I don't fall for any of these cockamamy "tipping tricks"... do i?
I've hinted about some of these before, but i guess i'm not done w/ it yet ;)I can't help it really, anything having to do with tipping or splitting the check gets my blood pumping. It's one of those things we'll forever be debating in the frugal playground of ours.
So I dedicate today's post to my man Student Scrooge who dug up some pretty interesting tipping techniques used by your friendly waiters/waitresses. You might have seen them in the carnival i hosted last week, but i thought they deserved a more thorough looking at. You see, i sometimes have a hard time NOT giving my opinion on things ;)
Here are the 7 "tricks" that were found to be successful.
- Wearing something unusual. Unless you're wearing your skimpies, this sure isn't going to affect the tip i give you. Not even if you have 37 pieces of flair like that pretty boy Brian.
- Introducing yourself by name. I can def. see the appeal on this one - getting you to feel all personal and friendly. Not sure it would get me to tip more, but it sure works when i need to call them back over!
- Squatting next to the table. I cannot stand this one! They do this alot at Hooters (or so i hear), and it always comes across so fake and insincere. Yes we know you have large melons. No you don't need to plop them on the table and beg for more money. It also bugs me at other places cuz now you're literally talking DOWN to them which feels awkward to me. I like looking up and giving my orders the old fashioned way.
- Repeating customers’ orders. I like this one :) Anything that gets you to bring over the right order is a-okay in my books! this is more about doing a great job overall, though, than any trickery.
- Smiling at customers. Yes, this always helps! If you look like you're actually in a good mood and happy to be there, then i'm way more inclined to pay up and keep the smiles coming. All about being positive and "caring" about your job.
- Writing "Thank You" on the check. Sure, why not? A quick little scribble that let's you know they appreciate you being there without getting all up in your space. Student Scrooge even threw out the idea of smilie faces which i just freakin' adore to be honest with you. smiley :) face :)
- Calling customers by name. Hmm.....i can't tell on this one. it would have to mean that they'd ask for your name at some point, and if there are more than just 1 of you, they'd have to ask for all of them, right? Unless we're talking about a "Thanks Mr. Johnson" after seeing your name on your c/c...in which case it's kinda nice.
Labels: tipping
posted by J. Money at
11:22 AM
23 Comments:
I HATE it when someone uses my name just because I gave them my credit card. We are not friends just because you read my name on my credit card. What's really funny is when they say "Thanks *pause while they glance at my card* Ashley". lol. Might want to look at my name before you try to use it in a sentence.
I've noticed many of these tricks being used over the years, especially the "squat next to you" one which seems to only be a tool of feamle waitresses (Hooters or not). But a nice tip only comes with good service and a smile. The last thing I want after a long day at work is bad service and a bad attitude.
I appreciate friendly and efficient service, and tip accordingly. I HATE it when they squat down beside the table though, it makes you feel like a child. I also wish there was always a form to fill out when leaving a tip, such as "I'm giving you $X because you did such-and-such, or didn't do this-and-that."
I hate when service feels scripted or fake. Like the poster before me, when you have to relook at my name on my card, it kind of bothers me. The greatest service is when some has that natural talent and skill with their job. You can tell they love what they are doing and are interested in providing great service. So if they happen to have a photographic memory and come back to the table thanking me by my name - then I am okay with it. It just all depends on the overall "vibe" I get, I guess.
I would actually prefer a server who maybe makes a little mistake but acknowledges it and attempts to fix it over a server who may get my order correct but acts like a robot.
Oooh, all great points everyone! Scipts - suck, robots - suck, squaters - suck (is it me or did that sound bad?).
And i'd TOTALLY be up for some "form" to list the reasons for the tip, that's a helluva great idea! I guess you could always jot down some notes on the back of the check, below their smiley of course, and give some feedback, but i'm sure it would come off wierd. If i were a server i'd LOVE to get some insight like that - it's free advice! it would suck getting some bad ones, but whatever.
The other night i was watching for all of these things while out on a date w/ the Mrs. We got lots of smiles and friendliness, but that was about it (thank goodness). We could tell she'd been doing it for a while, and we got a REALLY good vibe from her which was refreshing. So we tipped 20%...although we usually always tip that anyways, but still.
I also HATE being thanked by name. It's so fake. I realize that frequently, the smiles and friendliness might also be fake, but somehow, that's different in my mind.
As a PT waitress who's paying down debt while building savings I have a couple of things to add to your discussion.
1) is most chain restaurants have comment cards or sites on-line where you can leave comments. If there is not one included with your bill ask for one. Nothing feels better as a server that having someone tell you you've done a good job, or made their night. You can tell why or why not you've left the tip you did.
2.) On tipping what you give your server is NOT what they bring home! Most places have tip=outs where you give a percentage of your tips to kitchen staff, hosts, bartenders. Some places do the honor system (10%) of total tips given out, or a percentage is calculated on how much your sold and you pass it in. So if some one doesn't leave a tip, the server has to pay the kitchen out of their pocket.
3.) Smiling repeating orders back and writing thank you are more common sense items. Smiles are free, repeating back an order only takes an extra minute or two and saves errors being made and having upset customers. Writing thank you or saying is acknowledging your customers! Everyone wants to be seen at least.
4.) Squatting - not cool unless your taking an order from a child. Same as wearing something unusual- not cool, leave it for when your off!
5.) as far as saying someones name, if your a regular it's going to happen! Over time staff will figure it out! Accept it, because if staff recognizes you and you build a good rapport you will probably get a little better service than Joe blow who only comes in and complains the whole time! If your good to your server they be good to you!
Please don't play games with the server,feel free to ask me questions, but leave me time to serve others in my section. Some people think that they are the only table we have ( average section is 6 or 7 tables). Don't treat your server like they're stupid ( this really burns me!) I have a brain, treat me like it. We do make an occasional mistake and good ones owe up to their mistakes!
Thanks for letting me talk about this! Love your site.
the smile gets me. really, it's so simple. BE NICE and you'll get a tip. why must we make life so difficult? :)
I really like it when a waiter/waitress can memorize our order without writing it down. If it turns out all right then I am super impressed and tend to leave a larger tip!
I usually tip 20%...sometimes 18%...to be honest, it doesn't really matter how the service is...unless I'm given free food (which happens quite a bit)...then I usually give a bigger tip...
the above are not likely to work on me. in my book - if you get everything right, are attentive, nice & pay attention to my dd - you get a great tip from me - usually on the 20% level. The problem is that service really sucks these days & it seems like everything is always wrong & the server always has an attitude - if the server is great (even if the food sucks) it is a nice experience & they get a great tip
Well, I'm glad you couldn't resist commenting -- I've enjoyed these discussions in the last week.
Is it fair to say these tips only work on the less-frugal minded? I think that's a bit harsh; several of these tips simply deal with making a more pleasant experience for the customer, in which case there doesn't seem to be anything negative about thanking me by name. Some of these tips are simply manipulative, annoying, and/or blatantly pandering and I don't understand how some people can tolerate it, let alone increase a tip.
Bottom line for me: any way the server can make me feel happier is worth a higher tip, but if you annoy me that is going too far.
Best ever service = get things right or make it right. Either way, I'll tip you real nice like. If you can't make it right, comp me or apologize. Do not ignore me! I am right here--I realize you're doing it!!!
Worst ever service = sit down beside me in the booth(!) & act like we're best friends. I nearly ran out of the place. The whole meal was so uncomfortable I never went there again.
Do your job as a server & I'll do mine as your customer, ca va? : )
Still lovin' the blog & daily posts!
P.S. I have a lot of respect for the restaurant crowd--a really rough job.
I am a great tipper unless the service is just horrible. Way back in the day, I use to be a waitress so I know what it feels like on the other side. I have to say, I never resorted to any of those tactics listed in the post. I tried to just give the best service I could and hoped that that would speak for my service. I just posted a tip post myself-but about tipping etiquette at Starbucks.
I have to say, smiling does make a difference for me for tip. They don't have to be gooey, or chummy. But just today, my husband and I were at a restaurant. The woman never smiled. And she was in a big hurry. It combined to make her seem very brusque and unhelpful. The service was actually so bad, we left my second-ever one cent tip. Now if she had smiled, she wouldn't have gotten a GREAT tip, but if she'd not, say, put my plate down while already turning to walk away... Well it might have made a difference. It began to feel like she was dumping the food on the table and turning her nose up at us.
Repeating the order back to me? That's actually big. It's not a make-or-break item. But it does let me know they heard me correctly.
The biggest thing for me, though, is soda and water levels. My husband gulps soda like it's going out of style. He then consistently has to wait with an empty glass. If a waiter can keep the glasses from being empty too long, we'll make sure the tip reflects it.
Hey J. -- just tagged you in my blog as one of my fave reads. Thanks for the great read!
I just wanna add to what I said earlier though - alot of people comment that they dont leave a great tip when the service sucks. While I have myself wanted to run out of a place screaming from horrible service - I think its good to always leave a good tip for the simple fact that just like an ostrih named sam said - alot of times the server has to give some of the tip to other people like the kitchen staff. So - if you get bad service, make sure to make it a point to speak to a manager on your way out or call back after you leave. It will get the point across that you did not appreciate the service but you won't be jipping others off who did work for that tip. (unless your food sucked too...then I just don't know) =) just food for thought!!
Thx for all the GREAAAAAAAAAAAT comments everyone, it's always interesting hearing these opinions. And a special thx to those sharing their serving experience! That inside scoop is totally sexy. I never even knew that some places pile all the tips together and then split it all up later?! Very interesting...and kinda sad for those doing a killer job and putting up w/ the slack a$$es.
Keep an eye out for this stuff over the weekend and let's see if you can catch any of of the tricks ;) And if you're waiter/waitress does an excellent job - make sure to tell someone! And of course leave a nice tip...
Oh, the name game - my father TORTURED a Friday's waitress once:
Waitress: Hi, my name is Tracy and I'll be your waitress this afternoon.
Dad, in exactly the same chirpy, sing-songy script tone as Waitress: Hi, Tracy. My name is T--, this is my lovely wife D--, my three kids Kate, M--, T-- Jr., and my future son-in-law J--. We will be your customers for the next hour or so.
Poor Tracy had no idea how to handle the gentle mocking. Dad took it easy on her after that, since she was too young and nervous to give it back to him.
awww, poor girl! hopefully she was a mean one and not too nice or it prob. got to her :( there's a fine line between sincere chipperness, and fake chipperness...if it's genuine, then i'm 'bout it, 'bout it! kinda like this beer in front of me now...mmm...beeeeeer...
My husband said there's nothing wrong with #3. Maybe I'll start serving dinner that way. Hey, I could always snowflake those tips to my savings. LOL.
I currently work as a bartender. When someone runs up a tab but doesn't leave a tip, I always ask them, "Were you unhappy with your service this evening?" That usually does the trick to have them leave a tip. Maybe it's because it is done in front of anyone who is standing around (there is no semi private place behind a bar to ask the question) or maybe it is because they realize they are being a cheap skate.
If, for some reason, I am working the floor of the bar, it gets a little more upfront. I don't have to serve you. If I wait on a table twice and do not receive a tip, I don't go back to the table. If I know a table of people are non-tippers, I don't even bother going over to the table. There are plenty of people in the bar who do tip and those are the ones who get serviced from waitresses.
Basically, I am not going to work for you all night long for free. And that is exactly what non-tippers are doing - causing people to work for free. Oh wait, for $2.33 an hour minus tip-outs and minus taxes, so really, they are causes waitstaff to PAY to work.
i hear ya sista! pretty bad a$$ that you're a bartender too....you happen to work in DC by chance? cuz if so i'll totally hit up your joint. and i'll leave a tip :)
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