What are your opinions about tipping waiters?

Actually, this is something I've been thinking about for a while now. I don't like that whenever I go into restaurants I'm expected to tip the waiters and that they are noticeably annoyed if I don't. Why should I tip them? They get paid, I don't get tips for doing my job and I'm not exactly rolling in money but I don't expect customers to give me money for a job I'm already being paid to do! I actually think it's rude of them to expect a tip. We are the customers, we're paying them their wages THEN they expect us to give them more money. It's unacceptable.

I'd like to add personal experience to some of the great answers which have been given on why you SHOULD tip.

When I was younger, I *never* tipped - EVER. I honestly didn't know any better. I didn't know waiters made a crappy $2 an hour. I didn't know tipping was *expected*.

Then I went into the bar business. Manager of a small bar, but also earned most of my money as a bartender for 4 years. Being on the receiving end can really change your views on things. I made my share of mistakes and paid for it with lousy tips. I learned from them and had my fair share of better than average tips as well.

After that experience, I don't know whether or not I'd want to do it again, but I do know how *IMPORTANT* it is to tip, because whether you like it or not, you're helping to pay someone's salary, and that's just the way it works.

These days, I *always* leave an above average tip at a cheaper restaurant (For a $15-20 meal, I'll easily give $4-5 if the service is good - $6-7 for above average service, and on the RARE occasion that I've been disappointed, I'll leave $1), and at more expensive places ($40+), I'll tip at least 15%.

Those who know better, tip better :) (i.e. people in the industry who work for their tips) tend to be the bigger tippers...I've seen it time and time again.

As someone else said, if you're too cheap to tip, go get some fast food!

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Edit: As the original poster asks...

"Please indicate where does it state I must tip? Remember, opinion is not a fact."

While eating alone is usually not enough that you "must" tip, if you're in a party of 5 or 6 + people (depending on the restaurant), they WILL automatically add a 15 or 20% gratuity charge to the bill which you must pay (i.e. they don't trust you to be cheap and cheat the waiter out of a fair tip.)

Unlike most jobs, the tip is considered part of their pay; they are paid less than they would be.

So, in effect, when you accept their service and refuse to pay for it, you're ripping them off.

Every civilized being who lives in this society where tips are an essential part of wait persons compensation tips.

It would be better if employers paid them appropriately,a nd put the real price on the menu, but as long as that is NOT the case, you are ripping all of these people off.

Why some jobs get tips and most don't has no real logic to it, but is arbitrary.

I don't tip to not look cheap; I tip because I'm a civilized human being who doesn't live in the fantasy-world of what SHOULD be, but the actual world in which wait-persons are grossly underpaid, with the understanding that most of the people they serve are civilized human beings and will make up the difference.

I would wholeheartedly support a switch to a reasonable system where the employer pays their full wage; until that happns it's just wrong to act as though it had.

I hate you idiots who blather on about tipping and not mention the fact that IN CALIFORNIA waiters get wayyyyyy more money as these other states. STOP TIPPING IN CALIFORNIA. It's not fair to any other service job that makes minimum wage. Waiters in California want you to think they make $2 per hour like most states. They're lying to you, they want you to feel cheap and think that they live off your tips. Tip other minimum wage employees - not waiters. They don't deserve any more of your money.

"Minimum wage" for waiters, as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor, is less than the minimum wage for other types of jobs, because the USDA assumes that waiters will get tips.

Well, think about this; if the restaurant manager paid the waiters the same as other workers, then your food would cost more. Your meal is cheap, because the restaurant does not have to pay as much to waiters, and the cost savings are passed onto you, the consumer.

If you don't want to pay someone to bring you your food, then perhaps you should go to a fast food restaurant and serve yourself.

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If you want a reason to tip, then consider this, is it not normal for you to pay someone for services rendered? Does the neighbor's kid mow your lawn for free? Probably not. Tipping is the one time that you get to unilaterally decide how much a service is worth to you. You don't normally decide how much you are willing to pay for other services (like a cab ride) and pay only that amount.

tip, the waitors and waitresses are often working for the lowest wages. many need those tips to feed their families. in this economy jobs are few and far between. I have a neice with twin boys and another baby on the way. She has a masters degree. her husband was laid off. being a waitress is vital. This is just one family. A dollar or two can make a big difference to a struggling family. tip because someday your kindness will come back to you.

You sound stingy and unpleasant. You should watch the movie "Waiting." I tip because it is the norm. Most waiters/waitresses get those jobs for the very fact that they get tips. For you not to tip them is kind of a slap in the face. How do you know which places pay minimum wage or not? You kind of remind me of someone who throws trash on the ground because that's the janitor's job to pick it up. They could have picked a better job, right?

Tipping is not a city in China! It is customary in America to tip for "service" rendered, particularly in a restaurant! The amount is usually AT LEAST 15% of the total bill, more if the service deems it!

You are tipping for the total "dining experience", was it pleasurable, relaxing, comfortable?

For those that DO NOT tip (for whatever reason)....there is a term for them...."tacky, classless, cheapskates".

Basically, if you CANNOT afford to tip at a restaurant, then you SHOULDN'T be going to that restaurant!

Tipping is considered an "etiquette"...REGARDLESS of whether or not you think the restaurant should pay their employees more!

Your server is "working" for your tip! It is additional motivation to ensure the best service!

Don't let the classless cheapskate non-tippers convince you to "stiff" your server. It ONLY hurts the server and puts YOU in a bad light!

15%-20% on average... less for poorer service...more for better!

i tip because minimum wage is not a living wage If i don't want to pay for service I eat at home or a cafeteria style restaurant.

I just hope all who don't tip & get someone waiting on them for a second time like the taste of phlem & perhaps a side of virus!

Always 10-15% of the total. I always tip, unless they are plain rude and the service is terrible then I only leave a dollar.