What causes you to NOT TIP at a restaurant/bar? (present, holidays)

[ohhwanderlust]

Originally Posted by Eazine

Maybe you should have tried gazing into his eyes and placing wads of cash into his hand. Apparently that's how its done.

And then kiss!!

[subject2change]

Although that post was a little overwrought, I get the "look in the eyes" remark. When I was a waitress, I couldn't count the times that a customer halfway through their meal asked me "Are you our waitress?", when their waitress could not have looked more different than me- 30 years older, 6" taller, dark vs light hair. Just a little recognition as a human being was appreciated now and then, though not necessary.

[Springs1]

Originally Posted by galaxyhi

I NEVER NOT TIP because of the food! The FOOD is NOT the servers fault if not right, it is the kitchen's responsibility! If it isn't RIGHT, SEND IT BACK TO THE KITHCEN TO BE CORRECTED. {unless the server ordered it wrong}

Food is usually most of the time, 90% of the time, the server's fault or another server's fault, here's why:

1. They can put in the order wrong into the computer or if it's a written ticket they submit, they could have written something down wrong or hard to read.

2. They could have forgotten to put in the order in the first place.

3. Servers can also misunderstand what the customer is saying such as 2 times when I ordered 2 sides of bbq sauce and the stupid idiot servers thought I didn’t want bbq sauce on my ribs when I NEVER ONCE SAID I didn’t and I didn’t say “ON THE SIDE”, I SAID SIDES, which means extra. One of those times I said extra even.

4. Most mistakes with food are visible:

A. Condiments of any kind regardless of who brings out the food can be brought out by the server ahead of time.

B. If someone orders extra crispy bacon with their pancakes, then the bacon looks limp, not stiff, and you can even see some white fat on it, guess what? MY SERVER COULD HAVE SEEN THAT TOO AND TOLD THE COOKS IT WASN'T CORRECT, TO RECOOK IT INSTEAD OF BRINGING IT TO ME WRONG IN THE FIRST PLACE!

C. Any wrong side dishes or entrees are the fault of the server if they bring out the food even if they put in the order right. You can tell the difference between a baked potato and mac n' cheese, yet, a waiter at Logan's Roadhouse was so stupid as to bring me mac n' cheese when I ordered a baked potato. I noticed it within 5 seconds of the food hitting my table. Like DUH a baked potato looks completely different from mac n' cheese.

D. Any MISSING side dishes, appetizers, condiments, or entrees ARE the server's fault if they bring out the food as well. Have had that happen a few times or so. Our servers aren't blind, so they can tell if something is missing or not.

E. I have seen a red steak delivered to someone before at Outback which means let's say the customer ordered their steak well done, that the server could have noticed the color difference as in someone's example “Steak cooked rare instead of well done ? It’s not your server’s fault, they didn’t cook it, it’s the kitchen’s fault.”

F. If something LOOKS burnt such as a piece of bread with the food and the person didn't order it burnt, my server is at fault for serving me that.

G. If my server forgets an item that an entree or appetizer comes with, that's their fault if they brought me my food without the item such as a side dish or ranch.

H. I have ordered at Outback my fries "lightly cooked" "Not overdone and yellow not brown." I have had their fries before cooked the way I like them before many of times before this time I am talking about. This stupid waitress decided to blame the kitchen staff for REALLY DARK BROWN FRIES as if she was blind or something and my husband even told me he could see that they were really dark. My husband may not agree with me on every subject of course, but with that, you could EASILY tell just by LOOKING that those fries were overdone and very dark. She said she put in the order correctly. I am thinking, SO? I wish I could have said "Are you blind?" That was HER FAULT she DECIDED TO SERVE ME THOSE FRIES THAT WEREN'T CORRECT. I noticed the mistake within 3 seconds of my food being placed in front of me.

http://www.bunrab.com/dailyfeed/dail...-04_baconn.jpg

You can tell in this picture above the bacon is very crispy just by simply LOOKING at it.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vv2IGE5obw...0/IMG_8338.jpg

You can tell in this picture above the bacon is NOT CRISPY, just by simple LOOKING at the bacon.

While the server didn't "COOK" the bacon, it's obvious to the *SERVER'S* EYES that one batch of bacon is crispy and the other isn't to decide to BRING the food to the customer wrong or not. It's my server's fault if they decide to bring me the bacon that's like in picture 2 if I ordered it crispy that she or he didn't tell the cooks it was wrong and get them to cook the bacon more instead of SERVING it wrong. WHY bring it out only for the food to be sent back?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DzuAhw_RcX...0/DSC_0006.JPG

You can clearly see the fries are overdone in the picture above if the customer ordered them "NOT OVERDONE, lightly cooked."

http://www.orthogonalthought.com/blo...c_6087_550.jpg

In this picture above, you can see the fries don't appear overdone and the bacon is NOT CRISPY. If a customer asked for their bacon to be crispy, I would REFUSE to serve it and I would have enough CARING and COMMON SENSE to get that fixed **BEFORE** I brought it to the customer only to have the customer send it back or leave me a bad tip for not caring about their food.

My server's job isn't just to bring out what the kitchen staff gives them, it's also getting the order OBVIOUSLY correct to the table as much as possible in order to get that good tip. As someone said on a blog or forum “They just want to be tipped well and will do pretty much anything reasonable to get your money”, which that IS VERY REASONABLE to think OUR SERVERS ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR TIP TO GET THINGS RIGHT TO HAVE A BETTER TIP!!

Get what I am saying here? MOST of the mistakes happen due to either your server if they bring out the food or another server that doesn't compare the ticket to the food(assuming the order was put in correctly by the original server of course).

You also can notice if someone has wing sauce "On the side" vs. "On the wings" themselves. This isn't rocket science.

Most of the things that are wrong with the food can be caught by the server if they bring out the food, even if they didn't cook it. If it's another server, they can catch obvious errors on the ticket and menu(such as menu states the item comes with bbq sauce and the ticket doesn't say "no bbq sauce") if the ticket was correctly put in by the original server that took the order. Condiments(in bottles or on the side in containers) can always be offered to be brought out ahead of time REGARDLESS of WHO brings out the food to the table.

So most of the time when the food has something wrong with it, chances are, your server or another server could have caught the mistake before it got to you in most instances. I NEVER said ALL, but in most cases, it can be caught BEFORE bringing out the food(unless another server brings out the food with the ticket wrong), because then the original server that took the order is at fault for putting the order in incorrectly into the computer.

There are few rare cases where the food being wrong is the kitchen staff's fault such as raw food(such as raw chicken), slightly undercooked or overcooked food that you'd have to CUT into to know if it was under or overcooked, or anything the server cannot see with their eyes unless they were to TOUCH the food. Things such as a pickle under a bun the server can't notice unless they lift the bun, so unless they put the order in wrong, they wouldn't be at fault, but in general most food mistakes can be caught BEFORE bringing the food to the table.

What I am saying is, MOST mistakes ARE PREVENTABLE by the SERVER if they bring your order to you that they can NOTICE things wrong by comparing those written orders to the plates of food.

Once a waiter at Chili's said "The kitchen forgot" when I had ordered 2 sides of mayo and 1 side of mustard. The thing is, my waiter brought out the food, so NO, HE HE HE HE HE FORGOT, the kitchen staff didn't step out the kitchen to bring me my food and forget obvious missing containers from my plate that aren't covered up by anything. MY WAITER DID THOUGH!!

You walk in one room in your house with a plate of food, but forget the ranch. Even if your mom or significant other plated your food, which you even told her you wanted a side of ranch for your fries, but you bring it to another room. HOW IS THAT THEIR FAULT? It's YOUR FAULT YOU LEFT THE ROOM WITHOUT THE RANCH AND DIDN'T NOTICE IT SINCE IT'S SOMETHING OBVIOUS YOU DON'T HAVE TO *TOUCH* TO NOTICE THE MISTAKE!!

Even if he didn't bring out the food, that waiter could have prevented that type of thing from being forgotten since it needs no cooking to bring it out ahead of time. It is always the person bringing out the food that is at fault for any type of mistake that you don't have to TOUCH the food to notice the mistake, unless of course, the order was put in wrong by the original server that took the order with another server bringing out the food. Of course unless, the kitchen goofs up, making it correctly even if the ticket is wrong, but that's highly unlikely scenario.

I cannot believe you honestly think that the server is not at fault for most food mistakes. WE LIVED THROUGH THE "DUH" MISTAKES, SO WE CAN SEE WITH OUR EYES WHO WAS AT FAULT!!

We had a waiter once admitted he grabbed the wrong entrée from the kitchen. It was just my husband and I. This waiter not only admitted he didn't compare the WRITTEN ORDER with the entrées he was bringing out, but also we saw he had other entrées for another table that he didn't ONCE get his pad of paper out to see WHICH ENTRÉE WENT WITH WHICH TABLE!! So 2 times he could have caught his mistake, but didn't *****TRY HIS BEST AS HE SHOULD HAVE, because that's HIS JOB**!!

He admitted that he grabbed the wrong entrée from the kitchen. He brought my husband fried shrimp w/fries when he ordered crawfish au gratin w/baked potato. Those items look NOTHING A LIKE, but yet THAT WAITER WAS TOO LAZY AND UNCARING TO VERIFY *WHAT* HE WAS BRINGING US!! We still left him 17% BTW, just to let you know since he profusely apologized TWICE and FIXED THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY just about. We honestly shouldn’t have though, because that really didn't make him LEARN anything. If I had to do it all over again, I would have tipped 13%. It's because since that happened(a number of years ago, maybe like 4), me and my husband have had some terrible experiences. We have had good ones too of course, but the servers need to LEARN that they can't just hand you ANYTHING like McDonald's cashiers do. They are there to EARN a tip, NOT to just hand you anything.

It's very rare that it's not the server's fault. Things like if I order no pickles if you took my order and brought out my food, which there are some pickles under a bun that you'd have to lift it to see it, unless you admitted putting in the order wrong, I will assume it's the kitchen staff that is at fault and probably is.

Things like raw chicken tenders aren't the fault of the server.

A slightly over or undercooked steak if the order was put in correctly is not the server's fault.

Also, some people assume things as well, that end up being wrong.

If another server brings out a wrong side dish or if they are missing items other than condiments, no it's not the server's fault if they put in the order correctly, but it still counts against the tip. It's part of the service.

Why also is it when you say "no pickles" or "ONLY lettuce and onions", they still have a pickle on the plate? WHY you servers can't understand that if the customer states they don't want pickles, that means on the plate, because otherwise, they'd specifically state they would have wanted it "ON THE SIDE." Think about it. WHY do I keep having servers bring me some pickles on the plate when I ordered no pickles? NO SERVERS ARE BLIND OR ILLITERATE that they cannot determine any of the obvious errors that don't have to be touched to notice the mistakes or mistake.

You have ZERO COMMON SENSE AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS SUBJECT TO SPEAK ON! You must think servers are *BLIND OR ILLITERATE* DON'T YOU? They can't tell the difference between onion rings vs. fries or see that there is no side of ranch on the plate, etc. according to you, right?

[Springs1]

Originally Posted by Jada_yel

When she greeted you did you ask how she was back?

If it's someone I don't know, NO, because we are HUNGRY and THIRSTY, DUH. I mean really, the more time you take to get my order, the more time I am waiting. I don't want to know my server unless they are a good server. It's just like the server wouldn't want to be friends with a stiffer or a 10% tipper, well we feel the same way that if the server doesn't try their best and/or is rude, then why would we want to get to know you?

When you haven't eaten the whole day getting ready to place your order, I want to see if *YOU* like it when someone wants to delay you. I would rather chit chat with my server while I am waiting for my food to get cooked, not before I get my order in. The longer I take to order, the longer I wait for my food that other customer's orders are ahead of mine now that wouldn't have been.

[subject2change]

Wow.

[Springs1]

Originally Posted by whocares811

Yes, I know having to wait for food is NOT the waiter's fault,

Oh YES IT IS MOST OF THE TIME, HERE'S WHY:

Ask yourself these questions as a server:

1. WHEN do you put in my order? Do you wait or do you go put it in immediately after taking it? If you are double sat or triple sat, you can still go put in each order into the computer after taking each table’s order. By not doing that can result in a much longer wait and that would be YOUR FAULT.

2. FORGETTING to put in an order. My husband and I have experienced this for REAL that servers ADMITTED to our faces they have FORGOTTEN TO PUT ORDERS IN. All of them were appetizers, bar drinks, and a cup of soup.

3. Did you put in the order CORRECTLY into the computer? Have had many times servers ADMITTED to our faces they did not do that correctly. Have had wrong entrées before due to our server putting in the order wrong. Have had wrong bar drinks too due to the server putting in the order wrong.

4. Did you FORGET ANYTHING I ORDERED such as a SIDE DISH? We have had this happen a number of times as well.

5. Did you DROP anything I ordered? Luckily, we have not had this happen, but I have seen a server once drop some fries from a plate before and I did have a waiter spill some margarita martini when pouring into a martini glass. In other words, it is possible, not likely, but very possible.

6. Did you remember to GET my food? We have had a server do that before. Also, we have had a number of servers forget bar drinks.

7. Did you bring out my food obviously correctly if you bring my food out? Do you realize how many times OUR OWN SERVER brings out DUH mistakes like the side dish is wrong, the entrée is wrong, something obvious is not correct bacon that isn’t covered up isn’t extra, extra crispy when you can clearly notice that it isn’t without touching anything, etc.? Every DUH mistake you bring out is YOUR FAULT I am waiting for what I did order by you wasting my time bringing me the wrong item or wrongly prepared item or forgot something. While we all make mistakes, I would have to say a good 90% of the time, servers NEVER COMPARE THE WRITTEN ORDERS TO THE FOOD, because they are TOO LAZY and DON’T CARE!!

8. Servers DO wait to put in entrée orders when appetizers, side salads, or cups of soup are ordered. THAT *IS* THE GOD’S TRUTH! Sometimes it’s TOO LONG THEY WAIT! If it’s another server, it still doesn’t make it the kitchen staff’s fault I have the wrong side dish for example since that is something that’s obvious. It’s either my server that didn’t put in my order correctly or this other server that didn’t compare the ticket to the food or that this other server did compare the ticket to the food, but just missed it(HIGHLY UNLIKELY, but possible).

9. WHEN do you come to GET MY ORDER? That part is covered in #2 below.

10. WHEN do you DECIDE to LET ME ORDER? That part is covered in #4 below.

11. WHEN do you decide to DELIVER MY FOOD? That part is covered in #1 below.

12. Do you, because they are out of something, decide to assume everyone wants the closest thing so you do the ordering for me? That part is covered in #3 below.

1. Once, we had a Red Lobster waitress had our 2 entrées on the tray as well as 2 side salads that were for a couple that wasn’t even there when we ordered. Anyway, instead of bypassing their table to hand us ours first since WE DID ORDER FIRST(common sense would tell you that it takes more time to cook food than it does to fix a side salad anyways even if it wasn’t our server that delivered our food, but it was our waitress that delivered our food), she decided to hand them theirs first off the tray. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS IN THE SERVER’S CONTROL TO HAND OUT THINGS OFF THE SAME TRAY IN THE ORDER IN WHICH IT WAS ORDERED IN!!

2. Once, we had a waitress that greeted us which we ordered an appetizer as well as our drinks when greeted. I saw she tucking in chairs at empty tables and pretty much doing everything but coming back to get our entrée order. Well, I found out what happened. She brought out our appetizer and when I asked she said that she wanted to wait to put in our entrée orders. The thing is, that delayed us more by not at least coming to GET our orders. That way, when the appetizer was ready, we wouldn’t have gotten delayed eating our appetizer since we then had to give our entrée orders when we could have given our entrée orders WELL BEFORE THAT and we would have gotten our entrées faster due to that she could have just left to put our entrée orders into the computer after delivering our appetizer instead of taking time to order when our appetizer was sitting in front of us. The point is, SHE delayed our entrées as well as to be able to start eating our appetizer because she could have at least TAKEN our entrée orders and then when our appetizer would have been brought out, could have immediately gone to the computer to put our entrée orders in. What she did was make us wait while our hot appetizer was sitting in front of us, we couldn’t touch it, because we had to order our entrées and could have done that wayyy before that. She also delayed our entrées because we had to spend extra time AFTER our appetizer arrived to give her our entrée orders when we could have done that wayyyy before that.

3. Once, we had a waitress that assumed that because they were out of raspberry topping for a cheesecake slice when we had ordered dessert that she’d bring us strawberry. Turns out, she knew when she put in the order that the computer had it the manager told us. So she did it on PURPOSE to be so lazy and uncaring as to not come to ask if we wanted the next closest thing. We didn’t, we sent it back, so she had MORE WORK. Also, she didn’t even think about what if someone is allergic to strawberries. I just honestly can’t believe someone would do that. If they are out of something, common sense would be to come to see if the next closest thing is ok. Not everyone wants the next closest thing. So it wasn’t like it was just getting the order wrong by accident or by not verifying the written order with what she was bringing or putting in the order wrong by accident, this was on PURPOSE to be LAZY and to ASSUME. I didn’t know at first that she did that. I thought at first she just was that stupid(or truly just messed up(highly doubt it)) to bring us strawberries on top of a cheesecake when we ordered raspberries.

4. Your server delays coming to get your order or delays you ordering due to personal conversation. We have had that before as well. Once, we had a waiter that we didn’t know after waiting 15 mins. for a table on Mardi Gras day ask us BEFORE we ORDERED ANYTHING “How’s y’all’s Mardi Gras” “Go to any parades.” See, I don’t mind chit chat with a stranger, but be considerate to do it AFTER we have our orders into the computer so you don’t take up our time.

We have also had servers not come to get our order due to playing around. Sometimes taking a long time or a longer time has A LOT to do with the server: My husband and I have had 3 TIMES where servers FORGOT to put food orders into the computer. We also have 7 times servers forget to get bar drinks from the bar. Once a waitress forgot to put in a bar drink into the computer. Two of the 3 times it was an appetizer and the servers ADMITTED doing so. The third time was a cup of bisque which is normally served before a meal just like a side salad is. My husband and I also have had delays due to that the servers delayed putting orders into the computer when they COULD have such as deciding to buss a table first or decide instead of a mini-greet(I’ll be right with you all), one waiter I saw decided to take a party of 6 people’s drink/appetizer orders instead of putting in our food orders into the computer. I can understand if they call you over, but if they don’t, you should be putting that order into the computer not delaying our food. The longer you wait to put in orders, the LONGER WE WAIT!! So truly think about that MOST of the time when you wait a LONG TIME for your food or bar drinks even, it could be the server’s fault. 9 times out of 10, your server had *SOMETHING* to do with the delay in most cases! That’s the GOD’S TRUTH!

Do you all not have ANY COMMON SENSE?

[Springs1]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

What makes you want to not tip?

When servers don't *TRY* their *BEST* and are rude or mean. When they just act like they could care less about you.

[revelated]

Originally Posted by Jada_yel

Those servers you stiff, screw and steal from all work two sometimes three jobs. They are teachers, social workers, firemen... They are all people who contribute to this society... Now some of these people have long commute to work and some of them don't even drive, they ride the bus. Most of them are either single parents or married with kids with unemployed husbands at home. These people serve your lousy selves because they cannot afford to give a good life for their families with their main jobs...

Whew. What a horrific wall of text. Line breaks. Do you use them? Start.

Now, to this section above:

• Multiple jobs = higher responsibility. Good on them. IT's not a free pass to get tip they didn't earn.
• I guarantee you there are no firemen working tables.
• Long commute? That's their decision. They chose to live far from work. They could have chosen to live near work. They didn't. Not a free pass for higher tip they didn't earn.
• Married with kids with unemployed husbands at home. Ok. I could go on all day about responsibility and doing what you need to do as a man, it's moot. Not a free pass to get tip they didn't earn.
• "cannot afford to give a good life for their families with their main jobs" nor can they with multiple jobs, as you said earlier? And they don't think to get a better job?

Everything you put, is an excuse not to push oneself. Not a free pass for undeserved tips.

Originally Posted by Jada_yel

You all know the system in America that servers in this country are making money of off tips and that's what you are gonna do. Do you have a solution? You don't so you are gonna tip and stop having lame excuses to cut back the tip from these hardworking honorable people who don't rely on obama phone and food stamps.

If a server is not making sufficient money WITHOUT tips, they need to find another job. Whether that's a second job or a replacement job. The problem is that a lot of them settle and then get entitled because of certain people who say they should tip even when you're treated like garbage. No. Not acceptable.

Originally Posted by Jada_yel

Your job is to enjoy the food, tip and leave. Period!

Negative. It's not a "job" to go to a restaurant, it's my choice. And by my choice to walk in there, I have the RIGHT to (A) enjoy my food, (B) enjoy my service, (C) CHOOSE to tip, and (D) leave.

It IS the server's job to (A) serve my food timely, (B) get the order correct, (C) provide at least basic service, and (D) give me a bill. It's their right to (E) provide EXCELLENT service to entice me to give a tip. They are NOT entitled to get a tip and guess what? Good food service workers understand that and they bust their tail to earn the tips. They are the ones who get my money, not the self-entitled.

Originally Posted by Jada_yel

were you even nice to your server? When she greeted you did you ask how she was back? Did you look her in the eyes when you ordered or did you keep telling her to come back grouchily? Were you hard to please already? Did you have an attitude?

None of which have anything to do with the core question, which is whether or not a server is entitled to a tip.

The rule of thumb in Customer Service is that if you want to get recognized, if you want your supervisor/manager to hear good things about you, if you want those tips, if you want that excellence award, whatever...you have to go above and beyond the call of duty REGARDLESS of your customer. If they come in with a bad attitude you have two choices: do enough to get them out of there or do so much that they leave happy and with the intent of coming back just to see you. The second? THAT is worth a tip.

It's hard, I know it's hard. It's way difficult dealing with problem customers but let me tell you something. There is no better feeling when you take a customer who is giving you crap and turn them around to where they're praising you like gold and dropping money in your lap because YOU EARNED IT. And that is what's missing these days - people wanting to EARN their money. Work for it if you want it.

Originally Posted by Jada_yel

If you are gonna eat out, be an honorable person and treat your server with respect and dignity. Some of you said servers should better their lives and have better jobs... Well how about you better your life, get a better job and tip well and become "great clientele" that all the servers and restaurant managers admire and look up to?

The best clientele are repeat customers and that's all the manager cares about - getting you back in there, happy or angry. Whether you tip the staff or not is customer's business.

My life is good enough that as I said, I have been known to tip heavily - to the tune of 100% if the service was really that good. In my youth it was not unheard of to drop $100 just because it was near Christmas and the service was excellent.

Your problem is that you're saying everyone should tips of 20% just because they're struggling. Bounce that noise. Tips are earned, they are NOT guaranteed and should not be. That's why service is in the garbage now and people are lazy and unwilling to work HARD to earn their money - people like you who throw money at said lazy people and keep the problem from getting fixed.

Originally Posted by Jada_yel

Instead of coming here worrying about how much money she made, put a smile on her face and contribute to her life as she contributed to yours that you have no clue of because you don't even know who she is. Oh besides you will never know how much money she makes either because you will never know how early she got "cut" ( if you dont know what it means, search it) what kind of section she had and how many top she had in those small hours when restaurant got busy and died out super fast afterwards... Bring in your positivity with you and you will see your entire experience is going to be much better... And don't forget that you are not the only person there she is taking care of so don't judge her performance over unfair reasons...she is not a superwoman, she is human.

First off servers can be male OR female, so stop discriminating.

Second, his/her personal issues or work load or number of tables or small hours or dead restaurant - none of that matters to me. I was just at Sonic - only one there, no other customers, yet the lady managed to not only botch the order, but the waffle cone which is arguably so easy to make a caveman could do it, was sloppy and messy. NOBODY else there, no excuses. She was just lazy and not willing to work hard.

Originally Posted by Jada_yel

I really hope this post can make a difference...

No you don't. You intend for the post to criticize proper use of tips. That's fine. If you want to keep throwing money at lazy people you keep doing that. Just don't complain when service doesn't get any better, and definitely don't complain when said restaurant shuts down because of a lack of customers, and those same servers you were so eager to throw money at get laid off and end up worse than had you simply pushed them to improve.

[AfternoonCoffee]

Originally Posted by eyeb

Again, servers in EVERY state has to make federal minimum wage, the lower server one that includes tips is only there as a "base" but if they get no tips, they still have to make the $7.25/hr (I think that is current minimum wage). This is why even McDonald's workers don't make less than that even though they are "food" workers.

On that note, anyone ever tip the server even though the meal was bad, someone above mentioned that they blamed bad food on the cook and not server? But what happens when the server should have known the food was bad by looking at it and not have brought it out, in some cases when it was obviously undercooked. Not sure how I would have felt about getting no food vs bad food quickly though if that would have happened. Would I have blamed the server for bad service of slow food that he can't control, or is it bad service that he knew he was bringing bad food? For me a good server would explain what happened and offered a side or something to keep me occupied vs me complaining to management about a bad meal entirely. Hell, even if they paid it out of pocket, I would probably tip them well enough to cover it if they explained what they were doing.

Re 1st paragraph: do you when this law was enacted? When I waited tables 10-15 years ago this was absolutely not the case. In one state we were paid $2.13 an hour, regardless of tips. In another, I think we were at $4. NEVER paid more to do side/opening/closing work (unless it was a special shift that only consisted of coming in and doing some onerous task.)

Re 2nd paragraph: This is nonsense. Your server shouldn't be the gatekeeper of your food. He/she isn't the chef, manager or owner. "Bad food" is so subjective. You might think something is undercooked, but the server might not see it that way. You're a grown up. You can be responsible for your own complaints about your meal. Speak up and tell your server what is wrong, but don't punish them for not taste-testing your food first. Of course they should have a positive and helpful attitude about any issue you have with your meal--after you've had the chance to assess that for yourself.

Bolded: Perhaps some crayons and a coloring sheet while the cook cuts the crusts off your PBJ?

[kokonutty]

DOUBLE WOW! There are a few very angry people here. Talk about capitalization and excess punctuation - wow! People who not only hold onto memories of bad service at low end restaurants, but keep a score sheet (missed orders 7 times in how many years?) I'm thinking that if Outback is the acme of one's Chili's and Red Lobster restaurant existence they'd be much better off and be much more appreciated by restaurant staffs everywhere just by staying home.

One can only imagine what a pleasure it must be for their mates and others to share a meal with these individuals...and then have to go home with them, too.

If we're still torturing detainees at Guantanamo, I've got some ideas for helping out in the process - who needs waterboarding?