Don't forget to tip your server
Wendy Miller
Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Opinion
They cater to your every need, keep your drinks filled, work for less than minimum wage and take the blame for everything that could possibly go wrong during your dining experience. Who are they?
They are your waiter or waitress at your favorite restaurant. The majority of restaurants do not automatically include gratuity in the bill, no matter how expensive it might be. So, if you walk away from your table and don't leave a tip, that server doesn't get paid for the work he or she did to ensure you were taken care of during your visit.
Those pretty little bundles of silverware on your table, yeah, your server rolled those, lots of those. The bottles and napkin dispensers do not fill themselves, yeah, your server takes care of that too.
I have been a cashier in a buffet-style restaurant for more than two years. I see our servers come in before the hourly workers and normally leave after them. I think servers do more work than almost anyone in our restaurant, me included.
Every now and then, I take a step onto the floor to wait tables so I can make some extra cash, but I don't find it to be fun. It is incredibly degrading and discouraging when you have to clean up after a table that could afford to pay for a $50 meal for four people, but can't leave any money on the table for tip. It's not fair, but what can I do about it? Nothing.
Servers work long hours on their feet and get filthy, but still manage to greet you at your table with a smile. All this work and they get paid less than $3 an hour, plus tips. That is the catch.
There are some instances when your server might not give your table the attention it deserves. Take a step back and evaluate the situation. If your server is talking with other employees or just not paying attention while you are waiting for refills, don't feel bad about leaving a poor tip or no tip. On the other hand, if you see your server waiting on several tables and is obviously overloaded, don't take it out on them. Chances are, they are not intentionally leaving you hanging and are just as unhappy with the situation as you are.
Sundays, ironically, tend to be one of the worst days to wait tables in my experience. The restaurant is packed and servers work twice as hard, but normally make less. Groups of 10 and 15 will sometimes walk away from their table leaving a "God Loves You" pamphlet but no money. I'm glad you are spreading God's word, but come on.
So, just remember that the man or woman who is filling your drinks next Sunday morning is missing church and lunch with their family to serve yours. Don't ever "stiff" your server. Even if you are not sure if the particular restaurant has a gratuity policy, throw a dollar down on your table. Something is always better than nothing. I promise, in the end, they deserve it.
Wendy is a junior journalism major from Dermott. You can contact her at wendy.miller@smail.astate.edu.
They are your waiter or waitress at your favorite restaurant. The majority of restaurants do not automatically include gratuity in the bill, no matter how expensive it might be. So, if you walk away from your table and don't leave a tip, that server doesn't get paid for the work he or she did to ensure you were taken care of during your visit.
Those pretty little bundles of silverware on your table, yeah, your server rolled those, lots of those. The bottles and napkin dispensers do not fill themselves, yeah, your server takes care of that too.
I have been a cashier in a buffet-style restaurant for more than two years. I see our servers come in before the hourly workers and normally leave after them. I think servers do more work than almost anyone in our restaurant, me included.
Every now and then, I take a step onto the floor to wait tables so I can make some extra cash, but I don't find it to be fun. It is incredibly degrading and discouraging when you have to clean up after a table that could afford to pay for a $50 meal for four people, but can't leave any money on the table for tip. It's not fair, but what can I do about it? Nothing.
Servers work long hours on their feet and get filthy, but still manage to greet you at your table with a smile. All this work and they get paid less than $3 an hour, plus tips. That is the catch.
There are some instances when your server might not give your table the attention it deserves. Take a step back and evaluate the situation. If your server is talking with other employees or just not paying attention while you are waiting for refills, don't feel bad about leaving a poor tip or no tip. On the other hand, if you see your server waiting on several tables and is obviously overloaded, don't take it out on them. Chances are, they are not intentionally leaving you hanging and are just as unhappy with the situation as you are.
Sundays, ironically, tend to be one of the worst days to wait tables in my experience. The restaurant is packed and servers work twice as hard, but normally make less. Groups of 10 and 15 will sometimes walk away from their table leaving a "God Loves You" pamphlet but no money. I'm glad you are spreading God's word, but come on.
So, just remember that the man or woman who is filling your drinks next Sunday morning is missing church and lunch with their family to serve yours. Don't ever "stiff" your server. Even if you are not sure if the particular restaurant has a gratuity policy, throw a dollar down on your table. Something is always better than nothing. I promise, in the end, they deserve it.
Wendy is a junior journalism major from Dermott. You can contact her at wendy.miller@smail.astate.edu.
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