Wow, couldn't believe this "Recommend Tip" handwritten on the check!!!

[ChefinSac]

I have seen this before also. It is annoying because you want to feel like you can tip whatever you feel like but I think it's a method they use to make sure the wait staff are tipped fairly. Alot of people leave lousy tips I used to work as a server.

[bundens]

I used to work for tips for 5 years. I know exactly what's going on with this. Although I don't condone it, I would never do it and I think it does exactly opposite of what you want.
so one of three things could have happened to warrant this.


1. Either you (probably not)..or more likely somebody in your party frequents the place and either leaves no tip or bad tips.

2. They stereotyped you and felt that somebody LIKE you wouldn't leave a good enough tip or a tip at all (terrible, happens all the time by rude servers though..they usually don't have enough gall to let you know they're stereotyping you though)

or 3 and MOST LIKELY
the customer base hardly ever leaves enough tip and or the server is about to quit over it or totally fed up.

A lot of times servers have bad days, just like anybody else. And who knows you may have been her/his last table and he/she may have only made 10 bucks that day, even tho they busted tail all day. It's really frustrating when you livelihood depends on what other people will give you.

Personally why I would NEVER EVER EVER work for tips again, no matter what the circumstance. People, just never really have a lot of respect for you. A lot of people are sick and twisted and feel entitled in the position of deciding how much you make.

It's terrible what happened but those are the reasons it would have happened. All I can say is to look past it and next time you have a problem, confront the waiter and ask for an honest answer of why they felt they needed to write that down and then tip as you would.

It should stop the culprit from their crap the next time.

[sheffy]

I am English and maybe things are different over here but in my book it should be left to the customer whether he or she leaves a tip and for most peope this would depend on the quality of the service and the meal. Was the meal served quickly? was it nice? was it served with a smile? was the waiter polite and courteous and friendly? All these things should be taken into account and a tip left accordingly.

[Ninja_59]

I just hate seeing that written down

[KYHeirloomer]

I find it interesting that everyone assumes the server wrote that in on her own. Maybe that wasn't the case.

I ran into exactly that situation, once. Turns out it was house policy for the serviers to hand-write the tipping info. The owner felt it was more personal that way; in the same sense that the server writes "thank you, Shirley" on the bill.

I sent him a note telling him he was stone-cold wrong, and that rather than seeing it as a favor, most people would resent it.

As for me, whether hand-written or computer generated I resent seeing tipping amounts on a bill. There's an implication that I somehow or other owe more than the total.

Bzzt! Wrong! Thanks for playing. But I make that determination for myself---both the whether to, and the amount.

[RPMcMurphy]

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

I find it interesting that everyone assumes the server wrote that in on her own. Maybe that wasn't the case.

Nope...very small restaurant...saw her prepping the bill...

she was the hostess, waitress, and server.

[KYHeirloomer]

What's the difference between a waitress and a server?

The question is, was she the owner? And, if not, was she acting on her own, or was she following orders?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to justify what might have been an apalling act on her part. And God knows, the level of service overall, nowdays, is incredibly bad (which might explain why those working for tips aren't making any money). But it's possible there is another side to that particular story.

[oldschool1982]

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

What's the difference between a waitress and a server?

The question is, was she the owner? And, if not, was she acting on her own, or was she following orders?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to justify what might have been an apalling act on her part. And God knows, the level of service overall, nowdays, is incredibly bad (which might explain why those working for tips aren't making any money). But it's possible there is another side to that particular story.

What does it matter about the other side of that particular storyanyway? IMHPO, an owner that truly cares about the perception of the business, wouldn't condone nor institute such a policy. Like you've already said, it's

stone-cold wrong, and that rather than seeing it as a favor, most people would resent it.

None the less you seem to be arguing a point for a policy that certainly doesn't belong in a Hospitality oriented industry especially since the orientation of the industry says it all. Hospitality.

In all my years I'd never seen or heard of such a policy by an owner, management or concept. However I have seen in certain markets where there's a break-down at the bottom of the computer generated check of what 5,10, 15 or 20% of the total would be. This would help folks out in calculating the tip but by no means was it an endorsement of what should be left.

Writing what you think the tip should be or allowing it to be done is just as intolerable a concept as condoning the chasing of a guest inside and/or outside of the building to confront them on what they left. To ask them what was wrong or how could things be done better is acceptable only by a manager or owner, but not to discuss the tip or lack there of.

The industry may have a standard or norm but Tips (To Insure Prompt Service) is completely perceptive on all sides. Because of this the system of tipping may be an imperfect one but it does work when all parties follow proper etiquette and procedure.

[yorvo]

This topic could be discussed forever as peoples opinions on tipping differ. Tipping is a hidden cost in dining. You are subsidizing their wages. Of course an owner doesn't want it to appear as if you have to tip. But you do. There was a time when a server made a standard minimum wage. Tips where an extra. Ever since the IRS got involved the industry has gotten away with paying less than the standard minimum wage. Passing the payroll on to you the diner. Times have changed but the attitude toward tipping has not. We still expect to get our butts kissed as we hold that dollar over a servers head. Personally punishing someone for not filling our coffee every time we were ready. I think the service has got to be pretty bad to not warrant a tip. And if it was that bad it demands a complaint to the manager. Stiffing your server doesn't teach anyone a lesson.

[LollaRossa]

Tip-Ping is not a city in China.

[KYHeirloomer]

>None the less you seem to be arguing a point for a policy.....<

If you actually read what I wrote, Oldschool, it obvious that I'm not arguing anything.

I'm just pointing out that the server involved may have been following orders to do what she did.

Doesn't mean I condone it. Doesn't mean I'm in favor of it. Doesn't mean I'm arguing for or against it.

>that certainly doesn't belong in a Hospitality oriented industry "

Yeah, well. As long as you claim to have been around, I can't believe you're unaware of the simple fact that there are a lot of people in the hospitality industries that shouldn't be.

Every one of us could tell stories.

[oldschool1982]

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

>None the less you seem to be arguing a point for a policy.....<

If you actually read what I wrote, Oldschool, it obvious that I'm not arguing anything.

I'm just pointing out that the server involved may have been following orders to do what she did.

Doesn't mean I condone it. Doesn't mean I'm in favor of it. Doesn't mean I'm arguing for or against it.

>that certainly doesn't belong in a Hospitality oriented industry "

Yeah, well. As long as you claim to have been around, I can't believe you're unaware of the simple fact that there are a lot of people in the hospitality industries that shouldn't be.

Every one of us could tell stories.

Just my perception although, as I try to with every post I reply to, I did read your reply thoroughly. I also understood completely that you were not trying to "justify" the action or policy yet......by presenting the "other-side" or a possible speculation of it, it did appear to promote an argument for an understanding of why it was done. Like I said and IMHPO, the policy, either stated or implemented, doesn't belong in the proper scheme of things.

Yes I have been around for a while there is no disputing that but how did you get the perception that I was "unaware of the simple fact that there are a lot of people in the hospitality industries that shouldn't be." That couldn't be further from the reality of things. I am or have been aware, and quite painfully at times, that there are a good many people working with-in the hospitality industry that do not belong there. I have certainly experienced more than my fair share. I once was sickened by the way they did things but then realized that I was just a small cog in the continually breaking down machine that I was attached to. Although I never threw my hands up in the air, I have been a casualty and lost a job or position on more than one occasion based on the Principle of things. I will certainly starve in a principle and avoid feasting on complacency! Again IMHPO, I would like to add that there are also a good many people that are associated with and around the hospitality industry that do not belong as well. Either as purveyors, writers, critics, teachers, etc, etc, etc not to mention the countless numbers of guests that seem to be out to abuse the system, servers and the customer service policies plus remain ignorant to the actual idea behind things.

There is much I'd like to change but I'm not in charge today.

[bundens]

I'm sure there are a lot of people that shouldn't be in the hospitality or food industry (just like a lot of other industries)...seems like in every industry I come across nowadays (whether it requires a degree or not)..nobody can do their job right.

But a lot of servers (the politically correct term, so you know)...DO IN FACT CARE...and like their job. But the demand is very high for food service workers given the amount of lazy fata$$es that live in this country..and as long as that remains fact, we're all bound to run into the "I hate my job" server.
Not everybody is as fortunate to be a professional opinion giver.

As for me agreeing with some of what has been said i find it appalling when somebody says:


Bzzt! Wrong! Thanks for playing. But I make that determination for myself---both the whether to, and the amount.

That is precisely why I don't work for tips anymore. the reason it isn't an hourly job..is because we're capitalistic Americans who need motivation to perform well...the same reason a vast majority of people are paid on commission...and given bonuses...
But I do not find it acceptable to stiff somebody who only makes 2 bucks an change an hour..unless they visibly spit in my food or personally offended me I always find at least a dollar per person sitting at the table...no matter what restaurant I'm frequenting

It's all called class, some people obviously have none...
It's just plain disgusting not to leave a couple bucks is almost like stealing...only you're doing at it out of the pocket somebody who just waiting hand and foot on you.

[sheffy]

I think you may have misunderstood me earlier on. Are you saying that in U.S. it is possible that people are working for just tips alone and not being paid a living wage?
My comments re:" it is left to the diner to decide if s/he has had good service and whether or not to tip "was based on U.K. culture. In U.K. everyone is paid on or above a minimum wage. It is a living wage. Catering staff are paid a wage they can live on. Tips are seen as extra if they have done a good job. A treat on top of a their wage. It, therefore, encourages good service etc. This is surely a better system?

It does vary from country to country round the world. In Australia a tip is looked on as being patronising and a relic from the class system and is not done. It is seen as a bit of an insult becomes it smacks of "Jack is not as good as his master".

In Italy, for instance, the price on the menu is nothing like the price you can end up paying. They slap on a cover charge which depends on the location. I know this to my cost after a meal by The Grand Canal in Venice.
So, all things considered, if the waiter in U.S. is depending on the goodwill of patrons to live, wow! you should just smile and pay up, I think.

[yorvo]

Originally Posted by sheffy

Are you saying that in U.S. it is possible that people are working for just tips alone and not being paid a living wage?

Exactly. In the US servers are payed less than half of the minimum wage. After tax deductions for the 8% allocation many servers don't even get a paycheck. Your tips are there only income. This creates an environment where the server needs to "hustle" the table to make a living. This happened in the 80's when the IRS got involved. But yet the American diner likes to believe we are still in the 50's and a tip is a treat.