by Rich Huffstutler

Created on: February 21, 2009   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

If Service is outstanding 20 -25%. If service is fair. 15%. If service is very poor, talk to a manager. Never. ever stiff a server is they provided good service. Never!

Understand first that the average server gets paid less than $3,50 and hour. They do do make minimum wage. This is a fact in 98% of the restaurants in America. What you leave on the table is actually what they live on. Many severs feed their family, and pay their bills, with what you leave on the table.

Most servers work very hard knowing this fact. Understand, that you are not their only table. They must juggle multiple tables, and put up with multiple types of people. Should you ever decide to wait tables, you will understand.

In the "Art of Tipping", there are a few variables to consider, such as how busy is the restaurant at the time? If the restaurant is extremely busy. Understand your server is as well. Should your sever still take very good care of you at this time. Take care of them.

Did your server come greet your table after you were sat within 3 Min?

Did the offer suggestions, and not just say everything is good?

Did they give you eye contact?

Did they seem personable?

Did they care about your dining experience?

Did you have to search for your server when ever you needed something?

Did they make your dining experience enjoyable?

Did you feel as if this was someplace you would want to come back to?

If something went wrong with the meal, did they make it right so you were happy, and all was fair? Please understand sometimes mistakes do happen in the course of a meal, but the question was, did they make it right.

If your server took very good care of you tip at least 20% of the bill, if not 25%. I say this because they did a good job, and if they did a good job, and you come back, they will remember you and you will again recieve excellent service. You will be able to take family or business associate to this place, and ask for that server, and you know the service will be outstanding.

If service was fair, nothing really outstanding, but you had a good meal and all went well for the most part. Tip at least 15% which is the normal amount here in the United States.

If your server just did not care, and was rude, and sloppy, and it made your meal a disaster. It is ok to leave no tip. I maybe would leave a small note to the server, or tell a manager about your dining experience.

Managers do not want their guests getting bad service, many times they only way they will know is if you say something. Do not be afraid to speak up. You and another guest in the restaurant could be having two very different experiences on who is serving them.

If you are getting great service, and the meal is going very well. There are no problems, and you have enjoyed yourself. DO NOT STIFF THE SERVER! They work very hard for their money, and believe me, should you return to that restaurant. They will remember you. Do not expect that same great service. Servers do talk with each other as well. They share with each other who are the good tippers, and who are the bad ones.

If you are rude to your servers, and leave them terriable tips, or none at all. Just remember..they do handle your food and drinks. Do not be fooled.

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