However, I’m thinking about your comment about a “measly 15% tip” to a server who’s serving 6-12 tables.

That probably averages what? – $40 per top (avg of 3 folks $12-15 per). That’s $240-$480, 15% tip is $36-$72. assume 1-1+30 hour per table that’s a minimum of $24 an hour in tips. Assume they only average half that (in number of tables, people at table, size of sale or size of tip) and we’re still talking $12 an hour. Tip-out 30% of that for other staff (who, if they’re doing a good job are making you look good) and you’re still talking $7-8 an hour on top of your base salary which is at least minimum wage (not $2.13) here in Oregon.

I don’t think that $14-15 a hour is bad for waiting tables at a chain restaurant. I’d guess that your yard care folks who are working hard outside in the heat/cold & rain don’t take home more than that. Both are hard jobs. I wouldn’t chose either for a career myself and I complement you for doing a good job at a hard task.

There are must be many aggravations about relying on customers to tip fairly for the service they recieve and management forcing tip-out or arbitrarily taxing or basing tip-out on ticket amounts, not actual tips.

However, I think that here in OR, where we require restaurants to pay minimum wage and not allow tip credits, that servers are fairly paid compared to other jobs.

I just recently put my 2 weeks notice in at a popular national chain of restaurants. Server days are finally over! Woo Hoo.

Most places (even local pubs and dining spots) require servers to tip out a pretty decent percentage of their tips to other employees. Those people in the background that the table never sees. I wish more people understood this when considering what they think is a good tip. Especially when they think the service wasn’t up to their standards. I’ve found that most peoples standards are a little to high.

You really need to work in this enviroment to understand how hard of a job it really is. In your big national chains servers might only have 3 table sections and thats a big part of why they are able to be so hands on. But when you go to Mcmenamins, Laurelwood and other local places like that you have to realize that your server is probably running a six to twelve table section. Try keeping that many people happy at the same time and you will understand why some servers are less than happy when they get your measly 15 percent tip.

I could go on and on but I will just leave you with the moral of the story. Perhaps some people should or would lower their expectations (I certainly dont mean you should have to tolerate someone being an asshole when I say this) if they would consider what their server is actually doing and how hard they are working. And second, tip more. Most of the time the difference is a buck or two and if you can’t afford it, eat at home!

That means that s/he actually lost money by waiting on you.

Does s/he deserve it?

When you get bad service at Nordstrom, do you reach over and take money out of the salespersons purse?

I think not.

When I first moved here I was shocked that servers made minimum wage or greater and tips – and decided that was why service in Portland seemed on average – pretty bad. They were making as much as me on salary – the tips were above and beyond.

I do tip well – 15-20% depending on service. But I will absolutely go lower if the service is poor.

In states that pay the $2.13 p/hr tip credit wage, they also pay servers at buffets (like Sweet Tomatoes, JJ North’s and the like) that same low wage.

Most people don’t tip, or tip very little at buffets, but remember, the server who is bringing your soda to the table is making 2.13 p/hr for it – and usually getting stiffed by the majority of customers.

Thinking of it makes me feel dead inside. I always tip 30% when I (infrequently) visit a buffet.

Another thing that stings is that most establishments in these same states basically get their servers to work for free because their 2.13 p/hr pay check is usually zeroed out for taxes of tips. Do you think their menu prices reflect that? Of course not.