To Tip, or Not to Tip: Shouldn’t Even Be a Question

In the world of being a restaurant server, tips make a difference and are widely appreciated.

Tips+should+be+left+after+eating+out+at+a+restaurant.

Photo Ariana Smith

Tips should be left after eating out at a restaurant.

Ariana Smith, Staff Writer

I’ve eaten at a number of restaurants and, more significantly, I’ve worked at a lot of restaurants, but I’ve recently come to the conclusion that customers are leaving little to no tip. Tipping is a terrific idea, and there isn’t a better way to show appreciation for the restaurant server than by giving them some cash. When customers tip, they are not only covering the cost of their food but also the mental effort required to serve them and ensure they have a positive experience.

Please understand that I can not force anyone who eats out to leave a tip. However, if we all just start adding a few extra dollars to our checks, we can help those who really need it; the waiters and waitresses who work long shifts every day just to make ends meet. I work as a teenager for $15 per hour, and I don’t even have to pay the majority of what waiters and waitresses in restaurants must pay such as rent, groceries, or utilities.

If you’re rich or at least have the means to buy food, you might not be concerned about this, but if you’re not, you can only imagine how difficult it must be for those who are trying to make ends meet on minimum wage. Sometimes they can’t afford things like lunch breaks or late-night hours at work because they have to scrounge together enough money each week for things like rent, food, gasoline, etc. They put in a lot of overtime because they value their income like many other but can barely get any.

When dining out, it is impolite not to leave a tip, especially because restaurant servers frequently receive meager or no compensation. Not leaving a tip can sometimes be upsetting, particularly if someone doesn’t have enough money available on their card or in their bank account. They should be compensated for their time even if the restaurant was able to pay its staff a fair rate. A disagreement over how much should be left on the table for someone’s dinner is not a reason to leave no tip.

If you feel you are receiving positive treatment from your waiter or waitress, a decent rule of thumb is to leave them at least 15% of the bill. If you don’t believe this is significant, then perhaps you should consider how much money you spend a year on eating out. Or maybe think about how much money restaurant owners receive in tips from patrons who value and love their service. Overall, leaving a tip at the end of a meal at a restaurant is just common decency. You should always express your gratitude to wait staff when you get the opportunity because they work very hard to make your dining experience enjoyable.