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Tips for Tipping

Dear Thelma:

I am 23 and working as a waitress at two different places to make the ends meet. I have been told millions of times that I am a great waitress. What gives with the 4 percent to 9 percent tips? I work my butt off beyond what my tables see and only get paid $2.13 per hour. I am just fed up with, for example, a $76 ticket on 6 people and only getting a $2 tip, when I ran my butt off for them. What gives?!

Answer:

It should be no shock to people that in a restaurant there is a tip due good service. It's been communicated so universally that tipping rates are 15 to 20 percent that no one can claim ignorance.

What people may be unaware of is the importance of the tip to a server. Diners may feel like the tip is something extra, a perk. A closer look reveals that tipped employees may work under a special, reduced minimum wage, which varies from state to state but is set at a federal minimum of $2.13 an hour. The server, restaurant owner and the IRS expect that tips from diners will make up the difference.

If we as diners are accustomed to good service, then we should be accustomed to tipping at least the standard 15 percent. If we expect good service and receive it, then our consciences should bother us greatly if we leave a poor tip or tip a flat amount no matter where we go or what we order.

Good manners are behind a gracious tip, and good manners never go out of style.