I received 6 $1's and a $10. How obvious is that? Don't assume I have no other change in my purse. I calculate what I'm going to need, including tip, when I put my money out.

What is sad also, is when I pay anything anymore (not meals here), I usually will add enough extra change so that I can get a larger bill back. Like, if the charge is $6.37, I'll give the cashier $12.00 instead of just the $10 bill. They get so confused! I have to admit, it happens so often that I get a malicious enjoyment out of watching the reaction. No one thinks anymore. I would much rather get a $5 bill back than 3 more $1's to add to the $1's already in my wallet.

[glasslass]

EmmaJean, I read your post after mine was already sent. Yeah, there is a steriotyping of customers. Try getting waited on when you're two older ladies. That's why the "Red Hat Club" was created! LOL! It is aggravating when you get minimal service because the waitress is doting on the two good-looking young men at the other table.

[Cactus Flower]

AMEN GlassLass!

I once sat for THIRTY MINUTES without even a "hello", while a waitress went back and forth between two tables of men, flirting. There were only THREE TABLES occupied in this restaurant, and she saw me come in and sit down, taking up the fourth. Still, she stood there flirting and just chit-chatting. FOR THIRTY MINUTES. The manager was busy with something at the register, doing a readout or whatever, and didn't notice. But he DID notice when I said, in a very LOUD voice "HEY! DO I HAVE TO HAVE A PENIS TO GET SOME SERVICE AROUND HERE????????????????????????"

I'm the type that will tip four bucks for a ninety-cent cup of coffee, if you are friendly and good with the refills. Service is everything to me. I will come back for mediocre food if the service is good, but NEVER come back if the food is great and the service is bad.

[rexdoggieowner]

yess... i agree with you too... some people should NOT SERVE!!!
but i just don't get when people are cheap when they go out to dinner....whats the point of going out for dinner if you are going to be cheap...

i just wanna say " LISTEN, IF YOU WANT TO BE CHEAP, MCDONALDS IS DOWN THE ROAD, GO THERE"

hahaha.... but i can't and will not ever do that....
for example... my friend, had a party and their bill came to 90 bucks... they tipped her NOTHING... at all...SHE ended up paying for their dinner cause we have to tip out the kitchen and bar

[glasslass]

Originally Posted by rexdoggieowner

i just don't get when people are cheap when they go out to dinner....whats the point of going out for dinner if you are going to be cheap...

For me, eating out isn't really a "night out". On a special occasion, I'll splurge, ordering things I don't normally order. But 90% of the time, we eat out because I'm tired after a long day at work and don't feel like cooking. Sometimes, hubby cooks. He's usually tired too. The tip is proportional to the bill with extra when the service was really good. If the service was really poor, I still tip, but very little to make a point. I don't want the waitress to think I just "forgot".

Good thing I wasn't sipping my coffee when I read your post, Cactus Flower! I'd really have spewed it! I'd love to have seen their faces! You got chutzpah!

[Cactus Flower]

You got chutzpah!

Thanks GlassLass, my Mom gave it to me.

I waitressed for a few years myself, so I feel I've been on both sides of the issue here.

I don't do well with being ignored if someone isn't busy. If the place is very busy, I understand. But ignoring me because you are flirting, chatting with the staff, etc is not ok. I once walked right into the kitchen at a restaurant, grinned at the cooks and said "Could you please make me an omelette?". They not only made the omelette, they told the manager what I had to do to get it, and the manager apologized and made sure it was on the house.

[chico2]

This thing with flirting did not apply in my restaurant and most of us girls were a bit older,it was a"fancy"restaurant.We had celebrities coming in often,Harold Ballard and entourage,came in ever now and then and others..Of course some handsome guys made us all swoon,but that's it!!We always made a point of treating women,especially singles very well.I once had a lady,write a long note,saying how she had felt bad coming in,occupying a table.She had come from the hospital and was down.
She mentioned how I had managed to make her feel better and what wonderful friendly service she got.
Then there were,the "bitches"usually realestate women and teachers(sorry Catt31),who made a point of being arrogant and difficult,but I could easily put them to shame
Then businessmen on the phone
I could write a book about my years as a waitress.
The thing is,the girls I worked with were all singles,divorced or other...I had the advantage of not really needing to work,so if we had a mouthy customer I took care of him/her,but never got fired for telling it as it is.
It is definetly a learning experience and a confidence builder and you do not have to take bull from anyone,the customer is not always right.
Also tipping is not a right,but if you give good friendly service,it is expected,but some people just do not believe in tipping(cheap I'd say)luckily they were few and far between.
The girls at my restaurant made good money,but they sure had to work hard for it.
Ok,I told you I could right a book

[glasslass]

People who have worked in customer service are usually the best tippers. They know and understand just how difficult it is to please the public.

Have to add - Nothing makes me more inclined to tip generously as when I witness some pompous egotist giving the waitress a hard time. Do they even realize how they're really impressing people?

[chico2]

Well,GlassLass I am a tough broad at least when it comes to dealing with jerks,I usually get the last word
Now,animals is a different story,I am all mush-mush and sucky-like

[glasslass]

Maybe it's because animals are so upfront, loving, and honest. No ego, no games, Just pure emotions, trust, and loyalty. We can be ourselves with them and they love us back unconditionally. I gotta go hug my critters!

[Cactus Flower]

Yes, people who have lived on tips before often are the best tippers.

I feel sorry for wait staff sometimes- I think everyone should have to spend a week or so waiting tables! Then they'd realize that if the food isn't right- it's not the waitress' fault....and should have no bearing upon the size of her (or his) tip. I am very friendly to wait staff (unless they ignore me for a half hour while they flirt and chitchat lol)- I don't want to be that person- every restaurant has one- the regular that makes everyone wince when they walk in the door because they are such a jerk. I used to date a fellow that was HORRIBLE to wait staff- he would literally SNAP HIS FINGERS in the air to get their attention, or when he needed a refill, he would hold up his cup and yell MORE COFFEE!- ack! I would shrink in my seat. He was rude and obnoxious no matter how hard they tried to please him. I would love to see him waiting tables in rush hour!

[melanie]

well tipping is not standard in australia, it is becoming popular in the trendy areas though. here as a waitress you get between $8-13 an hour. there is always a tip jar on the bench at the register for small change, this money is usually saved and divided up between both waiting and kitchen staff at the end of the year and yu get about $10 out of it. i once worked in a fancy pasta place, we had big business ppl come there, well bugger me dead, i was getting up to $50 a night for tips, i shared them all with the kitchen staff ofcourse (no one wants the chef after them it is standard for the kitchen to get any freebies to). that is the only place i got tips. and it certainly doesnt inspire one to give good service, i am the worst waitress around, i hate being forced to smile for anyone. but i dont know hardly anyone who tips, my dad does but that is about it. but we also know you get a good hour rate here, it is the minimum wage but most of us are on it so cant afford to tip anyway, if they got less than normal i assume we would tip more.
we have always been told here to only tip 10% in canada and us, i thought that was a standard. well if i ever come to your cafes i will make sure i leave %20 for good measure

[glasslass]

I don't particularly agree with the waitresses having to share their tips. Oftentimes, I tip generously because I know the waitress gets minimum wages, less than the chef, and is the one that catches the flak when the food is overcooked, cold, etc. I'm tipping for the service SHE gave me. Everyone taking a cut of her tip doesn't seem fair. If everyone shares equally, one really good waitress would be screwed while the other mediocre waitress would benefit from the good one's efforts. The mediocre one shares the tips while the good one has a harder time of it trying to take up the slack? Nope! Not fair!

[wAggie]

O-K!

u, ladies, are going to HATE me!

for the LIFE of me, i can NOT understand y someone would choose to become a waitress, when there are plenty of other jobs that pay by the hour/salary. if you know, u'r gonna get $6/hr and must please ur clients for tips...??!?! i used to work in the RETAIL industry. there, we got no tips for helping a customer out for 45 min with the "bed in a bags," we didn't get tips for bagging the customers' merchadise, accepting returns, SMILING and being pleasant and the pay was only a dollar more!!

like, GEEZ, when i go to a restaurant, it's to EAT THE FOOD bc it tastes different from the way i make it or my mommy does

heck, i would GLADLY "serve" it myself, but even the buffet restaurants expect tips when they bring me my nestea.

i PREFER not to tip, but i do... it's pathetic, and i totally regret it, not bc i'm cheap but bc ur EMPLOYER should be paying for ur performance, not the customer!!!

sha!t.


questions? comments? lets hear em!

[chico2]

Ok Aggie,here it goes
Waitressing is actually a fun job,retail for minimum wage would have killed me,boooring!!
When I waitressed we made $5.95/hour,but easily(well,not exactly easy)took home $80-100/sat and sun in tips,you do the calculation
You pay tax on your tips,but since I only worked 2 days..no tax.
I would probably net as much as you would working a week in retail in two days and no tax.
I usually worked only 5 hours and not in Swiss Chalet or any other fast food joint.
Also,since we all(usually 5)helped each other we pooled our money,only gave our bus-boy about 15%,did not pay cooks or bartenders.
For a very part-time job,it's perfect....but of course you had to be able to balance 5 dinnerplates in your hands and know where silverware goes and what glasses to use with what beverage,fold fancy napkins etc...
There is waitressing and then there is waitressing

[Luba]

I think everybody should work under the table
did I say that?
phooey on Revenue Canada taking every last dime!

[wAggie]

hmh, so Ur not complaining bout the tips, gotcha


FYI, i did Catering at the metro hall in mississauga, for those who know, back in the day b4 retail. so i know what it's like carrying 6 bowls of steaming soup.

been there, WON'T do that again. oh, that was my first job,... i think in grade 10.. or 11. (in other words, i didn't know any better )

[Luba]

My first non-family business job was in a bakery as a cashier/bakers assistant.

I was 14 years old and worked my buttocks off literally! It was hot in there no a/c up early in the morning to greet customers, clean the store, set everything up, eat the RUM BALLS hahahah!

Most of my experience a good one, except for the jerks that get crabby because their fav bread/buns were all gone or the RUM BALLS!!

I loved those things! wooo hooo! I was happy worker!

[wAggie]

where they at, Luba? I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE RUM!!!!!!!!!!

[glasslass]

Ummm, Luba? Did you by any chance get the recipe for those ummm rum balls?

[glasslass]

Waggie, have you tried the Vanilla Rum? So good with coke and sweet lime juice!

[Luba]

That was 20 years ago, they're long gone!! LOL
I wish I did get the recipe. I never drink but even as an adult the rum balls I enjoyed. Would get them from a Brittish Store in a local mall but they're now closed too! Most places that have them taste crappy u need a really nice bakery for some good ones Thats my alcholic flavour, rum balls!!