Comments on: My Experiences Working Easter Brunch

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:00:15 +0000

Trish,

I am shocked … how could THE CHEF’s FAMILY…NOT leave a tip? That is just plain RUDE.

I too worked in the food industry on and off while I was working other jobs. I could just about tell who would and wouldn’t leave a tip, just by the way the acted, and sometimes, I was left standing with nothing to show for my very HARD and DEDICATED work…

Because of this, I too am a very generous tipper, only because I know what goes into being a server. (that must be it…people can’t really be THAT clueless, could they)?

I was hoping you had a wonderful Easter…I’m so sorry…

Hugs,
Amy

By: curlywurlygurly

curlywurlygurly — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:30:46 +0000

i read an interesting book on a woman’s life as a waitress–called ‘waiting’ and it gave me a bird’s eye view to life in the service industry–it is shocking how rude people can be to waitresses and waiters. anyone who can do the job has my respect.

[Edited by trish: That was a pretty good book. The first few pages probably had the best description of what it's like to be a server.]

By: Heather (errantdreams)

Heather (errantdreams) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:27:21 +0000

Wow. I’m so sorry to hear about that.

When I was growing up, many of my relatives always felt that the 15% was what you gave for outstanding service, and that anything less than that and you gave less.

Then I spent a summer or two as a waitress in a cruddy cafe, and learned all about things like the fact that many servers make less than minimum wage because their tips are counted as part of what they’re supposed to make. So if I really, really hate the service (and boy does a server have to go out of his way to piss me off—he has to pretty much be a deliberate jackass), I’ll just give exactly 15% and not a penny more. I almost always give 20%, and rarely have been known to give 25% when the server really went out of his way to be nice and helpful.

And I always, ALWAYS, tip based on the full value of the meal, not what I paid for it. When we go to my favorite restaurant we often have a coupon for a free dessert, or we have a gift card from my mother for dinner. But that doesn’t change how much work went into serving us.

I’m amazed you could keep an upbeat view of the industry for so long, and I hope that things get easier now that you’re getting married. Congratulations, by the way!

By: bkclubcare

bkclubcare — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:01:48 +0000

AH, yes. People can be awful. I’m sure you are a terrific server! People also don’t realize that one should tip on take out service, as well. Servers are taxed on the dollar amts they serve regardless of in house or out. And your point about the appreciation is important just as much if not more than the money – right on! Respect, consideration, and kindness go a long way.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 04:56:38 +0000

Wow… I’d have to say those two experiences sound equally crappy! People can be shocking sometimes.

By: Literary Feline

Literary Feline — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:05:50 +0000

I’m so sorry, Trish! I have never worked in the food industry, I admit, but a good friend of mine did, including as a cocktail waitress, and she shared enough of her stories with me that I always tip at least 20% and more if the service was extra good. And that goes for other service professions too, not just food servers. On holidays, especially like today, I always go the extra mile–who wants to work the holidays? Well, maybe some people, but still . . . I give them extra credit for putting up with my laziness on the holidays.

By: lisamm

lisamm — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:31:41 +0000

I think everyone should have to work in food service at least once in their lives. It’s such hard work, and what an education you get in human nature! I’m sorry you had to spend Easter with rude customers. Hope your evening was better.

By: jenefur

jenefur — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:25:45 +0000

Wow! How rude! We get gift certs for Christmas a lot and even though our meal is free to us, we ALWAYS leave a tip based on what the bill is (and more if the service was great!)

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:52:12 +0000

I worked in food all through high school and college, totaling almost 9 years (6 of them waiting tables, the first 3 working at a carry-out place). The stories I have about the awfulness of some people could fill volumes, no joke. Especially since when I went to college I worked 2 jobs at a time in a total of 4 different restaurants, in a small town in central Illinois (let’s just say the people in this particular town were not the MOST respectable, if you know what I mean…) … man can people be shitty. So I definitely, definitely feel you, and I’m sorry you had to spend your Easter with those jerks.
Now I work as a Personal Banker… turns out people are not any less rude when they’re doing their banking than when they’re dining out….

By: Will Entrekin

Will Entrekin — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:42:58 +0000

I’m with Wendy; I’ve only ever left less than 20% if I was particularly dissatisfied. Mostly, I do at least that (because it’s easy math for my writer brain); for particularly good service, though, I might leave double. Because there are some few servers who accomplish something rare; making you feel not as though you’re a customer but a guest. Especially when the restaurant is spectacularly busy.

I remember an old Third Rock episode where John Lithgow (who played an alien, for anyone not familiar) put a stack of twenty dollar bills on the table, and throughout the meal made a spectacle of adding to (or taking away from) the stack, one bill at a time.

Lithgow, of course, made it simply hysterical, because he’s brilliant.

Happy Easter; hope you finish it with some good spring rituals, at least.