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If you can't afford to tip then you can't afford to eat in a restaurant. Do you agree or disagree?
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I agree that if you can't afford to tip, then you can't or shouldn't eat in a restaurant.
The tip is part of the cost of having a meal out. Servers usually make much less than the minimum wage in straight salary, and it's understood that their tips are the majority of their income. To go into a restaurant with the intention of not tipping, no matter how good the service, how pleasant and efficient the server is, is very selfish.
Restaurant meals are not some inalienable right, some sort of entitlement; they are a discretionary purchase. Would you dare to order a meal and drink totaling $20, having decided beforehand that you would only pay $10 and just walk out? No!
Would you ask a worker in a different industry to perform a service job for you with the intention of not paying, for example, going into a manicure shop, getting your nails done and then just walk out without paying? No!
Well, then, if you can't pay the total cost including the tip, you can't buy a restaurant meal.
The tip is part of the cost of having a meal out. Servers usually make much less than the minimum wage in straight salary, and it's understood that their tips are the majority of their income. To go into a restaurant with the intention of not tipping, no matter how good the service, how pleasant and efficient the server is, is very selfish.
Restaurant meals are not some inalienable right, some sort of entitlement; they are a discretionary purchase. Would you dare to order a meal and drink totaling $20, having decided beforehand that you would only pay $10 and just walk out? No!
Would you ask a worker in a different industry to perform a service job for you with the intention of not paying, for example, going into a manicure shop, getting your nails done and then just walk out without paying? No!
Well, then, if you can't pay the total cost including the tip, you can't buy a restaurant meal.
No, I don't agree although I think that everyone who can afford to tip should!
Some people live on a strict budget but I don't think not having extra money to tip should preclude them from enjoying a night out.
Some people live on a strict budget but I don't think not having extra money to tip should preclude them from enjoying a night out.
In the US at least, and more and more in Europe, a tip is expected to be left for the wait staff. This can be 10% in some countries, and is 15% typically in the US. Some restaurants go so far as to state in their menu that for parties of 8 or more, 6 or more, and even 3 or more diners, a tip of 15% (or sometimes even 18%) will be automatically added to the check.
This is because in the restaurant business waiters and waitresses are paid a small fraction of minimum wage, and tips more than make up the difference, allowing them to get at times over $10/hour (~40% over minimum wage). If you don't leave a tip, they may end up earning below minimum wage, at which point the restaurant will be legally required to make the difference, adding to the restaurant's costs, and increasing prices for everyone. Further, some restaurants will flout that law, and you'll be the cause of your waiter earning less than minimum wage.
There are restaurants buffet restaurants or fast food establishments where there is no wait staff. These restaurants are far less expensive than typical sit-down restaurants. If your budget does not allow leaving a tip, you should go to a restaurant where no tip is expected. That way you can eat out and not have to leave a tip.
This is because in the restaurant business waiters and waitresses are paid a small fraction of minimum wage, and tips more than make up the difference, allowing them to get at times over $10/hour (~40% over minimum wage). If you don't leave a tip, they may end up earning below minimum wage, at which point the restaurant will be legally required to make the difference, adding to the restaurant's costs, and increasing prices for everyone. Further, some restaurants will flout that law, and you'll be the cause of your waiter earning less than minimum wage.
There are restaurants buffet restaurants or fast food establishments where there is no wait staff. These restaurants are far less expensive than typical sit-down restaurants. If your budget does not allow leaving a tip, you should go to a restaurant where no tip is expected. That way you can eat out and not have to leave a tip.
voted helpful: robbj
In the US at least, a 15% tip is expected. You need to budget in the cost of the tip when planning on eating at a resturaunt. If you can't afford the meal plus tip then look for a less expensive alternative.
I definatly agree.
As someone who has worked in the service industry, I find it quite insulting when I do not get a tip, but even more insulting is someone who undertips... there is nothing worse than working your ass off to have a $0.50 tip left on the table... how insulting! In situations like that, you almost want to follow the customer out to the parking lot, tuck it back into their pocket and saying something to the effect of "You must need this more than I do."
If you can't afford to tip, you should be eating at McDonalds. Or better yet, buy and make your own food for a couple weeks until you can save up enough money to have a proper night out on the town... when you think about it, the tip is a small price to pay for great service... if you can't afford it, you should go somewhere cheaper, just get take out, or if you're at a bar, just have one less drink!
Now in the case where you have recieved poor service, it would not be uncooth not to tip. For instance, I am currently working a new serving job and I occationally make a mistake, had the customer had a more experienced server, they would most likely not have to deal with that. This happened to me the other day, I had made a mistake, which I immediatly corrected, and I recieved a 10% tip which was very fair.
I have a habit of over-tipping, maybe to make up for those who do not tip at all. Many people who have never had to depend on tips as a main source of income simply do not think they should have to tip for a service they could perform themselves.
As someone who has worked in the service industry, I find it quite insulting when I do not get a tip, but even more insulting is someone who undertips... there is nothing worse than working your ass off to have a $0.50 tip left on the table... how insulting! In situations like that, you almost want to follow the customer out to the parking lot, tuck it back into their pocket and saying something to the effect of "You must need this more than I do."
If you can't afford to tip, you should be eating at McDonalds. Or better yet, buy and make your own food for a couple weeks until you can save up enough money to have a proper night out on the town... when you think about it, the tip is a small price to pay for great service... if you can't afford it, you should go somewhere cheaper, just get take out, or if you're at a bar, just have one less drink!
Now in the case where you have recieved poor service, it would not be uncooth not to tip. For instance, I am currently working a new serving job and I occationally make a mistake, had the customer had a more experienced server, they would most likely not have to deal with that. This happened to me the other day, I had made a mistake, which I immediatly corrected, and I recieved a 10% tip which was very fair.
I have a habit of over-tipping, maybe to make up for those who do not tip at all. Many people who have never had to depend on tips as a main source of income simply do not think they should have to tip for a service they could perform themselves.
Voted as best: buddawiggi
Wow, I seem to be in the minority here ;-)
I too have worked in the service industry and I would not begrudge someone an opportunity to dine out just because they couldn't afford a tip. Eating at McDonald's or getting take-out just isn't the same as actually dining out.
That said, I am a good tipper because I do remember what it was like to depend on tips. Hopefully, that makes up for the elderly couple sitting next to me who just wanted to get out of the house.
I too have worked in the service industry and I would not begrudge someone an opportunity to dine out just because they couldn't afford a tip. Eating at McDonald's or getting take-out just isn't the same as actually dining out.
That said, I am a good tipper because I do remember what it was like to depend on tips. Hopefully, that makes up for the elderly couple sitting next to me who just wanted to get out of the house.
I see what you're saying, but if you just want to get out of the house, coffee is cheap, and the park is free!
Disagree...A tip is just that, showing gratitude for good service. Personally, I would prefer the food industry be like it is in other countries. The food ordered is all inclusive. You pay more, but the employee also receives more pay, as they are treated as employees are in other industries. The receive benefits. I think this is more important than Americans feeling guilty if they do not leave a tip. After all, if we did not come to the food establishment and purchase, those waiting for their tips would not have a job at all...would they?
I do not choose a restuarant on the basis of their wait staff, I choose the restuarant because of the food and taste offered.
I also hate it when others will say that " if you had ever worked as a wait person you would understand"It is the person's choice whether to work there or not. I have seen individuals leave more than they can afford as a tip and sometimes as much as the meal itself, only because of the social stigma that has been placed on this practice
I do not choose a restuarant on the basis of their wait staff, I choose the restuarant because of the food and taste offered.
I also hate it when others will say that " if you had ever worked as a wait person you would understand"It is the person's choice whether to work there or not. I have seen individuals leave more than they can afford as a tip and sometimes as much as the meal itself, only because of the social stigma that has been placed on this practice
Voted as best: lidyax
I believe the question was based in current reality, not on the answerer's personal preference as to what reality *should be*. Given how things are *now* would you go to a restaurant and fail to leave a tip because you think things should be different than they are?
Personal feelings aside. No, I don't agree. A tip is a tip, not mandatory and individuals should not feel obligated to do so. Servers choose to work in this industry and tips should not be based on their personal needs. A person should leave what they can afford to leave and not be berated because it was not what a server deamed appropriate. It is a free country at last report.
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