Dr Phil and tipping

azgirl · Jul 29, 2003

I tried it once. The $2.13 an hour was horrible and I learned rapidly about the two hours work at that wage without customers. I hadn't been aware of that. I would get groups of kids come over after a movie and run my legs off with repeat sundaes and more pop and then leave a dime and take the lids off salt and pepper shakers and sugar and trash the place. Or the drunks who came in and stayed for hours and left a quarter. In between those I would get regular real customers and tips but balance it out and it was a horrible wage. I've had people tell the stories of making $125 a night working waitress work but I got about $10 to $20 and that sure was not worth it. Not even to mention nasty people.

Sort of makes nursing look good to remember that.

colleen10 · Jul 29, 2003

Cervix, those people would be served sneezers in an instant!

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 29, 2003

Having been a waitress lemme tell ya, you EARN those tips. some will stiff you cause they are cheapbutts no matter what you do ---bend over backward to please them and they will still screw you. It's no bed of roses.

But then, neither is nursing. At least we can count a base pay, tho. In waitressing, no such thing. You are dependent on the good graces of the people you serve, period.

happy03 · Jul 29, 2003

I can sooooo relate. Getting that $0 check is not too much fun! I waited tables after college, made decent $$, but people did not realize that we live off tips, literally. I worked in a high-tourist area, and there was an ESL school above us. We had a big crowd of people from other countries who didn't understand our tipping process. They'd order $40-$60 worth of food and then leave 25 cents.
Also we had to tip out the bar, bussers, and food runners out of our tips. So if I ended up making 10% at the end of a shift, I still had to tip everyone else out of that. It's a tough job and one I would NEVER return to.

This is so true! I have been a waitress and let me tell you the work is hard and the pay is totally unpredictable. Most places you do have to share your tips, plus the IRS gets theirs. I had weeks where I literally made nothing. Honestly some people are incredibly cheap. Many refuse to leave any tip, including people who are obviously well off.

To those who are worried that your tip may mean your server is earning more than you? I think that is a fallacy. I would say only those servers who work at the most expensive restaurants come close to approaching the wage of an average nurse. Most are struggling students, single moms--people who REALLY need your tips to survive. This is one of the most common lines of work for women.

The harsh reality in this world is that any profession that is dominated by women, skilled or unskilled, pays far less than comparable work that is dominated by men. The average wage goes up in these professions when more men enter them. It's tragic, but women generally make .75 on the dollar that men make. Why on earth would a plumber make more than a nurse? Unfortunately in our society men are still consider the breadwinners and this antiquated attitude is why so called "women's work" is so undervalued.

Anyway I'm an awesome tipper! I tip well not only because I have done this kind of work, but also because I know how badly these people need my tips to survive. If the food is awful I don't take it out on my server!

PennyLane, RN · Jul 29, 2003

Originally posted by RN,@yourCervix
This is really bad......A lady I used to work with told me her and her husband often go out to eat, but their way of leaving a tip was to place 10-12 $1 bills on the table at the beginning and he would tell the waiter or waitress, " This is your tip......You can have ALL of it....BUT if our drinks ever go below this level (pointing to the glass) I will remove a dollar.......If our food is bad, I'll remove a dollar......If you don't come back right away.....I'll remove a dollar" ...blah blah blah...

How lame.....In my mind.....I don't want to piss off the person(s) serving me.....You never know what they can do to the food before they bring out to you......!!

Oh wow that guy would get horrible service from me, I'm afraid. I don't put up with people belittling me just because they can wave a couple of dollars in my face. Often times if someone's check was, say, $50 and they gave me $52 ($2 tip), I'd come back and say, "Here's your change! Have a great evening!!!" with a huge smile on my face.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2003

I tip well too, because my daughter waited tables while in college and she really worked hard and these people are "somebody's" child. I just meant that the whole idea ought to be re-evaluated.

Brita01 · Jul 29, 2003

Does anyone know if you're expected to leave a tip for the person who takes your order and brings your food to you in a bag in a take out situation? Applebees or Outback Steakhouse to go, for example.

Cynthiann · Jul 29, 2003

Originally posted by Brita01
Does anyone know if you're expected to leave a tip for the person who takes your order and brings your food to you in a bag in a take out situation? Applebees or Outback Steakhouse to go, for example.

In the restaurants I've worked in you're not expected to tip these people but they do greatly appreciate any tips that they do get.

Keely-FutureRN · Jul 29, 2003

I used to work in a small cafe where I cooked, cleaned, washed dishes, cleared tables, cleaned bathrooms, and stocked shelves at the end of the night. I made minimum wage ($5.15) and I got around 2 dollars in tips each shift. I ALWAYS tip 20% and give my hairstylist $10.00 when I get my hair cut. I live by my own motto. "Tip unto others as you would want to be tipped.":chuckle

Keely

Rustyhammer · Jul 29, 2003

I tip for good service, friendly (but knows when to get lost) attitude and knowledge of the restaurant.

As far as hairstylists I had to take my son for a haircut the other day and I had never been to one of those places before. I asked the cutter what was an acceptable tip. She replied, "whatever you feel it's worth". I asked again telling her I had never been to a barber and holding up my braid. She wouldn't give me an amt. but the cut was $15 dollars (or about) so I think I left her a couple of bucks. She should have just asked for a 5.

ok I'm rambling. What I wanted to comment on was the comment that the IRS gets theirs.

Why would you work for tips and claim them? Are you insane?

We don't even pay tax at extablished businesses here. Example, buy some gravel, pay cash, no tax.

get your car repaired. cash= no tax on the bill

Don't claim your tips!

-Russell

iliel · Jul 29, 2003

I know someone in town who works for a very popular bar. He's a "flair" bartender (think the move "cocktail") He makes around 100,000 a year, he works 6-7 days a week, always nights. He's been there for 2 years, but his job isn't safe. The fist time he screws up, he's out of there, there is always someone waiting to take his job.

I think his hourly wage is around 5.15, his money comes in tips. He lives, eats and breathes his job, he hates it.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jul 29, 2003

I agree, I tip according to good service, and typically I tip about 30-35% on excellent service. Had one incident a few years ago at Olive Garden when my server was one of thee in the whole restaurant and it was Christmas Eve and the place was beyond packed. I saw this guy running all over the place and being friendly to everyone, busing the tables as well and despite all of this chaos, he was STILL the best server I've ever encountered of all time. The bill was 45 dollars, he received 50 for a tip.

Now that WAS a lot, but I don't go out that often, but he showed a ton of professionalism and he definately earned it.