A good meal = good tips
About thirty years ago I held one of the best jobs I ever had: hostess at a restaurant on weekends. I truly enjoyed the camaraderie with the customers and got to know them and their seating preferences. I also became very familiar with the wait staff and the system works.
I would often find one of the servers crying in the ladies room because after bending backwards serving a table of 8 or 10 diners, they would leave her loose change on the table. That meant that she paid for part of that party’s dinner. Let me explain: At the end of the shift, the computer produces a print–out for the total sales she had that day or evening. That goes on record for her W-2 Form at the end of the year and the Internal Revenue Service estimates that she had a 17% gratuities total. So, she ends up paying taxes on the tip she didn’t receive, according to the IRS.
A few nights ago we were having a wonderful dinner at Olive Garden in Methuen and when the server, Danielle, came by to check if we were satisfied, we started talking about several things. I always admired the work they do and when the quality of the meal matches that of the service, you have the combination for a great evening.
I bluntly asked her about tipping habits in this area and, while she wanted to be candid, she demonstrated job satisfaction in general. That is something that bothers me because my restaurant experience showed me that they depend on gratuities for their income.
Serve staff earns a very minimum hourly salary and that is to our advantage. If they receive a competitive wage with other industries, can you imagine how much that meal would cost you? Also, I am sure the service would suffer because there will not be the incentive (tip) to serve you better.
Some restaurants offer tipping suggestions on the bill for 10%, 15% or even 20% of the total, with 15% being an average. Take that into consideration the next time you have a good meal and good service – be generous! Even if the meal is deficient, call the manager but don’t penalize her.
