Discussions

Pinkbutterflies said "I never expect a tip, and try to give the best service I can with a smile. However, something I do expect of guests is respect. "

Sadly, you should not have to worry that "customers" will be respectful. I find manners and basic courtesy is slipping away more and more.  
 
I heard a story from a friend a few weeks back which made me very sad. Her daughter, at her first job, slipped and dropped something which damaged the food of this "customer". The daughter apologized and replaced the food right away, but according to the mother they angrily cornered this poor kid after all was said and done and berated her anyway. That really made me sad for the state of manners and decency.  
 
My daughter works at a fast food place. She was noticing that most people don't say "thank you" at all in the space of a transaction- not when you give them change, not when you hand them their meal, not even when you get them something extra that they have asked for, like say extra napkins. Very, very sad.  
 
Your post reminded me of the adage "the customer is always right" - well, sorry, but that is a myth. Courtesy and effort goes both ways.  
 
Just because you are paying for a service or food or products, does not give anyone the right to treat the person supplying the service or products like an inferior being. Paying your bill does not replace a "thank you" either.

The menu said grilled cheese with cheddar & mozza , when I got it, it was a cheese slice, I didn't complain, just didn't tip, sometimes there's a reason we don't tip or return, sorry

it seems to me that if a company is charging a employee that is making min wage a 3-5% charge of there wage that they are breaking the labor law

The 3-5% does not get taken from wage.ever. It is calculated at the end of every shift from food sales and the server must pay it before they leave. This money is paid for through tips they have received throughout their shift and it goes to the cooks, bartenders etc.  
It would be illegal: however, if employers were taking money off the employees pay cheque. But that is not the case.  
 
I've been a server for a long time in several different establishments and cities. I've personally never had to pay out of pocket to cover a 3% tip share. But I am sure someone out there has not been so lucky.  
 
Unfortunately, the way tipping goes in formal dining, things aren't going to change any time soon. So im just going to tip regardless, it may just make someone's day a little brighter.

I may like to add that there is no law saying you cannot tip other services that aren't considered "customary" either. If you think the gas jockey has done a wonderful job and feel like slipping them a couple bucks to say thanks, then go for it! :-)

I'm sick of tipping absolutely everybody!! When I was a server/bartender I never expected tips ever. Of course they were appreciated but I honestly felt bad if people tried to give me a tip that was too large. For me, $2 was more than enough. And it was ridiculous for me to get $5 or $10 and I would tell people to keep it for the next round of drinks. To me, you want people to be spending their money in the establishment. But then again, I never had a tip out so maybe I would feel differently if I had to split tips. I genuinely love being a server or a bartender though. I love interacting with people and I always said that if money was no issue in my life that my dream job would be to waitress or own my own restaurant.  
 
As for other professions, I tip once a year at Christmas and leave a larger amount ($20-$50) depending on the place and how often I frequent the establishment. This actually saves me money instead of tipping 15% each time and I think they appreciate the extra cash at Christmas. Who knows though, maybe they hate that I do that and I've just convinced myself that they like it! Lol

.. said "The menu said grilled cheese with cheddar & mozza , when I got it, it was a cheese slice, I didn't complain, just didn't tip, sometimes there's a reason we don't tip or return, sorry "

wouldn't you say something to the server who in turn could send a manager over? I'm not saying you should have tipped but how will this rectify the issue?

If there was a restaurant that didn't take tips, I would go there.  
Cause when I go to a restaurant its because I want to eat decent food. Im on the go. Im hungry. That's why I'm there.  
I don't care about "service". I dont need the attention. I just want sit down and be left alone to my thoughts and enjoy my food. I dont need to be asked "how I'm making out" 6x throughout my meal, and I definitely don't need to be asked "hows everything tasting" another half dozen times when my mouth is full and Im half-choking trying to swallow so I can respond.  
And then I'm expected to pay for these constant disturbances I never asked for.

My niece and her husband (from rural SK) went to Vancouver on their honeymoon. They met my daughter and her boyfriend at a restaurant. My neice and husband left a tip but the server thought it wasn't large enough and berated them in front everybody in the restaurant. My niece was so upset but didn't say anything. Wish I had been there! I don't anger easy buy I would have given that server a piece of my mind.

If the service is excellent. I don't tip for mediocrity... I'm very selective on who I tip. Where I used to get my hair done, I'd pay $150 for a cut and colour. I stopped tipping and stopped going there period. Unbelievable prices to get your hair done!!