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GGG · 04-03-2014, 10:51 AM

I quit tipping based on service. It was one of the links in the last Springs debacle where an owner was talking about a restaurant he ran where tips weren't permitted at all and the psychology of tipping.

Essentially tipping doesn't work and it incentivises poor service. A waitress makes the most money on tips by serving the most tables not by providing good service. So the more tables the waiter can get into his section the better he'll do.

At this restaurant they just charged a flat 18% service fee and you couldn't leave more or less. (If you left more it just went to charity, not to the waitstaff.) So I have adopted this approach and just tip a flat 15% regardless of level of service. I don't need to be invloved in a performance review at the end of the meal. If I have a problem with the service I will do what I do at any other place of business and speak to a manager.

Tipping is really about power and control. About middle aged men controlling young women. About making a monkey dance for its food. It really is an archaic practice. It treats servers as if they have no ethics and only do a good job for money. Good servers are good servers because they are good servers, not because they want extra tips. If you get a raise do you perform better? I certainly don't. I perform at the same level.

So take yourself and your judgement out of the equation. Quit punishing people for percieved wrongs as they are likely doing their best. Pick a number before you go in and tip that number and don't worry about it.

04-03-2014, 10:51 AM	#37
GGG Franchise Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Exp:	I quit tipping based on service. It was one of the links in the last Springs debacle where an owner was talking about a restaurant he ran where tips weren't permitted at all and the psychology of tipping. Essentially tipping doesn't work and it incentivises poor service. A waitress makes the most money on tips by serving the most tables not by providing good service. So the more tables the waiter can get into his section the better he'll do. At this restaurant they just charged a flat 18% service fee and you couldn't leave more or less. (If you left more it just went to charity, not to the waitstaff.) So I have adopted this approach and just tip a flat 15% regardless of level of service. I don't need to be invloved in a performance review at the end of the meal. If I have a problem with the service I will do what I do at any other place of business and speak to a manager. Tipping is really about power and control. About middle aged men controlling young women. About making a monkey dance for its food. It really is an archaic practice. It treats servers as if they have no ethics and only do a good job for money. Good servers are good servers because they are good servers, not because they want extra tips. If you get a raise do you perform better? I certainly don't. I perform at the same level. So take yourself and your judgement out of the equation. Quit punishing people for percieved wrongs as they are likely doing their best. Pick a number before you go in and tip that number and don't worry about it.