this post was submitted on 12 May 2025
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A lot of people wait tables just for temporary income while they're pursing other career paths (such as college, acting, writing, etc.), in which case, making just enough to get by isn't a huge issue, and it can even motivate you to work harder on your actual goal.
Most servers I've met who where doing it full-time actually seemed to genuinely enjoy their job and were very good at it, and rarely complained about not making enough. Sure, they'd get stiffed on tips every now and then just like everyone else, but they had a surprisingly high amount of positive stories about very generous tippers that more than made up for the difference.
But like I said, there's a certain type of personality they all had in common: they were generally above average in attractiveness, loved dressing up, and genuinely enjoyed pleasing people, making smalltalk, etc. People like that seem to do quite well for themselves, and they usually have no problem getting promoted, or finding a job at a more prestigious restaurant (where the tips are usually much better).
All of that can still be true without depending on tips. Those successful servers you mention would be successful in either system.
Not really, because in countries where servers are paid a "living wage" by default, people will generally tip much less (usually in the single digits if anything), and therefore there's no incentive for a anyone to go above and beyond to provide good service, because you get paid more or less the same either way.
Go to Europe sometime and see for yourself. Waiters there are often indifferent at best and sometimes even outright hostile. But there's not much restaurants can do about it because employees are difficult to fire, and the lack of earning potential from tips makes standing around and doing nothing just as profitable as working extra hard.
Right, because noone would take pride in their work without money as an incentive. My bad, didnt realize. So what's the difference between a sales person on commission and a server on tips? Both are trying to exploit someone to take their money are they not? Exceptional service is being prompt and then leaving my family the fuck alone to eat, its not rocket science.
Okay, so just in case you haven't noticed, you're LITERALLY arguing that people in hospitality should be working harder to please you without expecting any sort of financial reward for their efforts because their employers should just do it for you. You DO realize that all the restaurant's income comes from their guests, right? So if tips weren't required, they would just increase their prices to the point were they could afford paying them a stable living wage, which saves you no money at all, but removes all the control you have for rewarding the type of service YOU prefer.
You're literally the type of unempathetic person the OP descries. Not everyone wants the same kind of service you do, some would rather have their waiter make smalltalk with them or frequently check in to see if they need anything. Perhaps instead of complaining here, you should just be upfront with your server and tell them what you want, but you don't want that because that would oblige you to actually tip them well if they DO give you what they want, right?
You've convinced me, every person who talks to or is seen by a customer should be tipped. Otherwise why would they be decent people?
You've solved my parenting problems too, now I just pay my kids to behave.
I sincerely hope that you don't have any children, because I've seen 13 year olds who were more mature than you.
And I know this is going to sound crazy, but the concept of paying your kids to behave isn't new, it's called an allowance, and it's fairly common for parents to use it as a disciplinary tool by tying it to certain behavioral expectations (such as doing your household chores).
It is in fact really important to teach your kids that good behavior is rewarded, otherwise they'll simply give up on being good and find other ways to make money, such as stealing or dealing drugs.
You've changed my life, thank you.