I tipped just $1 on last night's meal and apologized as I did

[CreekDog]

It was just one of those chain places but the server was really out of it and said "i have to go home" in the middle and then those who came after him walked by us without stopping a couple times and our dessert never came.

Finally we gave up and as we were paying the cashier, one person behind the counter offered our dessert to go (we were headed to the airport, but there was a little time to eat beforehand). that's why i tipped a solitary buck instead of nothing.

As I left, I said "I'm sorry, the service just was really bad this time..."

I almost always tip 20% and then round up. :shrug:

[kayakjohnny]

1. Good for you. They probably weren't surprised a bit.

Sometimes, they are just not into making a good impression.

You did well. Hopefully someone learned from it.

[uncommon]

2. Sometimes it just isn't warranted. I don't need a server to be my slave, but they should

be pleasant and timely and remember things. One slip is no big deal, but a really bad experience doesn't warrant a tip.

I say this as someone who always tips 20% or more as long as the service is reasonable.

[TZ]

3. I bet they think they got off easy

oooh I've heard about how people who get pissed off at bad service do really nasty things like pay their tip entirely in pennies or even no tip or put the money in the food..You are really a good guy.

[BeachBaby]

4. I served tables at summer camp, way back in the day.

Our job was to take their order, get their drinks, and essentially make sure that their dining experience was a pleasant one.

There were all walks of life at that campground - low-income to the wealthy. Some tipped very well, others tipped not so much; but, if there is one thing that disgusts me, it's the server who feels ENTITLED to the 15% tip, no matter how shitty a job they do. Just because it's recommended - and in some places, mandatory - to give 20%, doesn't mean that a server can take advantage of that by doing a less-than-their-best job.

While I fully empathize with the server who busts their butt serving a table of 8, only to see a $5 tip, I feel absolutely no responsibility to give a generous - or even average - tip to someone who couldn't care less about their customer(s).

[guitar man]

5. I don't blame you

I tip over the top for excellent service, but give me really shitty service and you might get nothing. that's the nature of the biz.

When my daughter was really small I used to always add an extra $5 to the tip because she would really make a mess of things, I certainly don't think the world exists to clean up after my kid.

but don't feel bad, if you got shit service and left a shit tip maube they will learn something from it.

[LostinVA]

6. I would have asked for the manager

Maybe gotten the meal comped or discounted.

[NewJeffCT]

8. Agreed - in cases of crappy service

I am not afraid to go to a manager & complain. You can usually get the price knocked down - especially at a chain restaurant... "we eat here fairly regularly, and we normally have good service. But, this time..."

[LostinVA]

12. And, ALWAYS ask for the District manager's name and email and/or phone

If they won't. Because then they will.

[CreekDog]

16. and i kind of understand why they'd want to hear from me

i was just taking my mom to the airport and because the service was so bad, she doesn't want to go there again.

one can see why it's better to comp the meal and effectively get a "do-over" so that one darkens their doors again.

[Rosie1223]

7. I think your waitress used her $1 tip to buy a stickie.

:rofl:

[CreekDog]

9. lol

:rofl:

[madinmaryland]

10. Too funny!

:rofl:

[LaurenG]

11. Ha!

:rofl:

[TZ]

13. :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9470314

[Gormy Cuss]

14. Gimme quarter. Gimme.

[TZ]

15. !!!!!!

Now THAT would make a GREAT sticky....

[flvegan]

17. I don't dine with you!!!

[WolverineDG]

18. Sounds like a management problem too

so the original server had to leave (sick, problems at home maybe), you *still* make sure their tables are covered.

I think $1 is a bit too much for what happened, and I'm an infamous over-tipper.

dg

[CreekDog]

19. there was confusion and arguments in the kitchen during the meal

and the guy that announced he "had to go home" was there the entire time, he just wasn't serving us (or anybody).

the previous time i went there everything was fine, but last night, nobody seemed to be in charge.